Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0346—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/038—Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
  • G06F3/0383—Signal control means within the pointing device

Definitions

• the invention is in the field of devices and systems for virtual reality, including virtual reality devices and systems for industrial or professional use.
• Virtual reality systems are used today in different fields in which the simulation is useful for example to prepare an operation involving hardware and a human user. This includes many industrial and scientific domains.
• the user of the system may be immersed in an immersion room consisting of a space lined with screens in front of which it evolves equipped with equipment bearing motion tracking elements, often motion tracking spheres, including level of the hand.
• Infrared light flashes are projected into the room and cameras allow a computer system to detect the movements of these motion tracking spheres, which reflect the infrared easily detectable because of their optical and geometric properties.
• the user also wears glasses for the three-dimensional view.
• the images perceived in three dimensions diffused on the screens are calculated in real time according to the observed displacement of the motion tracking spheres and the interactions of the user with the objects that he meets in the room.
• the user can wear a virtual reality helmet completely hiding his real environment and projecting images calculated according to the same principle before his eyes.
• equipment incorporating motion tracking elements is worn by the user, for example by hand.
• Virtual reality equipment includes a sophisticated software component, which in order to produce a realistic result must be implemented on a computer with a high computing power.
• this is the hardware aspect, and more precisely objects with which the user can interact in the space dedicated to the simulation. These objects are called interaction devices.
• these objects are called interaction devices.
• these peripherals be equipped with contactors or other elements. interactions and that on the other hand they communicate with the computer performing the calculations.
• Such peripherals make it possible, for example, to simulate the driving of a virtual vehicle in which the user sits, such as a car or an airplane, or to carry out handling or assembly operations using a control station. virtual work.
• an electronic block for virtual reality system interaction device comprising a controller for managing at least one electrical element of interactions, as well as wireless communication means to enable the controller to communicate with a computer program for virtual reality simulation, characterized in that the electronic block further comprises means for securing and electrical connection with contact to allow the attachment of the electronic block to a functional module of interactions device comprising said electrical element and the controller to be in relation to said electrical element of interactions.
• the electronic unit further comprises autonomous power supply means, but it can be designed without these autonomous power supply means.
• the wireless communication means conform to a wireless communication standard such as the Bluetooth standard, the Wifi standard, or the IEE 802.15.4 standard.
• the wireless communication means may also be Radio Frequency (RF) type of communication means.
• RF Radio Frequency
• the securing means and electrical connection using a recess of the electronic block in the functional module conform to a wireless communication standard such as the Bluetooth standard, the Wifi standard, or the IEE 802.15.4 standard.
• RF Radio Frequency
• the electronic block comprises an inertial unit, which makes it possible to provide very interesting information to the content creation and scripting software.
• the electrical elements of interactions concerned and controlled by the electronic module may be analog buttons, or switches or push button with one or more stable states, whose states are transmitted to the virtual reality simulation computer program.
• the electrical element of interactions can also be an LED or a vibrator activated in response to a command received from the computer program.
• the controller converts electrical currents and voltages relating to at least one electrical element of interactions into data packets for packet communication over a wireless network, and vice versa. It abstains from sending data packets to the computer program when the controller does not detect a change in the state of an electrical element of interactions.
• the invention also relates to a virtual reality equipment comprising an electronic block as presented and a dongle for an input-output port of a microcomputer, as well as software means to be implemented on a microcomputer for communication. between a virtual reality simulation computer program and the controller.
• the invention also relates to equipment for a virtual reality system, comprising an electronic block as shown, and a kit of modular gripping elements, comprising tubes of various lengths and elbows of various angles, to be assembled with the electronic block, for simulating a handling device whose shape is chosen by the user and which constitutes said functional module.
• the invention also relates to equipment for a virtual reality system, comprising an electronic block and a navigation module comprising a gripping surface for interaction with the hand of a user, which houses the electronic block under the gripping surface. , and which constitutes said functional module.
• the invention also relates to a kit of modular gripping elements for a virtual reality system, comprising tubes of various lengths and elbows of various angles, to be assembled to simulate a manipulation device whose shape is chosen by the user. at least one tube being at least partially transparent, in PMMA of optical quality.
