Touch Sensor Force Vector Mapping for Virtual Object Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensor systems struggle to effectively map real-space inputs to virtual environments, lacking precise control over virtual objects and surfaces, especially in applications requiring complex manipulations like virtual sculpting or surgical simulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a touch sensor surface integrated into an input device to detect force magnitudes and positions, mapping these inputs into virtual environments by generating force vectors that manipulate virtual objects in real-time, allowing for precise control over virtual surfaces and objects through gestures and force applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If touch sensor systems use basic mapping methods, then implementation is simple, but precision in controlling virtual objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends 2D touch sensor inputs into 3D virtual space by generating force vectors with magnitude, direction, and origin points. This dimensional transformation allows precise control of virtual objects in three-dimensional environments while maintaining relatively simple 2D sensor hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms touch input parameters (position, force magnitude) into virtual environment parameters (force vector magnitude, direction, origin) through mathematical transformations. This parameter mapping enables precise virtual object manipulation by changing the representation form rather than the physical sensor complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensor systems detect only basic touch positions, then sensor simplicity is maintained, but ability to manipulate virtual surfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the touch input into multiple independent parameters: touch position, force magnitude, and derived force vector components (direction, origin). This segmentation allows the sensor to remain simple while the processing system extracts multiple control dimensions for versatile virtual surface manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Force vectors serve as an intermediary representation between simple touch sensor inputs and complex virtual environment interactions. The force vector abstraction layer translates basic touch data into rich control commands without requiring complex sensors, enabling versatile manipulation of virtual surfaces.
3Productivity
If real-time manipulation is implemented, then interactivity is improved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates force vector parameters (magnitude, direction, origin) from touch inputs before virtual environment updates. By preparing control parameters in advance, the system enables real-time manipulation with reduced computational load during the actual interaction moment.
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a method for manipulating virtual objects within a virtual environment includes: determining a first position of a touch sensor within real space; based on the first position of the touch sensor within real space, bounding a virtual surface of a virtual object within the virtual environment tractable through inputs across the touch sensor; generating a first force vector comprising a magnitude related to a force magnitude of a first input on the touch sensor surface and a direction related to an orientation of the touch sensor within real space; locating an origin of the first force vector within the virtual environment based on a first location of the first input on the touch sensor surface and the first position of the touch sensor within real space; and manipulating the virtual surface of the virtual object within the virtual environment according to the first force vector.