Imaging Unit Shielding Detection for Head-Mounted Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
In head-mounted devices, users face difficulties in directly viewing input devices due to their placement, making conventional input methods like buttons and touch sensors less convenient, and gesture recognition requires high-load processing, increasing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that determines whether an imaging unit is in a predetermined shielding state and recognizes user operations based on this state, allowing for input recognition without the need for visible input devices, using imaging units to detect shielding by the user's hand, thereby reducing processing load and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gesture recognition is used for input in head-mounted devices, then user input convenience is improved, but processing load and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential feature of gesture recognition (hand shielding the imaging unit) and uses only this specific detection criterion rather than performing full image recognition processing. By taking out only the necessary detection element (shielding state detection), the system achieves gesture input functionality while minimizing processing load and power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If input devices are placed in head-mounted devices, then user input capability is provided, but direct viewing of input devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the imaging unit as an intermediary to detect user input. Instead of requiring direct viewing of physical input devices, the imaging unit mediates the detection process by capturing light changes when the user's hand shields it, thereby providing input capability without visibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical buttons and touch sensors with an optical detection system. By substituting mechanical input devices with imaging-based shielding detection, the system eliminates the need for users to directly view or physically access input components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional input devices (buttons, touch sensors) are used in head-mounted devices, then input functionality is provided, but user access and viewing become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging unit serve multiple functions: it is used for both capturing images for display/augmented reality purposes and for detecting user input through shielding detection. This multi-functionality provides input capability without requiring separate physical input devices, thereby improving user access convenience while maintaining input versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
To recognize a user input in a more favorable form without via an input device provided in a housing of an apparatus. An information processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not an imaging unit is in a predetermined shielding state, and a recognition unit configured to recognize an operation input of a user according to the predetermined shielding state.