AR Headset Optical Code Scanning via Hand Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality (AR) headsets face challenges in aligning virtual elements with physical objects in real-world environments, particularly in scientific, engineering, and medical applications where higher precision is required. Additionally, battery-powered AR headsets have limited battery life and require lengthy charging times, making them less suitable for heavy use.
Innovation Solution
The technology enables users to scan optical codes using an AR headset, which tracks the user's hand and wrist to determine the focal depth for scanning. This allows for precise alignment of virtual elements with physical objects and improves battery life by reducing processing demands through a focused scan area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If AR headset uses battery power for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but duration of action is limited to about 3 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the optical scanner only periodically when the hand is detected in the scanning zone, rather than continuously. The scanner is turned on when the hand enters the zone and turned off when the hand leaves, creating periodic operation that conserves battery energy while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the scanning function from continuous operation by separating it into on-demand activation. The optical scanner is extracted from constant operation and only activated when needed (when hand is present), reducing energy consumption while maintaining the essential scanning capability.
2Productivity
If AR headset scans entire field of view continuously, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of scanning the entire field of view, the system focuses the optical scanner only on the specific local area where the hand is detected. The scanning zone is dynamically adjusted to match the hand's position, concentrating energy on the relevant area rather than the whole field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the field of view into a focused scanning zone based on hand detection. Rather than processing the entire visual field, the system divides the scanning task into a smaller, hand-defined region, reducing the computational and energy load while maintaining scanning effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If AR headset provides alignment to within a few centimeters, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision is insufficient for scientific and medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The hand serves as an intermediary reference object between the user and the scanning system. By detecting the hand's position and using it to define the scanning zone and focal depth, the system achieves more precise alignment and measurement through this intermediate reference point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors hand position and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the scanning zone, focal depth, and scanner activation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables continuous refinement of positioning accuracy based on real-time hand tracking data.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is described for scanning an optical code using an augmented reality (AR) headset. The method can include tracking an eye gaze of a user using the AR headset to identify an eye gaze location. A scan area of an optical camera of the AR headset may be set based in part on a gaze area defined around the eye gaze location. Another operation may be detecting a depth of a hand of a user in proximity to an item, using the AR headset. A focus depth of the optical camera may be set based in part on the depth of the hand from the AR headset. An optical code may be scanned from the product item using the optical camera at the focus depth.