Method and system for determining user input based on totem

• US 10,473,459 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Inventors: Abovitz, Rony, Schowengerdt, Brian T., Watson, Mathew D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Faulk, Devona E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Ming
• Application Number:
  US14/706,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20150243100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/101 Computer-aided simulation of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0008 provided with illuminating means A61B3/117 takes precedence; goniolenses used for laser treatment A61F9/009; illuminating means for optical instruments G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/022 for testing contrast sensitivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/024 for determining the visual field, e.g. perimeter types
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/028 for testing visual acuity; for determination of refraction, e.g. phoropters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/063 for testing light sensitivity, i.e. adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/066 for testing colour vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/08 for testing binocular or stereoscopic vision, e.g. strabismus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/085 for testing strabismus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1015 for wavefront analysis
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1035 for measuring astigmatism testing astigmatism A61B3/036
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/12 for looking at the eye fundus, e.g. ophthalmoscopes A61B3/13 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1216 for diagnostics of the iris
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/13 Ophthalmic microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/14 : Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/165 : Non-contacting tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 : Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 : using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 : Optical coherence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 : Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 : Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14555 : specially adapted for the eye fundus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 : Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 : Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 : Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 : Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 : comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 : involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/303 : using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0105 : Holograms with particular structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0127 : comprising devices increasing the depth of field
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 : comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 : comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 : Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0185 : Displaying image at variable distance
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 : slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 : characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 : Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 : characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0179 : Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/42 : Diffraction optics , i.e. systems including a diffractive element being designed for providing a diffractive effectG02B27/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4205 : having a diffractive optical element [DOE] contributing to image formation, e.g. whereby modulation transfer function MTF or optical aberrations are relevant
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4227 : in image scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/10 : of the optical waveguide type G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/34 : utilising prism or grating G02B6/293 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/7837 : using objects detected or recognised in the video content
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/22 : Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 : Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 : Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 : Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 : Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 : Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 : Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 : Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/04 : involving 3D image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 : involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10004 : Still image; Photographic image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10024 : Color image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10148 : Varying focus
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10152 : Varying illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30041 : Eye; Retina; Ophthalmic
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30196 : Human being; Person
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/41 : Medical
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/024 : Multi-user, collaborative environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/60 : Analysis of geometric attributes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/20 : Image preprocessing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/40 : Extraction of image or video features
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/758 : Involving statistics of pixels or of feature values, e.g. histogram matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/10 : Terrestrial scenes scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 : in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/40 : in video content extracting overlay text G06V20/62; video retrieval G06F16/70; processing of video elementary streams in video servers H04N21/234; processing of video elementary streams in video clients H04N21/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/653 : by matching three-dimensional models, e.g. conformal mapping of Riemann surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/113 : Recognition of static hand signs
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/28 : Recognition of hand or arm movements, e.g. recognition of deaf sign language static hand signs G06V40/113
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/00 : ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25891 : Transmission components H04B10/40 takes precedence

Abstract

A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparatus may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip.

Claims

1. A method for determining user input, comprising:

capturing, at a virtual or augmented reality system, an image within a field of view of a user, the image comprising a totem;

analyzing, at one or more microprocessors, the image to detect a manipulation of the totem by the user, the user being discrete from the totem;

recognizing, at the one or more microprocessors, a pattern in response to the manipulation based at least in part on a scoring value that is generated by matching the manipulation to one or more predetermined movement patterns in a database, wherein the pattern includes information about a position, an orientation, or motion of the totem in response to the manipulation;

determining, at the virtual or augmented reality system, a user input based at least in part on the scoring value and a threshold value;

creating a virtual user interface associated with and relative to the manipulation of the totem;

in response to the manipulation and the pattern, rendering, at one or more graphics processing units of the virtual or augmented reality system, a plurality of virtual input structures in the virtual user interface relative to the totem, wherein

the totem is inanimate and includes no physical input structures in conjunction with the one or more virtual input structures while being used by the user to access the virtual user interface; and

displaying the plurality of virtual input structures relative to the totem at least by projecting light beams corresponding to the virtual user interface with one or more projectors to at least one eye of a user, wherein the one or more projectors of the virtual or augmented reality system are coupled to at least the one or more graphics processing units.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

visually tracking the totem to generate a video recording; and

analyzing the video recording to detect a manipulation of the totem.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual user interface is a pod user interface that forms a mini-work station for the user, and further comprising accessing a networked memory to access the database of predetermined patterns.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the totem is selected from the group consisting of existing structures in the field of view, actively marked totems and passively marked totems, and the virtual user interface employs direct input user interaction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation comprises a change in orientation of the totem.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the totem has a soft durometer surface, and wherein the manipulation of the totem comprises depression of the soft durometer surface by the user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an action based on the user input; and

performing the determined action,

wherein the action comprises connecting to a friend located at another physical location.

