Finger-Worn Camera Device for Universal Touch Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch input technologies require costly and complex instrumentation of surfaces to detect user interactions, limiting the number of surfaces that can accept input.

Innovation Solution

A finger-worn device equipped with a camera and microcontroller that captures and transmits images of surfaces touched by the user, allowing any surface to be used as a trigger for actions by matching images to pre-defined actions stored in a computing system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If surfaces are instrumented with sensors to detect touch input, then touch input detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input detection capabilityVSAvoidsurface instrumentation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of instrumenting the surface to detect touch, the patent instruments the finger itself with a camera and sensors. The finger device captures images of the surface and transmits them to a computing device for analysis, inverting the traditional approach where the surface contains the detection technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The finger-worn device acts as an intermediary between the user and the surface. It captures surface images and transmits them to a computing device, which then processes the images to determine touch location and gestures, eliminating the need for sensors in the surface itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If surfaces are instrumented with sensors to detect touch input, then touch input detection capability is improved, but the number of surfaces that can accept input is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input detection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of surfaces accepting input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The finger-worn device provides universal touch input capability across any surface. Since the detection technology is in the finger device rather than the surface, any surface can be interacted with using the same device, making the system universally applicable to unlimited surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera in the finger device captures an image copy of the surface, which is then transmitted to a computing device for analysis. This allows the computing device to process surface information without requiring physical sensors on the surface itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If surfaces are instrumented with sensors to detect touch input, then touch input detection precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input detection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera in the finger device to capture surface images, which is a relatively inexpensive component compared to instrumenting surfaces with sensor arrays. The approach trades the high cost of surface instrumentation for lower-cost portable imaging technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/electrical sensor systems in the surface with an optical imaging system in the finger device. The camera captures surface images that are then processed computationally, substituting physical contact sensors with optical detection and image processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 virtually unlimited interaction with various surfaces without the need for surface instrumentation, allowing users to configure actions based on specific surfaces and gestures, enhancing user input flexibility and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

receiving an image from a device instrumenting a finger of the user... The device itself may comprise a camera configured to capture images of a surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11886667B2Always-available input through finger instrumentation

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 AUTODESK INC

AI summary

A finger device initiates actions on a computer system when placed in contact with a surface. The finger device includes instrumentation that captures images and gestures. When in contact with a surface, the finger device captures images of the surface and gestures made on the surface. The finger device also transmits the images and gesture data to the computer system. An application on the computer system matches the images received from the finger device to a representation of the surface, identifies an action associated with the surface representation and gesture, and executes the action. Instrumenting the finger instead of the surface, allows a user to configure virtually any surface to accept touch input.