US20250332475A1

US20250332475A1 - Omni-directional treadmill surface including tiles

Info

Publication number: US20250332475A1
Application number: US19/261,947
Authority: US
Inventors: Neil EPSTEIN; Adam Kosky
Original assignee: Omnipad Corp
Current assignee: Omnipad Corp
Priority date: 2022-09-13
Filing date: 2025-07-07
Publication date: 2025-10-30

Abstract

An omnidirectional treadmill allows users to walk, jog, or run in any direction. When the treadmill is coupled with computer-generated immersive environments users can maneuver their way on-foot through 360-degree VR environments of infinite expanse and scope. The treadmill includes a blood cell shaped structure comprising pentagons and hexagons assembled from triangles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US24/10590 filed Jan. 5, 2024; PCT/US24/10590 claims priority to PCT/US23/10141 filed Jan. 4, 2023; 63/406,070 filed Sep. 13, 2022 and 63/437,358 filed January 5, 2023; this application further claims benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/765,412 filed Feb. 28, 2025. This application is also related to US provisional patent applications: PCT/US2019/054371 filed Oct. 2, 2019; PCT/US2019/054371 filed October 2, 2019; Ser. No. 17/282,346 filed Apr. 1, 2021, 63/296,476 filed Jan. 4, 2022, 63/394,601 filed Aug. 2, 2022, 63/399,352 filed Aug. 19, 2022, 63/406,070 filed Sep. 13, 2022; 62/740,008 filed Oct. 2, 2018 and 62/777,944 filed Dec. 11, 2018;. The disclosures of all of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

The OmniPad is an omnidirectional treadmill that allows users to walk, jog, or run in any direction. When the OmniPad is coupled with computer-generated immersive environments users can maneuver their way on-foot through 360-degree VR environments of infinite expanse and scope.
The OmniPad™ is an Omni-Directional locomotion Input device specifically intended for use in virtual reality immersive environments. The OmniPad™ is the primary component of the OmniPad Environment.
The OmniPad is made up of many parts and subassemblies. This document provides a general description of the operation and components of the OmniPad. Each section describes one or more inventions that will form the bases for utility patent applications.
Various embodiments of the invention include an omnidirectional treadmill comprising: a membrane having a dynamic stiffness controlled using a smart material, the membrane being configured to be part of a surface configured for one or more user of the treadmill to walk; wherein the smart material optionally includes metal wires, a ferromagnetic material, a magneto-viscous solid or a magneto-viscous liquid.
Various embodiments of the invention include an omnidirectional treadmill comprising: a flexible bladder; a blood-cell-shaped rigid inner core disposed within the bladder, and configured to support the bladder at a location configured for a user to walk on the bladder; a layer disposed in a space between the inner core and the bladder, wherein the space is at least under a partial vacuum; and a drive motor configured to move the bladder in response to movement of the user and/or actions within a virtual environment.
Various embodiments of the invention include an omnidirectional treadmill comprising: a blood-cell-shaped inner component;; an optional membrane configured to fit around the inner component and an optional layer of hexagonal tiles, flexibly joined at their edges, and formed around the inner component, wherein ball bearings disposed in the hexagonal tiles contact the inner core; and an optional drive motor configured to move the layer of hexagonal tiles in response to movement of the user and/or actions within a virtual environment.
Various embodiments of the invention include an omnidirectional treadmill comprising: a movable bladder, the bladder including an active material configured to change flexibility and/or thickness in response to a current, a magnetic field, and/or an electric field; a first support surface, which is optionally concave, configured to support the bladder at location configured for a user to walk on the bladder; an optional second concave surface disposed opposite the first surface; an optional vacuum system configured to keep the bladder proximate to the first support surface, or wherein the bladder is formed to a central component using a vacuum; an optional lubricant configured to keep the bladder proximate to the first support surface; an optional drive motor configured to move the bladder in response to movement of the user and/or actions within a virtual environment.
Various embodiments of the invention include an omnidirectional treadmill comprising: a blood-cell-shaped inner component, the inner component being concave on one or two sides; an optional membrane (e.g., bladder) configured to fit around the inner component; an optional layer of tiles, flexibly joined at their edges, and formed around the inner component, the layer of tiles optionally being disposed between the membrane and the inner component, wherein ball bearings disposed in the hexagonal tiles contact the inner core and optionally the membrane; and an optional drive motor configured to move the layer of 1 tiles in response to movement of the user and/or actions within a virtual environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A Illustrates an isometric view of an omnidirectional treadmill, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the treadmill, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a detailed view of the cross-section of FIG. 1B, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a locomotion surface, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bearing support system, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a motor drive system, according to various embodiments of the invention. The optional motor drive system being configured to drive and/or assist the revolving tread surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates a smart tread design according to various embodiments of the invention. Optionally the fabric of the tread surface may be stiffened or loosened in certain areas, in real time, by the use of an electric Polyhedral assembly of the revolving tread surface, rather than implementing a single-skin tread.

FIG. 6 illustrates a ferrous tread material, according to various embodiments of the invention. The ferrous tread material is designed to function as part of the magnetic levitation system, which will levitate the entire Spindle system to enable ease of revolution of the moving tread surface.

FIG. 7 illustrates polarity of a ferrous tread material, according to various embodiments of the invention. The figure includes an exemplary illustration of the polarity configuration of the Ferrous tread surface within the magnetic levitation system.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative configuration of a ferrous tread material, according to various embodiments of the invention. A secondary application of the Ferrous tread, for magnetically reducing the friction between the elastic tread and the inner locomotion platform; which is also magnetized with the opposite polarity.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a polyhedral configuration of a tread surface, according to various embodiments of the invention. Polyhedral assembly of the revolving tread surface, rather than implementing a single-skin tread has advantages. Polyhedral tread assembly is optionally produced with holes in the segments in order to reduce the stress on the individual components, and to allow frictional heat to ventilate from inside of the revolving tread.

FIG. 10 illustrates a spring hinge, according to various embodiments of the invention. The illustration includes a spring hinge to allow bending and stretching between the polyhedral components as the segments move around the sides of the inner platform while in motion.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate single and multi-layered tread surfaces, according to various embodiments of the invention. Various embodiments include a single-skinned revolving tread surface, where the single skin may be comprised of multiple layers suiting the anti-friction requirements of the inner tread, while concurrently suiting the anti-slip requirements of the outer tread where the locomotion takes place. FIG. 11B includes a cut-away close-up of multi-layered single-skinned revolving tread material.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a multi-layered tread surface, according to various embodiments of the invention. The illustration includes a multi-layered single-skinned tread, wherein the inner layers do not necessarily need to be bonded.

FIG. 13 illustrates air flow within a tread, according to various embodiments of the invention. Air levitation of the revolving tread in order to reduce friction on the interior locomotion surface; similar to a bellows or an air hockey table.

FIG. 14A illustrates magnetic levitation of a tread, according to various embodiments of the invention. Magnetic levitations systems description; 1) the tread material may have ferrous characteristics, and the inner locomotion surface may have permanent or electromagnetic magnetism of opposite polarity, thereby raising the elastomer tread from the inner surface to minimize friction; 2) the inner locomotion platform May exude magnetism, and there may be opposing magnetism exuding from the base of the device, thereby raising the entire Spindle system via magnetic levitation minimizing friction on the under-mounted rollers.

FIG. 14B illustrates a detailed view of the tread of FIG. 14A, according to various embodiments of the invention. The illustration includes a cut-away close-up view of magnetic tread and repelling inner locomotion surface magnets.