• the at least partially transparent tube comprises, in its volume, a constellation of motion tracking spheres.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic block according to the principles of the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows the electronic block of FIG. 1 in operating situation.
• FIG. 3 shows a three-quarter view of an embodiment of the electronic block of FIG. 1.
• Figure 4 shows a gripping block incorporating the electronic block.
• Figure 5 shows an aspect of the gripping block of Figure 4.
• Figure 6 shows another gripping block, which can be assembled with the previous one.
• Figure 7 shows an elbow used to assemble gripping blocks.
• Figure 8 shows a gripping assembly obtained by assembling gripper blocks, and incorporating the electronic block.
• Figure 9 shows a navigation module incorporating the electronic block.
• Figure 10 shows the same navigation module, from another angle.
• FIGS 11 to 13 show other modes of use of an electronic block according to the principles of the invention.
• Figure 14 shows yet another mode of use of such an electronic block.
• Figures 15 to 17 show a solution for fixing the elements of the gripping assembly, alternative to the solution of Figure 5.
• an electronic module 100 comprises in a shell, for example made of plastic or resin, a microcontroller 110 and a short-range wireless transmission and reception module 120, each of which takes the form of an electronic chip and which communicate with each other. the other bidirectionally.
• the two chips are placed for example on an electronic card integrating all the components.
• the electronic module also comprises an integrated battery 140 which supplies the various electronic components of the module.
• a gyroscope 150 and an accelerometer 160 may also be present in certain embodiments, for example in an inertial unit which proposes these two functions as well as other functions.
• the gyroscope and the accelerometer, or the inertial unit communicate with the microcontroller 110.
• the primary function of the microcontroller 110 is the control of electrical elements of interactions via electrical contacts of the electronic module 100.
• all these electrical contacts are grouped together in an electrical connector 130, which can be based on a sheet of electrical wires.
• the electrical elements of interactions are not present within the electronic module 100. Examples of such electrical elements of interactions will be presented later.
• the control of these electrical elements of interactions can be done by applying and controlling a voltage between two electrical contacts of the connector 130 and / or by measuring a current flowing in a circuit formed by two wires and contacts.
• the controller 110 furthermore converts the information obtained about the electrical elements of interactions, including the measured currents, into data packets for wireless communication, and vice versa, converts data packets received from the transmission module. receiving 120 to control the voltages to be applied for the control of the electrical elements of interactions.
• the transceiver module 120 is in turn configured to communicate by radio waves and by contactless and wireless communication in accordance with an established standard, such as the Bluetooth® standard, the Zigbee® standard, an IEE 82.15.4 standard or a Wifi standard. It is generally proposed to use a radio communication protocol in a frequency band, for example at 2.4 GHz or 500 MHz, and to use Radio Frequency (RF) type communication means.
• an established standard such as the Bluetooth® standard, the Zigbee® standard, an IEE 82.15.4 standard or a Wifi standard. It is generally proposed to use a radio communication protocol in a frequency band, for example at 2.4 GHz or 500 MHz, and to use Radio Frequency (RF) type communication means.
• RF Radio Frequency
• the Bluetooth standard is used.
• the information is exchanged in real time and without noticeable latency.
• the microcontroller 110 generates data packets only when one of the currents measured by the controller 110 is modified, or when a significant change in the state of one of the electrical elements of interactions.
• FIG. 2 shows the electronic module 100 communicating with the other modules of a virtual reality system.
• the transmission / reception module 120 exchanges data with a microcomputer 300, for example via a dongle 301 connected to an input / output port of this USB-compliant microcomputer ⁇ Universal Serial Bus).
• packets of data PI, P2, P3, compliant with the Bluetooth standard pass in one direction and the other between the transmission and reception module 120 and the dongle 301.
• An extension module 310 ⁇ plug-in ) specifically developed to interact with the electronic module 100 makes it possible to link with a pre-existing virtual reality software 320 implemented on the microcomputer 300, responsible for content creation, simulation, scripting and display on the screens of the immersion room or in the immersion helmet.
• the connector 130 is connected to the corresponding connector of an interaction functional module 200.
