Handheld Input Device with Protrusions for Motion Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for entertainment applications, such as data gloves and computer vision systems, are cumbersome, lack tactile feedback, and are limited by lighting conditions and accuracy issues, making them unsuitable for users who need to switch between different tasks that require hand movement and tactile sensation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held input device with a central body and protrusions that captures hand movements, providing tactile feedback through embedded electronics and vibrational signals, allowing users to interact with computing systems without being worn, and enabling communication between the device and a computing unit for command transmission and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data gloves are used to capture hand movements, then hand motion tracking is improved, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to weight, hindrance of movement, and need to constantly wear/remove the glove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing elements from the glove structure and places them in a handheld device that the user holds in their palm. The device contains sensors that detect hand movements without requiring the user to wear a glove, thereby maintaining motion tracking capability while eliminating the discomfort and movement hindrance associated with data gloves.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device serves as an intermediary between the user's hand movements and the computer system. Instead of directly sensing movements through a glove worn on the hand, the device held in the palm captures motion data and transmits it to the computer, providing tactile feedback as a mediator to enhance user experience without the drawbacks of wearable gloves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If computer vision systems are used for input, then hand gesture recognition is improved, but reliability and measurement precision deteriorate due to lighting conditions, self-occluding gestures, and parameter inference accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical-based computer vision system with a tactile and mechanical sensing system. Instead of using cameras to infer hand gestures from visual data (which is affected by lighting and occlusion), the handheld device uses physical sensors embedded in the device structure to directly detect hand movements and tactile interactions, providing more reliable and accurate input data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates tactile feedback mechanisms that provide immediate physical response to user inputs. This feedback loop enhances reliability by confirming to the user that their gesture has been registered, and the direct tactile sensing provides more accurate measurement of hand movements compared to inferred parameters from computer vision.
3Ease of operation
If tactile feedback is added to improve user experience, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated unit: it captures hand movements, detects tactile inputs, processes the data, and provides tactile feedback. By combining these functions in one device rather than separate components, the patent manages complexity while delivering comprehensive interactive capabilities that enhance ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment an input device is provided. The input device includes a central body. A response and communications system is included in the input device. The response and communication system enables communication between the input device and a computing device. At least one protrusion extending from the central body are included. The central body and the at least one protrusion are configured to capture a user's hand movements. The input device is configured to be held by the user. An input detection program, a computing system, computer program instructions and a method for communicating commands to a computer system from an external input device are provided.