Haptic hardware using air vortices to deliver tactile sensations matched to a visual presentation — handheld/prop-relevant haptic mechanism.
To convey tactile sensations over an open space, a system may use a vortex generator to direct one or more vortices at an object in 3-D space. Once a vortex strikes an object—e.g., a user's hand—it applies a force. The vortex generator can control the frequency and intensity of the vortices in order to provide differenttactile sensations that correspond to virtual objects or events in a visual presentation.The system may identify and track objects in the real-world environment, and based on information provided by a device displaying the visual presentation, transmit instructions tothe vortex generator to discharge vortices that convey a tactile sensation corresponding to the virtual object or event in the visual presentation. By doing so, the vortices augment the real-world environment to immerse the user in the visual presentation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings.(2) It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.(3) FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a vortex generator, according to embodiments described herein.(4) FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate various nozzle shapes, according to embodiments described herein.(5) FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate creating vortices using the vortex generator 100, according to embodiments described herein.(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a system for using vortices for providing tactile sensations associated with a visual presentation, according to one embodiment described herein.(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a method for using vortices for providing tactile sensations, according to one embodiment described herein.(8) FIG. 6 illustrates a system for synchronizing multiple vortex generators for providing tactile sensations, according to one embodiment described herein.(9) FIG. 7 illustrates a system for integrating a vortex generator with a projection of a visual presentation, according to one embodiment described herein.(10) FIG. 8 illustrates a system diagram for providing tactile feedback b
1. A method for augmenting reality based on a visual presentation, the method comprising: identifying the location of a physical object based on data captured from a sensing device;orienting a vortex generator based on the identified location of the physical object; determining a tactile sensation corresponding to at least one of a virtual object in the visual presentation and an event in the visual presentation; selecting a predefined pattern ofsequential vortices for conveying the tactile sensation upon striking the physical object, the predefined pattern defining one or more frequencies for discharging the sequential vortices and one or more intensities of the sequential vortices; and after orienting the vortex generator, discharging the sequential vortices from the vortex generator using the predefined pattern.
6. A computer program product for augmenting reality based on a visual presentation, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied therewith, the computer-readable program code configured to: identify the location of a physical object based on data captured from a sensing device; orient a vortex generator based on the identified location of the physicalobject; determine a tactile sensation corresponding to at least one of a virtual object in the visual presentation and an event in the visual presentation; select a predefined pattern of sequential vortices for conveying the tactile sensation upon striking the physicalobject, the predefined pattern defining one or more frequencies for discharging the sequential vortices and one or more intensities of the sequential vortices; and after orientingthe vortex generator, discharge the sequential vortices from the vortex generator using the predefined pattern.
11. A system, comprising: a sensing device; a vortex generator configured to discharge a vortex, the vortex generator comprising adjusters configured to change an orientation of the vortex generator; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the sensing device and the vortex generator, the computing device configured to: identify the location of a physical object based on data captured from the sensing device; orient the vortex generator based on the identified location of the physical object; determine a tactile sensation corresponding to at least one of a virtual object in the visual presentation and an event in the visual presentation; selecting a predefined pattern of sequential vortices for conveying the tactile sensation upon striking the physical object, the predefined pattern defining one or more frequencies for discharging the sequential vortices and one or more intensities for the sequential vortices; and after orienting the vortex generator, discharge the sequential vortices from the vortex generator using the predefined pattern.
17. A vortex generator comprising: a body enclosing a central cavity; an actuator mounted onto the body, the actuator configured to change the volume of the central cavity in response to a first control signal; a flexible, elongated nozzle attached to the body at a first end, wherein, in response to the actuator changing the volume of the central cavity, air flows through the nozzle and generates a vortex at a second end of the nozzle opposite the first end; and an adjustment element coupled to the nozzle, the adjustment element is configured to, in response to a second control signal, adjust the position of the second end of the nozzle relative to the first end of the nozzle thereby changing the direction the vortex travels.