Distributed AR Hand Tracking via Bracelet and Depth Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality (AR) systems face challenges in providing sufficient power and computation due to their reduced form factor, limiting the capacity for enhanced user interaction and integration of hand gestures within the environment, as they often rely solely on headset devices that cannot capture hand movements effectively.
Innovation Solution
A distributed AR system comprising a bracelet device, an eyewear device, and a neckband device that collaboratively track hand motions and contextualize them within the user's environment, using sensors and cameras to detect hand gestures and objects, allowing for more immersive and responsive AR experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a headset device is used for AR system, then the user can view augmented content, but the device cannot effectively capture hand movements due to limited field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The AR system is divided into multiple independent devices: a headset for displaying augmented content and a separate hand tracking device for capturing hand movements. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function, with the hand tracking device having the necessary field of view and sensors without increasing headset complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate hand tracking device acts as an intermediary between the user's hands and the AR system. This intermediary captures hand movements with adequate field of view and processes the data, then transmits it to the headset for integration with the augmented reality experience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hand tracking is added to enhance user interaction, then the AR experience is improved, but the power and computation requirements exceed the capacity of reduced form factor devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates computation-intensive hand tracking functions from the headset device. The hand tracking device performs initial processing of hand movement data, then transmits only essential information to the headset, reducing the computational burden and power consumption of the wearable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand tracking device serves as an intermediary that pre-processes hand movement data before transmission to the headset. This intermediary performs initial filtering and feature extraction, reducing the data volume and computational requirements for the headset's processor.
3Measurement precision
If conventional hand tracking systems are used, then hand movements are captured, but the contextual meaning of hand motions within the environment is not determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges hand tracking data with environmental information from the AR system. By combining the position and orientation of the user's hands with the spatial map of the environment and detected objects, the system determines the contextual meaning of gestures, such as whether a pointing gesture is directed at a specific object or location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the environmental context to refine hand tracking interpretation. The AR system provides feedback about detected objects, surfaces, and spatial relationships, which is used to interpret the meaning of hand gestures in context, such as determining when a hand gesture should trigger an interaction with a specific object.
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
The distributed system enables more accurate and contextual hand tracking, enhancing user interaction by combining signals from multiple devices, thereby providing a more immersive and responsive AR experience that better integrates hand gestures with the real-world environment.
Implementation Method 1
The depth camera assembly is configured to emit a waveform into an environment of the user and capture a plurality of optical signals from the waveform reflected off of at least one object in the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an eyewear device configured to present content to a user. A processor is communicatively coupled to the eyewear device. A bracelet device is communicatively coupled to the processor, and includes at least one sensor configured to determine a position signal in response to movement of a user's hand. A depth camera assembly is communicatively coupled to the processor, and configured to emit a waveform into an environment of the user, and capture a plurality of optical signals from the waveform reflected off of at least one object in the environment. The processor is configured to determine a position of the user's hand in relation to the environment based in part on the position signal and the plurality of optical signals.