Multi-User Application Control With User Selection Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user tracking systems in multi-user environments struggle to enable convenient interaction with electronic devices, as they often rely on sensors that acquire information from multiple users simultaneously, leading to interference and suboptimal user experiences in collaborative applications like VR or AR.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow switching between single-user and multi-user modes, dynamically selecting users for interaction based on predefined action patterns, enabling separate control and tracking of individual users or groups, and managing selection requests to enhance user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are used to track multiple users simultaneously in a multi-user environment, then the system can detect actions from several users, but user interaction convenience deteriorates due to interference and difficulty in identifying which user should control the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-user tracking capabilityVSAvoiduser interaction convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tracking process into distinct phases: a selection phase where users indicate their intent to control the device, and an execution phase where only the selected user's actions are tracked and processed. This segmentation resolves the interference problem by separating multiple users' data streams during selection, then focusing tracking on the identified user during execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary selection mechanism (such as a button, touch zone, or gesture) that acts as a mediator between users and the tracking system. Users must explicitly indicate their selection through this intermediary before their actions are processed, which resolves the ambiguity of which user should control the device in multi-user environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system tracks actions from all users simultaneously, then no user interaction is lost, but the system complexity increases due to managing multiple users' actions and determining control priority

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction responsivenessVSAvoidcontrol management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring users to perform a selection indication before their actions are processed. This preliminary selection step simplifies subsequent action processing by pre-identifying which user's actions should be executed, avoiding the need for complex real-time decision-making about control priority during action execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between tracking modes: a multi-user selection mode where multiple users can indicate their intent, and a single-user execution mode where only the selected user's actions are processed. This dynamic adaptation reduces processing complexity during execution phase while maintaining responsiveness through rapid mode switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the system only processes simultaneous actions from all users, then processing is simplified, but user experience deteriorates as users cannot interact independently or take turns conveniently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoiduser interaction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user interactions into independent selection actions and execution actions. Selection actions from multiple users are processed simultaneously and independently to determine control priority, while execution actions are then processed sequentially for the selected user. This segmentation enables both processing simplicity and interaction flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameter from simultaneous batch processing of all user actions to phased processing: first collecting selection indications from multiple users, then processing execution actions for the selected user. This parameter change maintains processing simplicity while enabling flexible independent user interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3956749B1Method and apparatus for user control of an application and corresponding device
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG
  • EP3956749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3956749B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3956749B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method, implemented in an electronic device adapted to be configured in a mono user mode, where the electronic device is controlled by input elements obtained from a single tracked user, and in a multi-user mode where the electronic device is controlled by input elements obtained from a group or one or more tracked users, the method comprising: ‐ tracking actions of one or more user (s) selected amongst candidate users according to a current mode of the electronic device, and to selection requests of the candidate users, the selection requests being captured by at least one sensor coupled to said electronic device; ‐ determining at least one input element adapted for controlling the electronic device according to the tracked actions. It also relates to corresponding device, electronic assembly, system, computer readable program product and storage medium.