Thermo-Haptic Gaming Mouse With ML-Triggered Heat and Vibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming platforms lack immersive haptic feedback mechanisms that effectively simulate thermal and vibrational sensations to enhance user engagement and immersion during gameplay.
Innovation Solution
Integration of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) in a pointing device to provide thermo-haptic feedback, combined with a machine learning system that recognizes gaming actions to trigger precise thermal and vibrational responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pointing devices are used without haptic feedback, then the device structure remains simple and energy consumption is low, but user immersion and engagement during gaming are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) into a single pointing device to provide both thermal and vibrational haptic feedback simultaneously. This merging of multiple haptic modalities into one device structure enables enhanced user immersion while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The pointing device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a pointing input device and a haptic feedback device. The TEGs and PEAs are integrated into the device structure to provide thermal and vibrational feedback respectively, allowing a single device to fulfill both input and immersive feedback roles without requiring separate specialized devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If haptic feedback mechanisms are added to the pointing device, then user engagement is enhanced, but the device weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The TEGs and PEAs are positioned at specific locations within the pointing device where haptic feedback is most perceptible to the user. Rather than distributing haptic components throughout the entire device, the patent places them strategically in areas where they provide maximum engagement benefit with minimal added weight and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback is delivered periodically rather than continuously. The system activates TEGs and PEAs in response to specific gaming events or user interactions, providing immersive feedback only when needed. This periodic activation reduces overall power consumption and allows for lighter battery capacity requirements compared to continuous haptic operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple haptic components are integrated into the pointing device, then thermal and vibrational feedback are provided, but the device becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback system is divided into distinct functional modules: TEG modules for thermal feedback and PEA modules for vibrational feedback. Each module can be designed, tested, and replaced independently, simplifying the manufacturing process. The segmented architecture allows for standardized production of individual haptic components that can then be assembled into the complete pointing device
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
Enhances user immersion by providing real-time, contextually relevant thermal and vibrational feedback, thereby improving the gaming experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first TEG array (334-1, 334-2, 334-3) of the plurality of TEG arrays to heat or cool a first portion of the housing (370, 372)
Implementation Method 2
a first PEA (338-1) of the plurality of PEAs to impart a vibration to a first portion of the housing (370, 372)
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include a processor, a data storage device, a power management unit, a thermo-haptic mouse, including an array of thermoelectric generators of a thermo-haptic module to selectively heat or cool a portion of the thermo-haptic mouse to be felt by a user of the thermo-haptic mouse, and a piezoelectric actuator of the thermo-haptic module to selectively apply a vibration to the portions of the thermo-haptic mouse to be felt by the user of the thermo-haptic mouse, and the processor executing code of a mouse training machine learning system to: receive, as training input, captured images during the execution of a gaming application and provide, as output, image recognition dataset descriptive of recognized game action event environmental data during execution of the gaming application, the image recognition dataset to be used by the processor executing a thermo-haptic feedback model evaluation system to provide thermo-haptic signals to the array of thermoelectric generators and the piezoelectric actuator to provide thermo-haptic feedback commensurate with the game action event environment during game play.