Data Glove Digit Sensor Assemblies for Cross-Talk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective interfaces that seamlessly translate human movements and forces into digital information, particularly for applications bridging the gap between computing devices and the physical world, such as in data gloves, which often face challenges in accuracy and comfort due to limited dynamic range and cross-talk between sensors.
Innovation Solution
A data glove design incorporating digit sensor assemblies with piezoresistive or piezoelectric sensors on flexible substrates, integrated into a textile assembly with haptic devices, and circuitry that processes signals to generate digital representations, allowing for secure fitting and precise force translation, while minimizing cross-talk between fingers and enhancing dynamic range through stiffeners and flexible materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into a glove structure to translate finger movements into digital information, then the interface between physical and digital domains is improved, but cross-talk between sensors and limited dynamic range occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate digit sensor assemblies, each containing sensors for specific finger segments (proximal, middle, distal phalanges). This segmentation isolates the sensing zones for each finger, preventing cross-talk between adjacent fingers while maintaining comprehensive movement tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Stiffeners are strategically placed at specific locations corresponding to finger knuckles and sensor positions. These localized stiffening elements provide structural support to enhance sensor dynamic range and accuracy at critical measurement points without making the entire glove rigid, thus improving local measurement quality while maintaining overall flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If stiffeners are added to support sensor dynamic range, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire glove structure complex and rigid, stiffeners are applied locally only at specific positions where sensors are mounted and where finger knuckles require support. This localized approach enhances sensor dynamic range and measurement precision at critical points while keeping the rest of the glove flexible and simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffeners are integrated within the glove structure in a nested manner, where they are positioned between the outer glove material and the sensor assemblies. This nesting allows the stiffeners to provide structural support without adding significant external complexity or bulk to the glove design.
3Reliability
If a secure fitting is implemented to prevent sensor displacement, then measurement reliability is improved, but comfort may deteriorate due to tight fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The glove employs elastic materials and flexible construction that allow the fitting to adapt dynamically to the user's hand shape and size. The secure fitting is achieved through elastic tension and strategic anchoring points rather than rigid constriction, maintaining sensor positioning stability while accommodating natural hand movements and providing comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The glove design allows for adjustable fitting parameters such as strap tension and material elasticity to accommodate different hand sizes and preferences. By changing these parameters, the glove can achieve secure sensor positioning without excessive tightness, balancing reliability and comfort for different users.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables accurate and comfortable translation of human movements and forces into digital data, improving the dynamic range and reducing cross-talk between fingers, thus enhancing the usability of data gloves in interacting with virtual environments.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensors on an elongated substrate. The one or more sensors of each digit sensor assembly is configured to generate one or more signals representing bending of the corresponding substrate
Implementation Method 2
either a piezoresistive material or a piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and techniques are described herein for use with a data glove. The data glove includes sensors configured to translate movement and forces associated with a human hand to the digital domain.