Eye Tracking Operating Device with Pressure Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices require users to change hand positions or press buttons to select and activate device functions, which can be inconvenient and prone to accidental triggering.
Innovation Solution
An operating device that uses eye tracking to determine the user's viewing direction and pressure sensors to detect holding pressure, allowing device functions to be triggered by looking at graphical objects and varying the holding pressure within a predetermined area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional button or touchscreen operation is used, then device functions can be selected and activated, but the user must change hand positions or press buttons which increases operation complexity and risk of accidental triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button pressing and manual touchscreen interaction with an optical detection system (eye tracker) that monitors user gaze direction. This substitution eliminates the need for physical hand movements to select and activate functions, allowing users to simply look at the desired function to trigger it, thereby reducing operation complexity while maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the eye tracker and control unit that mediates between the user's visual attention and device function activation. This intermediary automatically interprets gaze direction and translates it into function selection and activation commands, eliminating the need for direct manual interaction and reducing the complexity of hand coordination required
2Ease of operation
If eye tracking alone is used to select device functions, then hand position changes are eliminated, but additional sensors and control logic are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the holding area serve multiple functions: it acts as both the gripping surface for holding the device and as a pressure sensor for triggering functions. By integrating pressure sensitivity into the existing holding area rather than adding separate buttons or triggers, the system achieves multi-functionality that minimizes additional structural complexity while enabling eye-tracking-based operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of the holding area with the pressure sensing function. The same physical area where the user grips the device is also used to detect triggering pressure, combining two previously separate functions (gripping and triggering) into a single integrated system. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device structure
3Ease of operation
If pressure sensors are added to detect holding pressure for triggering functions, then button pressing is eliminated, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure sensitivity only to the specific holding area where the user's hand naturally grips the device, rather than making the entire device structure complex. By localizing the pressure sensing function to this specific region, the system achieves the triggering capability without requiring complex pressure detection mechanisms throughout the entire device, thus minimizing overall structural complexity
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
Enables users to select and activate device functions without changing hand positions or pressing buttons, reducing accidental triggering and enhancing user convenience by using eye-tracking and pressure-sensitive interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an eye tracker for generating a viewing direction signal that is dependent on a viewing direction of the user
Implementation Method 2
a sensor device which is designed to determine a holding pressure of at least one hand of the user in a predetermined gripping area or holding area for holding the operating device and to generate a pressure signal dependent on the holding pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an operating device (48) for an apparatus (36) in order to trigger a function of the apparatus (36) selected by a user (14), wherein: a display device (24) displays a graphical object (34) that represents the apparatus function on a display surface (30); an eye-tracker (44) generates a looking direction signal (B) that is dependent on the looking direction (46) of the user (14); a sensor system (38) determines a holding pressure of at least one hand (40, 42) within a predefined holding region (38), over which the user (14) holds the operating device (48) by means of the at least one hand (40, 42), and generates a pressure signal (D) that is dependent on the holding pressure; and a control system (26) uses the looking direction signal (B) to check whether the user (14) is looking at the object (34). In this case the apparatus function is triggered if the pressure signal (D) meets a predefined triggering criterion.