Communications: electrical – Tactual indication
Patent
1995-03-01
1996-12-10
Hofsass, Jeffery
Communications: electrical
Tactual indication
341 20, 341 21, 341 27, 414 5, 738657, H04B 336
Patent
active
055834787
ABSTRACT:
A method for providing a realistic sense of touch in virtual reality by means of programmable actuator assemblies is disclosed. Each tactile actuator assembly consists of a number of individual actuators whose movement is controlled by a computer and associated drive electronics. When an actuator is energized, the rare earth magnet and the associated contactor, incorporated within the actuator, are set in motion by the opposing electromagnetic field of a surrounding coil. The magnet pushes the contactor forward to contact the skin resulting in the sensation of touch. When the electromagnetic field is turned off, the rare earth magnet and the contactor return to their neutral positions due to the magnetic equilibrium caused by the interaction with the ferrous outer sleeve. The small size and flexible nature of the actuator assemblies permit incorporation into a glove, boot or body suit. The actuator has additional applications, such as, for example, as an accelerometer, an actuator for precisely controlled actuations or to simulate the sensation of braille letters.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3987438 (1976-10-01), Lindenmueller
patent: 4302138 (1981-11-01), Zarudiansky
patent: 4481815 (1984-11-01), Overton
patent: 4533890 (1985-08-01), Patel
patent: 4871992 (1989-10-01), Petersen
patent: 4884223 (1989-11-01), Ingle et al.
patent: 4964302 (1990-10-01), Grahn et al.
patent: 5010772 (1991-04-01), Bourland et al.
patent: 5184319 (1993-02-01), Kramer
patent: 5354162 (1994-10-01), Burdea et al.
Shimoga, IEEE Proceedings 1993 Virtual Reality Annual International Symposium, Seattle, WA, pp. 271-279.
Cone Gregory A.
Hofsass Jeffery
Nissen Donald A.
Stanley Timothy D.
Trieu Van T.
LandOfFree
Virtual environment tactile system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Virtual environment tactile system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Virtual environment tactile system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-426465