Non-Directional Seat Pressure Sensor VR Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual reality applications using head-mounted displays alone are insufficient for enhanced user interaction with virtual worlds, necessitating additional hardware to determine user direction effectively.

Innovation Solution

A non-directional seat with integrated pressure sensors and a computing unit that analyzes pressure data to determine the user's facing direction, providing direction data to computer devices for enhanced interactive functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a head-mounted display is used for virtual reality applications, then the user can watch virtual reality images, but the user interaction with the virtual world is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidhardware equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat body is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides seating support and simultaneously functions as an orientation detection device through integrated pressure sensors. This multi-functionality enhances user interaction capability without requiring completely separate hardware systems, as the seat itself becomes the sensing device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's physical posture and the virtual world interactions. It detects pressure distribution on the seat and converts it into orientation data, which then controls virtual reality applications, enabling indirect but effective user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional hardware equipment is added to enhance user interaction, then the interactive function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive functionVSAvoidhardware equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor and computing unit are merged with the seat body to form an integrated orientation detection system. This combination eliminates the need for separate sensing devices, as the seat structure itself incorporates the detection functionality, thereby enhancing interaction without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system in the seat body performs multiple functions: structural support, pressure detection, orientation determination, and control signal generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated hardware components while maintaining enhanced interactive capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a non-directional seat is used, then the seat can accommodate users in any position, but the direction the user is facing cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating flexibilityVSAvoiddirection determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seat surface is divided into multiple pressure sensing zones that independently detect pressure distribution. By segmenting the detection area, the system can precisely determine orientation even when the seat itself has no fixed directional orientation, as each segment's pressure data contributes to calculating the user's facing direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes from measuring absolute directional references to measuring relative pressure distribution patterns. By analyzing how pressure is distributed across different zones of the seat rather than relying on fixed directional markers, the system can accurately determine user orientation on a non-directional seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 users to control interactive functions in virtual reality environments by automatically determining their direction, synchronizing user posture with virtual world interactions, and providing corresponding directional control signals to computer devices.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure sensor is configured to obtain a plurality of pressure data of the bearing surface when an object is disposed on the bearing surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS11467050B2Orientation device, orientation method and orientation system including a seat body, a pressure sensor and a computing unit

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 COMPAL ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An orientation device, an orientation system and an orientation method are provided. The orientation device includes a seat body, a pressure sensor, and a computing unit. The seat body includes a bearing surface, and the seat body is non-directional. The pressure sensor is disposed below the bearing surface. The pressure sensor is configured to obtain a plurality of pressure data of the bearing surface when an object is disposed on the bearing surface. The computing unit is coupled to the pressure sensor. The computing unit is configured to analyze the pressure data to obtain a direction data. The direction data is configured to determine a first direction of the seat body.