FIG. 15 illustrates an inner locomotion surface, according to various embodiments of the invention. Ball bearing encircled inner locomotion surface, which enables freedom of movement of the spheroid revolving tread.

FIG. 16 illustrates a ball bearing rig, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an adapted ball bearing rig, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a bearing retainer assembly according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a roller assembly including a plurality of motor drives, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates details of an alternative roller assembly, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a magnetically levitated spindle, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic levitation system, according to various embodiments of the invention. The illustration includes both the Spindle and the Spindle support system.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrates alternative magnetic levitation systems, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 23B illustrates the detail and polarity configuration of both the Spindle and the Spindle support system, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative spindle support system, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a detailed view of a section of FIG. 24 -A, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates an omni-wheel spindle support configuration, according to various embodiments of the invention. In various embodiment the Omni-wheel Spindle supports configuration; omni-wheel rigs affixed intermittently to the base of the device will support the Spindle unit while concurrently allowing the tread surface to revolve freely in any direction.

FIG. 28 illustrates a segmented inner locomotion platform, according to various embodiments of the invention. A segmented solid inner locomotion platform that expands outwards equally in all directions for the purpose of fitting the inner platform snugly inside of the spherical revolving tread; useful for initial assembly of the device, as well as for periodic adjustments to the fitting of the revolving tread. Sections may expand via a hydraulic system that may be activated by remote control and powered by a wireless charging mechanism.

FIG. 29 illustrates an injection system, according to various embodiments of the invention. Injection of substance into spherical locomotion tread that solidifies and is able to be formed into the locomotion surface.

FIG. 30 illustrates an internal locomotion tread drive system, according to various embodiments of the invention. The internal locomotion tread drive system includes assistive or driving motors configured to be controlled wirelessly and powered by inductive charging.

FIG. 31 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drive system, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 32 illustrates an adaptation of omni-wheels, according to various embodiments of the invention. Adaptation of omni wheels, or Mecanum wheels, affixed intermittently around the stationary base of the device, similar to the bearing blocks, wherein these wheels simultaneously support and stabilize the revolving circular tread surface while still allowing the revolving tread to move in any direction.

FIG. 33 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 32 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 34 illustrates an omni directional motor, according to various embodiments of the invention. Example of the omnidirectional motor that will be a part of a series of similar motorscomprising the motor drive system. Omnidirectional motors will be affixed intermittently around the base of the device, driving and/or assisting the movement of the revolving tread surface; based upon real time data describing where the user is on the device and in the virtual environment.

FIG. 35 illustrates use of an omni-directional motor in a drive system, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 36 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 35 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 37 illustrates a motor drive option, according to various embodiments of the invention. Option for a motor drive system where two motors drive a ball, which in turn contacts the revolving tread surface in order to assist and/or drive the revolution of the tread. This option may be used in conjunction with the motor drive option illustrated in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 38 illustrates a ball transfer motor configuration, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 39 Illustrates views of an omnidirectional treadmill, according to various embodiments of the invention. This shows an option for the motion tracking system placement and configuration, which will relay the locomotion data of the user in real time both to the VR environment and to the motor drive system, and optionally to the Tilting and Varying Surface Robotic Platform described below. This combination of systems will implement predictive artificial intelligence, where the device will attempt to predict, based upon bio-kinetic analysis, the user's locomotion, and the motor drive system will respond by keeping the user centered on the circular locomotion surface. Other uses of the predictive analysis and motion tracking include enhanced interfacing of the user into the virtual environment.

FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate various views of a tilting omnidirectional treadmill, according to various embodiments of the invention. These views include a side view of the undermounted Tilting Robotic Platform option, which will respond in real time to the user's location in the virtual environment, wherein when the user encounters an incline in the VR environment the platform, and in turn, the locomotion surface, will tilt upwards in whatever direction the user is moving in order to emulate walking or running up a hill. The reciprocal is also true for emulating declines in the VR environment. Side view of the Varying Surface Platform option, which may work in conjunction with the Titling mechanism described in FIG. 40 . This option will emulate elevation, and raising and descending in the virtual environment.

FIG. 42 illustrates a top view of 3 axis motion control using 120-degree trines and drive axis that pass through the platform center according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of 18 single plane omniwheels according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 44 shows a perspective view, and a front view, of a dual plane omniwheel according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 45 illustrates an exemplary balloon in the process of being molded according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 46 illustrates the molding of a balloon by low pressure injection molding within a multi-part tool according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 47 illustrates two parts of the mold of FIG. 46 .

FIG. 48 illustrate a balloon within the mold of FIG. 46 , partially unmolded.

