Spatial Workplace for HoloLens 2

Basic actions

Pairing the app with the server (first-time use) 

When opening Spatial Workplace for the first time, there are a couple of steps users need to follow.

1. Provide the company URL and domain to pair it with the right server instance. This ensures the correct syncing of the necessary data.

You can either manually enter the information or scan a corresponding QR Code to auto-fill it.

The QR code can be accessed in an internet browser by an admin user in Frontline Command Center (FCC) under Configuration > Application Management > More as shown below:

2. On HoloLens, click on Scan Bootstrap Code to scan the QR code shown in the browser.

After scanning it, the company link and domain fields are automatically filled in and an authentication code appears.

3. On the FCC dashboard, click on ENTER DEVICE LOGIN CODE.

4. Add the 8-letter code to finish the sign-in procedure on the HoloLens with the same user account as in FCC.

Position of the main menu

On the HoloLens 2, the main menu follows the head movements and is not fixed. Users can use their hands to grab the menu and position it elsewhere or use the hand-ray gesture to hold the menu from afar and move it around. The size of the menu can be increased or decreased by holding and dragging one of its four corners.

Selection cursors

The head-gear cursor

In the middle of the view, there is a white circle. This is the head-gaze cursor that can be used to select icons. Users can move the cursor around by moving their head, which makes selecting icons as easy as turning your head at them.

To select an icon, users can move their head until the cursor lies over it and a red loading bar appears inside it. Wait until the bar completes the turn to select it. 

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/design/cursors

The hand-ray cursor

The hand-ray cursor can be used to select objects and holograms that are out of reach. However, the selection ray comes out of your hands.

This cursor starts at the palm of your hand and ends in ring-shaped cursors at the object or icon to be selected. As long as at least one of your hands is inside the hand-tracking frame of the HoloLens, the hand-ray cursor will be activated.

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/design/cursors

The finger cursor

This cursor is at the point of your index and middle finger and can be used to select icons that are within arm's reach.

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/design/cursors

The cursor does not appear when the fingers are far away from a UI surface (4). When the user gets closer with their hands, a ring cursor appears perpendicular to their fingers (3) and then aligns with the UI surface (2). When contact is made with the interactive icon, the ring shrinks into a dot (1). This selection works exactly like the ones on a touch screen, clicking on icons and buttons by touching them.

Resizing items

Tasks & Templates

The workflows assigned to the user are listed under Task List and Templates. Here, you can view, download, and execute the workflows. You can start a Task simply by tapping on it.

Cancelling a Task 

It is possible to cancel a task with a reason. Within your workflow: 

1.  Choose to Cancel Task from the hand menu.

2. Choose a reason from the list; for example, Made a mistake.

3. Select Yes.

Later on, you need to perform specific actions depending on the spatial reference (markers, or object tracker) used in the workflow.

Workflows with markers

After finishing the surronding scanning, the marker scanner appears. On the top, the marker IDs are activated to start the workflow. The device's camera will open in the background and the user can focus on the chosen marker to display the first pin.

Workflows with object tracker

After finishing the surronding scanning, the hologram of the initial pose of the object appears. The device camera opens in the background and the user can position the object inside the outline until loading is completed.

Changing the initial pose: To change the initial pose of the object, change the position of the object tracker in relation to the model inside your Spatial Editor project.

Workflow with model placement

After starting the workflow, a UI element asks the user to tap-to-place. To place the model, users can use the HoloLens air-tap gesture.

Position of the model: The model will be placed in relation to the head position, at the same distance that the model is from the model placement element in the Spatial Editor project.

Restart tracking

If the content drifts from its correct placement during the workflow, the user can reposition the workflow and reset its spatial reference. On the workflow menu, select the Adjust Model option. The user is prompted to reset the spatial reference of the workflow (e.g., rescan the marker) and then the workflow continues with the previous step. Users can also choose Restart Tracking option to start over.

Call Support

To access the call menu, you can select the Call Support tab on the top.

Calling a specific expert

1. On the home screen, choose the Call Support tab.
2. Under Contacts, select the user.
3. Confirm the selection.
4. You will see a new window on your HoloLens with in-call options.

Using in-call options

You can hear and see the video of the other participant through the new window that opens up. On top of the video stream, you have the following features (as marked in the above image):

1. Disable marking: This button is used to deactivate the marker or paint tools.
2. Marker: On enabling, you can place pointers to highlight objects in the video stream. You can place multiple markers during a call via hand gestures. To stop adding markers, you need to use Disable marking button.
3. Paint: On enabling, you can draw to highlight things in your video stream using hand gestures.
4. Take picture: This button is used to grab a screenshot which is then shared in the chat.
5. Remove last: With this button, you can undo/remove the last marker or painted object you added.
6. Clear all: Clears the screen of all markers and painted objects.
7. Chat: This button allows you to get the chat window back on if previously closed. The chat window opens by default and can be closed if necessary. Using it, you can send and receive messages.
8. Participants: Displays the list of participants present in the call.
9. Video stream: Toggles the video stream on or off.
10. Microphone: Toggles the microphone on or off.
11. End call: Exits the call.

Accepting or rejecting a call