Spatialized Haptic Device Force Feedback Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional approaches for simulating virtual forces via haptic feedback in virtual environments are labor-intensive and inflexible, requiring hard coding for specific haptic devices and failing to adapt to changes in the virtual environment or different types of haptic devices.

Innovation Solution

The method involves instantiating virtual haptic sources and receivers within a virtual environment, where each virtual haptic source emits signals characterized by haptic parameters, and virtual haptic receivers translate these signals into device-specific instructions for various haptic devices, allowing for adaptable and extensible spatialized force feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional hard coding approaches are used for specific haptic devices, then the system can provide force feedback for those specific devices, but the system becomes inflexible and labor-intensive when adapting to changes in the virtual environment or different types of haptic devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different haptic devicesVSAvoidcomplexity of hard coding for each device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal haptic feedback system that can work with multiple types of haptic devices through a common architecture. The system uses a haptic device manager that can handle different device types (tactile feedback devices, force feedback devices, vibration motors, etc.) through unified interfaces and common processing logic, eliminating the need for separate hard-coded solutions for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components including a haptic device manager, haptic effect composers, and parameter converters that act as mediators between the virtual environment and specific haptic devices. These intermediaries translate virtual environment events into device-specific commands, providing flexibility without requiring direct hard-coding for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional approaches require custom scripting for each haptic device, then each device can be precisely controlled, but the development process becomes extremely labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on custom scripting
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining haptic effect templates, parameter sets, and device profiles during system initialization. Common haptic effects are pre-configured with standard parameters, and device capabilities are pre-characterized, allowing developers to quickly assemble haptic feedback solutions without writing custom scripts from scratch for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables copying and reusing of haptic effect configurations, device profiles, and parameter sets across different devices and projects. Once a haptic effect is configured for one device type, it can be copied and adapted for other devices through the universal manager, dramatically reducing development time and effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses a universal approach for all haptic devices, then adaptability improves, but the precision and customization capability for specific device characteristics may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different haptic devicesVSAvoidprecision of haptic feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing device-specific parameter adjustments and customization at the individual device level while maintaining the universal architecture. Each haptic device can have its own profile with customized parameters, capabilities, and optimization settings, enabling precise control for each device without sacrificing the benefits of the universal system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3762807B1Spatialized haptic device force feedback
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3762807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3762807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3762807B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for controlling spatialized force feedback on one or more haptic devices includes establishing, via a communication interface, communication with the one or more haptic devices, instantiating one or more virtual haptic sources, each virtual haptic source having a virtual position in a virtual environment and configured to emit a haptic signal characterized by a set of haptic parameters, and for each of the one or more haptic devices, instantiating a virtual haptic receiver having a virtual position in the virtual environment and translation logic. The virtual haptic receiver may be configured to receive, from each of one or more virtual haptic sources, the haptic signal for the virtual haptic source, translate the received haptic signal into a haptic device instruction based on the translation logic, and send, via the communication interface, the haptic device instruction to the haptic device.