Abstract: A system modifies data generating haptic feedback to account for changes in user perception of haptic feedback. The system identifies haptic data and determines an estimated amplitude of haptic feedback corresponding to a portion of the haptic data. Responsive to the estimated amplitude of the haptic feedback corresponding to the portion of the haptic data exceeding a threshold value, a refractory period is determined that will occur after haptic feedback corresponding to the portion of the haptic data is applied to the user. The portion of the haptic data is provided to an input interface, and a set of haptic data associated with times within a duration of the refractory period from the identified haptic data is removed to form an adjusted data set that is provided to the input interface to provide haptic feedback to the user in accordance with adjusted haptic data set.

Abstract: A haptic device provides haptic sensation to a user. The haptic device comprises a haptic plate and a plurality of actuators. The haptic plate includes a center portion and an outer portion that circumscribes the center portion. The plurality of actuators is coupled to the outer portion of the haptic plate. Of the plurality of actuators, one or more actuators are configured to generate, in accordance with haptic instructions, a haptic wave that converges to a specific waveform at a specific region of the center portion of the haptic plate. The shape of the specific waveform and the location of the specific region on the center portion of the haptic plate are based in part on the haptic instructions.

Abstract: A haptic feedback glove worn by a user provides an amount of a resistance to a physical movement of a portion of the user's hand. The haptic feedback glove includes a glove body, an expandable bladder and a pressure source. The glove body includes a first portion corresponding to a first phalange of a user hand, a second portion corresponding to a second phalange of the user hand, and a third portion corresponding to a joint between the first phalange and the second phalange of the user hand. The expandable bladder is coupled to the third portion of the glove body. The expandable bladder has an adjustable size that controls an amount of relative movement between the first portion and the second portion of the glove body. The pressure source is coupled to the glove body, and is configured to adjust the size of the expandable bladder.

Abstract: An enhanced elastomer molding process applies an electric field to an elastomer doped to include dielectric ceramic particulates inserted in a cavity of a mold while maintaining a temperature at or near a melting point of the elastomer and a Curie temperature of the ceramic particulates. Because a material's dielectric constant is related to the material's net remnant ferroelectric polarization, which may be increased by poling near the material's Curie temperature, applying the electric field to the elastomer doped with the dielectric ceramic particulates increases the dielectric constant of the dielectric ceramic particulates. This maintains the high elasticity of the elastomer while increasing the elastomer's dielectric constant of the material by increasing the value of the dielectric constant of the dielectric ceramic particulates included in the elastomer.

Abstract: A haptic device provides haptic sensation to a user. The haptic device comprises a haptic plate and a plurality of actuators. The haptic plate includes a center portion and an outer portion that circumscribes the center portion. The plurality of actuators is coupled to the outer portion of the haptic plate. Of the plurality of actuators, one or more actuators are configured to generate, in accordance with haptic instructions, a haptic wave that converges to a specific waveform at a specific region of the center portion of the haptic plate. The shape of the specific waveform and the location of the specific region on the center portion of the haptic plate are based in part on the haptic instructions.

Abstract: A system tracks movement of the VR input device relative to a portion of a user's skin, track movement of the VR input device relative to a physical surface external to the VR input device, or both. The system includes an illumination source integrated with a tracking glove coupled to a virtual reality console, and the illumination source is configured to illuminate a portion of skin on a finger of a user. The system includes an optical sensor integrated with the glove, and the optical sensor is configured to capture a plurality of images of the illuminated portion of skin. The system includes a controller configured to identify differences between one or more of the plurality of images, and to determine estimated position data based in part on the identified differences.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in a channel conduit from a fluid entrance to a fluid exit. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises the channel conduit, a flexible element, a cross member, and a gate. The channel conduit is bounded by an inner surface that includes a protrusion. The flexible element is coupled to the inner surface of the channel conduit on a different side of the inner surface as the protrusion. The cross member has a first end that is coupled to a deformable surface that is part of the inner surface of the channel conduit and a second end that is coupled to the flexible element. The gate is configured to deform the deformable surface in accordance with a fluid pressure at the gate. An amount of deformation imparted by the gate controls a position of the flexible element via the cross member.

Abstract: A fluidic switch (or fluidic device) is provided. The fluidic switch includes: (i) a housing defining a cavity with a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being larger than the first opening, the cavity containing a viscoelastic substance, (ii) a channel to transport a fluid from a source, across the first opening, to a drain, where the first opening opens into the channel, and (iii) an actuator to apply a force through the second opening to the viscoelastic substance in the cavity when actuated, the force to displace a portion of the viscoelastic substance into the channel to impede transport of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic devices comprises a gate, a channel, and an obstruction. The gate comprises at least one chamber whose volume increases with fluid pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size. The obstruction controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on the fluid pressure in the gate. The obstruction induces at most a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with the low pressure state of the gate, and at least a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with the high pressure state of the gate.

