Augmented Reality Overlay for Control Device Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of control devices often face uncertainty about the functions of interactive elements, leading to inconvenient solutions like trial-and-error testing or reliance on unavailable user manuals, which can result in incorrect input instructions.
Innovation Solution
A see-through display device that acquires an image of a scene, detects a control device, retrieves information about its interactive elements, and displays augmented reality images providing functional information directly to the user, allowing hands-free interaction and reducing confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users consult online resources or user manuals to understand control device functions, then they can acquire information about interactive elements, but this process is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an augmented reality system as an intermediary between the user and the control device. The system captures images of the control device, identifies interactive elements through image processing, and overlays functional information directly onto the user's view of the device. This intermediary system eliminates the need for users to manually search through manuals or online resources, providing instant context-aware information about button functions, gestures, and other interactive elements.
2Ease of operation
If users perform trial-and-error testing to learn control device functions, then they can discover how interactive elements work, but this may result in incorrect instructions being passed to the controlled device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system provides real-time information about the correct function of each interactive element. By displaying overlaid information that shows what each button or gesture does, the system gives users immediate feedback about the expected outcome of their actions. This prevents users from making incorrect assumptions about device functionality during trial-and-error testing, ensuring that the instructions passed to the controlled device are accurate from the start.
3Loss of information
If traditional display methods are used to show control device information, then users can read manuals, but this requires users to stop interacting with the control device and manually search for information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions information delivery from a two-dimensional manual or screen to a three-dimensional augmented reality overlay that is spatially aligned with the control device itself. The functional information is projected in the same spatial dimension where the user is looking at the device, creating a seamless integration of information and physical object. This allows users to maintain their focus on the control device while simultaneously accessing comprehensive information about its functions, enabling hands-free interaction throughout the learning process.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for providing instructional information for control devices are disclosed. In one example, a method on a see-through display device comprising a see-through display and an outward-facing image sensor includes acquiring an image of a scene viewable through the see-through display and detecting a control device in the scene. The method also includes retrieving information pertaining to a function of an interactive element of the control device and displaying an image on the see-through display augmenting an appearance of the interactive element of the control device with image data related to the function of the interactive element.