Adaptive Display Interface for Distance-Based Command Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital screen technologies do not effectively adapt content and available commands based on the user's distance from the screen, leading to suboptimal interaction and user experience across varying distances.

Innovation Solution

A system that determines the user's distance from a display using a depth camera and adjusts the presentation style and available commands dynamically, modifying content and command functionality based on proximity, such as increasing detail and command availability as the user approaches and reducing it as they move away.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the display shows all commands and content details, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and user confusion increase when user is far from the display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display interface dynamically adapts its complexity and information density based on the detected distance between the user and the display. When the user is far away, the system displays simplified content with fewer commands. As the user approaches, more detailed information and additional commands become available, creating a dynamic adjustment of interface complexity that matches the user's physical proximity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of interaction space around the display are assigned different quality characteristics. Areas farther from the display provide simplified, high-level information, while areas closer to the display provide detailed, comprehensive information. This spatial variation in information quality allows the system to provide appropriate levels of detail based on the user's position without overwhelming them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the display provides simplified content for distant users, then ease of operation is improved, but information completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction simplicityVSAvoidcontent detail
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from simplified content display to detailed content display dynamically as the user moves closer to the display. This dynamic adaptation ensures that users far away experience ease of operation with simplified content, while users who approach the display automatically receive access to complete information and detailed content without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses distance detection feedback to continuously adjust the level of content detail and command availability. By monitoring the user's distance from the display and using this feedback to modify the interface, the system automatically provides the appropriate balance between simplicity and completeness based on real-time user position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a depth camera and distance detection system are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance-based adaptationVSAvoidsystem components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual distance measurement systems with optical-based depth camera technology. This substitution enables accurate distance detection and automatic interface adaptation without requiring physical sensors, mechanical adjustments, or manual user input, thereby achieving high adaptability with relatively streamlined system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If the display maintains consistent content across all distances, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface management simplicityVSAvoiddistance-based customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than maintaining static, consistent content across all viewing distances, the system implements dynamic content adaptation that automatically adjusts the displayed information, command availability, and interface complexity based on the detected user distance. This dynamic approach provides superior adaptability while managing complexity through automated distance-based control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances user interaction by providing relevant content and commands tailored to the user's distance, improving engagement and usability across different environments and user positions.

Implementation Method 1

A distance between a user and a display is determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2956838B1Adaptive screen interfaces based on viewing distance
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP2956838B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2956838B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2956838B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

Voice commands and gesture recognition are two mechanisms by which an individual may interact with content such as that on a display. In an implementation, interactivity of a user with content on a device or display may be modified based on the distance between a user and the display. An attribute such as a user profile may be used to tailor the modification of the display to an individual user. In some configurations, the commands available to the user may also be modified based on the determined distance between the user and a device or display.