Head-Mounted Display Function Button with Press-Duration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted displays (HMDs) are expected to become more popular, and there is a desire for improved user-friendliness to enhance the sense of immersion and operability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a power button and a function button in the HMD that can be selectively assigned multiple functions, including screen transition control, video see-through, and mic mute, with distinct operations for short and long presses to navigate content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input devices are provided for controlling content, then operational versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The function button is designed to perform multiple different functions depending on the assigned operation type. It can control screen transition, activate video see-through, mute microphone, or perform other operations based on software configuration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated buttons for each function while maintaining operational versatility
2Device complexity
If a single function button is used for multiple operations, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to ambiguous control
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses different press duration thresholds to distinguish between different operations. A short press (below threshold) triggers one operation (e.g., screen transition), while a long press (at or above threshold) triggers another operation (e.g., video see-through activation). This temporal differentiation allows unambiguous control without additional buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The operation type is determined by changing the parameter of press duration. By monitoring how long the button is held and comparing it against a threshold value, the system can differentiate between various user intentions and execute corresponding operations, maintaining ease of use while reducing device complexity
3Speed
If press duration threshold is set low for quick response, then responsiveness is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental long-press operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying an icon or indicator on the screen that changes based on the current press duration. When the user presses and holds the button, the feedback display updates to show progression toward the threshold, allowing the user to know when a long-press operation will be triggered. This prevents accidental operations while maintaining quick response capability
Data Source
AI summary
A lower outer surface of a housing of an HMD is furnished with a power button and a function button. The power button is a button to turn on and off the supply of power from a predetermined power source to the components of the HMD. The function button is a button that can selectively be assigned one of a plurality of functions regarding the operation of the HMD.