Abstract:
In one embodiment, the invention is a haptic motion feedback mechanism. One embodiment of an apparatus for communicating motion in a virtual space includes a base and a feedback mechanism coupled to the base, the feedback mechanism using forced air to convey motion in the virtual space. In another embodiment, a method for communicating motion in a virtual space using a feedback mechanism includes receiving a signal indicative of user motion from a computing device on which the virtual space is running and forcing air through the feedback mechanism in order to convey the user motion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to virtual three-dimensional worlds, and relates more specifically to mechanisms for assisting the visually impaired in navigating virtual three-dimensional worlds. 
         [0002]    Virtual three-dimensional worlds (i.e., computer-based simulated environments) are becoming a standard part of the modern World Wide Web. Such worlds are largely visual in content delivery, however, and offer very little feedback in the form of alternate modalities (e.g., audio, haptic). This makes virtual three-dimensional worlds extremely difficult for visually impaired users to navigate. 
         [0003]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a haptic motion feedback mechanism that allows visually impaired users to navigate virtual three-dimensional worlds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, the invention is a haptic motion feedback mechanism. One embodiment of an apparatus for communicating motion in a virtual space includes a base and a feedback mechanism coupled to the base, the feedback mechanism using forced air to convey motion in the virtual space. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a method for communicating motion in a virtual space using a feedback mechanism includes receiving a signal indicative of user motion from a computing device on which the virtual space is running and forcing air through the feedback mechanism in order to convey an element of the user motion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. 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. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a haptic motion feedback mechanism, according to the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the belt assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A′; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the grating, according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating one embodiment of the belt, according to the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for providing tactile feedback indicative of motion in a virtual three-dimensional world to a user, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In one embodiment, the present invention is a haptic motion feedback mechanism that allows visually impaired users to navigate virtual three-dimensional worlds. Embodiments of the haptic motion feedback mechanism are designed to provide a user with tactile feedback indicative of motion (i.e., direction and/or speed) in a three-dimensional virtual world. By using the haptic motion feedback mechanism, a visually impaired user can “see” where he or she is going in the three-dimensional virtual world. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a haptic motion feedback mechanism  100 , according to the present invention. As illustrated, the mechanism  100  comprises a base  102  and a belt assembly  104  mounted to the base  102 . 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the base  102  comprises a first disk  106  and a second disk  108 . The second disk  108  is rotatably mounted to the first disk  106 , such that the second disk  108  can rotate within a 360 degree range about a central axis  110  (illustrated in phantom) while the first disk  106  remains substantially stationary. In one embodiment, a servo-mechanism in either the first disk  106  or the second disk  108  controls rotation of the second disk  108 . In an alternative embodiment, the base  102  is fixed (i.e., not rotatable). 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the second disk  108  further comprises at least one armature  112   1 - 112   2  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “armatures  112 ”) extending therefrom. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises two armatures  112 . The armatures  112  extend from the second disk  118  in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart manner relative to each other. In one embodiment, each of the armatures  112  additionally comprises a pivot point  114  centered on a distal end thereof, through which an axle (not shown) is disposed. The pivot point  114  is adapted for coupling the belt assembly  104  to the base  102 , where the belt assembly  104  is mounted on the axle. In this way, the belt assembly  104  is capable of pivoting or tilting on the axle disposed through the pivot point  114 . In one embodiment, a servo mechanism disposed on the axle between the armatures  112  and the belt assembly  104  controls the pivot or tilt of the belt assembly  104 . In an alternative embodiment, the belt assembly  104  is fixed (i.e., not capable of pivoting or tilting). In this embodiment, the belt assembly  104  may be coupled directly to the base  102  (i.e., the armatures  112  are not used). 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the belt assembly  104  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A′. As illustrated, the belt assembly  104  comprises a housing  202 , within which is housed at least one roller  204   1 - 204   2  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “rollers  204 ”), a belt  206 , and an air chamber  208 . 
         [0017]    The housing  202  is shaped substantially as a rectangular box. An outward facing side of the housing  202  (i.e., facing outward from the base  102  of the mechanism  100 ) comprises a grating  218 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the grating  218 , according to the present invention. As illustrated, the grating  218  comprises a plurality of slots  300   1 - 300   3  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “slots  300 ”). Although  FIG. 3  illustrates the grating  218  as having only three slots  300 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that the grating  218  may have any number of slots  300 . In one embodiment, the slots  300  are disposed lengthwise along a surface of the grating  218  (i.e., substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis, 1, of the grating  218 ). In one embodiment, the slots  300  are positioned in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation relative to each other. In an alternate embodiment, the grating  218  is a screen or mesh. In one embodiment, the grating  218  is formed of a substantially rigid material (i.e., rigid enough to not deform substantially under pressure from a human hand) such as metal or plastic. 