FIG. 49 illustrates an exemplary manual process of stretching a balloon over a bobbin according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 50 illustrates an exemplary bobbin complete with balloon cover according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 51 and 52 illustrate an exemplary process of sealing the hole in an injection molded balloon according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 53 illustrates a top view schematic representation of an OmniPad showing exemplary tracking cameras according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 54 illustrates a perspective view of an OmniPad including an exemplary video display according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 55 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an omnidirectional treadmill according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 56 illustrates a top view of a bobbin of an omnidirectional treadmill without the bladder, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 57 and 58 illustrate top views of a bobbin of an omnidirectional treadmill, with and without the bladder, showing drive and stabilization omniwheels arranged around the bobbin according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 59 illustrates a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 60 illustrates a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 61 illustrates membrane of a treadmill having dynamic stiffness, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 62 illustrates of a side view of an omnidirectional treadmill having a concave shape, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 63A is a photograph of a blood cell shaped interior component of an omnidirectional treadmill, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 63B illustrates a surface comprised of hexagons, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 64 illustrates an alternative tile structure, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 65 illustrates a sphere generated using the structures illustrated in FIG. 64 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 66 illustrates a linked group of 5 triangles used to create the sphere of FIG. 65 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 67 illustrates a pentagon created using the triangles illustrated in FIG. 66 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 68 illustrates examples of the triangles illustrated in FIG. 66 including trapped (e.g., encased or captured) ball bearings, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 69 illustrates a side view of some of the triangles illustrated in FIG. 68 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 70 illustrates a disassembled example of the triangles and ball bearings illustrated in FIG. 68 , according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 71A and 71B illustrate parts of the inner component or bladder (membrane), according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B and 1C.
Tread: The tread will be fabricated using highly flexible and extremely durable rubber-like material like Silicone, EPDM or natural rubber which can be motivated by a person walking or running. The tread is manufactured in such a way that it is a single sphere like embodiment, which is then wrapped over the spindle, entirely encasing the spindle and bearings. This material is flexible enough to enable a 360-degree change in direction around the spindle.
Spindle-Walking Platform: The Spindle will be approximately 200 mm thick and approximately 1-2 meters diameter. The Top Surface is designed to support the user during operation.
Edge Bearings: The edge bearings reduce the friction on the tread (bladder) as it rotates around the spindle. The bearings enable the free 360-degree mobility of the bladder.
Bobbin: Referring to FIG. 2 . The bobbin assembly is the combination of the tread (bladder), spindle, edge bearings and lubrication as shown below. The bobbin assembly allows the user to be in the virtual environment and move as if they are in the natural world. This assembly is supported by the support bearing blocks.
Support Bearing Block: Referring to FIG. 3 . The bearing support system allows the bobbin assembly to move with little or no friction, as shown below. This system supports the bobbin during operation and translates the loads to base system.
Motor Drive System: Referring to FIG. 4 . The Motor drive system is used to assist the users' natural locomotion, and to relay the locomotion gestures to the virtual environments, which will update in real time, as shown below.
Tread Materials: The tread will be fabricated using highly flexible and extremely durable rubber-like material like Silicone, EPDM or natural rubber which can be motivated by a person walking or running. The tread is manufactured in such a way that it is a single sphere like embodiment, which is then wrapped over the spindle, entirely encasing the spindle and bearings. This material is flexible enough to enable a 360-degree change in direction around the spindle. The tread will be manufactured in such a way that it is a continuous surface, which is then wrapped over the spindle to entirely encase the spindle and bearings. In various embodiments the tread is formed from a balloon. The tread is also referred to herein as a bladder or walking surface.
Smart Adaptive Tread Material: The Smart Adaptive Tread Material will alter, in real time, the material's properties when a voltage, electrical field, current or magnetic field is applied. When the voltage, current or field is applied to a specific area of the surface just that area's material properties will change. For example, as the current or field is applied to the material the material will become more flexible or stiff in that localized area only. Referring to FIG. 5 . Area 1=Walk area, drive area or support area, stiff area to limit slip or buckling in the material Area 2=Flexible area.
Ferrous Tread Material: Bobbin Support Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 . Currently, magnetic bearings are commonly used in industrial applications such as turbomolecular pumps, or even mag-lev trains. The Ferrous tread material allows for the omnidirectional locomotion surface to be magnetically polarized, thereby, attracting or repelling magnetic or electromagnetic forces. This allows the tread to magnetically levitate the bobbin assembly. In FIG. 7 Area 1=Magnetically polarized tread Area 2=Mag-Lev bearing block.
Friction Reduction: Referring to FIG. 8 , another use for the ferrous tread material is to be suspend away from the spindle, therefore lowering the frictional forces. By using the magnetically repelling forces and the elasticity of the tread itself, the tread will separate from the spindle providing a small gap, thus lowering the friction between the spindle and the tread. In FIG. 8 , Area 1=Negatively charged outer surface Area 2 =Positively charged inner tread surface; Area 3=Positively charged outer spindle surface.
Goldberg Polyhedral Tread Material: Referring to FIGS. 9A Another embodiment of the bladder is comprised of discrete segments. These segments typically take the shape of either hexagon or pentagon polyhedrons which are edge-connected to form a sphere.
Polygon segments used in any of the Goldberg polyhedral spheres will be made from a flexible material. The individual polyhedral elements need to stretch in any arbitrary direction a minimum of 150% of its original dimension in any planar direction. Categories of materials that possibly fulfill this mission are thermoplastic rubbers, or stretchable fabric like elastane (Spandex).
The Goldberg construction uses hexagons and pentagons. There are other geometries available as well, such as parallelograms. These alternate constructions are not Goldberg polyhedra.
Referring to FIGS. 9B and 10 , a further enhancement of the Goldberg segments is inclusion of a hole pattern. Inclusion of holes permits the structure to stretch with lower material stress for equal strain. These patterns are made from Hexagon and Pentagon Shapes like a soccer ball. Elastomer shapes stretch to fill the gaps. Spring hinge pins allow for bending on the hinge lines.
Multilayer Skin Tread: Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the Multilayer Skin Tread use thin layers of different tread materials, coating and textures to have specific properties on the different layers. The inner layer needs to be extremely low friction such as Teflon (PTFE) coating, as it is sliding on the spindle surfaces. The outer layer preferentially needs to have a higher friction, or needs to have traction so the user's foot surface and the motor drives will be able to move the tread surface in any direction. The inner and outer surfaces of each layer may or may not be bonded together. Working with multiple thin layers will create a stronger tread, and will also aid in the overall assembly of the entire bobbin unit.
Referring to FIG. 12 . In various embodiments, layers may or may not be bonded together, layers may or may not be of the same materials or material properties, and optionally inside layers do not have to be bonded or sealed (areas 1-4 below). Outside layers may be selected for friction with the feet or footwear of a user. Inside layers may be selected for reduced friction of motion of the tread surface against the supporting structures. Outside layers (e.g., layer 5) May therefore, have a greater coefficient of friction than inside layer 1.
FRICTION REDUCTION SYSTEM: The surface between the Spindle and the Tread is a very high friction force area. To alleviate these friction forces, we have designed different alternative methods. Although the primary solution to high friction force is employment of a low friction layer such as Teflon™ (or PTFE), other solutions are available.
Air Bearing: Referring to FIG. 13 , the Air bearing spindle uses a similar concept to an air hockey table. An air hockey table uses small air jets to levitate a puck on the surface. The air bearing spindle has a porous spindle surface or uses air jets to separate the tread material from the spindle surface. This will minimize or eliminate the friction. The arrows in the image below represent the airflow applying a force to the tread/bladder. This driving force causes the tread to expand like a balloon away from the spindle, thus lowering the friction between the two elements.
Magnetic Levitation: By utilizing the magnetically polarized tread material and a permanent or electromagnet, the tread material can be levitated above the spindle surface minimizing or eliminating the tread-to-spindle contact, thereby reducing or eliminating the friction forces.
Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B. Area 1=Magnetically Polarized Tread; Area 2 =Permanent or electromagnetic spindle; Area 3=Inductive power supplied to spindle for electromagnetic spindle; Area 4=Exterior surface of tread has an opposing magnetic charge to the inner surface. Area 5=Interior surface of the tread is polarized differently than the spindle to create a separation of the tread from the spindle. This is to eliminate (or minimize) the friction between the spindle and the t read. Area 6=The spindle magnet can be permanent or electromagnet. The electromagnet can be powered by an inductive power coil similar to wireless cell phone charging. Control of the electromagnet is done through wireless communication.
Dry & Wet Lubrications: Dry and wet lubricants are used to reduce the friction between the tread and the spindle. These lubricants are also used to dissipate some of the thermal energy created by the friction.
Ball Transfer Bearing: Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 , this is the most straightforward means of friction reduction around the edges as it transmits motion onto the rolling contact of a bearing. Balls, rollers or rollers plus balls around the outside accomplish this task. On the top surface, this may be accomplished by employing a bed of omni-rollers lined up to form a surface. Omni-rollers need to be sized small enough to form a surface with a large number of foot contact points, but large enough to employ bearings of reasonable size.
Referring to FIG. 17 : Area 1=Edge ball bearing; Area 2=Magnet embedded inside the edge bearing; Area 3=Magnet embedded inside the ball transfer base unit; and Area 4=recirculating bearings.
Referring to FIG. 18 : Area 1=Edge ball bearing, which is similar to a ball transfer unit with smaller ball bearings behind the main ball in contact with bladder (tread). Area 2=Bearing retainer (may not be required) Area 3=Spindle.
Roller-ball-socket unit: Referring to FIG. 19 , motion along the OmniPad periphery varies continuously. Motion vectors combine both vertical and horizontal motion. It is the most straightforward way to provide a rotational surface for vertical motion. Horizonal motion along the sides will need to rely on low sliding friction or bearing supported rollers.
From the cross section of FIG. 20 , we see the repeating bearing unit that rings the active surface. In this embodiment, we see a center roller with a ball. Closer inspection shows the roller mounted on a central ball bearing, which will transmit vertical bladder forces with high efficiency. The ball is mounted in a cup, and the cup is also mounted on a bearing.
When these units are stacked together around the periphery of the OmniPad, each ball fits into the socket of the next. Further, we see that each ball is held by two sockets, with each socket having its own bearing. The ball will rotate relatively freely, with some friction against the bearing cups because of the mounting angle. Separate segments permit varying vertical motion vectors to maximize the bearing-supported motion, as opposed to friction-supported motion. This type of repeating unit is driven from the outside of the OmniPad.
Referring to FIG. 20 . To preserve a secure ball mount and avoid interference of the roller segments, the above design employs straight versus curved roller segments. This design can be driven internally or externally as before. Advantages: fewer parts, more driving surface (for internal drive) and potentially less bladder stress due to larger roller diameter.
In FIG. 19 : Area 1=Roller surface; Area 2=Ball bearing allowing for free movement between rollers Area 3=Optional motor drive system; and Area 4=Roller mounting bracket.
In FIG. 20 , Area 4=Ball bearing; Area 5=Outer ball roller cup Area 6 =Inner roller; Area 7=Bearings; and Area 8=Optional motor drive belt.
Magnetically Levitated Spindle: Currently, magnetic bearings are commonly used in industrial applications such as turbomolecular pumps, or even mag-lev trains. The magnetically levitated bearing supports leverage on the technology that is used in other products to create a non-contacting bearing system that uses permanent magnet and/or electromagnets to magnetically levitate the bobbin assembly without any physical contact. Referring to FIGS. 21, 22, 23A, and 23B, the magnetically levitated bearing supports eliminate any mechanical wear that the contact bearing create, and it eliminates friction. The OmniPad uses permanent magnets inside of the bobbin assembly, and electromagnets in the bearing block.
In FIG. 23A: Area 1=Permanent magnet embedded into the spindle Area 2=Permanent or electromagnet. In FIG. 23B: Area 1=Magnetically polarized tread Area 2=Mag-Lev bearing block.
Ball Transfer Bearing Block: Referring to FIGS. 24, 25, and 26 , the ball bearing supports the bobbin assembly with a thrust bearing to allow for low friction to transfer the loads. The below images show how the ball bearing block interfaces with the bobbin assembly in vertical and axial loads. A minimum of 3 bearing blocks are required, while the images below show 4 bearing blocks. In these figures: Area 1=Ball transfer units configured to support axial and radial loads. Motor drive can be integrated into the ball transfers.
Omni Wheel: Referring to FIG. 27 . Omni wheels of the standard (shown) or the Mecanum wheel type are used to support and stabilize the spindle assembly. No fewer than three points of contact are required for full stability, though six are depicted. Support nodes require wheel pairs: one for bottom and one for top. Either or both of these wheels may be powered to control surface movement.
As with other drive mechanisms, the surface velocity vector at the contact point of the roller is what determines roller drive velocity. Omni-wheels have the unique feature of driving only in the plane of the wheel, orthogonal to the drive axis. All other motion is passed through the rollers. Drive velocity at a given point is accomplished by revolving and driving only the motion vector that the roller can address.
Referring to FIG. 27 , the system is supported at 45 degrees above and below the center line by 3 to 8 pairs of support wheels. These support wheels can be used in tandem to drive the tread.
SPINDLE: The spindle provides the rigid surface for the user to operate on while providing a support structure for the edge bearings. The Spindle will be approximately 200 mm thick and approximately 1-2 meters diameter. The Top Surface is designed to support the user during operation.
The difficulties in assembling the bobbin assembly in real world manufacturing has lead us to investigate solutions for this problem. To understand this more, we are inserting a disc (the Spindle) into a Tread (or Bladder), while stretching the bladder to very high loads in order to eliminate any wrinkling or bunching, and to evenly distribute the forces throughout.
Solid or Segmented Spindle: Referring to FIG. 28 , the segmented spindle takes a rigid solid spindle and breaks it into pieces that can be assembled inside the bladder. Once assembled, the spindle is then expanded (either manually or automatically) to the proper size and shape. In some embodiments, an otherwise solid spindle is broken into smaller pieces to assist in assembling the spindle into the bladder. Optional a ratcheting device to expand the spindle once assembled inside the bladder.

