Hand-Based XR Interface Using Fingertip UI and Thumb Tap Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing effective user interfaces for augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (XR), and virtual reality (VR) contexts is challenging due to the absence of inherent touchscreens, which hinders the integration of intuitive touchscreen interfaces and fails to leverage the capabilities of these technologies.
Innovation Solution
A hand-based user interface is provided through a head-mounted display (HMD) that tracks and renders graphical user interface elements on the user's hand, allowing selection and interaction via hand gestures, such as tapping or swiping, to trigger actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touchscreen interfaces are imported into AR/XR/VR contexts, then familiar interaction patterns are provided, but the inherent capabilities of AR/XR/VR technologies are not leveraged and the interface becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen interface with a gesture-based control system that uses hand movements and body gestures as input mechanisms. This substitution allows users to interact with AR/XR/VR environments using natural physical movements rather than touching a screen, thereby leveraging the immersive capabilities of these technologies while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive gestures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interaction parameter from tactile contact (touchscreen) to spatial movement (gestures). By detecting hand positions, finger configurations, and motion trajectories in three-dimensional space, the system translates physical gestures into digital commands, enabling users to interact with virtual interfaces without physical contact and fully utilizing the spatial awareness capabilities of AR/XR/VR systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hand gestures are used for UI interaction, then AR/XR/VR capabilities are leveraged, but the interface becomes more complex to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal gesture recognition system that can interpret multiple different hand gestures and body movements as valid input commands. By creating a standardized gesture vocabulary that covers common UI operations (selection, scrolling, navigation, confirmation), the system provides multi-functional control through a single unified interface mechanism, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs machine learning and computer vision algorithms that automatically learn and adapt to user gesture patterns without requiring manual programming of each gesture. The gesture recognition system self-calibrates by observing user behavior and adjusting its interpretation models, thereby reducing the complexity of interface implementation while maintaining high adaptability to different users and contexts.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a user interface through a head-mounted display worn by a user is provided, including: identifying and tracking a hand of the user, including identifying and tracking a thumb and a fingertip of the hand of the user; providing a real-time view of the user's hand through the head-mounted display; rendering a graphical user interface (UI) element in association with a fingertip of the user's hand in the real-time view of the hand through the head-mounted display; wherein detection of touching of the thumb to the fingertip activates selection of the graphical UI element to trigger an action associated with the graphical UI element.