         [0018]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the rollers  204  are configured to rotate about axles  216   1 - 216   2  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “axles  216 ”) positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing  202 . The belt  206  is stretched over the rollers  204  in a continuous loop such that rotation of the rollers  204  will roll the surface of the belt  206  in a given direction. In one embodiment, rotation of the rollers  204  is controlled by a motor. Although  FIG. 2  illustrates the use of a pair of rollers  204 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of rollers may be used to roll the belt  206 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating one embodiment of the belt  206 , according to the present invention. As illustrated, the belt  206  comprises a length of material having a plurality of apertures  400   1 - 400   2  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “apertures  400 ”) formed in its surface. The apertures  400  may be formed of any shape. For instance, although  FIG. 4  illustrates the apertures  400  as a set of round holes, the apertures  400  could alternatively be formed as one or more slots configured for perpendicular orientation relative to the slots  300  in the grating  218 . Moreover, although  FIG. 4  illustrates the belt  206  as having only three apertures  400 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that the belt  206  may have any number of apertures  400 . In one embodiment, the apertures  400  are substantially collinear along a line, w, that extends across a width of the belt  206 . The belt  206  may include any number of such lines along which one or more apertures are formed. 
         [0020]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the air chamber  208  is positioned between the rollers  204 , within a volume bounded by the belt  206 . The air chamber  208  comprises a fan  210 , a motor  212 , and at least one inlet  214   1 - 214   2  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “inlets  214 ”). The motor  212  is configured to rotate the fan  210 , while the inlets  214  are configured to draw in air from the exterior of the housing  202 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, a power supply run through one or both of the armatures  112  of the base  102  powers the motor  212 . In one embodiment, a screen (not shown) is positioned below and/or above the fan  210 . 
         [0021]    In operation, the fan  210  blows air toward the grating  218 . As the belt  206  rolls over the rollers  204 , the apertures  400  formed in the belt  206  will substantially line up with the slots  300  in the grating  218 . As this happens, air is forced by the fan  210  through the apertures  400  and escapes through the slots  300 . Thus, as the belt  206  rolls, the forced air that escapes through the slots  300  can be felt traveling along at least a portion of the lengths of the slots  300 . 
         [0022]    By forcing the air through the slots  300  in this manner, motion and position in a virtual three-dimensional world can be communicated to a user who places his or her hand on or above the grating  218 . For instance, forced air traveling or rolling along the lengths of the slots  300  can communicate motion in the virtual three-dimensional world. Rotation of the base  102  can communicate horizontal motion (forward, backward, or sideways) in the virtual three-dimensional world. In addition, tilting of the belt assembly  104  about the pivot points  114  can communicate a motion in a sloped terrain or, if orientated vertically, upward or downward motion. The speed of the belt and the travel of the forced air in the lengths of the slots  300  can also communicate the speed with which the user is moving in the three-dimensional virtual world. All of these movements can be communicated to a stationary hand resting on or above the grating  218 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the mechanism  100  can also be used as an input device that controls motion in the virtual three dimensional world (e.g., similar to a joystick). For instance, with the grating  218  in place, a user could communicate left, right, and tilting motions (e.g., by rotating about the base  102  or tilting the belt assembly  104 ). Without the grating  218  in place, the user might be able to communicate further motion by moving the belt  206 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method  500  for providing tactile feedback indicative of motion in a virtual three-dimensional world to a user, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The method  500  is initialized at step  502  and proceeds to step  504 , where the method  500  receives a signal from a computing device on which the application for the virtual three-dimensional world is running. The signal indicates motion of the user in the virtual three-dimensional world. 
         [0026]    In step  506 , the method  500  conveys the horizontal (forward, backward, or sideways) element of the motion using rotation (e.g., as described above with respect to the rotatable base). In step  508 , the method  500  conveys the vertical (upward or downward) element of the motion to the user by tilting the belt assembly (e.g., as described above with respect to the belt assembly). In step  510 , the method  500  conveys the speed of the motion by changing the speed of the belt in the belt assembly (e.g., as described above with respect to the belt). In one embodiment, the vertical element of the motion, the horizontal element of the motion, and the speed are conveyed simultaneously. The method  500  then terminates in step  512 . 
         [0027]    In this manner, the present invention provides a user with tactile feedback indicative of motion (i.e., direction and/or speed) in a three-dimensional virtual world. By using the haptic motion feedback mechanism, a visually impaired user can “see” the direction and speed he or she is going in the three-dimensional virtual world. Moreover, because the motion is communicated through forced air, the haptic feedback is provided via a mechanism that is relatively comfortable (e.g., non-abrasive) to use and may be felt safely and comfortably by the hand or another body part. 
         [0028]    It should be noted that although not explicitly specified, one or more steps of the methods described herein may include a storing, displaying and/or outputting step as required for a particular application. In other words, any data, records, fields, and/or intermediate results discussed in the methods can be stored, displayed, and/or outputted to another device as required for a particular application. Furthermore, steps or blocks in the accompanying Figures that recite a determining operation or involve a decision, do not necessarily require that both branches of the determining operation be practiced. In other words, one of the branches of the determining operation can be deemed as an optional step. 
         [0029]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. Various embodiments presented herein, or portions thereof, may be combined to create further embodiments. Furthermore, terms such as top, side, bottom, front, back, and the like are relative or positional terms and are used with respect to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, and as such these terms may be interchangeable.