Sony patents device that warms or cools you when you touch virtual objects
Sony has been granted a patent for a system that adds physical temperature to virtual reality experiences. It uses a hidden heating or cooling element that stays isolated until the user approaches a specific spot in a game or video. Once the user reaches that spot, the device activates to send heat or cold to their skin, matching the virtual environment.
In the filing’s own words
[Object] To provide a thermal sensation presentation apparatus and a thermal sensation presentation system that enable a user to present a thermal sensation at an appropriate timing. [Solving Means] A thermal sensation presentation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a measurement unit, a gas supply section, and a control unit. The measurement unit includes a warm/cool source, an enclosure, a movable section, and a control section. The enclosure has a space to accommodate the warm/cool source. The movable section moves heat generated by heating or cooling the warm/cool source to a predetermined temperature from the space to outside of the space. The control section generates a second control signal to heat or cool the warm/cool source to the predetermined temperature before generating a first control signal to drive the movable section.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A thermal sensation presentation apparatus, comprising: a warm/cool source, an enclosure having a space to accommodate the warm/cool source, a movable section movable between a first state in which the warm/cool source is thermally isolated within the space from a user and a second state that moves heat generated by heating or cooling the warm/cool source to a predetermined temperature from the space to outside of the space towards the user, a control circuit configured to generate a second control signal to heat or cool the warm/cool source to the predetermined temperature in response to a detected approach of the user in a real space or a virtual space toward a target position, while the movable section is in the first state, and, in response to the user reaching the target position or a scene in a video, generate a first control signal to drive the movable section to be in the second state after generating the second control signal.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Group Corporation)
- Official title
- Thermal sensation presentation apparatus and thermal sensation presentation system
- Patent number
- US12737037B2
- Application number
- 18854410
- Filed
- Apr 17, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 3/011 Physics & computingA61M 21/00 Human necessitiesG06F 3/016 Physics & computingA61M 2021/0022 Human necessitiesA61M 2021/0066 Human necessitiesMore from Sony in AR, VR & displays
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.