Grip Optical Sensor Layout for Accurate Finger Bend Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interface devices struggle to easily detect the state of being gripped by a user, particularly using optical sensors, as they often fail to accurately differentiate between different finger states and are prone to erroneous detections.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device equipped with optical sensors that include a proximity sensor and a force sensor, where the detection range of the optical sensor is biased towards one side in the circumferential direction and wider in the circumferential direction than in the longitudinal direction, allowing for precise detection of finger proximity and bending states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical sensor uses a conventional detection range configuration, then the device structure remains simple, but the detection accuracy of finger bending states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring the detection range with different characteristics in different directions: the circumferential direction has a wider angle for capturing finger bending movements, while the longitudinal direction has a narrower angle for accurate radial distance measurement. This anisotropic detection range configuration allows the single optical sensor to achieve high measurement precision for finger state detection without requiring multiple sensors or complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the detection range is made wider to capture more finger positions, then the coverage of finger states improves, but the precision of bending angle measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection range into two distinct directional components with different angular characteristics. The circumferential direction uses a wider angle to segment and capture various finger bending positions, while the longitudinal direction uses a narrower angle to segment and measure radial distance precisely. This segmentation of detection capabilities allows the system to achieve both broad coverage and high precision simultaneously by measuring different parameters in different directions.
3Reliability
If the optical sensor is positioned at the center of the grip, then the structural symmetry is maintained, but the detection sensitivity to finger proximity from specific directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately configuring the detection range to be biased toward one side in the circumferential direction rather than being symmetrically distributed. This asymmetric detection range is optimized to detect finger proximity from the direction where users naturally interact with the controller, thereby improving detection sensitivity and reliability for intended use cases without requiring complex multi-sensor arrangements.
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 accurate and efficient detection of the grip state by the user, reducing erroneous detections and enhancing the sensitivity to finger bending, thus improving the overall performance of the user interface device.
Implementation Method 1
detect a state in which the object is in proximity to the force sensor in accordance with a light reception result obtained by light incident from the detection range to be received by the light receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface device includes a grip including dimensions in a radial direction and a circumferential direction and extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one optical sensor provided at the grip including a proximity sensor that includes a light emitter and a light receiver, and a force sensor to detect a contact force by an object. The proximity sensor emits light from the light emitter to a predetermined detection range around the force sensor, and detects when the object is in proximity to the force sensor according to a light reception result obtained by light incident from the detection range to be received by the light receiver. The detection range is biased to one side in the circumferential direction from a position of the force sensor toward an outer side portion in the radial direction, and is wider in the circumferential direction than in the longitudinal direction.