Alignment Features

Inflatable Spindle: The inflatable spindle (See FIG. 29 Area 1) allows for the spindle to be inserted into a small opening in the Bladder during the assembly process. The spindle is then filled with a media (Gas or liquid) to rigidize the spindle such that the loads (bearings and user's weight) are properly supported and managed. One of the major factors in this material is the low coefficient of friction.
DRIVE SYSTEM: Driving the Omni-Directional Treadmill can be accomplished via internal or external motors. The drive system is essential to overcome the high frictional forces that the tread experiences. These motors are typically controlled by circuits responsive to sensors that detect motion of a user standing on the treadmill. The circuits configured to keep the user centered on the treadmill as the user moves on various directions by walking or running, etc.
Internal Drive: Referring to FIG. 30 . This repeating unit places a drive sprocket central to the roller and runs the drive belt internally. We see a recurring theme of separate sections. As before, the balls are mounted in sockets that are themselves free to rotate. A further variation, not shown, would be to connect all four central roller segments into one, and to put the bearing under the ball cup as seen in the previous design. The variation would drive more of the edge surface but would have more vertical friction shear.
Referring to FIG. 31 : Area 1=Roller surface; Area 2=Ball bearing allowing for free movement between rollers; Area 3 =Motor drive system and Area 4=Roller mounting bracket. Referring to FIG. 20B: Area 4=Ball bearing; Area 5=Outer ball roller cup Area 6=Inner roller; Area 7=Bearings; and Area 8=Motor drive belt.
Omni Wheel: FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate six external omni wheels driving a surface. Omni-rollers on the bottom are connected to servo motors. Each omni roller drives only the motion vector tangent to the contact point. Motion transverse to the contact point passes through because of the roller construction. Omni-rollers on top typically serve to constrain the OmniPad fully in 3D-space. Further, upper rollers can be used to increase the contact force of the drive rollers. In theory, only three drive rollers are needed to address all top surface motion vectors.
Drive Wheel: Referring to FIG. 35A simple drive system can drive the tread from a series of motors mounted under the bobbin assembly. See isometric view in FIG. 36 . These motors are mounted on a rotary table to allow for motion in any direction. The images below show a motor system with 4 motors that are synchronized to move the tread while minimizing the adverse effects on the top user surface. In FIG. 34 , Drive system with a simple motor and wheel on a rotating table: Area 1=Motor and encoder for main drive wheel; Area 2=Motor and encoder for table rotation; Area 3=Main Drive wheel, used to move the tread around the spindle Area 4=Rotating Table; and Area 5=Motor Base.
Ball Transfer Drive System: Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38 , the Ball Transfer Drive System uses 2 motors to drive a ball supported by bearings underneath. This allows the motors to drive the ball in any direction. This motor drive system can be placed into the Ball Transfer Bearing Blocks, or as a stand-alone motor system in the center of the bobbin assembly.
CONTROL SYSTEM: Referring to FIG. 39 , the control system design controls the speed and direction of the tread surface. It ensures that the user has a safe and entertaining experience while using the omnidirectional moving surface. The control system utilizes user motion feedback, through cameras, force feedback through the safety harness and feedback from the drive motor system. These different feedback systems provide validation and confirmation of the user and operation of the OmniPad system.
Motion Feedback: Referring to FIG. 39 , using Cameras pointed at the user or other sensors, the OmniPad control system can determine the position, direction and speed of the user. As the user changes any or all of the above locomotion characteristics, the motion feedback system responds to and can predictively adjust the OmniPad tread surface accordingly. The Motion feedback system can also identify where the users body parts are located providing additional feedback into the virtual environment. By recognizing the users' body position and velocity, the motion feedback system calculates where the user's next step will be placed and the center of mass. This functionality will assist in the overall effectiveness of the immersive experience.
Motor Feedback: By monitoring the motors' direction (forward or reverse), velocity (via motor encoder or steps) and angle of attack (rotational direction relative to ground) we can control the actual position and motion of the tread. By monitoring the motor current and encoder position the system can monitor any system faults on the tread (i.e., the tread not moving, when we expect it to be moving).
User Force Feedback: Sensors on the user harness, footwear, and/or on the treadmill provide accelerations, directional and angular forces that the user generates while operating the OmniPad. These accelerations and forces are processed and converted into responses by the OmniPad tread to change direction or increase or decrease the speed while the tread is moving.

