AR Gaze Control for Multi-Device Interaction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user input mechanisms for controlling computing devices often require direct interaction with the device's user interface, limiting the ability to control devices without full knowledge of the interface or its operations, and do not facilitate seamless interaction with multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

An augmented reality head-mounted device equipped with a gaze detector and camera that determines a gaze vector and sends control signals to a computing device based on user input, allowing users to interact with multiple devices in a unified manner without needing specific user input mechanisms for each device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional user input mechanisms are used to control computing devices, then direct interface interaction is required, but this limits the ability to control devices without full knowledge of the interface and does not facilitate seamless interaction with multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to control multiple devicesVSAvoidInterface interaction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The augmented reality head-mounted device serves as a universal control interface for multiple computing devices. The gaze detector, camera, and communication interface work together to enable a single device to control various displays (televisions, monitors, tablets, smartphones) without requiring separate input mechanisms for each device, thus achieving multi-functionality and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The augmented reality head-mounted device acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple computing devices. It captures gaze vectors and wearer inputs, processes this information, and translates it into control signals that can be sent to different computing devices, thereby mediating the interaction and eliminating the need for direct interface knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If direct interface interaction is required for device control, then specific user input mechanisms are needed for each device, but this increases the complexity of interaction and limits natural user input

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNatural user input capabilityVSAvoidNumber of input mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical input mechanisms (keyboards, mice, touchscreens) with a gaze-based control system. The gaze detector tracks eye movements and determines gaze vectors, while the camera captures wearer inputs such as hand gestures. This substitution enables more natural, intuitive control without requiring physical contact with device interfaces.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The augmented reality head-mounted device captures and processes wearer inputs automatically without requiring manual configuration or direct device interaction. The system self-adjusts by tracking gaze vectors and interpreting wearer inputs, then autonomously generates and sends appropriate control signals to computing devices, making the interaction process seamless and natural.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3345074B1Augmented reality control of computing device
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3345074B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3345074B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3345074B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An augmented-reality device includes a gaze detector, a camera, and a communication interface. The gaze detector determines a gaze vector of an eye of a wearer of the head-mounted device. The camera images a physical space including a display of a computing device. The communication interface sends a control signal to the computing device in response to a wearer input. The control signal indicates a location at which the gaze vector intersects the display and useable by the computing device to adjust operation of the computing device.