Human Interactions with Mid-Air Haptic Systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024411374-A1
Application number	US-202418779339-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 22, 2024
Priority date	Dec 22, 2017
Publication date	Dec 12, 2024
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

1 - 24 . (canceled)

25 . A method comprising:
producing an acoustic field from a transducer array with known relative positions and orientations; defining at least one control field within the acoustic field, wherein each of the at least one of control field has a known spatial relationship relative to the transducer array; positioning the at least one control fields on a surface hand of a user; wherein when the surface hand of the user does not touch an interactive hand of the user, a first signal exists in the surface hand of the user and a second signal exists in the interactive hand of the user; wherein when the surface hand of the user touches the interactive hand of the user, the first signal exists in the surface hand of the user and a third signal exists in the interactive hand of the user; wherein the first signal is related to the at least one control field; wherein the first signal has a larger amplitude that the second signal; and wherein the third signal has a larger amplitude than the second signal.

26 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein location of the surface hand of the user is provided by at least one of an optical tracking system, an accelerometer tracking system, and a tracking system worn by the user.

27 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein the acoustic field is produced by a mid-air haptic feedback system.

28 . The method as in claim 27 , further comprising:
coordinating the mid-air haptic feedback system with at least one of: graphics provided by a head-mounted display; and gestures made by the user.

29 . The method as in claim 28 , wherein the graphics include an interactive user interface.

30 . The method as in claim 28 , wherein the graphics are projected near the surface hand.

31 . The method as in claim 30 , wherein the gestures use a palm of the surface hand of the user as a track-pad control interface.

32 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein the acoustic field is directed to couple into a specific body region of the user.

33 . The method as in claim 32 , wherein the acoustic field is measured by at least one skin-coupled microphone to provide tracking information.

34 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein the acoustic field is directed to couple into an object.

35 . The method as in claim 34 , wherein the acoustic field is measured by at least one skin-coupled microphone to provide tracking information.

36 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein the at least one control field is perpendicular to a normal of the transducer array.

37 . The method as in claim 25 , further comprising:
generating a haptic effect when the surface hand of the user touches the interactive hand of the user.

38 . The method as in claim 37 , wherein the haptic effect is generated where the surface hand of the user touches the interactive hand of the user.

39 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein location of the surface hand of the user is provided by a tracking system; and wherein when the tracking system detects a pre-specified human gesture, the acoustic field creates a pre-specified haptic effect perceivable by the user.

40 . The method as in claim 39 , wherein the pre-specified haptic effect is fixated on the surface hand of the user.

41 . The method as in claim 39 , wherein the pre-specified haptic effect is fixated on the interactive hand of the user.

42 . The method as in claim 25 , wherein location of the interactive hand of the user is provided by a tracking system; and wherein when the tracking system detects a pre-specified human gesture, the acoustic field creates a pre-specified haptic effect perceivable by the user.

43 . The method as in claim 42 , wherein the pre-specified haptic effect is fixated on the surface hand of the user.

44 . The method as in claim 42 , wherein the pre-specified haptic effect is fixated on the interactive hand of the user.

Assignees

• Ultrahaptics Ip Ltd

Inventors

• Wren William
• Kappus Brian

Classifications

• G02B27/0172

  characterised by optical features · CPC title

• G02B2027/0174

  holographic · CPC title

• G06F2203/04808

  Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen · CPC title

• G06F2203/04806

  Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation · CPC title

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title