Pivot Table System

Walking or running on flat ground is adequate, but there are also inclines and declines in the real world that can be replicated by the OmniPad system. Being able to simulate walking up, down or across hills; or even to have the ability to simulate moving across different types of surfaces like gravel, sand, or mud will greatly enhance the virtual experience.
Tilting Robotic Platform: Referring to FIG. 40 , by using a combination of linear actuators and sensors (load cells, position indicators) the locomotion surface can be actuated in order to change the tilt or pitch of the tread surface. By implementing the Tilting Robotic, or Stewart Platform the OmniPad can simulate to the user moving up, down or across slopes in the virtual environment.
Varying Surface Emulation: Referring to FIG. 41 , when the user is immersed in the virtual world, with visual, audio and locomotion, the OmniPad Control System can make small adjustments to the angle and elevation of the tread surface to simulate a wide variety of surfaces, such as gravel, sand or mud.
The OmniPad control system along with the immersive VR environment manipulates the users' sensory perception to give the feel of walking or running on different surface types and densities. The combination of the linear position indicators, and the load cells allows the control system to calculate the position of each of the user's feet. Thus, defining the accurate and subtle changes required to simulate the varying surface types.

Powered OmniPad Platform

3 Axis Motion Control Using 120-Degree Trines and Drive Axis That Pass Through the Platform Center

In FIG. 42 the 3 trines are clockwise 0-120 degrees, 120-240 degrees and 240-360 degrees. Trine 1 starts with Primary drive wheel A and runs up to Primary drive wheel B, Trine 2 starts with Primary drive wheel B and runs up to Primary drive wheel C, and Trine 3 starts with Primary drive wheel C and runs up to Primary drive wheel A.
The 3 primary drive wheels (A, B, C) could in theory drive the continuous surface on their own. Redundant drive wheels are added to spread out the drive forces. Inverse Drive wheels (−A, −B, −C) use the same motor input as their respective Primary drive wheels (A, −A), (B, −B), (C, −C) but in the reverse direction.
The input to drive the system is based on cartesian coordinate system (illustrated in the center of the image as 0, 90, 180, 270). The X and Y input is converted to a polar coordinate system in order to drive each primary drive wheel using the following equations:
$Motor A speed = COS of the polar angle in degrees Motor B speed = COS of 120 - the polar angle in degrees Motor C speed = negative COS of 60 - the Polar angle in degrees$
Continuously recycling support structure consisting of 18 “single-plane” omniwheels spaced evenly around a circular plate.
FIG. 43 shows 18 “single plane” omniwheels. 6 wheels allows for 3 wheels to be 120 degrees apart and each of the 3 wheels to have a polar opposite. This defines the drive system to be a multiple of 6 wheels, 6, 12, 18, 24 etc. For this particular diameter 18 wheels minimizes the unsupported space between the wheels.
Note that the use of single plane omniwheels instead of dual plane omniwheels allows for driving the inside wheels through the moving surface using a similar outside single plane omniwheel. Not all inside wheels need to be driven. Being that the moving surface can move in all directions the wheels that are not driven will move as the surface is pulled across them.
FIG. 44 shows a dual plane omniwheel for reference, in both a perspective view and a front view. Note the lack of consistent rolling contact if two wheels are rolled against each other due to the gaps between rollers in each plane. The dual plane omniwheel has a set of rollers along the circumference of the wheel in two planes. There are essentially 2 sets of rollers in parallel planes around the circumference of the wheel. The issue is the two sets of wheels are clocked out of phase from each other to create a continuous rolling surface when rolling on a flat surface. Since only one omniwheel is driving another, through the walking surface material, we cannot have this great of a discontinuity from one roller to the next. The single plane omniwheels nest the 2nd set of rollers inside the first set of rollers within the same plane. This makes for a very small discontinuity from roller to roller.

Spherical Elastomer Balloon That is 90% Spherical or Better for the Purpose of Stretching Over a Continuously Recycling Support Structure, Then “Capping” to Create a Continuous Surface

If the balloon is not nearly spherical, it will not run smoothly. It will pull to the shortest side due to uneven tension. FIG. 45 shows a 14″ diameter balloon while still on the core mold (spherical) and after removal from the core mold, also showing the passage hole. The balloon preferably is not off of spherical by more than about 10% by any 2 measured diameters. If the smallest measured diameter is 10″, the largest measured diameter needs to be no greater than 11″. This can also be thought of as +/−5%. The material of the balloon needs to be very tough and extremely elastic. A suitable example is a platinum cure silicone Shore A 03 durometer with a stretch to failure ratio of 7. Other materials have similar properties, for example, Latex, TPU, TPE, etc. could be used with the proper production equipment. The balloon will be understood to be the same structure as the bladder, or walking surface, when incorporated into an omnipad.

Molding of the Balloon Using a Multi-Part Mold Tool and Low Pressure Injection Molding

FIG. 46 illustrates the molding of a balloon by low pressure injection molding within a multi-part tool held together with clamps. FIG. 47 shows two parts of the mold, while FIG. 48 shows the balloon within the mold, partially unmolded. More specifically, the multi part mold tool, when assembled, defines a gap in the desired shape of a spherical balloon. There is a center spherical core with a single neck that is captured by 2 halves of an outer cavity then assembled to a lower cavity. The result is an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface between which a 2 part mix platinum cure silicone is injected using a low pressure (for example, 45 psi), to fill the void and create the balloon. The outer cavity of the mold tool is then disassembled (split apart) so it can be separated from the balloon and spherical core. The balloon is then stretched off of the spherical core to yield a single piece spherical balloon. There are many alternative ways to make a spherical balloon, low pressure injection molding is but one example.

Stretching a Balloon Over a Continuously Recycling Support Structure

FIGS. 49 illustrates a manual process of stretching a balloon over a bobbin, while FIG. 50 shows the bobbin complete with the balloon. It should be noted that the balloon can be purposefully marked or colorized during fabrication, or after fabrication and before stretching, or after stretching.

Sealing/Capping the Hole in the Balloon Required to Stretch the Balloon Over the Support Structure to Create a Continuous Uninterrupted Surface

FIGS. 51 and 52 show an exemplary process of sealing the hole that allowed the balloon to be stretched over the bobbin. First, the hole is stretched closed so there is almost zero stretch, then the edge of the hole is clamped to an inside structural plate, as seen in FIG. 51 , and then a puddle of silicone is poured into the hole on the plate, then cured. After curing the clamps are removed and the excess material is peeled off of the inner structural plate. This gives a sealed balloon wrapped over the omniwheel structure.

