VR Haptic Controller With Touch Sensing for Precise Hand Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality (VR) systems lack immersive and realistic interactions between users and the virtual environment, particularly in simulations and gaming, due to limitations in haptic feedback and hand tracking accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A peripheral device equipped with haptic actuators and capacitive touch sensors that provide haptic feedback and accurately detect hand positions and movements, allowing for realistic simulations and interactions in VR environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If haptic actuators are added to the peripheral device, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple haptic actuators (including linear resonant actuators and eccentric rotating mass actuators) into a single peripheral device, integrating them with capacitive touch sensors and control circuitry to create a unified immersive input device that provides both haptic feedback and hand tracking capabilities
2Measurement precision
If capacitive touch sensors are mounted on the peripheral device, then hand tracking precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the peripheral device into multiple functional zones with capacitive touch sensors mounted at various locations on the body of the peripheral, allowing detection of different hand positions and gestures through segmented sensor placement that maps to specific virtual actions
3Reliability
If multiple haptic actuators are integrated into the peripheral, then immersion quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry activates haptic actuators periodically or on-demand based on simulation events rather than continuous operation, using pulse-width modulation or intermittent activation to provide haptic feedback only when needed for immersive effect while conserving battery power during non-active periods
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 realistic haptic feedback and precise hand tracking, enabling more accurate and engaging VR experiences.
Implementation Method 1
One or more haptic actuators may be mounted in or on the peripheral, and those actuators can be controlled to provide a user with various types of haptic feedback
Implementation Method 2
A peripheral device as disclosed herein can also include one or more capacitive touch sensors mounted at various locations on a body of the peripheral
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed system includes a computing device that generates a virtual reality simulation, a head mounted display worn by a user, and a peripheral device having a haptic actuator. The system is configured to generate an immersive simulation experience for a user of the system and to control and update the virtual reality simulation based on detected motion of the peripheral device and signals generated by the peripheral device in response to user input to the peripheral device. The peripheral device includes a trigger that causes the haptic actuator to generate haptic reaction forces/impulses in response to actuation of the trigger, with actuation of the trigger further influencing the virtual reality simulation. The peripheral device includes first and second grips and is configured to be held by one hand of a user holding the first grip or by two hands of the user holding the first and second grips.