Methods for augmented-reality systems for enabling rapid selection of virtual selectable features with limited user interaction

A computer-implemented method for an augmented-reality system for enabling rapid selection of a virtual selectable feature with limited user interaction comprising the steps of:

• establishing a data connection between a head-mounted display (“HMD”) device and a network-accessible payment system, the HMD device being configured to be worn on a head of a user, the HMD device including one or more image-forming components configured to generate light rays to form and display images of at least one selectable feature, the one or more image-forming components being configured to present the images to the user and superimpose the images over views of a real-world environment to create an interactive space such that the at least one selectable feature is perceived to be present in the real-world environment, the HMD device further including sensors to detect at least one of a user gazes at items in the real-world environment and virtual items, blinking, head motion, and voice commands;
• causing the HMD device to generate and display the at least one virtual selectable feature based on detection of at least one item or characteristic appearing in a view of the real-world environment;
• obtaining first information from the HMD device on a selection of one of the at least one virtual selectable feature based on first signals from at least one of said HMD device sensors or one or more auxiliary user devices operable by hand, finger or arm gestures of the user;
• causing the HMD device to generate and display a virtual content image of an available options indicator (“AOI”) in response to obtaining the first information, the AOI indicating at least one available selectable option associated with the one of the at least one virtual selectable feature;
• obtaining second information from the at least one sensor of the HMD device while the AOI is displayed, the second information indicating a particular interaction by the user with the HMD that has been detected by the one or more sensors, the interaction indicated by one or more of the user gazing at one of the least one available selectable option for potential selection by the user blinking, or the user making head motions, said second information indicating at least one of confirming or canceling the potential selection of one of the at least one virtual selectable option associated with the one of the at least one virtual selectable feature;
• causing the HMD device after obtaining the second information to generate and display a countdown time indicator that operates over a predetermined time interval upon the confirming of the potential selection of one of the at least one virtual selectable option;
• determining from the second information whether the user interaction with the HMD device is continuous for at least the predetermined time interval;
• transmitting, when the user interaction with the HMD device is continuous for at least the predetermined time interval, a request signal to a network-accessible computer server offering content associated with the selected one of the at least one virtual selectable option;
• and
• causing the HMD device after receiving from the network-accessible computer server, the content associated with the selected virtual selectable option to at least one of display virtual content and execute a software program based on at least a portion of the received content.