• Different functional modules will be presented in relation with FIGS. 3 to 14.
• the functional module can incorporate different electrical elements of interactions, generally at two terminals, and in which currents h, i 2 , ... i n circulate, under the effect of the voltages applied to the contacts of the connector 130 by the controller 110. These currents are shown in FIG. 2 in the wires and contacts through which they enter the electrical module 100 or in the functional module 200.
• a first electrical interaction element included in the functional module 200 is an analog button or contactor 210, which has a variable electrical resistance depending on the support that is performed by the user. In the absence of support, for example the resistance is infinite and no current flows.
• a second electrical element of interactions included in the functional module is a switch or a push button 220, with one or two stable states. It defines two states, one being an "open circuit” state and the other a "closed circuit” state.
• a third electrical interaction element included in the functional module 200 is a light-emitting diode (LED) 230, which illuminates if a voltage is applied across its terminals. A current flows in the diode when it is lit.
• a fourth electrical element of interactions included in the functional module 200 is a vibrator 240.
• a fifth electrical element of interactions that can be incorporated into the functional module is a speaker (not shown). It goes into action when a voltage is applied to its terminals, and then lets circulate an electric current while emitting an audible sound or a vibration of the membrane (or equivalent structure) of the loudspeaker intended to be perceived so touch.
• the controller 110 is capable of managing up to thirty simple or analog buttons and contactors, as well as controlling one or more LEDs and one or more vibrators.
• FIG. 3 shows a three-quarter view of an embodiment of the electronic module 100 of FIG. 1. It takes the form here of a rectangular parallelepipedal box, of which two large edges are beveled (trapezoidal shape), and which has a slot 131 on one of the two small faces.
• the slot 131 is configured to constitute the electrical connection 130 shown in Figure 1, in the form of a "connection dock".
• the electronic module 100 can thus easily be fixed by hand in an interaction functional module 200 having the complementary connection.
• the shell of the housing further comprises a notch 170 constituting a form dedicated to the gripping to facilitate the handling of the device by an operator, especially at the time of its separation from the functional module 200.
• FIG. 4 shows a tube 500 constituting an element of an interaction functional module described as a "grasping module” or “gripper”.
• This module is composed of a set of tubular elements and elbows kit to be mounted in a geometry that can be chosen at will, to create a desired shape.
• An example of implementation of the gripper will be presented later.
• the gripper and the tube 500 alone are concrete examples of the functional module 200, since they incorporate or can incorporate the analog buttons and switches, as well as diodes and vibrators described in connection with Figure 2.
• the tube 500 is a cylinder of circular section having at one of its ends a female clipping element 510 and at the other end of a male clipping element 520. These clipping elements are used to clip the tube 500 on an element, tube or elbow, the gripper to form the whole.
• the tube 500 further comprises buttons 530 and 531 which may in particular be buttons in a single stable state, or also bistable buttons (it is specified that the buttons 530 and 531 may be the same or different).
• the tube 500 comprises a housing 540 for the electrical module 100 which is inserted into the volume of the tube 500, and once inserted in the housing 540, is secured to the tube 500.
• the electrical connection between the tube 500 and the electrical module 100 is established through the slot 131 of the electrical module 100 and corresponding electrical contact elements of the tube 500.
• the tube 500 having a housing for the electrical module 100 of a similar tube but not including this housing, the tube 500 is described hereinafter housing tube 500.
• FIG 5 there is shown an example for the male clipping element 520 of the tube 500. It consists of a toothed wheel 521 and a magnet 522, which allow to secure the tube 500 to a corresponding element carrying a female clipping element.
• the two elements to be joined can be positioned one vis-à-vis the other in various angular orientations. The elements are fixed together and can be indexed in rotation.
• FIGS. 15 to 17 Another system for attaching the elements of the gripper together is shown in FIGS. 15 to 17.
• a split snap ring 1500 fixed to the end of a tube 500, or another element of the gripping module, such as the elements shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.
• a ring is visible in Figures 15 and 16. It allows to enclose an axis of circular section to be positioned in the center of the ring. The tightening is done with a 1501 eccentric manipulated by hand, having a locking pin.
