Augmented Reality Remote Control via Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AR technologies do not effectively allow users to interact with and control electronic devices through virtual interfaces, particularly for devices with no physical controls or for users with visual impairments, limiting accessibility and usability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an AR system that overlays virtual controls and displays onto the image of a controllable electronic device using hand, head, and eye gestures, allowing users to manipulate the controls and receive feedback, even for devices without physical controls, and providing language-independent text for international market compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical controls are provided on electronic devices, then ease of operation is improved for users with visual impairments, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical controls in the augmented reality overlay. These virtual control objects replicate the functionality of physical buttons and switches but exist as digital projections that can be manipulated through gesture recognition, providing accessibility without adding physical components to the device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical physical controls with gesture-based virtual controls. Instead of requiring physical contact with device buttons, the system uses computer vision to detect and interpret hand, head, and eye gestures, substituting mechanical interaction with optical and computational processes
2Ease of operation
If virtual controls are overlaid on device surface, then ease of operation is improved for devices without physical controls, but measurement precision of gesture recognition becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback loops where the system continuously monitors gesture recognition accuracy and adjusts recognition thresholds and parameters accordingly. Virtual control objects provide visual feedback to confirm successful gesture detection, allowing the system to adapt and maintain precision even with complex gesture sets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal gesture recognition system that handles multiple types of gestures (hand, head, eye movements) and multiple control functions through a single integrated framework. This multi-functional approach improves measurement precision by using consistent recognition algorithms across different gesture types rather than separate systems for each
3Ease of operation
If control objects are made larger for users with visual handicaps, then ease of operation is improved, but area of device surface required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves control objects from the two-dimensional device surface into the three-dimensional augmented reality space. Virtual control objects can be projected at various distances and sizes without consuming physical device surface area, as they exist in the optical field rather than on the device housing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the augmented reality display system as an intermediary between the user and the device controls. This intermediary layer allows control objects to be rendered at any size appropriate for the user's visual needs while the actual device surface remains unchanged and compact
Data Source
AI summary
An Augmented Reality (AR) device, places manual controls and virtual displays onto a surface of a controllable electronic device (CED) or next to the CED as viewed through the AR device allowing the user to manipulate the controls and view feedback via the virtual displays associated with the controllable device. The AR device overlays an image on a surface of the CED with virtual control objects and virtual feedback image(s) are displayed on a surface of the CED or adjacent to the CED. The user views the control objects and virtual displays on the surface and/or area adjacent to the CED. These control objects are manipulated via voice, hand, head, and eye gestures recognized by the AR device and will be able to see real time feedback displayed on the virtual displays.