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Microsoft. - Monday, December 3, 2018 at 3:40 PM
Microsoft patent envisions more accessible mixed reality
Microsoft has been engaged in gradually making its offerings more accessible
for individuals with disabilities for some time, most notably with recent
tweaks to
Windows<https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-preview-upcoming-accessibility-features-windows-10>
and the Xbox Adaptive
Controller<https://www.windowscentral.com/xbox-adaptive-controller>. In a new
patent, spotted by Windows
United<https://windowsunited.de/windows-mixed-reality-so-will-microsoft-inklusions-vorreiter-sein/>,
Microsoft is exploring ways to extend those efforts to Windows Mixed
Reality<https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-mixed-reality>, envisioning a
system that would make it easier for people with limited range of movement to
interact with virtual objects.
The patent shows off a proposed system that would adjust to an individual's
specific range of motion and rotation, placing virtual objects in a way so that
they can still interact with them. The system would also scale a person's
movements so that they can reach a greater area within the virtual space than
their limitations would otherwise allow.
From the description:
Movement and / or rotation of an input mechanism can be tracked and analyzed to
determine boundaries for a user's area. The range of motion and range of
rotation of the user could be limited by a personal restriction for the user.
Rotation in three-dimensional space can be additionally limited by an
environmental constraint (eg a physical object in a room). Accordingly, the
techniques described herein may take steps to consider the personal situation.
Constraint and / or environmental constraint, thereby optimizing user
interactions with the virtual object input mechanism.
Virtual worlds and augmented reality already offer an intriguing space for
people with disabilities to explore places and perform actions that may
otherwise prove difficult. Adding additional accessibility options when it
comes to the way users interact with those experiences would serve to expand
that.
As always, patents don't necessarily represent something that is guaranteed to
make it to market, so this might remain only an idea. However, if such a system
were to come to fruition, whether on its own or as the basis for something more
robust, it could prove to be a boon for anyone with permanently or temporarily
impaired movement.
https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-patent-envisions-more-accessible-mixed-reality-people-restricted-movement
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info<http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.info>
