VR Control Area and Haptic Feedback for Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interaction in virtual reality, augmented reality, or mixed reality environments is cumbersome, requiring users to look at interaction elements and use controllers, which can be difficult due to limited field of view in head-mounted displays and the need to visually locate objects.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that allow users to add interactive objects to a queue, providing a control area for interaction based on user indication, such as gaze or proximity, and offering feedback like haptic notifications, enabling interaction without direct visual focus on the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users look at and use controllers to interact with objects, then interaction precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited field of view and visual localization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of control areas and haptic feedback that mediates between the user and interactive objects. Instead of directly looking at and manipulating objects with controllers, users interact through spatial zones that provide tactile guidance, reducing the need for visual focus while maintaining interaction precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual-motor coordination system (looking at objects and manually manipulating controllers) with a haptic feedback system. The tactile sensations guide users into control areas and confirm interactions, substituting visual localization with tactile sensing and simplifying the interaction process.
2Measurement precision
If users visually locate objects for interaction, then interaction accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to visual distractions and limited field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The control area system acts as an intermediary that bridges visual attention and interaction accuracy. Users can maintain broader visual awareness of their environment while the haptic feedback system provides precise localization information, enabling accurate interactions without sacrificing productivity through constant visual scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where haptic sensations confirm when users enter control areas and provide guidance for interactions. This feedback mechanism maintains interaction accuracy by providing real-time tactile cues while allowing users to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, thereby improving overall productivity.
3Ease of operation
If control areas are provided for each interactive object, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control area system that functions across multiple interactive objects and contexts. The same haptic feedback mechanisms and control area generation logic are reused for different object types and interaction scenarios, managing system complexity through standardized multi-functional components rather than specialized solutions for each case.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and computer program is described comprising adding an interactive object to an interactive object queue in response to a user indication to add the interactive object to the queue, providing a first control area corresponding to the interactive object in response to the interactive object being added to the interaction object queue, wherein the first control area is accessible to the user, determining whether the user is within the first control area, providing at least one feedback to the user in response to determining that the user is within the first control area, and receiving an interaction input from the user for interacting with the interactive object.