Vibration-Sensing Wearable for Fast Finger Contact Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable sensors struggle to accurately detect and identify fast and repetitive finger contacts on real surfaces within virtual environments, leading to user fatigue and inefficiency due to cumbersome equipment and limited accuracy of optical sensors.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with move sensors embedded in flexible portions, such as accelerometers, detects vibrations from finger contacts on surfaces, using elastic and/or flexible fixation means to minimize latency and enhance accuracy, allowing for precise finger identification with over 95% accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors (cameras) are used to detect finger contacts, then ample movements can be detected accurately, but fast and repetitive finger contacts on real surfaces cannot be distinguished accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems with a mechanical vibration detection system. Accelerometers mounted on the surface detect mechanical vibrations generated by finger contacts, enabling accurate and rapid detection of fast, repetitive contacts that optical systems cannot distinguish.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical vibration detection layer between the user's fingers and the detection system. Instead of directly observing finger movements optically, the system detects vibrations transmitted through the surface, providing an indirect but more effective measurement mechanism for fast contacts.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are arranged around the user to improve finger contact detection, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex optical systems and implements it through simple accelerometers mounted on the surface. This eliminates the need for multiple cameras and complex installation arrangements while maintaining or improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive accelerometer sensors instead of expensive camera systems. These simple mechanical sensors provide the required detection capability at a fraction of the cost and complexity of multiple-camera arrangements.
3Measurement precision
If wearables sensors are placed on each finger to detect contact, then finger identification accuracy improves, but the equipment becomes cumbersome requiring gloves or similar devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing sensors on the fingers (mobile element), the patent inverts the approach by placing sensors on the surface (stationary element). This allows natural finger movement without constraints while still achieving accurate finger contact detection and identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface itself becomes the sensing element, detecting vibrations from finger contacts without requiring external sensors on the user's body. This self-service approach maintains user comfort while providing the required detection capability.
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 device enables reliable and efficient interaction with virtual environments by accurately detecting and identifying finger contacts on various surfaces with low latency, supporting nomadic activities without additional sensing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a move sensor (10a, 10b) arranged on the body of the user U, remote to the moved fingers F, to detect vibrations T resulting from their contact
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4a
AI summary
The present invention relates to wearable device (1) adapted to detect contacts of fingers (F) on a surface (S), and to identify the responsible finger. It comprises move sensors adapted to collect the vibrations resulting from the contact of the fingers on a surface. It comprises a memory comprising reference vibration profiles (T), corresponding to the impact of at least one finger (F) of a user (U) to a surface (S). A computing unit (32) is configured allows to identify the finger responsible for the impact sensed by the move sensors (10, 10a, 10b). The invention further relates to a manufacturing process of such a device and to a method of sensing the contact of a finger on a surface.