Foot Input System with Concentric Uneven Structure for VR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VR technologies face challenges such as VR sickness due to mismatched bodily sensations and field of view movements, limited space usage, complex hand and foot movement operations, and existing foot input devices causing fatigue and limited usability.
Innovation Solution
A foot input system comprising a foot position indicating instrument with position indication signal transmitting units and a foot position detecting device with a position detecting sensor and detecting circuit, featuring a concentric uneven structure to accurately detect and transmit foot movements, reducing VR sickness and enhancing immersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hand gestures are used to control VR operations, then operation precision is improved, but the sense of immersion is diminished because foot actions cannot be naturally expressed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent parts: a hand-held controller for fine manipulation operations and a foot-operated pad for movement and navigation. This segmentation allows each body part to be optimized for its specific function, with hands for precise object manipulation and feet for natural movement control, thereby maintaining immersion while ensuring operational precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pad is designed to support multiple input modalities including pressure detection, position tracking, and gesture recognition. This multi-functionality enables the foot pad to handle diverse control tasks such as walking movement simulation, object selection, and menu navigation, making it a universal control surface that maintains immersion across various VR operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing foot input devices are used, then foot-based control is enabled, but user fatigue increases and usability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical foot-operated devices with a sensor-based pad that detects pressure distribution and position through electrical or optical sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages and reduces physical strain on the user while maintaining foot-based control capability through intuitive pressure and position inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pad utilizes changes in pressure parameters and position coordinates to translate foot actions into digital signals. By detecting variations in pressure magnitude and location, the system converts subtle foot movements into precise control inputs, reducing the effort required from users while maintaining versatile control options.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional input devices are used in VR, then operation functionality is maintained, but space utilization is limited and VR sickness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pad introduces a new spatial dimension for input by utilizing the floor area beneath the user's feet. This allows movement control and navigation to be performed through natural foot placement and movement in three-dimensional space, effectively utilizing the environment's vertical and horizontal space to reduce VR sickness by aligning body movements with on-screen actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pad serves as an intermediary between the user's natural foot movements and the VR system's control requirements. By detecting pressure and position from the foot pad, the system translates physical foot actions into virtual movements, creating a natural bridge that enhances immersion and reduces the disconnect that causes VR sickness.
Data Source
AI summary
A foot input system includes a foot position indicating instrument configured to be located on a sole of a user, and a foot position detecting device. The foot position indicating instrument includes one or more position indication signal transmitting units configured to transmit a position indication signal. The foot position detecting device includes a position detecting unit that forms an operation surface on which the foot position indicating instrument moves and that receives a position indicated by the foot position indicating instrument; a position detecting sensor provided on a lower side of the position detecting unit to detect the position indicated by the foot position indicating instrument; and a detecting circuit configured to be supplied with a detection output from the position detecting sensor and detect and output the position indicated by the foot position indicating instrument. The position detecting unit has a concentric uneven structure.