Hardware-Agnostic Input Framework for Variable-Fidelity AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input frameworks for artificial-reality applications are limited by hardware-specific modalities, leading to conservative support of minimal input capabilities and inability to adapt to changing hardware availability, resulting in user dissatisfaction and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-agnostic input framework that examines available hardware resources and adaptively provides input capabilities at varying fidelity levels, allowing applications to utilize multiple hardware combinations dynamically, ensuring seamless operation even when hardware availability changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional input frameworks support only minimal input modalities to ensure hardware compatibility, then device complexity is reduced, but input capability versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input framework is designed to universally support multiple input modalities (hand tracking, controller input, voice commands, eye tracking) through a unified architecture. The framework enumerates available input capabilities from different hardware sources and presents them as standardized options to applications, enabling one framework to serve multiple input functions without requiring separate implementations for each modality.
Solution Approach 2:
The input framework dynamically adapts to changing hardware availability by continuously enumerating available input capabilities and adjusting the supported modalities in real-time. When hardware becomes unavailable or new hardware is detected, the framework automatically updates the set of supported input methods, allowing the system to transition from high-fidelity hand tracking to alternative modalities like controller input or voice commands without application intervention.
2Reliability
If applications explicitly choose minimal input modalities to ensure reliable operation, then reliability is improved, but input capability versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input framework performs self-service by automatically enumerating available input capabilities from the hardware platform and configuring appropriate input modalities without requiring application developers to manually select or configure each modality. The framework independently manages the mapping between hardware capabilities and supported input methods, reducing the burden on applications while ensuring reliable operation across diverse hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework implements feedback mechanisms to monitor hardware availability and operational status of input devices. When hardware becomes unavailable or degraded, the framework detects this through feedback from the hardware layer and automatically adjusts the supported input modalities, notifying applications of available capabilities. This feedback-driven adaptation ensures reliable operation by continuously matching input capabilities to actual hardware availability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hand tracking is disabled when cameras are turned off, then system stability is improved, but input capability versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input framework dynamically responds to camera availability changes by automatically adjusting hand tracking capability. When cameras are turned off, the framework detects this hardware change and dynamically switches from camera-based hand tracking to alternative input modalities such as controller input, voice commands, or other available sensors. This dynamic adaptation maintains system stability by avoiding operations on unavailable hardware while preserving input versatility through alternative methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework performs preliminary enumeration of available input capabilities at system initialization and continuously monitors hardware availability. Before attempting to use camera-based hand tracking, the framework checks whether cameras are available and configures appropriate alternatives in advance. This preliminary preparation ensures that when cameras are turned off, the system can immediately switch to pre-configured alternative modalities without instability or interruption.
4Device complexity
If artificial-reality glasses provide only basic display and position tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but input capability versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input framework enables the simple glasses device to universally support multiple input modalities by leveraging external hardware resources. Even though the glasses themselves provide only basic display and position tracking, the framework enumerates and integrates capabilities from connected devices such as controllers, smartphones, or other wearables, presenting a unified set of input options to applications. This allows the simple glasses to function as a versatile input platform through the framework's multi-functional architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The input framework acts as an intermediary layer between the simple glasses hardware and the applications, translating limited hardware capabilities into diverse input options. The framework mediates between the basic glasses functionality and external hardware resources, combining inputs from multiple sources and presenting them as unified input capabilities to applications. This intermediary role allows the glasses to provide versatile input support without requiring complex hardware in the glasses themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for providing input capabilities at various fidelity levels. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, from an application, a request identifying an input capability for making an input operation available within the application. The method further includes, in response to receiving the request: identifying techniques that the artificial-reality system can use to make the requested input capability available to the application using data from one or more devices; selecting a first technique for making the requested input capability available to the application; and using the first technique to provide to the application data to allow for performance of the requested input capability.