Haptic Retargeting for Enhanced Reality Input Arms

The patent uses visual copying to create the illusion of haptic feedback. Instead of implementing complex active force feedback systems, the system creates a visual copy of the input device within the virtual environment that mimics the physical device's appearance and movement. This visual representation is positioned and oriented to match the physical device, providing the user with a realistic perception of interacting with virtual objects through purely visual means rather than complex mechanical haptic systems.

The patent replaces mechanical haptic feedback systems with a visual-based solution. Instead of using motors, springs, or other mechanical components to provide force feedback, the system substitutes these mechanical elements with visual rendering techniques. The visual output device displays a virtual representation of the input device and its interaction with virtual objects, eliminating the need for complex mechanical haptic feedback mechanisms while maintaining the user's perception of realistic interaction.

The system creates a visual copy of the physical input device within the virtual environment. This virtual copy includes the same appearance, structure, and spatial relationships as the physical device, allowing users to perceive their actions as if they are directly manipulating virtual objects. The visual copying approach provides an enhanced user experience without requiring expensive haptic feedback hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

The visual representation of the input device serves as an intermediary between the physical device and the virtual objects. This visual mediator creates the perceptual bridge that allows users to feel as though they are touching virtual objects, when in reality they are only moving the physical device in air. This intermediary visual layer provides realistic user experience while avoiding the need for expensive direct haptic feedback mechanisms.

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the virtual arms' convergence behavior based on the operational context. When the physical arms are moving apart, the virtual arms follow with accurate tracking. When the physical arms converge toward each other, the virtual arms converge at a slower rate, creating dynamic adaptation that maintains the haptic illusion. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between accurate tracking and illusion-preserving modes depending on the arm positions and movements.

The system changes the convergence rate parameter of the virtual arms based on their spatial relationship. When virtual arms are far apart, they track physical arms at the same rate for accurate representation. When virtual arms approach each other, the convergence rate is reduced to prevent the visual representation from showing the arms touching, thereby maintaining the haptic illusion that the user is touching a virtual object. This parameter adjustment preserves both tracking accuracy and haptic realism.