• the ring bears on its surface intended to be supported by the element to fix pins or locking studs 1502 and 1503 (or angular indexing studs), for example two in number, and which project.
• the ring constitutes a female part
• the corresponding male part is represented in FIG. 17. It is carried by the end of a tube 500 or of another element of the gripping module, such as the elements presented in FIGS. 6 to 8.
• the end surface of the element carries housings 1701, 1702, ... 170n for the pins 1502 and 1503, arranged on a circle, with a regular pitch. In the center, an axis of circular section projects from the end surface.
• the shaft 1710 is inserted into the stop ring and the pins 1502 and 1503 into housings 1701, 1702, ... 170n chosen to have the desired orientation. The ring is then tightened.
• This method of attachment is remarkable because it ensures a fixation without any risk of disassembly, which is critical in an immersion room where the fall of a room could cause damage to the equipment of the room, and because it guarantees excellent angular rigidity of the assembled assembly, even if several parts are fixed to each other, forming a large object with a large lever arm.
• FIG. 6 there is shown a tube 600 constituting another element of the gripping module kit. It is similar to the housing tube 500, and has at its ends male and female clipping elements. But it does not have a housing for the electrical module 100, nor an electrical connection to communicate directly with it.
• the tube 600 is intended to be secured by its ends with other gripper elements, and in particular, directly or indirectly, with a housing tube 500.
• FIG. 7 there is shown a bend 650, constituting an element of the gripper module kit.
• This elbow is a portion of torus circular section, the two ends are at right angles to one another (in other words, it is a quarter of a torus). It has a male clipping element 651 and a female clipping element 652 at its respective ends, like the tubes of FIGS. 5 and 6. It is specified that it is proposed to provide elbows whose two end sections are in planes 60 °, 45 ° or 30 ° from each other. In the same way, tube-like tubes 600 may be provided in different lengths.
• FIG. 8 shows two embodiments of gripping modules based on the elements that have just been presented in FIGS. 4 to 7.
• gripping modules for example reproduce shapes encountered in factories, or in logistics warehouses, where operators are responsible for performing specific tasks on objects including cylindrical bars used for moving heavy loads.
• the form 701 forms a closed rectangular planar frame, including four right-angled elbows and different cylindrical tubes to form the sides.
• One of the long sides comprises the housing tube 500 into which the electronic module 100 is inserted.
• the form 702 is itself an open form, not confined in a plane, since it comprises a non-coplanar tube-elbow-tube-elbow-tube succession, such an association being permitted by the male and female clipping elements of the different elements.
• the different forms thus manufactured can be used for example to simulate a factory assembly line, for example for the automotive industry.
• a factory assembly line for example for the automotive industry.
• the different forms of the gripper module can also be used, for an industrialist, to simulate the handling of electrical cables or piping water or gas to install, for example in difficult conditions.
• tubes referenced 601 and 602 depending on their size, are transparent, which is particularly suitable for use in virtual reality room (immersion room). These tubes are entirely or partially transparent to minimize occultations in an immersive medium.
• these transparent tubes can be adapted to incorporate in their volume motion tracking spheres forming a motion tracking constellation that can be used by virtual reality software to effectively track the displacements of the gripping module.
• Such an arrangement of the motion tracking constellation within a tube of the gripping module makes it possible, in the context of an immersion room, to minimize the occultations of the images displayed for the user.
• the motion tracking spheres are protected, since embedded in the mass of the tube, and they do not interfere with the user, who can grasp the tube as if it does not contain a motion tracking device.
• the transparent material is optically treated so as not to impair the operation of a motion tracking system when spheres are in the tube.
• PMMA polymethylmethacrylate
• a navigation module 800 has been presented, which constitutes another concrete example of the interaction functional module 200. It is a control device having an ergonomic grip zone 801, making it possible to handle with one hand, left or right.
• the navigation module 800 is furthermore equipped with various electrical switches 802 of the type with one or more stable state switches or analog switches or contactors, such as a joystick or a joystick.
