Epidermal VR Actuator Wireless Power Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality devices face challenges in providing reliable, lightweight, and unobtrusive wireless power and communication for actuation systems, particularly for devices with multiple actuators that require significant energy to simulate realistic physical interactions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless power and communication system that rapidly switches between actuators to minimize power usage, using a single actuator at a time while simulating simultaneous activation, and incorporates a large area antenna for power harvesting and a small area antenna for communication, allowing for efficient energy distribution and actuation across a large surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actuators are powered simultaneously to provide realistic physical interactions, then the physical sensation realism is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-multiplexed actuation where actuators are activated in sequential time slots rather than simultaneously. The controller cycles through multiple actuators rapidly, creating the perception of simultaneous activation while actually powering only one actuator at a time, thus reducing peak power consumption while maintaining the realism of physical sensations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates power to actuators based on real-time requirements. The controller adjusts which actuators are active at any given moment, switching between them adaptively to match the virtual reality interaction demands, thereby optimizing power usage while preserving physical feedback quality
2Ease of operation
If a wireless power system is used to enable unrestricted movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the power delivery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless power system is segmented into multiple spatially distributed antenna elements that can be independently controlled. This allows the system to focus power delivery to specific regions where actuators are located, improving power density at the target while maintaining overall wireless operation and user mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized power delivery by directing wireless power specifically to regions containing actuators rather than providing uniform power coverage. This concentrates power delivery capability where needed most, enabling sufficient power for actuation while maintaining wireless freedom of movement
3Area of stationary object
If actuators are distributed over a large surface area to cover the user's body, then the physical interaction coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal platform that manages multiple actuators through a standardized time-multiplexing protocol. This single controller handles power allocation, signal generation, and coordination for all distributed actuators, simplifying the system architecture despite the large number of actuators across the body surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple actuator control functions into a single integrated controller that manages all actuators through unified time-multiplexed signals. This merging of control functions reduces the number of separate control systems needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining wide body coverage
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 the reliable generation of energy-intensive forces and varied physical sensations across a user's body, maintaining power for prolonged actuations while ensuring compatibility with multiple actuator types and applications, enhancing the realism of virtual interactions without the need for bulky power sources.
Implementation Method 1
The systems are configured to provide the ability to reliably generate and impart an action, even relatively energy-intensive forces, that can be felt by a user, and that is compatible with a wireless configuration
Implementation Method 2
A single controller may control a plurality of actuators, and rapidly switching the controllers on and off in a manner such that only one single actuator is powered at a time
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are actuation devices, virtual reality devices formed from the actuation devices, and related virtual reality methods. The devices may comprise a plurality of spatially distributed actuators, each actuator configured for interacting with a biological skin surface; a wireless controller configured to receive operative command signals to control each of the actuators; and a wireless power system to power the actuators. Also provided are unique layouts of multiple interconnected devices to achieve large area coverage.