Fingertip Input Device with Dynamic Motion Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for computing devices lack effective solutions for restricting user input to specific three-dimensional shapes, which is crucial for applications like CAD, remote surgery, and remotely operated excavators, where precise and safe user interactions are required.
Innovation Solution
An input device comprising motion sensors and actuators that track and restrict the motion of a user's fingertip to a specific three-dimensional shape, providing user input while preventing unwanted movements through haptic feedback and magnetic adherence, reducing strain and improving user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the fingertip motion is restricted to a three-dimensional shape, then the precision and safety of user input is improved, but the freedom of motion and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input device dynamically adjusts the degree of motion restriction based on the operational context. The system can switch between fully restricting fingertip motion to a three-dimensional shape and allowing greater freedom, depending on the specific task requirements. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the constraint level flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides haptic feedback to the user through the actuator, informing them when their fingertip approaches the boundaries of the three-dimensional shape. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the motion constraints intuitively, reducing the disruption to their natural interaction while maintaining precision and safety.
2Reliability
If the fingertip motion is restricted to a three-dimensional shape, then the safety and error reduction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input device integrates multiple functions into a single system: motion sensing, actuation for restriction, haptic feedback, and computational processing. By combining these functions in one device, the overall system complexity is managed more efficiently than if separate components were used for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The input device autonomously determines when motion restriction is needed and automatically activates the actuator without requiring external intervention. The system self-regulates based on detecting when the fingertip approaches the three-dimensional shape boundary, reducing the need for complex external control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the actuator is activated to restrict fingertip motion, then the precision and safety are improved, but the user comfort and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback provided by the actuator is designed to be informative rather than restrictive. It gently guides the user's fingertip within the three-dimensional shape while maintaining natural motion, rather than forcing rigid constraints. This feedback approach preserves user comfort while achieving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the strength and characteristics of the actuator's influence based on the operational context and user needs. By varying the parameter of motion restriction intensity, the system can maintain precision when needed while preserving comfort and natural movement when appropriate.
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 precise and safe user input within defined three-dimensional shapes, reducing the risk of errors and injuries by providing tactile and kinesthetic feedback, thus enhancing the usability and safety of applications requiring such constraints.
Implementation Method 1
at least one motion sensor configured to be worn on a fingertip of a user
Implementation Method 2
providing user input while preventing unwanted movements through haptic feedback and magnetic adherence
Implementation Method 3
providing user input while preventing unwanted movements through haptic feedback and magnetic adherence
Data Source
AI summary
An input device (100) for a computing device (150) is provided, such as a data glove. The input device (100) comprises motion sensor(s) (103) configured to be worn on a fingertip or fingertips of a user, and actuator(s) (104, 114) configured to restrict motion of the fingertip(s) to be within a three-dimensional shape. The input device (100) is operative to track a position of the fingertip(s) using the motion sensor(s) (103), provide the tracked position as user input to the computing device (150), determine whether the computing device requires user input from the fingertip to be within the three-dimensional shape, and in response thereto, activate the actuator(s) (104, 114) configured to restrict motion of the fingertip(s) to be within the three-dimensional shape if the computing device (150) requires user input from the fingertip(s) to be within the three-dimensional shape. Thereby, the user is prevented from moving his/her fingertip(s) to a position in space which renders user input which is not accepted by the computing device (150) receiving the user input.