Human Interactions with Mid-Air Haptic Systems
AssigneeUltrahaptics IP Ltd
InventorsBenjamin John Oliver Long, Simon Deeley, William Wren, Brian Kappus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Strategies for managing an “always on” solution for volumes with enhanced interactive haptic feedback and its implications are addressed. Ultrasound transducer arrays may be mounted on a person (such as on a head mounted display or other wearable accessory). This array may utilize some form of 6 degree-of-freedom tracking for both the body and hands of the user. The arrays coordinate to project focused acoustic pressure at specific locations on moving hands such that a touch sensation is simulated. Using wearable microphones, the ultrasonic signal reflected and transmitted into the body can be used for hand and gesture tracking.
Claims24
A system comprising:
- a human-machine interface comprising:
- an acoustic field comprising a distribution of sound energy, wherein the acoustic field is produced by a plurality of transducers;
- a tracking system for tracking human gestures;
- and
- a control system having a monitoring mode and an action mode including the use of haptics;
- wherein when the tracking system detects a pre-specified human gesture, the control system switches from the monitoring mode to the action mode.
A method comprising:
- producing an acoustic field from a transducer array having known relative positions and orientations attached to a user;
- defining a plurality of control fields wherein each of the plurality of control fields has a known spatial relationship relative to the transducer array;
- dynamically updating the position and orientation of the transducer array as the user moves;
- and
- dynamically updating the position and orientation of the control fields as the user moves.
A method comprising:
- generating airborne haptic feedback comprising:
- a) producing an acoustic field from a transducer array with known relative positions and orientations;
- b) defining a plurality of control fields, wherein each of the plurality of control fields has a known spatial relationship relative to the transducer array;
- c) positing the control fields on a user's hand;
- and
- d) generating a user interface that contains visual instruments provided by a head-mounted display;
- wherein the user interface includes a virtual screen to display graphical information, and
- wherein a user's hand movement manipulate the virtual screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.