Laser Wayfinding Interface With Curved Layers on Small Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-precision laser scanners and 3D depth sensors face limitations in projecting detailed virtual interfaces on small surfaces like a user's palm, restricting the number and types of user interactions and applications.
Innovation Solution
A wearable multimedia device projects a laser-based virtual interface with curved layers representing points of interest, allowing users to navigate intuitively by adjusting their body position relative to the interface elements, which are updated based on movement, and includes sensors for determining location and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a laser projected virtual interface is projected onto a small surface like a user's palm, then the interface can be worn and carried conveniently, but the surface area available for projecting detailed interface elements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D flat displays to a 3D spatial interface projected in air space. The virtual interface elements are positioned at different depths and spatial coordinates, allowing complex information to be displayed without requiring large surface area. Users interact with these 3D-positioned elements using hand gestures, effectively utilizing the third dimension for both display and interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a transparent or translucent display medium that can be worn as a thin film or shell (such as a transparent headset or contact lens). This allows the display to be integrated into wearable form factors with minimal bulk, maintaining portability while providing a large enough projection area in the user's field of view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more interface elements are projected to provide more interaction options, then the versatility of the virtual interface increases, but the complexity of the interface design and user interaction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual interface is divided into multiple discrete, spatially-separated interaction elements that can be independently controlled. Each interface element (such as buttons, sliders, or information displays) is positioned at a specific location in 3D space, allowing users to selectively interact with only the elements they need rather than navigating a complex unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface elements are dynamically positioned and configured based on user needs, context, and interaction history. The system can reorganize, resize, or relocate interface elements in real-time during interaction, providing adaptability without requiring a fixed complex layout. This dynamic reconfiguration simplifies the interaction model while maintaining versatility.
3Measurement precision
If the virtual interface provides detailed navigation information, then the user can accurately determine location and direction, but the amount of information to be processed and displayed increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the visual field receive different types and densities of information. Critical navigation information (such as directional cues or warning indicators) is displayed with high prominence in specific locations, while secondary information is displayed with lower detail. This localized information distribution allows accurate navigation guidance without overwhelming the user with uniform high-density information throughout the entire interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation interface provides continuous, real-time updates of location and directional information as the user moves, rather than requiring periodic checks or interpretation of discrete data points. This continuous feedback stream maintains accurate orientation information without requiring the user to process large amounts of discrete navigational data, reducing cognitive load while preserving 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
Enhances user navigation by reducing erroneous travel and resource expenditure, as users can visually determine and navigate to points of interest efficiently, minimizing the need for corrective actions by the device.
Implementation Method 1
the projector subsystem can project light onto a surface (e.g., a surface of a user's hand, such as the user's palm) according to a particular spatial and/or temporal pattern, such that the user perceives a VI with one or more user interface elements
Implementation Method 2
Three-dimensional (3D) depth sensors (e.g., a time of flight (TOF) camera) can be used to detect user gestures that are interacting with one or more VI elements projected on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices and non-transitory, computer-readable storage mediums are disclosed for a wearable multimedia device and cloud computing platform with an application ecosystem for processing multimedia data captured by the wearable multimedia device. In an embodiment, a wearable multimedia device determines a plurality of points of interest and, for each of the points of interest, a heading of that point of interest relative to the device, and a distance between that point of interest and the device. The device presents a user interface including a plurality of user interface elements arranged according to one or more curved layers. Each of the user interface elements corresponds to a different one of the points of interest. A position of each of the user interface elements relative to each of the other user interface elements in the user interface is determined based on the first data and the second data.