Embedded Sensor Array for Hand Pose Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand tracking devices for virtual and remote environments face challenges in accurately measuring hand and finger movements, particularly in distinguishing between fingers and determining grasp states, often requiring numerous sensors and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A device with a uniformly or non-uniformly distributed array of sensors, including optical and capacitive sensors, embedded in the surface or within the device, which measures hand and finger positions using emitter-detector pairs and capacitive sensing, allowing for precise detection of finger presence, proximity, and grasp states, with optional ergonomic features to guide hand placement and reduce sensor complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a uniformly distributed array of sensors is used to measure hand and finger positions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple sensor groups, where each group is associated with a specific finger. This segmentation allows the system to process and interpret sensor data more efficiently by finger, reducing the computational complexity while maintaining the ability to precisely track each finger's position and grasp state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes the mapping between sensor array positions and finger locations during device design. This preliminary configuration allows the system to directly interpret sensor readings without requiring complex real-time calculations to determine which finger is contacting which sensor, thereby reducing processing complexity while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If numerous sensors are used to distinguish between fingers and determine grasp states, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is organized into distinct sensor groups, with each group dedicated to detecting a specific finger's presence and position. This segmentation enables the system to use fewer total sensors by focusing detection capabilities on individual fingers rather than requiring comprehensive coverage of the entire hand.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor array have specialized detection characteristics optimized for specific fingers. Each sensor group is positioned and configured to detect the unique grasp patterns of its associated finger, allowing precise finger distinction with a reduced sensor count by placing sensors strategically where they provide maximum discriminatory information.
3Measurement precision
If optical emitter-detector pairs are used to sense finger proximity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical emitter and detector into integrated emitter-detector pairs that are embedded within the device housing. This merging of components reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating separate mounting structures and simplifying the optical path, while the paired configuration maintains precise proximity sensing capability through coordinated emission and detection.
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
This solution enables accurate and reliable hand and finger tracking, reducing the number of sensors needed while providing tactile feedback and force estimation, enhancing user interaction in virtual reality, gaming, and robotic applications.
Implementation Method 1
This measurement may be based on measuring the light reflected off of the user's fingers and/or hand (or gloved/covered fingers and/or hand) to the device's embedded light detectors
Implementation Method 2
a uniformly distributed array of capacitive, electrostatic, and/or capaciflective sensors for measuring the presence and/or proximity of a person's hand and/or fingers near a device based on measuring the change of capacitance due to the proximity of a user's fingers and/or hand
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for measuring the grasp state, position, or hand pose of a user's hand relative to a device, which could be used as an input for human-machine input, augmented reality, virtual reality, video games, or tele-manipulation. The device may include a plurality of grasp sensors embedded within the device. A kinematic hand model can be used in combination with grasp sensing data to estimate a user's hand pose.