3D User Interface Surface Deformation for Hand Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for interacting with virtual and augmented reality environments are cumbersome, inefficient, and complex, leading to a significant cognitive burden on users and energy wastage, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of improved user interfaces and methods that utilize hand and finger movements, biometric data, and environmental presence to intuitively trigger operations in three-dimensional environments, providing visual feedback and reducing the need for multiple inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional input methods are used to interact with virtual elements, then the system can process user inputs, but the interaction becomes cumbersome and creates significant cognitive burden on users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time visual feedback by deforming the surface of user interface objects in response to detected hand movements. This feedback loop allows users to understand the connection between their inputs and device responses, reducing cognitive burden and improving interaction efficiency without increasing interface complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects hand movements and performs operations based on detected gestures, reducing the need for users to manually navigate complex interfaces. The system serves itself by interpreting natural hand movements as commands, eliminating the need for users to learn complex input methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If multiple inputs are required to achieve a desired outcome, then the system can perform precise operations, but the interaction takes longer than necessary and wastes energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation completion speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors hand movements and prepares to execute operations as soon as gesture criteria are met. By detecting hand movements in advance and pre-processing potential commands, the system reduces the number of discrete input steps required, speeding up operation completion and reducing energy consumption from prolonged processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by processing hand movements and executing commands without requiring users to return to home screens or perform intermediate steps. This continuous action flow eliminates idle time and redundant processing, improving productivity while reducing energy waste from repeated system state changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of information

If the system provides detailed feedback for user inputs, then users can understand the connection between inputs and responses, but the processing requirements and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback information completenessVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback by deforming only the local surface area of user interface objects that corresponds to the detected hand movement location. This localized feedback approach maintains information completeness for the relevant interaction area while avoiding unnecessary processing and energy consumption across the entire display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4217838B1Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for interacting with three-dimensional environments
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 APPLE INC
  • EP4217838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4217838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4217838B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer system displays a view of a three-dimensional environment, including a first user interface object with a first surface at a first position, that when activated by a user input meeting first criteria, causes performance of a first operation. While displaying the first user interface, the computer system detects first movement of a hand in a physical environment, and in response, in accordance with a determination that the first movement of the hand meets second criteria without meeting the first criteria, the computer system deforms the first surface of the first user interface object at the first position, including moving a first portion of the first surface relative to a second portion of the first surface, without performing the first operation. A location of the hand in the physical environment corresponds to a location at least a first threshold distance from the first position in the three-dimensional environment.