Elevator Gaze-Controlled Virtual Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in providing user-friendly interfaces, especially for individuals with special needs and in crowded spaces, where physical contact with the interface may be difficult or undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual user interface projected onto air using a projector device, combined with gaze tracking technology to detect user inputs, allowing for touchless interaction with the elevator system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical user interface (buttons or touch screen) is used, then the interface is easy to manufacture and implement, but it requires physical contact which is problematic for users with special needs and for health-related reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical interface (buttons, touch screens) with an optical system consisting of a projector that displays a virtual interface in the air and a gaze tracking device that detects user selection through eye movements. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining interface functionality, directly addressing the accessibility problem for users with special needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical field (the projected virtual interface) between the user and the elevator control system. The gaze tracking device acts as a mediator that translates eye movements into control signals, allowing users to interact with the system without physical contact with traditional interfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a physical user interface is used in crowded spaces, then the interface is simple to implement, but it increases the risk of disease transmission through contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based interface with an optical detection system. The projector displays the virtual interface in the air, and the gaze tracking device detects user intent through eye movements and blinking patterns, completely eliminating physical contact and thus disease transmission risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own physiological signals (eye movements, blinking) to control the interface, eliminating the need for external physical interaction. The gaze tracking device automatically detects and interprets these natural eye movements to generate control signals.
3Ease of operation
If eye tracking technology is used to eliminate physical contact, then accessibility is improved, but the detection precision of user input may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors eye position and blinking patterns, correlates them with the displayed virtual interface elements, and adjusts the control signal generation accordingly. The system can detect when the gaze point intersects with a specific area of the virtual interface and uses blinking as a confirmation signal, ensuring accurate input detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple eye tracking parameters (gaze position, blinking frequency, duration of gaze) rather than relying on a single parameter. This excessive measurement approach increases detection reliability by cross-validating multiple signals to determine user intent.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables intuitive and accessible interaction with elevator systems, accommodating users with special needs and reducing the risk of disease transmission by eliminating physical contact with the interface.
Implementation Method 1
at least one projector device for projecting a virtual user interface to air
Implementation Method 2
at least one gaze tracking device for capturing a number of images representing at least one eye of a person
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a solution for controlling the elevator system (100) with an arrangement comprising: at least one projector device (150) for projecting a virtual user interface (160); at least one gaze tracking device (170) and a control unit (140). The control unit (140) receives a number of images from the gaze tracking device (170) and performs: detect (230) a predefined input from image data; detect (240) an intersection of the virtual user interface (160) and a gaze point (180); and generate (250) a control signal to the elevator system (100) in accordance with a position of the gaze point (180) intersecting the virtual user interface (160).