Ultrasonic 3D Desktop Interaction via Transducer Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current desktop environments, despite providing an illusion of depth, remain two-dimensional in interaction, limiting user engagement to traditional two-dimensional gestures and interactions.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional desktop environment is projected into real space using ultrasonic transducers to determine the location and actions of user objects, enabling true three-dimensional interaction by mapping user movements in real space to virtual actions within the desktop environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a three-dimensional desktop environment is projected into real space using ultrasonic transducers, then user interaction capability is enhanced to true three-dimensional interaction, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional desktop interaction to true three-dimensional interaction by projecting the desktop environment into real physical space using ultrasonic transducers. Users can manipulate virtual objects through hand gestures in three-dimensional space, enabling natural spatial interaction beyond the flat screen surface.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Ultrasonic transducers serve as an intermediary between the user's physical hand gestures and the virtual desktop environment. The transducers detect hand movements in real space and translate them into corresponding actions within the projected three-dimensional desktop, bridging the physical and virtual domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If ultrasonic transducers are used to detect user object location and actions, then measurement precision of user actions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precision of user actionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or contact-based input devices with ultrasonic detection. Ultrasonic transducers emit sound waves and detect their reflection from the user's hand, enabling contactless, precise measurement of hand position and gestures in three-dimensional space without mechanical components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Ultrasonic waves act as an intermediary to detect hand gestures. The transducers emit ultrasonic pulses that reflect off the user's hand, and by measuring the time of flight and intensity of the reflected waves, the system precisely determines hand position and movement without direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution allows users to interact with the computer in a fully immersive three-dimensional space, enhancing user engagement and interaction capabilities beyond traditional two-dimensional limitations.

Implementation Method 1

propagating an ultrasonic pulse into the real space; receiving a reflection of the ultrasonic pulse from a user object located within the real space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic pulse propagation and reflection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP2829949B1System and method for manipulating an object in a three-dimensional desktop environment
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2829949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2829949B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2829949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device, method and interface for the device, for performing an action with a processor through a three-dimensional desktop environment is disclosed. A three-dimensional desktop environment is generated by a display and projected into a real space. At least one ultrasonic transducer propagates an ultrasonic pulse into the real space and receives a reflection of the ultrasonic pulse from a user object in the real space. A user action of the user object within the three-dimensional desktop environment is determined using the reflection of the ultrasonic pulse. The processor performs the action based on the determined user action.