SenseableRays combines time-modulated structured light emitted to the workspace and a mobile or finger-mounted module consisting of a photo-detector with a tactile actuator. Unlike other tactile feedback systems, it does not require any complicated mechanism for position sensing and tactile actuation. Instead, it directly converts time-modulated structured light into haptic sensations. By sensing this light with a photo detector, users can feel this time-modulated light as haptic sensations. This system can easily add haptic feedback to a wide variety of applications, including surface computing systems and 3D interactive spaces.

The opto-haptic substitution principle. The combination of digital micro-mirror device (DMD) projector that emits time-modulated spatial light and a finger mounted photo-transistor and actuator creates spatial tactile feedback without using complicated 3D position sensors or mechanical force-feedback actuators.

References:

• Jun Rekimoto, “SenseableRays: Opto-Haptic Substitution for Touch-Enhanced Interactive Spaces”, ACM CHI2009 extended abstracts, pp.2519-2528, 2009.PDF