Motion Tracking of “Walking” Subject to Relocate the Walking Subject at or Near the Center of the Walking Area

FIG. 53 shows a top view schematic representation of an exemplary OmniPad. The arrows in FIG. 53 represent the location and direction of exemplary tracking cameras. Each camera can “see” the moving subject on the motion surface and output positional data to be used to move the circular motion surface in whatever direction is required to move the motion subject to the center of the motion surface. As few as one motion tracking camera will work. More cameras increase accuracy and sensitivity.
Motion Control Output (Joystick, Keyboard, Mouse, VR/AR) From The Walking Surface Control System to the Gaming Computer (PC, VR Headset, etc.) to Synchronize AR/VR Environment Motion to the Walking Subject's Motions. i.e. Simply Walking on the Surface Drives the Game Motion
The motion tracking input(s) that cause the motion surface to move the motion subject back to the center of the motion surface can also be output to VR headsets, gaming systems, PCs, etc. to “move” the subject within the AR/VR/Gaming environment in a synchronized manner. FIG. 54 shows a perspective view of an OmniPad including a curved video display.

Alternatives for the Number of Active and Non-Active Wheels

Only 3 primary drive wheels are necessary to define the motion control. The Idling wheels to keep the walking surface from spinning about the vertical (Z) axis relative to the drive assembly can be as few as 1, but 4 or more are preferred.

Alternatives for the Number of Redundant Drive Wheels

The number of redundant drive wheels can be anything, but multiples of 6 make the most sense. Adding intermediate wheels is also doable.
Possible Ranges of Wheel Diameters. (and for Alternative Sizes of the System. Perhaps Ranges of Ratios of Wheel Size to Platform Size
Any diameter of drive wheel will work as they roll outside the walking surface. The goal however is to keep it as small as possible. 100 mm diameter wheels are readily available, but 125 mm diameter wheels would also work. As the platform size increases, the wheel diameters would scale as well. An exemplary maximum ratio of wheel size to platform size (diameter to diameter) is about 6:1, while a minimum would be 1:1 as that would just be a spherical walking surface. As one gets closer to spherical, the easier everything is, however a 20 ft diameter sphere would be required to get a usable walking surface and the goal is to keep it as small as possible.

