Remote Haptic Operation Using Light-Based Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional remote operation systems require a drive unit in the operation interface to transmit haptic information, leading to increased size and complexity of the operating device.

Innovation Solution

A remote operation system that includes an edge device with a haptic sensing device, a haptic optical converter, and light intensity-controlled light emitters to convert haptic sensations into visual signals, allowing operators to receive haptic information through a visual display without the need for a drive unit, thereby reducing the system's size and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a drive unit is added to transmit haptic information in conventional remote operation systems, then haptic feedback is improved, but the size and complexity of the operating device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback transmissionVSAvoidoperating device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drive unit with an optical system consisting of a light emitter, light guide, and light receiver. The haptic information is transmitted by converting haptic sensations into light signals that travel through a light guide to the operator's operation interface, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components while maintaining haptic feedback transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component to transmit haptic information from the edge device to the operator. The light guide acts as a mediator that carries optical signals representing haptic sensations without requiring direct mechanical connection or complex drive mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a drive unit is added to transmit haptic information, then haptic feedback is improved, but the size of the operating device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedback transmissionVSAvoidoperating device size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drive unit with a compact optical system. The light emitter, light guide, and light receiver occupy significantly less space than a mechanical drive unit would require, thereby reducing the overall size of the operating device while maintaining haptic feedback transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide can be implemented as a thin flexible optical component that efficiently transmits light signals over the required distance with minimal volume. This allows haptic information transmission without adding significant size to the operating device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system enables efficient transmission of haptic information visually, reducing the size and complexity of the operating device while maintaining high operability and allowing operators to detect interactions with targets without discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

a haptic optical converter that converts the haptic sensation detected by the haptic sensing device into a signal specifying an intensity of light corresponding to a magnitude of the detected haptic sensation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic optical conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a light intensity-controlled light emitter that emits light of an intensity corresponding to the signal obtained by the haptic optical converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission with intensity control: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS20240335948A1Remote operation system

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A remote operation system includes an edge device that contacts a target, a motion operation transmission device that receives an operator operation for operating the edge device and outputs motion transmission information to the edge device, and a visual presentation device that displays an image of the target and the edge device. The edge device-includes a haptic sensing device that detects a haptic sensation to the target, a haptic optical converter that converts the haptic sensation detected by the haptic sensing device into a light intensity signal specifying the intensity of light, and a light intensity-controlled light emitter that emits light of an intensity corresponding to the light intensity signal.