Multimodal Haptic Ring for Compact AR/VR Gesture Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) devices are bulky and impractical for daily use due to the complexity of processing human activities, failing to provide a seamless interface between real and virtual spaces.
Innovation Solution
A wearable human-machine interface system featuring a ring with multimodal sensors (tactile and temperature) and feedback units (vibrators and heaters), utilizing triboelectric nanogenerators for continuous motion sensing and voltage integration to enable concurrent sensing and feedback, allowing users to interact naturally with virtual environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional AR/VR devices process complex human activities, then sensing and feedback capabilities are improved, but device size and weight increase making it impractical for daily use
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the AR/VR functionality into distributed components: a lightweight ring wearable on the finger containing sensors and feedback units, a wristband for additional sensing, and a remote computing device for processing. This segmentation allows complex sensing and feedback capabilities to be distributed across multiple lightweight components rather than concentrated in one bulky device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional head-mounted AR/VR displays to a finger-based interaction paradigm. By placing sensors and feedback units on the finger ring, the system utilizes the finger as a new dimensional interface for gesture recognition and haptic feedback, enabling immersive experience without the bulk of conventional headsets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional AR/VR devices provide immersive experience, then interaction capability is improved, but device complexity increases making it impractical for daily use
Solution Approach 1:
The ring wearable serves multiple functions: tactile sensing for gesture detection, temperature sensing for environmental awareness, vibration feedback for haptic response, and thermal feedback for temperature regulation. This multi-functionality in a single lightweight device provides immersive interaction capability without the complexity of multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger ring acts as an intermediary device between the user and the virtual environment. It captures subtle finger movements and translates them into virtual actions, while also delivering haptic feedback to the finger. This intermediary approach enables natural interaction without requiring complex head-mounted displays or hand controllers.
3Volume of moving object
If AR/VR devices are made compact for daily use, then portability is improved, but sensing precision and feedback quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple sensors (tactile sensors, temperature sensors) to capture different aspects of finger interaction. By copying and combining information from multiple sensing modalities, the system achieves high precision gesture recognition despite the compact form factor of the ring wearable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple sensing technologies (tactile sensing, temperature sensing) and feedback mechanisms (vibration, thermal) into a single integrated ring wearable. This convergence of multiple functions in one compact device maintains sensing precision and feedback quality while minimizing device volume for portability.
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
Enables a compact, immersive, and interactive AR/VR experience by integrating tactile and thermal feedback, enhancing gesture recognition and haptic perception, thus facilitating more realistic virtual interactions and social experiences.
Implementation Method 1
The wearable sensor includes a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) sensor
Implementation Method 2
a heater disposed on the inner surface of the ring
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor disposed on an outer surface of the ring
Data Source
AI summary
A system to provide a human-machine interface to enable a user in a real space to act/sense in a virtual space. The system includes: a ring wearable by a finger of the user; a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of feedback units. The plurality of sensors being multimodal, including: a tactile sensor disposed on an inner surface of the ring; and a temperature sensor disposed on an outer surface of the ring. The plurality of feedback units being multimodal, including: a vibrator disposed on the ring, the vibrator being disposed on the outer surface of the ring; and a heater disposed on the inner surface of the ring. The system includes a controller configured to drive the plurality of sensors and the plurality of feedback devices to enable concurrent multimodal sensing and multimodal feedback.