Virtual Control Constructs for Precise Free-Space UI Gestures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current input mechanisms such as mice, touch pads, and touch screens are cumbersome, inconvenient, and often require users to be in close proximity to the device, leading to restricted motion and discomfort, with touch detection being unreliable and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system that interprets the motions and position of control objects in free space relative to virtual control constructs, allowing engagement and disengagement gestures to control user interfaces without physical contact, using image-capture devices to track and map movements to virtual controls in three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touch-based control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to finger size causing erroneous selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D touch screen interaction to 3D free-space gesture recognition. By capturing hand movements in three-dimensional space using imaging devices and mapping them to virtual control constructs, the system achieves both ease of operation through natural gestures and precision through accurate 3D position tracking, eliminating the finger-size limitation of touch interfaces.
2Measurement precision
If mice are used for control, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted range of motion and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mouse system with an optical/image-based gesture recognition system. Instead of requiring physical contact with a mechanical device, the system uses imaging capture devices to detect hand movements in free space and translates them into control signals, eliminating wrist strain and expanding the user's range of motion while maintaining precision through virtual control constructs.
3Ease of operation
If touch pads are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unreliable touch detection requiring repeated motions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual control constructs as an intermediary between the user's hand gestures and the actual control functions. These computationally defined constructs in 3D space provide a stable, reliable mapping that eliminates the unreliable touch detection problems of physical pads, ensuring consistent recognition of user intentions through precise spatial mapping.
4Measurement precision
If proximity to device is required, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the interaction space from 2D screen proximity to 3D free-space gestures. By capturing hand movements in three-dimensional space and mapping them to virtual control constructs, the system maintains measurement precision through accurate spatial tracking while dramatically expanding the user's range of motion, allowing comfortable interaction from various distances and angles.
Data Source
AI summary
During control of a user interface via free-space motions of a hand or other suitable control object, switching between control modes can be facilitated by tracking the control object's movements relative to, and its penetration of, a virtual control construct (such as a virtual surface construct). The technology disclosed includes determining from the motion information whether a motion of the control object with respect to the virtual control construct is an engagement gesture, such as a virtual mouse click or other control device operation. The position of the virtual control construct can be updated, continuously or from time to time, based on the control object's location.