• the user can activate, in particular with the thumb and forefinger, and while holding the navigation module 800 in the palm of the hand closed on the gripping zone, menus using the switches and contactors or perform progressive controls using the joystick or the joystick.
• the navigation module is also equipped with a vibrator to alert the user of certain situations during the virtual reality experience. It can also be equipped with motion tracking spheres (not shown, but to be placed on the zone 803, which is hidden by the body of the navigation module when it is handled by the user, so as to hide the least possible the field of vision of it when it evolves in immersion room) and also has a particularly neat design.
• the navigation module is adapted to be worn on the belt with a tab 804 when the user wishes to have his hands free to use another device, such as the gripping module presented to the figure 8.
• the navigation module does not include a standalone power supply, control means of the electrical contactors, nor radio communication means. By cons, it comprises a housing (not shown, but under the hood of the gripping zone 801) to accommodate the electronic module 100.
• the electrical contactors and the vibrator are controlled by the controller 110 of the electronic module 100, and supplied with electrical power by the battery 140.
• the navigation module can also communicate with the virtual reality software using the module 120 for short-range wireless transmission and reception. .
• FIGS. 11 to 13 there are shown other uses of the electronic module 100, for other virtual reality applications.
• the electronic module 100 can be associated with various tools manufactured on demand according to the needs of manufacturers, and which do not need to incorporate the electronic control and transmission-reception functions, which are provided by the electronic module 100 The tools also do not need to incorporate a power supply since this is provided by the electrical module 100.
• the examples shown in Figures 11 to 13 are a pistol, a striker, and a screwdriver, which constitute each a concrete example of the interaction functional module 200.
• the electronic module is incorporated in (or takes the form of) a tube similar to the housing tube 500, which is then attached to one end of the tool using the fasteners provided by the male clipping elements. and female described in Figures 4 and 5. But it is also possible in some embodiments, the electronic module is directly inserted into a housing of the tool.
• the tool after inserting the electronic module or fixing it in a dedicated area of the tool, using or not an intermediate part, the tool becomes functional and autonomous.
• FIG. 14 shows yet another mode of use of the electronic module 100 for this time a virtual reality application for driving automobile.
• the electronic module 100 can be fixed to an interaction functional module intended to be fixed on an automobile steering wheel within reach of the driver's hand, described as "flying support” 950.
• the interaction device (flying support 950) rotates with the steering wheel, and the user can press the various switches that are present on this device.
• the flying support 950 does not include a controller for the interaction elements, in particular the contactors, since this function is provided by the electronic module 100.
• -Flying 950 does not include either battery or transceiver module.
• the electronic module is incorporated in a tube similar to the housing tube 500, which is then attached to the rear of the flying support 950. But it is also possible, in some embodiments, that the electronic module 100 is inserted directly into a housing of the flying support.
• Still another mode of use of the electronic module 100 in a virtual reality application is its use with a virtual reality glove (not shown).
• the module is then held on the wrist of the user using a strap, for example. It is connected to electrical interaction elements of the glove, such as for example a vibrator or a speaker placed at the level of the palm of the fingers, to finely reproduce a feeling of touch, using a vibration produced by the buzzer or speaker diaphragm.
• electrical interaction elements of the glove such as for example a vibrator or a speaker placed at the level of the palm of the fingers, to finely reproduce a feeling of touch, using a vibration produced by the buzzer or speaker diaphragm.
• many functional modules 200 can be developed and adapt to the electronic module 100.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
• Snaps, Bayonet Connections, Set Pins, And Snap Rings (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Manufacture, Treatment Of Glass Fibers (AREA)
• Wire Bonding (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

Family

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Family Applications (2)

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• 2013
  • 2013-05-30 FR FR1354931A patent/FR3006465B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2014
  • 2014-04-08 FR FR1453125A patent/FR3006392B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-04-08 FR FR1453126A patent/FR3006464B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-05-28 WO PCT/FR2014/051282 patent/WO2014191697A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2014-05-28 WO PCT/FR2014/051283 patent/WO2014191698A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2014-05-28 EP EP14803626.2A patent/EP3005043A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-05-28 EP EP14741931.1A patent/EP3005044A2/de not_active Withdrawn

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