Virtual Push-to-Talk Button for Hands-Free AR Communication

Solution Overview

Problem

Push-to-talk (PTT) button activation can be unsafe for individuals whose hands are occupied, such as police officers holding rifles, as it requires them to take a hand off the weapon, potentially putting their life in danger.

Innovation Solution

A virtual PTT button system using an augmented-reality system with a projector and transmitter to project a virtual button on a surface near the user's hand, allowing gesture recognition to detect button presses and transmit a wireless signal to a radio, enabling PTT functionality without physical button activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical PTT button is used, then PTT communication function is achieved, but safety deteriorates when hands are occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical PTT button pressing action with an optical gesture recognition system. The augmented reality glasses capture hand gestures through a camera, process the gesture data to identify push-to-talk commands, and trigger communication without requiring physical button contact. This substitutes the mechanical interaction system with an optical recognition system, enabling hands-free operation while maintaining PTT functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hands are occupied holding equipment, then operational capability is maintained, but PTT button accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces gesture recognition as an intermediary between the user's intent to communicate and the PTT transmission. Instead of direct hand-to-button contact, the system mediates through optical capture of hand gestures, processing algorithms that interpret gesture patterns, and wireless signal transmission. This intermediary layer enables communication activation without direct physical access to the button, accommodating scenarios where hands are occupied with equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If gesture recognition is implemented, then hands-free PTT activation is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the augmented reality glasses as a multi-functional device that already incorporates camera capabilities for visual display purposes. By repurposing the existing camera hardware for gesture recognition in addition to its primary display function, the system avoids adding dedicated gesture-capture hardware. This universal use of existing components enables hands-free PTT activation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3304948B1Virtual push-to-talk button

Publication Date: 2019.02.27

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

A method and apparatus for providing a virtual push-to-talk (PTT) button is provided herein. During operation, an augmented reality and object recognition circuitry will detect users fingers and a free surface near the fingers by analyzing image captured by camera. A virtual PTT button is placed upon an object that is near to users finger. Gesture recognition will be performed by the circuitry to determine if a user presses the virtual PTT button. When a user presses the virtual PTT button, the circuitry identifies the action and transmits a message to a PTT radio, causing the PTT radio to activate a PTT call.