Non-Contact Eye Motion Recognition Gaming Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Players experience fatigue and risk injury from repetitive motions while using traditional input devices on gaming machines, and individuals with physical impairments face barriers to participation due to the need for manual input.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact interface system that includes eye motion recognition, hand motion recognition, voice recognition, and image recognition, allowing players to input commands without physical contact, with features like calibration and personalization to enhance usability and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional contact-based input devices (buttons, keypads, levers) are used, then the gaming machine can receive player input, but players experience fatigue and risk injury from repetitive motions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput operationVSAvoidrepetitive stress injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based input devices with non-contact input methods including voice recognition, eye motion recognition, and hand motion recognition. This substitution eliminates the need for physical button pressing, lever pulling, or keypad typing, thereby removing the source of repetitive stress injuries while maintaining input functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary devices such as microphones for voice recognition, cameras for eye and hand motion recognition, and specialized sensors that capture non-contact input signals. These intermediaries translate natural human movements and voices into machine-readable commands without requiring direct physical contact with the gaming machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional contact-based input devices are used, then the gaming machine can receive precise player input, but individuals with physical impairments face barriers to participation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput signal accuracyVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional input system that accepts multiple types of non-contact input (voice, eye motion, hand motion) to serve diverse player needs. This universal approach allows players with various physical impairments to choose the input method that best suits their abilities, removing barriers to participation while maintaining input precision through specialized recognition algorithms for each modality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If non-contact interface devices are added to the gaming machine, then player fatigue is reduced and accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput operationVSAvoidinterface system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple non-contact input modalities (voice recognition, eye motion recognition, hand motion recognition) into a unified interface system controlled by a master gaming controller. This integration allows the system to process various input types through a common architecture, managing complexity by providing a standardized interface for diverse input methods rather than treating each modality as a separate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes calibration capabilities that automatically adapt to individual player characteristics and preferences. The master gaming controller performs self-calibration by analyzing input patterns and adjusting recognition parameters, reducing the need for manual configuration and simplifying the user experience despite the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7815507B2Game machine user interface using a non-contact eye motion recognition device
Publication Date: 2010.10.19 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US7815507B2 patent drawing
  • US7815507B2 patent drawing
  • US7815507B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A gaming machine having a non-contact user interface and methods for receiving input to the gaming machine using the non-contact user interface are described. The gaming machine described can receive player tracking information associated with a player, where the player tracking information can include personalization information associated with the player. The gaming machine can receive a signal provided by the player at a non-contact interface device. Next, the gaming machine can decode the signal.