Head-Mountable Device Gesture Input Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wearable computing devices lack intuitive input mechanisms for activating specific functions, such as visual and audio functions, which are essential for seamless interaction in augmented and virtual reality applications, particularly in mission-critical and recreational settings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a touch pad on a head-mountable device (HMD) to detect gestures, where a forward gesture activates visual functions and a rearward gesture activates audio functions, allowing users to intuitively trigger these functions by moving their fingers towards the lens element or the side-arm of the HMD.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional input mechanisms are used in HMDs, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of intuitive gesture control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture-based function activationVSAvoidinput mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to activate functions through natural gestures that intuitively correspond to the desired action (forward gesture for visual functions, rearward gesture for audio functions), eliminating the need for complex menus or buttons. The device serves itself by interpreting simple directional movements as function activation commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple function activation methods are provided, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction activation methodsVSAvoidinput mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing multiple physical buttons or complex menus for different functions, the system inverts the approach by using simple directional gestures (forward and rearward movements) that naturally map to the two main function types. This reduces physical complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If gesture-based control is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture input intuitivenessVSAvoidgesture detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different detection sensitivities and interpretation rules to different gesture directions. Forward gestures (toward the lens element) are mapped to visual functions, while rearward gestures (toward the side-arm) are mapped to audio functions. This localized quality approach simplifies the detection complexity by creating clear directional categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9582081B1User interface

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for triggering functions on a head-mountable device are provided. A head-mountable device may receive an indication of a gesture associated with the device. In response to an indication that the gesture is a forward gesture, the head-mountable device may activate visual type functions, and in response to an indication that the gesture is a rearward gesture, the head-mountable device may activate audio type functions.