US 10,713,907 B2 · Haptic device for mixed reality environments

Abstract

A haptic system includes a haptic ring that is worn on the finger of a user. The haptic ring includes a flexible tube that is positioned against the finger pad of the user and configured to transport a fluid across the finger pad of the user. A first pump is configured to pump a warm fluid into the flexible tube and a second pump is configured to pump a cold fluid into the flexible tube, thereby providing a haptic sensation of temperature. A valve is positioned downstream of the haptic ring that is configured to open and close to modulate the pressure of the fluid, thereby providing a haptic sensation of pressure and/or vibration to the finger pad of the user. The haptic ring is unobtrusive and therefore does not significantly interfere with the ability of the user to perceive tactile sensations of the real world.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

a haptic device that is worn on a finger of a user and includes a tube router and a tube that transports a fluid, wherein the tube router is coupled to the tube and positions a haptic section of the tube across a portion of the finger of the user, wherein the tube router and the haptic section form a ring around the finger of the user;
and
a first pump that is fluidly connected to the haptic device via the tube and pumps a first portion of fluid through the tube, wherein the haptic device outputs a first physical stimulus to the finger of the user in response to the first pump pumping the first portion of fluid through the tube.

A haptic device that is worn on the finger of a user, comprising:

a tube that includes an input section, a haptic section, and an output section;
and
a tube router coupled to the tube that positions the haptic section of the tube across a portion of the finger of the user, wherein the tube router and the haptic section form a ring around the finger of the user, wherein the haptic section of the tube outputs a first physical stimulus to the finger of the user in response to a first portion of fluid being pumped through the tube.

A computer-implemented method for outputting physical stimuli to a user, the method comprising:

determining a first pump rate for a first pump based on a first sensor reading, wherein the first pump is fluidly connected to a haptic device that is worn on the finger of the user and includes a tube router and a tube that transports a fluid, wherein the tube router is coupled to the tube and positions a haptic section of the tube across a portion of the finger of the user, wherein the tube router and the haptic section form a ring around the finger of the user;
and
transmitting the first pump rate to the first pump to cause the first pump to pump a first portion of fluid through the tube, wherein the haptic device outputs a first physical stimulus to the finger of the user in response to the first pump pumping the first portion of fluid through the tube.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Haptic device for mixed reality environments

Life of this patent

Haptic device for mixed reality environments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20