Hands-Free Audio Control Using Body Lean in Sonic Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating multi-dimensional virtual environments on handheld devices is challenging due to the lack of intuitive body-based feedback and control over location and orientation, leading to impractical solutions like physical locomotion and limited sensor-based interactions.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free, body-based navigation system using sonic space interaction, where leaning towards or away from a sound source controls audio volume, intuitively influencing virtual environment navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensor-based interactions are used for navigation, then control over location and orientation is improved, but intuitive body-based feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensor-based control interfaces with a sonic field-based interaction system. Sound waves serve as the intermediary medium between the user and the virtual environment, allowing navigation through acoustic cues rather than physical sensors. This substitution restores intuitive body-based feedback by engaging the user's natural spatial hearing and proprioceptive senses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium between the user and the virtual environment. Audio cues and spatialized sound fields mediate the interaction, providing intuitive body-based feedback while maintaining control over location and orientation. The sonic field acts as a bridge that connects physical body movements with virtual navigation without requiring direct sensor input.
2Loss of information
If physical locomotion is used for navigation, then intuitive body-based feedback is provided, but the solution becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the impractical requirement for physical locomotion with a sonic field-based interaction system. Instead of requiring users to physically move their bodies to navigate, the system uses spatialized audio cues that guide movement indirectly. This substitution maintains the benefits of body-based feedback through proprioceptive and vestibular cues while eliminating the impracticality of requiring actual physical displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary that translates physical body movements into virtual navigation without requiring actual physical locomotion. The audio field mediates between the user's subtle body movements and the virtual environment, providing intuitive feedback while maintaining practicality. Users can navigate through small, comfortable movements guided by acoustic cues rather than requiring large-scale physical displacement.
3Ease of operation
If hands-free control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces with a sonic field-based hands-free control system. Sound waves serve as the control medium, allowing users to navigate without physical contact. The system maintains precision by using spatialized audio cues that provide detailed directional information, enabling accurate navigation control through natural listening and subtle body movements rather than requiring manual input devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Traditional head-mounted display experiences require a hand controller (e.g. thumbstick, touchpad, gamepad, keyboard, etc.) to manipulate audio controls. The invention is a hands-free, body-based navigation technology that puts the participant's body in direct control of movement through sonic space. Participants lean towards a sound source to make it louder and lean away to make it quieter. In some embodiments, the more a participant leans, the faster the volume changes. Because the interactions were designed to respond to natural bearing and balancing instincts, movement coordination is intuitive and easy to learn.