8. The method of claim 1 implemented as a system having means for implementing the method steps.

9. The method of claim 1 implemented as a computer program product comprising a non-transitory, computer-usable storage medium having executable code to execute the method steps.

12. The method as in claim 1, wherein the virtual user interface is flower petal-shaped and three dimensional.

13. The method as in claim 1, wherein the manipulation comprises manipulation of magnitude of rotation, angular speed, or angular acceleration of the totem with respect to a reference frame.

16. The method as in claim 1, further comprising displaying the virtual user interface at a position selected by the user, wherein the virtual user interface is a floating virtual user interface.

17. The method as in claim 1, wherein the virtual user interface comprises an expandable menu icon.

18. The method as in claim 1, wherein said creating a virtual user interface includes creating a particular type of user interface identified based on said user input.

19. The method as in claim 1, wherein the totem is non humanoid and non-anthropomorphic.

10. An article of manufacture embodied on a non-transitory computer usable medium, the non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor causes the processor to execute a set of acts for determining user input, the set of acts comprising:

capturing, at a virtual or augmented reality system, an image within a field of view of a user, the image comprising an inanimate totem that is non-humanoid and discrete with respect to the user;

analyzing, at the one or more microprocessors, the image to detect a manipulation of the inanimate totem, the manipulation including an interaction between the user and the totem;

recognizing, at the one or more microprocessors, a pattern in response to the manipulation based at least in part on a scoring value that is generated by matching the manipulation to one or more predetermined movement patterns in a database, wherein the pattern includes information about a position, an orientation, or motion of the totem in response to the manipulation;

determining, at the virtual or augmented reality system, a user input based at least in part on a scoring value and a threshold value;

creating a virtual user interface associated with and relative to the manipulation of the totem;

in response to the manipulation and the pattern, rendering, at one or more graphics processing units of the virtual or augmented reality system, a plurality of virtual input structures in the virtual user interface relative to the totem, wherein

the totem is inanimate and includes no physical input structures in conjunction with the one or more virtual input structures for accessing the virtual user interface; and

displaying the plurality of virtual input structures relative to the totem at least by projecting light beams corresponding to the virtual user interface with one or more projectors to at least one eye of a user, wherein the one or more projectors of the virtual or augmented reality system are coupled to at least the one or more graphics processing units.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 10, further comprising:

determining an action based on the user input; and

performing the determined action, wherein

the inanimate totem comprises a mouse, the virtual user interface employs proxy user interaction, and

the action comprises creating a floating virtual user interface that floats around the user'"'"'s frame of reference and floats in physical space within reach of the user.

11. A system for determining user input, comprising:

at least one microprocessor;

one or more graphics processing units coupled to at least the at least one microprocessor;

one or more projectors coupled to at least the one or more graphics processing units; and

memory storing thereupon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the at least one microprocessor, causes the at least one processor to;

capture, at a virtual or augmented reality system, an image within a field of view of a user, the image comprising an inanimate totem that includes no physical input devices and no electronics;

analyze, at one or more microprocessors, the image to detect a manipulation of the inanimate totem;

recognize, at the one or more microprocessors, a pattern in response to the manipulation based at least in part on a scoring value that is generated by matching the manipulation to one or more predetermined movement patterns in a database, wherein the pattern includes information about a position, an orientation, or motion of the totem in response to the manipulation;

determine, at the virtual or augmented reality system, a user input based at least in part on the scoring value and a threshold value;

create a virtual user interface associated with and relative to the manipulation of the inanimate totem;

in response to the manipulation and the pattern, render, at one or more graphics processing units in the virtual or augmented reality system, a plurality of virtual input structures in the virtual user interface relative to the inanimate totem, wherein

the inanimate totem includes no physical input structures in conjunction with the one or more virtual input structures for accessing the virtual user interface; and

display the plurality of virtual input structures relative to the inanimate totem at least by projecting light beams corresponding to the virtual user interface with one or more projectors to at least one eye of a user, wherein the one or more projectors of the virtual or augmented reality system are coupled to at least the one or more graphics processing units.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the memory storing thereupon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the at least one microprocessor, further causes the at least one microprocessor to:

determine an action based on the user input;

determine whether it is necessary to retrieve information from one or more cloud servers because the action cannot be performed using local resources on a user device; and

perform the action either by retrieving the information from the one or more cloud servers or using the local resources on the user device, wherein

a performance of the action creates the virtual user interface associated with and together with the inanimate totem based at least in part on the user input within the field of view of the user, and

the manipulation comprises manipulation of a position, an orientation, and a magnitude of rotation, angular speed, or angular acceleration of the inanimate totem with respect to a reference frame.