Haptic Puppet

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The haptic puppet is a human participant linked to a hydraulic humanoid (avatar) with full proportional feedback. This is accomplished by a wireless synchronized system of near real-time bi-directional proportional feedback. The technical name is an Electro-Hydraulic Interactive Double Feedback Loop.

Two devices, one being a mechanical suit for a person, the other being a mechanical humanoid (avatar), incorporates matching sets of hydraulic actuators for inducing movements. Each actuator in a given device along with a system of electronic sensors and hydraulic valves, in conjunction with a central processing and control system, keeps track of the physical positions and configurations of the actuator and the corresponding actuator in the other device, and what the status of the actuators should be in relation to each other. If an actuator associated with one device is moved by an external force, a corresponding actuator in the other device moves in response to that external force, with proportionate direction, speed, and force.

The human operator in this way is synchronized with an avatar mimicking the movements and actions of the human operator who would receive feedback signals corresponding to the movements and sensory perceptions experienced by the avatar (a robotic machine, humanoid, or otherwise).

Physical movements of the first device are converted into digital signals, which are then conveyed to the second device which reintegrates the digital signals to replicate the movements of the first device, in near real time. This occurs reciprocally and simultaneously, with movements of the second device also being digitized and then replicated in the first device. The systematic interaction between the two devices is also scalable in strength and/or size (1:1, 10:1, 1:10, etc), and at any distance.

Sensors will detect direction, speed, and force of movements produced by each actuator, as well as magnitude, orientation, type of forces, pressures, and moments. For example, a humanoid device (avatar) with components analogous to fingers, hands, arms, legs, and feet, would be capable of movements analogous to human movements of gripping, lifting, and walking.

Unlike most patents, there is no known prior art of this technology. An electro-hydraulic circuit enabling two mechanical devices to shadow each other's movements without any direct mechanically-operative linkage between the devices is pioneering. For the first time in history a human being can be in two places at once.

Through current industrial manufacturing processes of machining and design along with current available hydraulic, pneumatic, and electronic components, the haptic puppet could be mass produced today.

The haptic puppet is intended to protect people by keeping them safely away from life threatening environments and, at the same time, utilizing their specialized abilities and experience. This human-mechanical near real time interaction is suited to military, nuclear energy, space (exploration/construction/mining), police & fire, search and rescue, bomb disarmament & disposal and medical assistance applications. Applications are virtually unlimited.

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  • ABOUT THE ENTRANT

  • Name:
    Darin Chaika
  • Type of entry:
    individual
  • Profession:
    Business Owner and Inventor
  • Darin's hobbies and activities:
    Inventing, Cycling, Strategy Games
  • Darin is inspired by:
    Customer needs with no readily available solution.
  • Patent status:
    patented