Alternative Ratios of Motors/Wheels

The motor to wheels ratio distils down to minimum number of drive wheels vs minimum number of idle wheels to avoid clocking of the walking surface.
FIGS. 55-60 show additional illustrations of an omnidirectional treadmill according to various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 55 shows a cross-sectional view of a bobbin showing two support omniwheels surrounded by a flexible bladder. The support omniwheels are maintained in place by a support structure. Each support omniwheel defines a rotation axis that in the illustration is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The rotation axis of each support omniwheel is also tangential to a circle defined by the arrangement of support omniwheels. Outside of the bobbin, are a number of drive omniwheels in contact with the bladder, each drive omniwheel driven by a motor (not shown). Each drive omniwheel is disposed at one of the support omniwheels such that the bladder is compressed between each drive omniwheel and its respective support omniwheel. In addition to support omniwheels, disposed outside of the bobbin and also in contact therewith are optional stabilization omniwheels, as shown.
FIG. 56 illustrates a top view of a bobbin of an omnidirectional treadmill 24 without the bladder. This drawing shows a different perspective of the bobbin shown in FIG. 43 . Both show that the support omniwheels are arranged around a circle.
FIGS. 57 and 58 are top views of drive omniwheels and stabilization omniwheels arranged around a bobbin, according to various embodiments. FIG. 57 includes the bladder while FIG. 58 omits the bladder to show the support omniwheels within. FIG. 59 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 58 , while FIG. 60 shows a side view of the same. In the illustrations there are 6 drive omniwheels each driven by a motor. Additionally, the illustrations show four stabilization omniwheels. The stabilization wheels each define a plane that is off-axis with respect to the center of the bobbin. The stabilization omniwheels are paired such that each stabilization omniwheel sits opposite its mate across the center of the bobbin, with their respective planes being parallel. Each stabilization omniwheel is arranged to be in contact with the bladder opposite a support omniwheel. The side view particularly shows that omniwheels can be disposed in a plane below a center horizontal plane defined by the bobbin in order to support the bobbin. Similarly, omniwheels can be disposed in another plane above the horizontal plane of the bobbin in order to hold down the bobbin. In various embodiments the omniwheels above the plane of the bobbin are drive omniwheels while the omniwheels below the plane of the bobbin are stabilization omniwheels, or vice versa, or there drive and stabilization omniwheels are disposed in both planes. In some embodiments, one of the stabilization omniwheels is configured to prevent rotation of the bobbin around a vertical axis of the bobbin in a clockwise direction and another of the stabilization omniwheel is configured to prevent rotation of the bobbin around the vertical axis in a counterclockwise direction.
Various embodiments of the invention include a treadmill membrane having dynamic stiffness and optionally an electronic circuit configured to control the dynamic stiffness. See, for example, FIG. 61 . The stiffness may be dynamically controlled using, for example, using smart materials such as smart metal wires or a magneto-viscous solid or liquid. In these embodiments a spheroid or semi-spheroid (bladder) can be controlled to have variable stiffness in different regions, e.g., using a microprocessor, electronic signals, and/or static devices (e.g., magnets). For example, the material may be made stiffer near the center of the treadmill and less stiff near the edges of the treadmill. The stiffness can be controlled using induction (to smart wires), static magnetic fields, and/or electromagnets, etc. A smart material may include a rubber including magnetically responsive materials, e.g., iron filings or other ferromagnetic material, and/or may be configured to change flexibility responsive to a current, electric field, magnetic field, light,
The dynamic treadmill membrane may or may not have tiles attached thereto.
In some embodiments, the tread surface material is made more flexible around the edges of an omni-directional treadmill, such as those described elsewhere herein, relative to the center of the treadmill. This permits more flexibility where the surface has to bend and stretch and less flexibility at the center where a user may walk. In various embodiments, the change in flexibility (e.g., elasticity) may vary by a factor of at least 1:1.5, 1:2; 1:3; 1:5, and/or any range therebetween.
In various embodiments, flexibility of the active material is controlled using induced currents, electric, and/or magnetic fields. For example, an inductor, electric coil or magnet within a bladder of the active material may be used near the center of the treadmill surface to make the active material stiffer. The stiffness may be dynamically controlled in response to a user's activity on the treadmill, which is optionally also responsive to a virtual environment. For example, the stiffness at the center of the treadmill, (where a user walks or runs) may be made more or less stiff depending on whether the user is walking or running.
In some embodiments, the dynamic stiffness of the active material is further manipulated to control a texture of the active material. For example, the active material may be given a modulated texture to simulate rough ground of a virtual environment. Stiffness, texture and thickness are optionally controllable using the same means.
In some embodiments the active material is used to generate movement in the treadmill surface. For example, the stiffness/thickness of the active material may be changed quickly to generate a sensation of movement or vibration in a user's feet.
The system optionally includes movement devices (e.g., motors or piezoelectric devices) configured to move magnets or electrical coils closer to or further away from the active surface, optionally the movement devices being disposed within the bladder. Any of the movement devices, e.g., motors discussed herein may be used with a dynamic bladder/membrane.
In some embodiments, this active tread surface will be very flexible around the circular edges of the Bobbin unit, while concurrently, the elastomer tread surface itself will tense-up (become less flexible), thicken and harden at the center, on the flat locomotion portion of the moving/revolving tread surface. This effect can occur in real time, triggered by an electromagnet placed inside the Bobbin (inside the toroid Bladder).
In some embodiments, eddy currents are used to control the flexibility and/or thickness of the active material.
The system is optionally charged/powered (electrical elements within receive its energy) via wireless charging/conduction. Such charging is optionally performed at a frequency that is transparent or mostly transparent to the active material. For example, in various embodiments, components within the bladder or wirelessly powered at AC frequencies of at least 30,60,120, 240, 480 or 1000 Hz, or any range therebetween.
The system optionally further includes a cooling system configured to keep the active material cool.
The system optionally further includes a vacuum system or magnets configured to keep the active material proximate to a curved (concave) surface of the treadmill.
The tread is optionally single skin. Or may comprise a flexible membrane coated by tiles, e.g., rubber, polymer, ceramic or plastic tiles.
In various embodiments, an omnidirectional treadmill is configured to have a concave or dual-concave shape. Such a shape is optionally configured to minimize variations in stretching of the membrane. A shape with minimal stretching variation can be achieved by taking a sphere, figuratively cutting the top ⅓ from the sphere and reversing that cutting back into the sphere to form a cup. A compromise/optimization can be made between this shape of minimal stretching variation and a desired slope of the surface of the treadmill surface. The dual-concave shape is similar to the shape of a blood cell, being concave on both the bottom and top. In any of the embodiments discussed herein, the shape may be concave on one or both sides.
FIG. 62 illustrates a side view of an omnidirectional treadmill having a concave shape, according to various embodiments of the invention. The shape of the bladder surface is optionally controlled by an interior component around which the bladder membrane is wrapped. External components are optionally used to control some aspects of the shape, such as the curvature of the membrane on the underside of the platform in a dual-concave configuration. Such as interior component 6310 is illustrated in FIG. 63A. The interior component 6310 may comprise rubber, foam, plastic, metal, and/or any other suitable material. Bearings and/or a lubricant may be disposed between the bladder membrane and the interior component. The interior component 6310 may include inductively powered dive motors, such as the motors disclosed elsewhere herein. Likewise, the bladder membrane may be driven by external motors and/or omniwheels as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the bladder membrane is unpowered and movement is generated by the walking of a user. In various embodiments, the ratio of the radius of curvature A at the center of the platform relative to a radius of curvature B at the middle edge of the platform is less than or equal to 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7:1 or 10:1, or within any range between these values.
FIG. 63B illustrates a surface comprised of hexagons, according to various embodiments of the invention. These optional hexagons may be connected to each other and/or connected to any of the bladder membranes discussed herein. The hexagons form a walking surface and can comprise ceramic, plastic, rubber (harder than the membrane), metal, wood, vinyl, and/or any other material suitable for walking on. The hexagons are optionally connected to each other using elastic connectors, e.g., rubber connectors, and/or the like.
FIG. 64 illustrates an alternative tile structure, according to various embodiments of the invention. This tile structure includes triangular tiles used to form pentagons and hexagons. This and similar tile structures may be used to minimize gaps between the tiles. Additionally, or alternatively, tiles of more than one size may be used to minimize the gaps. If the tiles are securely connected to each other, the bladder membrane is optional. Tiles may be 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 inches in their longest surface dimension, or any range between these values. Tiles may also be greater than 10 inches or less than 0.25 inches.
FIG. 65 illustrates a sphere 6510 generated using the structures illustrated in FIG. 64 , according to various embodiments of the invention. The sphere includes, for example 12 pentagons 6520 and 20 hexagons 6530 (illustrated in black and white), which are optionally each composed of equilateral or isosceles triangles 6540. (Typically, pentagons are made from isosceles triangles and hexagons are made from equilateral triangles.) In various embodiments pentagons 6520 may comprise 5, 20, 45, 80, 125 or more triangles 6540. Likewise, hexagons 6530 may include 6, 24, 54, 96, 150 or more triangles 6540.
The sphere 6510 illustrated in FIG. 65 can be used to generate the blood cell shaped structure having two concave sides as illustrated in FIG. 62 or the blood cell shaped structure having one concave side as illustrated in FIG. 63 . The blood cell shaped structure formed from the sphere of FIG. 65 is optionally placed between a bladder (e.g. membrane) and in internal support structure. Alternatively, the structure formed from the sphere of FIG. 65 may be used without a bladder. In this case, the user walks directly on the pentagons and hexagons.
FIG. 66 illustrates a linked group of 5 triangles 6540, such as those used to create the sphere of FIG. 65 , according to various embodiments of the invention. In this example, the 5 triangles form a pentagon. The triangles are connected together at their edges using a hinge 6610. The hinge allows rotation of the triangles relative to each other and, thus, conform to the blood cell shapes disclosed elsewhere herein.
FIG. 67 illustrates a pentagon created using 20 of the triangles illustrated in FIG. 66 , according to various embodiments of the invention. This pentagon includes more triangles than are illustrated in FIG. 66 . As discussed elsewhere herein, larger numbers of triangles can be used to create the pentagon and hexagon to create a larger sphere. Smaller triangles have the advantage of more easily moving over the curves of the blood cell shape. Hexagons of different sizes can be produced in a similar manner using different numbers of triangles. Not all of the hinges are shown in FIG. 67 and other figures for clarity.
FIG. 68 illustrates examples of the triangles illustrated in FIG. 66 including trapped ball bearings 6810, according to various embodiments of the invention. The ball bearings permit rotation on an inner support surface and optionally under a bladder.
FIG. 69 illustrates a side view of some of the triangles illustrated in FIG. 68 , according to various embodiments of the invention. The triangles are disposed between a support structure and a bladder/membrane. The triangles and ball bearings my comprise plastic, metal, rubber, ceramic, composites, and/or the like. The support structure May comprise wood, rubber, plastic, metal, ceramic, composites, and/or the like
FIG. 70 illustrates a disassembled example of the triangles 6540 and ball bearings 6810 illustrated in FIG. 68 , according to various embodiments of the invention.
Optionally, the Bladder/Membrane is made of an active material (e.g., see above) or made of a passive (homogeneous) elastomer, wherein the top portion of the Bladder-membrane will be inverted, fitting into the concave top inner-core. Optionally, during installation, the Bladder, itself, may be vacuum “sealed” onto the blood-cell shaped inner-core by removing air from the interior of the bladder membrane and having the membrane airtight. This can draw both the upper and/or lower portions of the membrane into the concave areas of the internal component. The internal component may have an air permeable surface for this purpose. For example, the blood-cell shaped inner-core is optionally perforated by open tunnels going from the lubricant reservoir at the bottom of the blood-cell going to the top concave locomotion surface.
In some embodiments, a self-recycling lubrication system is included within the bladder. This lubrication system can include a reservoir of lubricant. For example, pooled at the bottom center of the upwards pointing blood-cell, on the interior of the sealed Bladder. The lubricant may be solid (e.g., particles of carbon aerogel, or small bearings) and/or a liquid. In some embodiments, as OmniPad users (and/or motors) cause the Bladder membrane to move and revolve around the blood-cell shaped inner-core, this motion of the bladder, in turn, causes the lubricant to siphon up to the top locomotion surface, cover the inner (interior) portion of the top Bladder locomotion surface, and then go around the sides of the circular form back into the reservoir.
In some embodiments, ball-bearings are configured between the internal component and the bladder membrane. This design typically includes ball bearing “holders” set between the underside of the upper Bladder, and above the top surface of the inner component. These further enable the revolution of the Bladder around the inner component. In further embodiments, the ball bearing holders are hexagonal or approximately hexagonal, for example about 2″ ball bearing holders.
FIGS. 71A and 71B illustrate parts of the inner component 6310 or bladder (membrane), according to various embodiments of the invention. The inner component 6310 and/or bladder may include an array of polygons 7110 connected by flexible links 7120. Alternatively, the inner component may be a molded piece as illustrated in FIG. 63A or may be made up of triangles as the tile layer shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 . For the inner component, bladder, and/or tile layer, connections between sections may be made using hinges 6610 as shown in FIG. 66 , flexible links as shown in FIGS. 71A and 71B, straps, springs, smart materials, and/or the like.
As discussed elsewhere herein, exterior omni-wheels may be used to dampen and/or accelerate movement of the bladder membrane. For example, omni-wheels may be used to prevent spinning of the bladder membrane around the inner component.
In alternative embodiments, the treadmill includes a series of non-motorized tiny, thin treadmills that are embedded into a concave dish surface. The thin (linear) treadmills include a series of radial micro conveyor belts. This embodiment is comprised, for example, of multiple, expanding iterations, or rings, of micro (i.e., ½″×various length) miniature treadmills strategically radially situated around the center of the dish, and spanning out and up the slope of the dish. The radial micro conveyor belts are optionally disposed in a “sunburst” pattern, with rays (of micro treadmills) emanating radially around the center of the platform.
In various embodiments, the bladder is formed by cutting a flat sheet into a proprietary single-piece pattern of hexagons or hexagon-like shapes that, when their edges are seamed together, creates a continuous complete hollow sphere shape. The bladder is comprised of an elastic and/or a static material in various embodiments. The bladder optionally makes direct contact with the user's moving feet in an assembled omnidirectional treadmill. In some embodiments, the bladder membrane includes two or more layers and the tiles are disposed between these layers. The tiles may be held in place by stitching, an adhesive, thermal bonding, rivets, and/or other connectors between the layers of the membrane.
In some embodiments, before the bladder is sealed, a rigid blood cell-shaped Interior component is inserted inside of the bladder. The top portion of the bladder is only then inverted and fitted down upon the top cupped portion of the blood cell component. In different embodiments a lubricant and/or a field of rolling (about inch or less) hexagonal or polynomial tiles of different types are inserted between the rigid interior and the bladder.
The lubricant and/or the field of rolling tiles are optionally implemented in a vacuum created within the interior of the bladder in order to enable the omnidirectional movement of the bladder around the interior component. When the vacuum is pulled on the interior of the bladder there is less than atmospheric pressure of air between the interior component and the bladder, and the bladder can then be sealed. Accordingly, the bladder will revolve in any direction freely around the rigid blood cell-shaped interior. The vacuum need only be sufficient to assure that the bladder membrane follows the contour of the interior component.
In some embodiments the completed assembly is circular omnidirectional locomotion platform that a person may walk and/or run freely in any direction upon the top cupped, or concave portion of the device. The platform may be at least 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15 feet or more in diameter, or any range between these values. The platform may also be greater than 15 feet in diameter. In some embodiments, the platform covers a floor of a room. For example, a foot diameter room, and is configured to support multiple users on the surface of the platform at the same time. In these embodiments, movement of the bladder membrane is optionally responsive to the movement (e.g., walking or running) of multiple users on the platform at the same time.
In any of the embodiments discussed herein, the resulting omnidirectional revolution of the bladder around the rigid interior can be tracked in real time by a tracking sensor. The tracking sensor may include a laser, a camera, a wheel, roller ball mouse-device, RFID, and/or any other device configured to track the movement of the bladder. The tracking device can be disposed, for example, underneath or on any side of the locomotion platform. Tracking data from the tracking device can then be transmitted to a computing system configured to manage a virtual environment, which can, in turn, respond to the user's omnidirectional locomotion. This optionally provides the sensation for the user of maneuvering their way, on-foot, in any direction through the 3D virtual environment.
Several embodiments are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations are covered by the above teachings and within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope thereof. For example, the systems described herein may include a virtual reality system.
The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of the present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and or specific structures described may become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated.
Computing systems and/or logic referred to herein can comprise an integrated circuit, a microprocessor, a personal computer, a server, a distributed computing system, a communication device, a network device, or the like, and various combinations of the same. A computing system or logic may also comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), magnetic media, optical media, nano-media, a hard drive, a compact disk, a digital versatile disc (DVD), optical circuits, and/or other devices configured for storing analog or digital information, such as in a database. A computer-readable medium, as used herein, expressly excludes paper. Computer-implemented steps of the methods noted herein can comprise a set of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that when executed cause the computing system to perform the steps. A computing system programmed to perform particular functions pursuant to instructions from program software is a special purpose computing system for performing those particular functions. Data that is manipulated by a special purpose computing system while performing those particular functions is at least electronically saved in buffers of the computing system, physically changing the special purpose computing system from one state to the next with each change to the stored data.
The “logic” discussed herein is explicitly defined to include hardware, firmware or software stored on a non-transient computer readable medium, or any combinations thereof. This logic may be implemented in an quantum, electronic and/or digital device (e.g., a circuit) to produce a special purpose computing system. Any of the systems discussed herein optionally include a microprocessor, including quantum, electronic and/or optical circuits, configured to execute any combination of the logic discussed herein. The methods discussed herein optionally include execution of the logic by said microprocessor.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An omnidirectional treadmill comprising:

