Laser Wayfinding Interface for Small-Surface Palm Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 user interface elements arranged in concentric layers, representing points of interest by distance and heading, allowing intuitive navigation and reducing user errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a laser projected virtual interface is projected onto a small surface area (e.g., user's palm), then the portability and wearability of the device is improved, but the number and types of user interactions with the interface are 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 multiple interaction zones to coexist in three-dimensional space rather than competing for limited 2D surface area. This enables complex interactions including depth-based selection, spatial gestures, and multi-element simultaneous access.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual interface is divided into multiple discrete interactive elements (virtual buttons, sliders, indicators) that can be independently positioned and manipulated in 3D space. Each element occupies its own spatial zone, allowing users to interact with multiple interface components simultaneously without crowding, thereby increasing the number and types of possible interactions despite the compact device form factor.
2Device complexity
If a detailed virtual interface is projected onto a limited surface area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and detail of the interface elements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting the interface into 3D air space rather than confining it to a 2D surface, the system achieves high interface element detail without requiring a large physical display. The laser projection technology creates sharply defined virtual elements with precise edges and clear visual separation, maintaining high measurement precision while keeping the physical device compact and simple.
3Device complexity
If the user must manually correct navigation errors by reversing travel direction, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the loss of time and resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation interface provides continuous visual feedback through the virtual display, showing the user their current location, direction of travel, and relationship to destination. This real-time feedback allows users to detect navigation errors immediately and make small corrective adjustments rather than discovering errors later and having to reverse entire travel sequences, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface displays directional guidance and navigation instructions in advance, allowing users to plan their route and make proactive adjustments before errors accumulate. By providing ahead-of-time navigation information, the system prevents the need for extensive backtracking and correction travel.
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 interaction with virtual interfaces by providing intuitive navigation and reducing resource expenditure due to corrected travel errors, optimizing computational and battery resources.
Implementation Method 1
a projector subsystem configured to present information visually to a user in the form of projected light
Implementation Method 2
a time of flight (TOF) camera) can be used to detect user gestures
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.