Hand-Specific Laser-Projected Interfaces for Limited Palm Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-precision laser scanners and 3D depth sensors face limitations in projecting detailed virtual interfaces on small surfaces like the palm of a user's hand, restricting the number and types of user interactions and applications.
Innovation Solution
A wearable multimedia device with a projector subsystem projects light onto a user's hand to create a virtual interface, distinguishing between left and right hands for different operations and applications based on hand detection, allowing intuitive and efficient user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laser projected virtual interface is projected onto the palm of a user's hand, then the user can interact with the interface, but the limited surface area restricts the number and types of user interactions and applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D hand surface projection to 3D mid-air holographic projection. The optical engine projects light fields that form virtual interfaces in three-dimensional space above the hand, allowing users to interact with floating holograms rather than constrained 2D surfaces. This dimensional expansion enables multiple interface elements and interaction types simultaneously visible and accessible in mid-air.
Solution Approach 2:
The system nests multiple levels of interaction within the hand-centric interface framework. The hand itself becomes a control zone that triggers different virtual interfaces and applications based on which hand is detected. Each hand can have its own dedicated interface layer, creating nested interaction possibilities where hand detection enables specific application layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system projects different virtual interfaces for left and right hands, then user interaction becomes more organized and predictable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical engine and hand detection system serve multiple functions simultaneously: they detect hand presence, differentiate between left and right hands, determine hand orientation, and trigger appropriate virtual interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, managing complexity through consolidated multi-purpose components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects which hand the user presents and autonomously selects and projects the appropriate virtual interface without requiring explicit user selection. The hand detection system self-configures the interaction mode based on the detected hand's characteristics, making the complexity transparent to the user while providing personalized interfaces.
3Productivity
If the system uses hand detection to determine which applications to execute, then interaction efficiency improves, but computational resources are expended for continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses event-driven hand detection that activates when the user presents their hand to the device. The optical engine periodically scans for hand presence and triggers interface projection only when detected, rather than continuously projecting and monitoring. This periodic operation reduces computational overhead while maintaining responsive interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple hand-specific virtual interfaces and application associations in advance. When a hand is detected, the system rapidly selects from pre-prepared interface configurations rather than generating interfaces in real-time. This preliminary preparation reduces the computational burden during active interaction.
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 approach reduces erroneous inputs, enhances interaction efficiency, and conserves computational and battery resources by associating specific functions with each hand, enabling more organized and predictable user interactions.
Implementation Method 1
a projector subsystem configured to present information visually to a user in the form of projected light
Implementation Method 2
Three-dimensional (3D) depth sensors (e.g., a time of flight (TOF) camera) can be used to detect user gestures
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices and non-transitory, computer-readable storage mediums are disclosed for a wearable multimedia device and cloud computing platform with an application ecosystem for processing multimedia data captured by the wearable multimedia device. In an embodiment, a wearable multimedia device obtains first configuration data specifying first operations associated with a first hand of a user of the wearable multimedia device, and second configuration data specifying second operations associated with a second hand of the user. Further, the device captures sensor data from a camera and/or a depth sensor of the wearable multimedia device, and determines a presence of the first hand and/or the second hand based on the sensor data. Further, the device performs at least one of (i) the first operations responsive to determining the presence of the first hand, or (ii) the second operations responsive to determining the presence of the second hand.