Wave Reflection Deformation Sensing for Wearable VR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional strain sensors in wearable devices like VR gloves are unable to effectively resolve multiple measures of deformation along different segments of the device, due to the need for additional wiring and complexity when cascading sensors to cover longer lengths.
Innovation Solution
A deformation sensing apparatus using a deformable energy propagation channel with an energy transmitter and receiver, where energy pulses are transmitted and reflected to determine bend locations and angles, allowing for the measurement of deformation along multiple segments without the need for multiple conductive wires, by analyzing the time and amplitude of reflected signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple strain sensors are cascaded along their lengths to resolve measures of deformation along portions of the combined length, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple independent conductive wires or terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single integrated wave propagation channel. Instead of using multiple independent strain sensors with separate wiring, a single channel performs deformation sensing across multiple segments by analyzing wave reflections at different locations, thereby eliminating the need for multiple conductive wires or terminals while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The wave propagation channel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transmission medium for energy waves and the sensing element for deformation detection. The same channel structure enables measurement of deformation at multiple segments along its length through reflection analysis, providing multi-functionality without requiring additional components or wiring
2Measurement precision
If conventional strain sensors are used to detect deformation at multiple segments, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unwieldy cascaded sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing operations into a single integrated system. The wave propagation channel provides unified deformation sensing across all segments through a single interface, eliminating the operational complexity of managing multiple cascaded sensors and making the device more user-friendly
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
Enables precise detection and resolution of deformation across multiple spatial regions of a body part, such as a hand, facilitating accurate rendering of hand states in virtual reality environments without the complexity of additional wiring, improving usability and immersion.
Implementation Method 1
A bend in the propagation channel results in a change in impedance of the transmission line at a location of the bend, resulting in a reflection of the signal (e.g., the energy pulse) from the location of the bend, back to the first end of the channel
Implementation Method 2
The time delay (e.g., propagation time) of the reflected signals corresponds to the distance along the length of the channel where a bending of the propagation channel occurs (and thus a change in impedance of the propagation channel)
Data Source
AI summary
A deformation sensing apparatus comprises a transmitter coupled to a propagation channel, and a receiver coupled to the same first end of the propagation channel. The propagation channel of the deformation is a transmission line, where a signal is transmitted by the transmitter and reflected signals are measured by the receiver responsive to the transmitted signals. A bend in the propagation channel results in a change in impedance of the transmission line at a location of the bend, resulting in a reflection of the signal from the location of the bend. The time delay of the reflected signals corresponds to the distance along the length of the channel where a bending of the propagation channel occurs. The amplitude of the reflected signal corresponds to a bend angle.