VR Tactile Feedback Angular Array Microcontroller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual reality systems lack immersive tactile feedback, limiting the sensory experience for users, particularly in directional and intensity-based interactions within virtual environments.

Innovation Solution

A multi-directional tactile feedback system integrated with a virtual reality headset, utilizing a support structure with angularly spaced tactile feedback units and a microcontroller that receives control signals to simulate forces, vibrations, or motions corresponding to virtual events, such as threats, damage, or actions, enhancing user interaction and immersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple tactile feedback units are added to provide directional feedback, then the immersion and sensory perception are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile feedback system is segmented into multiple independent feedback units arranged in an angular array around the user's head. Each unit can be independently controlled to provide directional tactile information, allowing the system to convey spatial information through selective activation of specific segments rather than requiring a single complex feedback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional single-direction or bidirectional tactile feedback to multi-directional feedback by arranging transducers in an angular array around the user's head (360 degrees). This spatial dimensionality allows tactile feedback to be delivered from multiple directions simultaneously, creating a more immersive and informative sensory experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If tactile feedback units are integrated into the headset housing, then the immersion is enhanced, but the weight of the headset increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmersion qualityVSAvoidheadset weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates tactile feedback transducers directly into the headset housing or shell structure. By incorporating thin-film or flexible transducer elements into the existing headset shell, the system adds tactile feedback functionality while minimizing additional weight compared to using separate, bulkier transducer assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If multiple transducers are used to provide multi-directional feedback, then the sensory input quality is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensory input qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than activating all tactile feedback transducers simultaneously, the system selectively activates only the specific transducers needed to convey the current virtual reality event. This partial action approach maintains high sensory input quality by providing precise directional information while minimizing energy consumption by keeping most transducers inactive at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The microcontroller receives control signals from the virtual reality system and dynamically adjusts which tactile feedback units are activated based on the specific virtual events occurring. This feedback-controlled selective activation ensures energy is consumed only when and where needed, rather than continuously powering all transducers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system provides enhanced tactile sensory input, allowing users to more accurately perceive directional and intensity-based events within virtual reality, improving immersion and engagement by simulating real-world interactions like recoil from a gun or threat detection.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the tactile feedback units is operably coupled to the microcontroller and is configured to produce a tactile feedback to a user, and includes a transducer which can apply forces, vibrations or motions to the user thereby providing tactile sensory input to the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10155159B2Tactile feedback systems and methods for augmented reality and virtual reality systems

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 ACTIVISION PUBLISHING INC

AI summary

A tactile feedback system for use with a virtual reality system comprises a support structure and tactile feedback units coupled to and spaced apart around the support structure. A microcontroller is coupled to the tactile feedback units to independently control their activation. The microcontroller has a communication interface configured to communicate with the virtual reality system to receive control signals for controlling operation of the tactile feedback units. The microcontroller activates the tactile feedback units in response to control signals received from the virtual reality system to indicate aspects of the virtual reality experience. In another aspect, a haptic gun for use with a virtual reality system has tactile feedback units and a linear actuator for simulating a recoil of firing the gun. In another aspect a video game system provides a single game play instance for multiple clients utilizing different game platforms.