Wearable Haptic Feedback Emulating Real-World Input Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods of interacting with virtual human input devices in augmented and virtual reality environments lack the realistic kinesthetic and tactile feedback that users experience with their real-world counterparts, failing to personalize the interaction feel.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects user inputs to virtual human input devices, accesses sensation data from real-world counterparts, and provides haptic outputs via wearable devices to emulate the interaction feel of the real-world devices, using data on interaction forces, contextual environments, and user-specific metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional interaction methods are used in virtual reality environments, then device complexity is reduced, but realism and immersion of interaction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual counterparts of real-world input devices (keyboard, mouse, trackpad) that replicate their physical interaction characteristics. Haptic feedback devices copy the tactile sensations of pressing physical keys, clicking buttons, or sliding trackpads, allowing users to experience authentic interaction feelings in the virtual environment without needing the actual physical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces haptic feedback devices as an intermediary between the user and the virtual input device. This mediator translates virtual input actions into realistic tactile sensations, bridging the gap between digital interaction and physical sensation, thereby enhancing realism without requiring complex physical virtual reality equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If generic haptic feedback is provided, then device complexity is minimized, but user-specific interaction feel is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing sensation data from real-world device interactions before virtual use. Users interact with physical input devices while sensors record detailed tactile, force, and motion characteristics. This pre-captured data is then reused during virtual interactions, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations while maintaining personalized interaction feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where user interactions with virtual devices generate haptic responses based on stored sensation data. The haptic feedback devices continuously provide tactile feedback that mirrors the original physical interaction characteristics, creating an adaptive system that maintains personalized interaction feel through responsive feedback rather than complex real-time processing.
3Measurement precision
If detailed sensation data is collected and processed, then accuracy of haptic emulation is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detailed sensation data collection and processing in advance, during an initial calibration phase where users interact with physical devices. This preliminary data capture includes precise measurements of tactile feedback, force requirements, and motion characteristics. Once captured, this detailed data is stored and reused during virtual interactions, achieving high measurement precision without real-time processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using a processor of an information handling device and in a virtual environment, a user input directed to a virtual human input device; accessing, from a data store, sensation data associated with user interaction with a real-world counterpart device of the virtual human input device; and providing, based on the sensation data and using a wearable haptic device, a haptic output responsive to the user input, wherein the haptic output emulates an interaction feel of the user input provided to the real-world counterpart device. Other aspects are described and claimed.