Handheld Controller Hand Orientation Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial reality controllers lack effective methods to accurately differentiate between right and left hand usage, limiting the precision and naturalness of hand gestures and movements in virtual environments.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held controller equipped with an optical proximity sensor and capacitive electrodes that emit and detect infrared light to determine hand orientation, allowing for precise identification of whether the user is holding the controller with their right or left hand by analyzing the time interval and capacitance between the sensor and the user's hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional controllers without hand differentiation sensors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of hand orientation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or multiple sensor systems with an optical proximity sensor that uses light emission and reflection detection. The sensor emits light toward the hand and detects the reflected light to determine hand orientation, substituting a potentially complex mechanical sensing system with a simpler optical system that achieves the same measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the sensor and the hand. The optical proximity sensor uses light emission and reflection as a mediator to indirectly detect hand orientation without requiring direct physical contact or complex mechanical interfaces, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Measurement precision
If optical proximity sensors are added to detect hand orientation, then the measurement precision of hand position is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the optical proximity sensor emit light in alternating intervals rather than continuously. The sensor alternates between emitting light and measuring the reflected light, which reduces energy consumption compared to continuous emission while still maintaining adequate measurement precision for hand position and orientation detection.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect hand orientation, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single optical proximity sensor that performs multiple functions: detecting both hand position and hand orientation (right vs. left hand). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate sensors for different detection purposes, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device 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 more intuitive and realistic hand motion tracking, allowing users to perform natural gestures and manipulate objects in virtual spaces with precision, enhancing the overall artificial reality experience.
Implementation Method 1
The light is infrared light
Implementation Method 2
receive reflected light from the hand of the user grasping the handle
Implementation Method 3
The optical proximity sensor includes a photodiode or phototransistor to receive reflected light and generate sensor signals
Implementation Method 4
The first capacitive electrode and the second capacitive electrode detect whether the hand of the user grasping the handle is a right hand of the user or a left hand of the user
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a hand of a user. A ring is attached to an end of the handle and surrounds a thumb of the user when the handle is grasped by the hand of the user. The ring has an annular surface defining a plane that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. The ring also has a curved outer surface. A sensor is embedded within the ring or mounted on a side surface of the handle to detect whether the hand of the user grasping the handle is a right hand of the user or a left hand of the user.