Flexible Deformation Sensor for VR Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors used in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems often detract from the immersive experience due to their inability to provide detailed position and movement information without compromising the immersive nature of the interaction.
Innovation Solution
The development of deformable sensing elements that detect mechanical, magnetic, or electromagnetic forces, allowing for the creation of wearable sensors that can infer user interactions and movements through changes in electrical signals, using multiplexing schemes like frequency-division multiplexing and code-division multiplexing to enhance data transmission and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors are used in VR/AR systems, then position and movement information can be obtained, but the immersive experience is compromised due to sensor bulk and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) as the substrate for mounting sensing elements, allowing the sensor assembly to conform to curved surfaces and remain thin-profile. This enables the sensor to be integrated into wearable VR/AR devices without adding significant bulk or visual prominence, thereby maintaining immersion while enabling precise tracking of head and hand movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple sensing elements (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) and electronic components onto a single flexible circuit board, creating a nested configuration where multiple functional layers are combined in a compact form factor. This nesting approach reduces overall device complexity and size while maintaining full sensing capability for immersive VR/AR applications.
2Measurement precision
If detailed position and movement tracking is implemented, then interaction precision is improved, but system latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local processing of sensor data at the wearable device itself, performing preliminary computations for position and orientation calculation before transmitting results to the display system. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden on remote servers and minimizes data transmission requirements, thereby reducing latency while maintaining high tracking precision for immersive interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensing and processing functions into modular components mounted on the flexible circuit board, with dedicated sensors for different measurement types (acceleration, rotation, magnetic field). This segmentation allows for optimized data collection and parallel processing of multiple sensor streams, improving response time and reducing overall system latency while maintaining precise interaction tracking.
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
These sensors enable precise tracking of user movements and interactions with low latency, enhancing the immersive experience by providing detailed positional and movement data without disrupting the VR/AR environment.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable sensing element embedded within a sensor that detects information concerning interaction with the sensor as a result of the deformation of the deformable sensing element
Implementation Method 2
detect mechanical, magnetic, or electromagnetic forces
Implementation Method 3
detect mechanical, magnetic, or electromagnetic forces
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for sensing deformation including a sensor structure having a deformable conductor and another conductor (which may also be deformable). The deformable conductor may be made out of a flexible non-fluid material (e.g., rubber) or a conductive fluid. The deformable conductor may be deformed by the deformation of the sensor structure or by other forces. The sensor comprises circuitry to drive and sense signals on interacting pairs of conductors (the deformable conductor or the other conductor can act as the drive side, or as the sense side). Sense signals are processed to analyze deformation of the deformable conductor, and deformation of the sensor structure. Where the sensor is deployed proximate to human skin, deformation and changes in deformation may be used to correlate or infer a body position, movement or pose.