VR Pen Haptic Feedback Using Calculated Tip Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic pens are unable to provide a realistic force sense when used in virtual reality spaces, leading to a feeling of strangeness for users due to the lack of a small position sensor capable of being installed at the pen tip.
Innovation Solution
A position indicating device and spatial position indicating system that includes a housing for an electronic pen, a force sense generator, and a processor to control the generator based on the distance between the pen tip and an object in the virtual reality space, generating a force sense when the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a position sensor is installed in the pen tip to detect contact with virtual objects, then the force sense can be generated accurately, but the sensor size is too large to be installed at the pen tip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a position sensor mounted on the housing instead of the pen tip, and using computational methods to calculate the pen tip position based on the sensor position and pen orientation. This mediator (the housing-mounted sensor) enables position detection without requiring a small sensor at the pen tip, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and sensor size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of mounting a physical sensor at the pen tip with a computational system that calculates the pen tip position based on housing sensor data and pen orientation. This substitution eliminates the need for a small physical sensor at the constrained pen tip location while maintaining position detection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the force sense is generated based on the detected position, then the contact feedback can be provided, but the pen tip position does not match the detected position causing a feeling of strangeness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the distance between the calculated pen tip position and virtual objects, and generating force sense feedback when contact is detected. This feedback loop ensures that the haptic feedback is provided at the correct moment when the pen tip actually contacts the virtual object, maintaining user experience accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical position measurement at the pen tip with a computational position calculation system that uses housing sensor data combined with pen orientation information. This substitution allows accurate determination of the pen tip position in virtual reality space, ensuring that force sense is generated at the correct location and timing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic pen is used in virtual reality space, then the versatility is improved, but the lack of force sense generation causes a feeling of strangeness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by enabling the electronic pen to function in both traditional 2D environments and virtual reality 3D spaces. The housing-mounted position sensor and computational position calculation system provide a unified solution that works across different usage contexts, allowing the pen to interact with virtual objects in VR while maintaining compatibility with conventional applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex mechanical systems that would be required to provide force feedback in traditional pen designs with a computational approach. By calculating pen tip position from housing sensor data and using virtual reality environment data to determine contact events, the system provides force sense feedback without requiring additional mechanical components, thus enabling VR compatibility while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A position indicating device includes a housing, a pen tip, a vibration portion, and a processor. The pen tip is disposed at a tip of the housing. The vibration portion disposed in the housing. The processor, in operation, controls the vibration portion to vibrate in response to a control signal received from a computer. The computer, in operation, controls a virtual pen tip in a virtual reality space. The control signal is generated based on a position of the virtual pen tip in the virtual reality space.