Optical Gesture Tracking for Immersive Game Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video game interaction methods, such as handheld controllers, have not evolved significantly, limiting user interactivity and immersion in gaming experiences.

Innovation Solution

The use of image and audio capture technologies to track and interpret user interactions, including object manipulation and sound, allowing for enhanced user input through video game consoles with integrated cameras and microphones, which can detect movement, deformation, and sound intensity, enabling more immersive gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional handheld controllers are used for game interaction, then device simplicity is maintained, but user interactivity and immersion are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactivityVSAvoidinteraction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical controllers with an optical sensing system using video cameras to detect hand gestures and body movements. The system captures video frames, processes them to identify hand positions and gestures, and translates these into game control inputs, eliminating the need for physical controllers while enhancing user interactivity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces video processing software and gesture recognition algorithms as intermediaries between the user's natural movements and the game system. These intermediaries capture video input, analyze hand gestures through image processing, and convert them into meaningful control commands, bridging the gap between physical movement and digital interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If basic motion detection is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision of user actions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video image into multiple regions and analyzes hand gestures by dividing the detection space into zones. The system identifies specific hand regions, tracks their movement independently, and processes gesture sequences by breaking down complex movements into discrete actionable commands, improving tracking precision through spatial and temporal segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from 2D video frame analysis to 3D spatial tracking by inferring depth information and hand position in three-dimensional space. The system uses multiple video frames over time to reconstruct hand movement trajectories in 3D, enabling precise measurement of gesture magnitude, direction, and velocity beyond what single-frame 2D analysis can provide.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2111901B1Obtaining input for controlling execution of a game program
Publication Date: 2012.02.01 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP2111901B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2111901B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2111901B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for determining an intensity value of an interaction with a computer program is described. The method and device includes capturing an image of a capture zone, identifying an input object in the image, identifying an initial value of a parameter of the input object, capturing a second image of the capture zone, and identifying a second value of the parameter of the input object. The parameter identifies one or more of a shape, color, or brightness of the input object and is affected by human manipulation of the input object. The extent of change in the parameter is calculated, which is the difference between the second value and the first value. An activity input is provided to the computer program, the activity input including an intensity value representing the extent of change of the parameter. A method for detecting an intensity value from sound generating input objects, and a computer video game are also described. A game controller having LEDs, sound capture and generation, or an accelerometer is also described.