Facebook Technologies, LLC

Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC

Oculus, Vr, LLC

Ottobock Se & Co. Kgaaß

Nicholas Roy Corson

Sean Jason Keller

Tristan Thomas Trutna

Raymond King

Garett Andrew Ochs

David R Perek

Jack Lindsay

Charles Stewart

Selso Luanava

Zachary D West

Aaron Ambuske

Brian Fletcher

John Dietrich Martin

Riccardo DeSalvo

Joseph Minh Tien

Brian Cox

Robert Manson

David Alan Boone

Ben Gilbert Macomber

Matthew Robert Schwab

Yigit Mengue

Katherine Healy

Lucas Samuel Lincoln

Vincenzo Casasanta, Iii

Pooya Saketi

Daniel Brodoceanu

Oscar Torrents Abad

Nicholas Colonnese

Ali Sengül

Andrew Stanley

Priyanshu Agarwal

Daniele Piazza

Thomas John Farrell Wallin

Yigit Menguc

Serol Turkyilmaz

Jay Willet

Elia Gatti

Adam Ahne

Ana Mirona Motoc

Leif-Erik Sharif Simonsen

David Rother Dobbs

Remi Alain Delille

Ali Israr

Erik Samuel Roby

Kevin Shimasaki

Cesare Valerio Parise

Laura Cristina Trutoiu

Majed Jamal Samad

Amirhossein Hajiagha Memar

Garrett Andrew Ochs

Gaurav Mukherjee

A wearable device comprises, a first unit cell that includes a haptic-feedback generator and the haptic-feedback generator is located at a first position on the wearable device. The device includes a second unit cell that includes another haptic-feedback generator, the other haptic-feedback generator is located at a second position that is adjacent to the first position. The device includes a connection between the first unit cell and the second unit cell, the connection being adjustable to move the first unit cell away from the first position or the second unit cell away from the second position. The device also includes a processor that is configured to: cause a size adjustment to either the haptic-feedback generator or the other haptic-feedback generator to provide, a first haptic feedback, and cause a positional adjustment, via the connection, to move the haptic-feedback generator away from the first position to provide a second haptic feedback.

Modular unit cell devices configured to be integrated in various wearable devices, and methods of use thereof

A prosthetic joint and a method of controlling dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the hydraulic prosthetic ankle joint. The method includes generating ground reaction forces with a hydraulic prosthetic ankle, wherein the prosthetic hydraulic ankle comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, and the ankle is connected to a prosthetic foot; rotating the prosthetic foot in response to the ground reaction force; transferring fluid between the forward and rear chambers in response to rotation of the foot; providing a feature to occlude or partially occlude the fluid transfer between chambers; providing a non-electronic mechanism for controlling the flow responsive to both a position of the joint and a rate of change of position of the joint, and wherein the mechanism is arranged such that a dwell at a particular joint location or locations will occlude the flow path.

Prosthetic joint with a mechanical response system to position and rate of change

A virtual reality system enables a user to interact with virtual objects. The system includes a fiducial ring, an imaging device and a console. The fiducial ring includes a ring body that includes a plurality of fiducial markers that each correspond to a different location on the ring body. An imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the fiducial ring. The console receives the images that include an image of one or more fiducial markers. Based on the received images of the fiducial markers, the console determines a location on the fiducial ring that corresponds to the imaged fiducial marker. The console determines a position of the fiducial ring based on the determined location of the fiducial marker on the fiducial ring. The console provides content to a head mounted display (HMD) based on the determined position of the fiducial ring.

Fiducial rings in virtual reality

The disclosed device may include a first layer of fluidic transducers and a second layer of fluidic transducers. Each transducer in the first layer may include a first electrode coupled to a first substrate of the first layer, a second electrode coupled to a second substrate of the first layer, and a fluid channel between the first and second electrodes of the first layer. Each transducer in the second layer may include a first electrode coupled to a first substrate of the second layer, a second electrode coupled to a second substrate of the second layer, and a fluid channel between the first and second electrodes of the second layer. The second layer of fluidic transducers may be positioned on the first layer of fluidic transducers. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Multilayer membranes for haptic devices

The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Methods of fabricating microfluidic valves and systems

An apparatus for fixing a wearable structure and/or a user-feedback element to a user is provided. The apparatus includes a wearable structure configured to be worn by a user, and a grounding assembly, coupled to the wearable structure. The grounding assembly includes: (i) an inflatable bladder, coupled to a first portion of the wearable structure, and (ii) a cord, coupled to a second portion of the wearable structure and the inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder is configured to receive a fluid from a source. The cord is configured to tighten around a portion of the user's body according to and in proportion with the fluid pressure inside the inflatable bladder.

