Headset Computer Head Tracking Document Navigator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face limitations in replicating a high-resolution, large-format display experience due to their physical size and hands-dependent user interfaces, prompting the need for a hands-free, portable, and high-quality color display solution.
Innovation Solution
A wireless computing headset equipped with small high-resolution micro-displays and optics, allowing users to navigate documents using head movements through a document navigator tool with inertial control, employing concentric circles and a pointer to control panning speed and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one-to-one head tracking is used for document navigation, then the system is simple to operate, but it requires a large amount of head movement to navigate large documents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic navigation speed adjustment based on the pointer's position within the concentric circles. When the pointer is closer to the outer boundary, the document pans faster; when closer to the inner boundary, it pans slower. This dynamic speed adjustment allows users to navigate large documents efficiently with minimal head movement while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism between the user's head movement and document navigation. The concentric circles and pointer act as an intermediary layer that translates small head movements into variable-speed document panning, reducing the need for large head movements while maintaining intuitive control.
2Area of stationary object
If a large-format display is used, then the visual experience is high-quality, but the device size increases reducing mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a small microdisplay to create a scaled-down copy of a large-format display experience. By rendering high-resolution images on a compact microdisplay and using optical magnification, the system provides the visual quality of a large display while maintaining the portability of a small wearable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the microdisplay is integrated within the headset housing, which itself is worn on the user's head. This nesting allows the large-format display functionality to be contained within a compact, mobile form factor that can be easily worn and transported.
3Measurement precision
If hands-dependent interface is used, then the device can provide precise input control, but it reduces convenience for mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to serve itself by using the user's natural head movements as input rather than requiring manual operation. The head tracker captures involuntary head motions and translates them into precise navigation commands, allowing the system to operate hands-free while maintaining input precision through the intermediary control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hand-operated interface with an optical sensing system. Instead of using hands to manipulate physical controls, the system uses a head tracker with concentric circles and pointer to detect head movements and convert them into digital navigation commands, enabling hands-free operation with maintained precision.
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 efficient navigation of large documents and visual content in a hands-free manner, providing a high-resolution visual experience with enhanced mobility and convenience by leveraging head-tracking technology for intuitive document control.
Implementation Method 1
Recently developed micro-displays can provide large-format, high-resolution color pictures and streaming video in a very small form factor
Implementation Method 2
A wireless computing headset worn on the head of the user with a display within the field of view of the user, similar in format to either eyeglasses, audio headset or video eyewear
Data Source
AI summary
A Head-tracker is built into a headset computer as a user input device. A user interface navigation tool utilizes the head tracking but with inertial control. The navigation tool is formed of two different sized circles concentrically depicted, and a pointer. The pointer is moveable within the two circles defining inner and outer boundaries. The pointer represents user's head position and movement sensed by the head tracker. The HSC displays a document and pans (navigates) the document as a function of user head movement sensed by the head tracker and illustrated by the navigation tool. The direction of movement of the pointer depicted in the navigation tool defines pan direction of the displayed document. Pan speed of the displayed document is defined based on position of the pointer, with respect to the inner and outer circle boundaries in the navigation tool.