Virtual environment tactile system

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870735

Renzi, Ronald ^[1]

---

1. 90 Arroyo Seco Way, Tracy, San Joaquin County, CA 95376

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.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Renzi, Ronald (90 Arroyo Seco Way, Tracy, San Joaquin County, CA 95376)
• Patent Number(s): US 5583478
• OSTI ID: 870735
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

virtual
environment
tactile
method
providing
realistic
sense
touch
reality
means
programmable
actuator
assemblies
disclosed
assembly
consists
individual
actuators
movement
controlled
computer
associated
drive
electronics
energized
rare
earth
magnet
contactor
incorporated
set
motion
opposing
electromagnetic
field
surrounding
coil
pushes
forward
contact
resulting
sensation
return
neutral
positions
due
magnetic
equilibrium
caused
interaction
ferrous
outer
sleeve
size
flexible
nature
permit
incorporation
glove
boot
suit
additional
applications
example
accelerometer
precisely
actuations
simulate
braille
letters
assembly consists
outer sleeve
electromagnetic field
magnetic field
rare earth
virtual reality
precisely controlled
precisely control
actuator assembly
associated drive
/340/73/341/414/