Optical Sensor for Haptic Plate Displacement Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual reality systems require a large number of actuators to deliver haptic sensations over extended surfaces, leading to inconsistent experiences due to dispersion of vibrational waves, which increases with the square of the device size.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system is used to monitor the deflection of a haptic plate, comprising a light source and optical detectors to gauge displacement, allowing for the generation and damping of haptic waves through a controlled array of actuators, reducing the number of actuators needed and maintaining consistent haptic experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large number of distributed actuators are used to deliver haptic sensations over extended surfaces, then haptic sensation coverage is improved, but device complexity and actuator quantity increase with the square of linear size
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the haptic plate into multiple zones monitored by optical sensors, allowing different regions to be controlled independently. This enables extended surface coverage without proportionally increasing total actuator count, as each optical sensor can monitor multiple actuators within its field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical sensors act as intermediaries between actuators and control systems, enabling non-contact measurement of plate deflection. This intermediary layer allows the system to manage complex actuator arrays without directly connecting each actuator to control electronics, reducing wiring complexity and enabling scalable deployment over large surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If more actuators are distributed over larger surfaces, then haptic sensation spatial definition is improved, but wave dispersion increases leading to inconsistent haptic experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensors provide real-time feedback on plate deflection and wave propagation to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of actuator timing and amplitude to compensate for wave dispersion, ensuring consistent haptic experiences across the entire plate surface regardless of size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts actuator activation patterns based on real-time optical sensor data. As waves propagate across the plate, the control system modifies subsequent actuator commands to maintain desired spatial definition and compensate for dispersion effects, creating adaptive control that scales with plate size.
3Device complexity
If perimeter actuators are used instead of distributed actuators, then actuator quantity is reduced, but haptic sensation delivery capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical sensor serves multiple functions: monitoring multiple actuators simultaneously, detecting wave propagation patterns, and providing spatial information for control algorithms. This multi-functionality allows perimeter actuators to effectively control larger plate areas than would traditionally be possible, compensating for reduced actuator quantity.
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 optical sensor system enables efficient delivery of haptic sensations by monitoring and adjusting haptic waves, reducing the number of actuators required and maintaining consistent experiences across larger device sizes, thereby enhancing the haptic experience in virtual reality systems.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of optical detectors are configured to detect light reflected from the surface of the object and from that gauge the changing object distance
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of optical detectors (e.g., photodiodes), surrounding a LED light source. The light source configured to illuminate a surface of the object
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor measures displacement of a haptic plate that provides haptic sensation to a user. The optical sensor comprises a light source, a plurality of optical detectors, and a controller. The light source is configured to illuminate a surface of the haptic plate in which a haptic wave propagates causing displacement of portions of the haptic plate in one or more directions. The plurality of optical detectors is configured to detect light reflected from the surface of the haptic plate. At least two optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors are positioned relative to the light source such that an amount of light received at each of the optical detectors is based at least in part on a direction of displacement of the haptic plate. The controller is configured to monitor the haptic wave using the detected light from the plurality of optical detectors.