Head-Mounted Display Gesture Control via Motion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small, portable electronic devices face limitations in replicating high-resolution, large-format visual experiences due to physical size constraints, leading consumers to seek alternative high-quality, portable display solutions like head-mounted eyewear devices that can effectively integrate voice commands and hand or head movements for input control.

Innovation Solution

A portable personal computer with a microdisplay, motion detectors, and audio processing circuits that combine head and hand movements with voice commands to control operating systems or applications locally or on a remote host, using sensors and wireless interfaces for seamless interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large-format display is used to provide high-resolution visual experience, then display quality is improved, but device portability and size are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional handheld display dimensions to a head-mounted spatial configuration, projecting the display field into the user's field of view in three-dimensional space. This allows a large virtual display area to be experienced without increasing the physical volume of the portable device, resolving the contradiction between display resolution/size and device portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical elements (lenses, waveguides, or retinal projection mechanisms) as intermediaries between the microdisplay and the user's eyes. These intermediaries magnify and project the small microdisplay image to create a large-format visual experience, allowing high-resolution display without increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional input devices (keyboard, mouse) are used, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation in mobile environments is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keyboard, mouse) with voice recognition and gesture-based control systems. Voice commands substitute for keyboard typing, and hand gestures substitute for mouse movements, eliminating the need for physical mechanical interfaces while maintaining control precision in mobile environments where traditional devices are cumbersome.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple input modalities (voice, gestures, touch) into a single unified control system, allowing the device to adapt to different operational contexts. This multi-functional approach provides both precision (through deliberate gestures or clear voice commands) and ease of operation (through natural, context-appropriate input methods).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If voice commands are used for control, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability in noisy environments is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidcommand recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple input modalities (voice commands, gesture recognition, and touch input) into a hybrid control system. This merging allows the system to cross-validate inputs and maintain reliability in noisy environments by falling back on gesture or touch recognition when voice recognition confidence is low, while preserving the ease of operation benefits of voice control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are integrated for gesture and motion detection, then functionality is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensing functions into specialized modules (accelerometer for head motion, gyroscope for orientation, microphone array for voice, camera for gestures) that can be independently optimized and processed. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing sensors into functional groups with dedicated processing pipelines, allowing high adaptability while controlling system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2616907B1Control of applications on a head-mounted display using gesture and motion commands
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 KOPIN CORP
  • EP2616907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2616907B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2616907B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A head mounted microdisplay (HMD) device that uses hand, body, head movement or gesture and voice commands to control interaction with a local processor or host computer. The local processor overlays information, such as onto an operating system desktop or application program menu, indicating the motion, gesture, and/or voice input needed to activate an associated action.