Abstract: A strain measurement ring measures strain information describing deformation of a strain-sensitive element included in the strain measurement ring due to movement of a user's finger. The strain measurement ring includes a semi-rigid band coupled to a deformable band, which together encompass a portion of the user's body. The semi-rigid band includes two coupling ends each coupled to a respective coupling end of the deformable band. The deformable band includes the strain-sensitive element. The strain measurement ring may include an emitter to transmit strain information to a virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) console. The strain measurement ring may include an actuator to change the tension of the deformable band in response to haptic command signals from a VR/AR console. As a result, the strain measurement ring may apply pressure to the user's skin to simulate contact with a virtual object.

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.

Abstract: A deformation sensing apparatus comprises an elastic substrate, a conductive element, and an additional conductive element. The conductive element includes conductive joints that are separated from each other by resolving elements along a length of the conductive element. Different combinations of conductive joints and resolving elements correspond to different segments of the deformation sensing apparatus. Based on a change in capacitance between a conductive joint and the additional conductive element when a strain is applied to the deformation sensing apparatus, the deformation sensing apparatus generates a signal that allows determination of how the strain deforms the deformation sensing apparatus.

Abstract: A deformation sensing apparatus comprises an elastic substrate, a first strain-gauge element formed on a first surface of the elastic substrate, and configured to output a first signal in response to a strain applied in a first direction, and a second strain-gauge element formed on a second surface of the elastic substrate opposite to the first surface, and configured to output a second signal in response to a strain applied in the same first direction.

Abstract: A virtual reality system enables a user to interact with virtual objects. The system includes a fiducial ring, an imaging device and a console. The fiducial ring includes a ring body that includes a plurality of fiducial markers that each correspond to a different location on the ring body. An imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the fiducial ring. The console receives the images that include an image of one or more fiducial markers. Based on the received images of the fiducial markers, the console determines a location on the fiducial ring that corresponds to the imaged fiducial marker. The console determines a position of the fiducial ring based on the determined location of the fiducial marker on the fiducial ring. The console provides content to a head mounted display (HMD) based on the determined position of the fiducial ring.

Abstract: A virtual reality system enables a user to interact with virtual objects. The system includes a fiducial ring, an imaging device and a console. The fiducial ring includes a ring body that includes a plurality of fiducial markers that each correspond to a different location on the ring body. An imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the fiducial ring. The console receives the images that include an image of one or more fiducial markers. Based on the received images of the fiducial markers, the console determines a location on the fiducial ring that corresponds to the imaged fiducial marker. The console determines a position of the fiducial ring based on the determined location of the fiducial marker on the fiducial ring. The console provides content to a head mounted display (HMD) based on the determined position of the fiducial ring.

Abstract: A deformation sensing apparatus comprises an elastic substrate, a first strain-gauge element formed on a first surface of the elastic substrate, and configured to output a first signal in response to a strain applied in a first direction, and a second strain-gauge element formed on a second surface of the elastic substrate opposite to the first surface, and configured to output a second signal in response to a strain applied in the same first direction.

Abstract: A fluidic, device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises a channel and a gate. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from the source to the drain. The gate controls a rate of fluid flow in the channel in accordance with the fluid pressure within the gate. Specifically, the gate is configured to induce a first flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a low pressure state of the gate, and a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a high pressure state of the gate. In certain embodiments, the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. In alternative embodiments, the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A sensor records information about skin stretch perceived by a user based on an interaction with a real object. The sensor includes a mechanical housing configured to be worn on a finger of a user, and a mechanism coupled to the mechanical housing. The mechanism includes a first bearing that rotates in a first direction in response to an interaction with a surface. The mechanism also includes a second bearing coupled to the first bearing, such that rotation of the first bearing causes the second bearing to rotate in a direction opposite to the first direction. The second bearing is in contact with a portion of the finger, and includes a feedback surface that simulates a force associated with the interaction with the surface. The sensor includes a controller configured to monitor rotation of the second bearing and record skin stretch information responsive to the interaction with the surface.

Abstract: An input interface for a virtual reality (VR) system includes one or more actuators stressing or straining a portion of a user's skin, simulating interactions with presented virtual objects. For example, an actuator comprises a tendon contacting portions of a user's body and coupled to a motor that moves the tendon to move portions of the user's body contacting the tendon. Alternatively, an actuator includes a pad having a surface contacting a surface of the user's body. A driving mechanism moves the pad in one or more directions parallel to the surface of the user's body with varying levels of normal force. In another example, one or more pins contact portions of the user's body and a surface of a bladder. The pins move as the bladder is inflated or deflated, which moves the contacted portions of the user's body. Alternatively, another type of actuator may move the pins.

Abstract: An input interface configured to be worn on a portion of a user's body includes tendons coupled to various sections of the garment. A tendon includes one or more activation mechanisms that, when activated, prevent or restrict a particular range of motion. The tendon may include a tendon web that controls multiple portions of the user's body with an activation mechanism. The tendon may connect to the garment through a textile mesh that distributes force over a wider area of the user's skin. An activation mechanism may apply force to the textile mesh to modify the stiffness of the textile mesh or to modify the pressure applied by the textile mesh. The tendon may be a wire or have a form with variable width. The activation mechanism may be a solenoid using a permanent magnet, which may have multiple alternating magnetic poles.