Device for Intuitive Dexterous Touch and Feel Interaction in Virtual Worlds

Abstract

A device for dexterous interaction in a virtual world in disclosed. The device includes a housing including a plurality of buttons and a plurality of vibration elements each associated with at least one of the plurality of buttons. An orientation sensor detects orientation of the housing, and a bearing is configured to allow the housing to freely rotate in a plurality of directions. A processor is in communication with the plurality of buttons, the plurality of vibration elements, and the orientation sensor. A transmitter/receiver unit is configured to receive data from the processor and configured to send and receive data from a central processing unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for dexterous interaction in a virtual world, the device comprising:
 a housing including at least one vibration element;   an orientation sensor configured for detecting data based on orientation of the housing; and   a processor configured to receive the data from the orientation sensor, and the processor is configured to transmit the data;   wherein the device is configured to virtually move at least one virtual element in a virtual environment such that the at least one virtual element virtually engages with a secondary virtual element, and the device is configured to receive tactile feedback based on at least a surface characteristic of the secondary virtual element.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be connected to a computer comprising a display, and
 the virtual environment, the at least one virtual element, and the secondary virtual element are visible on the display.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the computer further comprises a storage device that includes a memory unit, the memory unit includes a plurality of virtual environments that are configured to be displayed on the display, and user interaction occurs with each one of the plurality of virtual environments based on movement of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the data, and the computer is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the data. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vibration element provides sensory output associated with a virtual hand in visualization software. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to move with three degrees of freedom via a bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation sensor comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional sensor configured to detect engagement with a user's hand, and the at least one virtual element is virtually articulated based on output from the at least one additional sensor, wherein the virtual articulation is related to articulation of the user's hand. 
     
     
         9 . A method of providing interaction in a virtual world, the method comprising:
 virtually engaging a secondary virtual element with at least one virtual element in a virtual environment via use of a device configured to control virtual movement of the at least one virtual element; and   providing tactile feedback to the device based on at least a surface characteristic of the secondary virtual element.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the device comprises:
 a housing including at least one vibration element;   an orientation sensor configured for detecting data based on orientation of the housing; and   a processor configured to receive the data from the orientation sensor, and the processor is configured to transmit the data.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the housing has an ellipsoid shape and is connected to a flexible shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the orientation sensor comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one button that is pressure sensitive, and the at least one button is configured to provide tactile feedback based on a degree of pressure applied to the at least one button. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the device is configured to be wirelessly connected to a computer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one virtual element is configured to be manipulated in real-time and in a continuous feedback loop. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the continuous feedback loop provides physical feedback to the device based on manipulation of the at least one virtual element. 
     
     
         17 . A system for dexterous interaction in a virtual environment, the system comprising:
 a device comprising:
 at least one vibration element; 
 a sensor configured to detect an orientation of the device; and 
 a processor configured to receive data from the sensor, and the processor is configured to transmit the data; and 
   a computer comprising a headset display configured to display a virtual environment, the computer is configured to receive the data from the processor, and the computer is configured to analyze the data to virtually manipulate at least one virtual element in the virtual environment, and   virtual manipulation of a secondary virtual element by the at least one virtual element provides tactile feedback to the device, and the tactile feedback is representative of at least a surface characteristic of the secondary virtual element.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one virtual element is a virtual hand, and the at least one vibration element provides sensory output associated with the virtual hand virtually engaging other virtual elements in the virtual environment. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one virtual element is configured to be manipulated in real-time and in a continuous feedback loop, and the continuous feedback loop provides physical feedback to the device based on virtual manipulation of the at least one virtual element. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the device is configured to move with three degrees of freedom via a bearing.