Abstract: A method of creating haptic stimulations and anatomical information includes a wearable device including a plurality of transducers that can each generate one or more waves. The method includes activating one or more first transducers of the plurality of transducers based on an instruction received from a remote device. Waves generated by the activated one or more first transducers provide a haptic stimulation. The method further includes activating one or more second transducers of the plurality of transducers. Waves generated by the activated one or more second transducers provide anatomical information of a user of the wearable device when the waves are received by one or more transducers of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A method of creating localized haptic stimulations on a user includes a wearable device including a plurality of transducers that can each generate one or more waves that propagate away from the wearable device through a medium. The method includes activating two or more transducers of the plurality of transducers, selecting values for characteristics of waves to be generated by the two or more transducers based at least in part on a known impedance of the medium. The method further includes generating, by the two or more transducers, waves that constructively interfere at a target location to create a haptic stimulation on a user of the wearable device, the waves having the selected values.

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: Embodiments relate to a system and a method for providing haptic feedback to a user by controlling an area of a surface of a haptic assembly in touch (directly or indirectly) with a user. The haptic assembly can be actuated such that a surface area of the haptic assembly in contact with a user can be adjusted. An area of the haptic assembly in contact with a user can be changed by modifying a shape of the haptic assembly. Hence, by changing the shape of the haptic assembly, a user touching a virtual object in a virtual space with a particular rigidity can be emulated.

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: 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 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: A system includes a wearable device including sensors arranged at different locations on the wearable device. Each sensor measures electrical signals transmitted from a wrist or arm of a user. A position computation circuit is coupled to the sensors. The position computation circuit computes, using information derived from the electrical signals with a machine learning model, an output that describes a hand position of a hand of the wrist or arm of the user.

Abstract: An interconnect device includes a body portion with conductors passing through the body portion. An energy harvesting device, a power controller device and a rechargeable DC power source are configured such that the power controller device includes instructions programmed thereon for controlling the flow of power between the energy harvesting device, the DC power source, and a microcontroller. Sensor devices are in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The sensors are arranged to detect parameters associated with the interconnect device and communicate the parameters to the microcontroller. An output device communicates data from the microcontroller associated with the at least one sensor.

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 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: A sheet jammer device comprises a first jamming sheet having a first surface within a compression region. A first inflatable bladder includes a first contact area within the compression region and a second jamming sheet has a surface within the compression. A second inflatable bladder that includes a second contact area that is within the compression region. An amount of inflation of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder controls the first friction force and the second friction force to restrict movement of the first jamming sheet relative to the second jamming sheet.

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 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: 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: Disclosed is a force ground device (e.g., a glove) including one or more tendons coupled to actuators for providing haptic feedback when worn by a user. The force ground device includes a wristband that couples to the tendons or to the actuators. The wristband grounds forces from the compressed tendons to the wrist of the user. The wristband may include two force grounding segments adjacent to the ulnar and radial sides of the wrist. The wristband may also include a tension adjustment mechanism (e.g., a ratchet) to adjust the tension of the wristband.

Abstract: A haptic glove comprises a glove body including a glove digit corresponding to a phalange of a user hand. The glove digit has a first ribbon layer of a first average width and a second ribbon layer of a second average width greater than the first average width. The first and second ribbon layers are configured to be positioned on a first surface of the digit and formed lengthwise along a bend centerline of the glove digit that bisects a surface of the glove digit. A central axis of the second ribbon layer is aligned with a central axis of the first ribbon layer. The first ribbon layer comprises a first extendible material having a first range of elastic extensibility and the second ribbon layer comprises a second extendible material having a second range of elastic extensibility greater than the first range of elastic extensibility of the first ribbon layer.

Abstract: A haptic glove includes a glove body including a glove digit corresponding to a phalange of a user hand. The glove digit has a pair of flexible tendons, including a first and a second tendon, which are parallel to a bend centerline that bisects a surface of the glove digit. The first and second tendons are positioned respectively on opposite sides of the bend centerline. The haptic glove further comprises an actuator coupled to the glove body and the first and second tendons, the actuator configured to actuate the tendons to control movement of the glove digit.