Patent · US Active

Using a magnetic actuation mechanism to provide tactile feedback to a user interacting with a virtual environment

US10209775B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 20, 2016
Grant dateFeb 19, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 20, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/014
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An input interface for a virtual reality (VR) system environment includes one or more actuators that, when activated, prevent movement of the input interface by a user. For example, the input interface has magnetic actuation mechanism preventing movement of certain portions of the input interface when actuated, allowing simulation of interactions with virtual objects in a virtual environment presented by the VR system environment. In one embodiment, the input interface includes one or more magnets on a tendon or other portion of the input interface that moves with a portion of the user's body and one or more additional magnets fixed relative to the input interface. Magnets on the portion of the input interface that moves with the portion of the user's body and the fixed additional magnets act as a soft detent mechanism holding the portion of the user's body in one or more specified positions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.