Passive and active grounding techniques for haptic devices

A fluidic device comprises a channel, a gate, and one or more additional elements. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from a source to a drain. The gate includes a chamber with an adjustable volume that affects fluid flow within the channel by displacing a wall of the channel toward an opposite wall of the channel based in part on fluid pressure within the chamber exceeding a threshold pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a first flow rate of the fluid. A low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size and a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate. The additional elements are configured to reduce the threshold pressure past which the chamber decreases the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Fluidic devices and related methods and wearable devices

A wearable device for providing haptic stimulations is provided. The wearable device includes: (i) a wearable structure to be worn on a portion of a user's body and (ii) an inflatable bladder, coupled to the wearable structure, that includes two or more pockets positioned at a target location on the wearable structure. Furthermore, the two or more pockets are configured to, when inflated, impart directional force(s) onto the user at the target location that impede movement of the portion of the user's body. Additionally, the directional force(s) are caused by the two or more pockets interfering with each other, when inflated. In some embodiments, (a) the portion of the user's body is a hand of the user, (b) the target location is a finger joint on the user's hand, and (c) the directional force(s) imparted onto the user at the target location impede flexion of the user's finger.

Wearable devices with interfering bladders for creating haptic feedback

An apparatus for creating and tuning haptic feedback is provided. The apparatus includes (A) a brace with first and second portions, (B) a vibrotactile actuator, coupled to the first portion of the brace, configured to apply haptic stimulations to a user, and (C) a linear actuator, coupled to the second portion of the brace, configured to (i) obtain a signal generated based on information about the user's body at a target location of the user and (ii) adjust a tension of the brace according to the signal. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or more sensors configured to generate the information about the user's body at the target location. Furthermore, a controller may be configured to: (i) generate the signal based on the information about the user's body at the target location generated by the one or more sensors and (ii) provide the signal to the linear actuator.

Impedance shaping for haptic interfaces on wearable devices

A pick-up head assembly comprises a body of a liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) that undergoes a reversible expansion when exposed to a first frequency of light and contracts when exposed to a second frequency of light. Selective portions of the LCE in the pick-up head assembly are irradiated with the first frequency to cause an expansion in the selective portions. The adhesive forces of the expanded portions of the LCE are used to pick-up semiconductor devices from a first substrate. The semiconductor devices are placed on a second substrate by exposing the expanded portions of the LCE to the second frequency of light, causing the expanded portions to contract.

Liquid crystalline elastomer for pick and place of semiconductor devices

The disclosed method of manufacturing may include positioning a membrane on top of a channeled layer where the channeled layer includes a shim portion that is dimensioned to limit the amount of compression appliable to the membrane. The membrane may be positioned at a juncture in the channeled layer. The method may next include positioning a transmission housing layer membrane and the channeled layer. The method may also include fastening the channeled layer, the membrane, and the transmission housing layer together. The channeled layer, the membrane, and the transmission housing layer may be held together with at least one fastening member. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Fluidic control: clamped membrane structure

A wearable device comprises one or more deformable signaling pathways wherein each deformable signaling pathway is configured to enable an electrical connection between two devices electrically connected to each other via the deformable signaling pathway. Deformable signaling pathways enable the conduction of electrical signals between various circuit elements similar to one or more circuit elements such as electronic traces or wires. A deformable signaling pathway includes one or more conductive elements surrounded by a conductive gel. Both the conductive gel and the one or more conductive elements are encased in an elastomeric shell. The elastomeric shell is attached to terminals (e.g., one on either end). The one or more connectors are attached to one another such that the one or more connectors span the length of the elastomeric shell and form a low resistance contact between the terminals of the deformable signaling pathway.

Deformable signaling pathways

Co-casted fluidic devices

Microfluidic valves, systems, and related methods

Growing community of inventors

Mukilteo, WA, United States of America

Nicholas Roy Corson