a blood-cell-shaped inner component, the inner component being concave on one or two sides;

a membrane configured to fit around the inner component;

a layer of tiles, flexibly joined at their edges, and formed around the inner component, the layer of tiles being disposed between the membrane and the inner component, wherein ball bearings disposed in the tiles contact the inner component; and

a drive motor configured to move the layer of tiles in response to movement of a user or actions within a virtual environment.

2. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the tiles include a plurality of polygon types, including hexagons and pentagons.

3. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the inner component is concave on two sides.

4. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a lubricant disposed between the inner component and the membrane.

5. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect movement of the membrane.

6. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising omni-wheels configured to move the membrane.

7. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising bearings configured to move the membrane.

8. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the membrane is held proximate to the internal component via a vacuum.

9. The treadmill of claim 1, further including at least 3 drive omniwheels.

10. The treadmill of claim 9, wherein the omniwheels include interlocking rollers or have rollers spaced apart by a distance less than a length of each roller.

11. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising 3 omniwheels, each configured to support the inner component.

12. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the tiles include 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons.

13. The treadmill of claim 12, wherein the pentagons are made from isosceles triangles and the hexagons are each made from equilateral triangles.

14. The treadmill of claim 13, wherein the triangles include the ball bearings.

15. The treadmill of claim 13, wherein the triangles are connected by hinges.

16. The treadmill of claim 11, wherein the pentagons each comprise 20 or more triangles, and the hexagons each comprise 24 or more triangles.

17. The treadmill of claim 11, wherein the pentagons each comprise 40 or more triangles, and the hexagons each comprise 48 or more triangles.

18. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the bladder includes multiple layers and the tiles are disposed between the multiple layers.

19. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein each of the tiles includes ball bearings configured to protrude on two sides of the tiles, such that each ball bearing is in contact with both the inner component and the membrane.