595 results about "Movement tracking" patented technology

A surgical system or assembly for performing cardiac surgery includes a surgical instrument; a servo-mechanical system engaged to the surgical instrument for operating the surgical instrument; and an attachment assembly for removing at least one degree of movement from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. The surgical system or assembly also includes a motion tracking system for gathering movement information on a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. A control computer is engaged to the attachment assembly and to the motion tracking system and to the servo-mechanical system for controlling movement of the attachment assembly and for feeding gathered information to the servo-mechanical system for moving the surgical instrument in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite such that a relative position of the moving surgical instrument with respect to the resultant surgical cardiac worksite is generally constant. A video monitor is coupled to the control computer; and an input system is coupled to the servo-mechanical system and to the control computer for providing a movement of the surgical instrument. The video monitor displays movement of the surgical instrument while the resultant surgical cardiac worksite appears substantially stationary, and while a relative position of the surgical instrument moving in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite, as a result from the movement information gathered by the motion tracking system, remains generally constant. A method of performing cardiac surgery without cardioplegia comprising removing at least one degree of movement freedom from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce at least a partially stationary surgical cardiac worksite while allowing a residual heart section, generally separate from the at least partially stationary surgical cardiac worksite, to move as a residual moving heart part. Cardiac surgery is performed on the at least partially stationary cardiac worksite with a surgical instrument such as needle drivers, forceps, blades and scissors.

A method and apparatus for determining the position and orientation of a remote object relative to a reference coordinate frame includes a plurality of field-generating elements for generating electromagnetic fields, a drive for applying, to the generating elements, signals that generate a plurality of electromagnetic fields that are distinguishable from one another, a remote sensor having one or more field-sensing elements for sensing the fields generated and a processor for processing the outputs of the sensing element(s) into remote object position and orientation relative to the generating element reference coordinate frame. The position and orientation solution is based on the exact formulation of the magnetic field coupling as opposed to approximations used elsewhere. The system can be used for locating the end of a catheter or endoscope, digitizing objects for computer databases, virtual reality and motion tracking. The methods presented here can also be applied to other magnetic tracking technologies as a final "polishing" stage to improve the accuracy of their P&O solution.

A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display or holds a portable display containing a head-tracker or other motion tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head or moving the portable display, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.

An orientation and position tracking system and method in three-dimensional space and over a period of time utilizing multiple inertial and other sensors for determining motion parameters to measure orientation and position of a moveable object. The sensors, for example vibrational and angular velocity sensors, generate signals characterizing the motion of the moveable object. The information is received by a data acquisition system and processed by a microcontroller. The data is then transmitted to an external data reception system (locally based or a global network), preferably via wireless communication. The information can then be displayed and presented to the user through a variety of means including audio, visual, and tactile. According to various embodiments, the present invention provides for a motion tracking apparatus and method for implementation in motion systems including systems to teach motion to a group and for body motion capture and analysis systems.

A surgical system or assembly for performing cardiac surgery includes a surgical instrument; a servo-mechanical system engaged to the surgical instrument for operating the surgical instrument; and an attachment assembly for removing at least one degree of movement from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. The surgical system or assembly also includes a motion tracking system for gathering movement information on a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. A control computer is engaged to the attachment assembly and to the motion tracking system and to the servo-mechanical system for controlling movement of the attachment assembly and for feeding gathered information to the servo-mechanical system for moving the surgical instrument in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite such that a relative position of the moving surgical instrument with respect to the resultant surgical cardiac worksite is generally constant. A video monitor is coupled to the control computer; and an input system is coupled to the servo-mechanical system and to the control computer for providing a movement of the surgical instrument. The video monitor displays movement of the surgical instrument while the resultant surgical cardiac worksite appears substantially stationary, and while a relative position of the surgical instrument moving in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite, as a result from the movement information gathered by the motion tracking system, remains generally constant. A method of performing cardiac surgery without cardioplegia comprising removing at least one degree of movement freedom from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce at least a partially stationary surgical cardiac worksite while allowing a residual heart section, generally separate from the at least partially stationary surgical cardiac worksite, to move as a residual moving heart part. Cardiac surgery is performed on the at least partially stationary cardiac worksite with a surgical instrument such as needle drivers, forceps, blades and scissors.

In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for finding the position and shape of an object using video. The invention includes a system with a video camera coupled to a computer in which the computer is configured to automatically provide object segmentation and identification, object motion tracking (for moving objects), object position classification, and behavior identification. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may use background subtraction for object identification and tracking, probabilistic approach with expectation-maximization for tracking the motion detection and object classification, and decision tree classification for behavior identification. Thus, the present invention is capable of automatically monitoring a video image to identify, track and classify the actions of various objects and the object's movements within the image. The image may be provided in real time or from storage. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring and classifying animal behavior for testing drugs and genetic mutations, but may be used in any of a number of other surveillance applications.

An integrated solar concentrator and tracker is constructed from a beam deflector for unpolarized light in combination with a fixed optical condenser. The one-dimensional beam deflector consists of a pair of prism arrays made from a material whose refractive index can be varied by applying an electric field. Two of the one-dimensional concentrators can be arranged with their faces in contact and with their prism arrays perpendicular to construct a two-dimensional beam deflector. The intensity and distribution of an applied field modifies the refractive index of the individual prisms in order to keep direction of the deflected beam fixed as the incident beam shifts. When the beam deflector is used with the fixed concentrator the result is that the position of the focus remains fixed as the source moves.

A physiological parameter measurement and motion tracking system including a control system, a sensing system, and a stimulation system is disclosed. The sensing system includes one or more physiological sensors including at least brain electrical activity sensors. The stimulation system includes one or more stimulation devices including at least a visual stimulation system. The control system includes an acquisition module configured to receive sensor signals from the sensing system, and a control module configured to process the signals from the acquisition module and control the generation of stimulation signals to one or more devices of the stimulation system. The control system further includes a clock module and the control system is configured to receive content code signals from the stimulation system and to time stamp the content code signals and the sensor signals with a clock signal from the clock module.

Critical needs for MRI patient instruction, testing, comfort, motion control, and speech communication are provided for better imaging which leads to more effective medical care. An MRI Digital Video Projection System is disclosed which provides better quality display to the patient to better inform, instruct, test, and comfort the patient plus the potential to stimulate the brain with microsecond onset times to better diagnose brain function. An MRI Motion Tracker and Patient Augmented Visual Feedback System enables monitoring patient body part motion, providing real time feedback to the patient and / or technician to substantially improve diagnostic yield of scanning sessions, particularly for children and mentally challenged individuals. An MR Forward Predictive Noise Canceling Microphone System removes the intense MRI acoustic noise improving patient communication, patient safety and enabling coding of speech output. These systems can be used individually but maximum benefit is from providing all three.

Enhanced accuracy finger position and motion sensors devices, algorithms, and methods are disclosed that can be used in a variety of different applications. The sensors can be used in conjunction with partial fingerprint imagers to produce improved fingerprint scanners. The finger motion sensors may also be used (either with or without a partial fingerprint imager) to control electronic devices. When several of these finger motion and position sensors are aligned in different directions, finger motion over a two dimensional surface may be detected. This creates a finger controlled “mouse” computer input device. Motion of a finger along the surface of such sensors may allow a user to control the movement of an indicator on a display screen, and control a microprocessor device. Such techniques are particularly useful for small space constrained devices, such as cell phones, smart cards, music players, portable computers, personal digital accessories, and the like.

A system and method for noise cancellation is disclosed herein generally having at least one microphone, a processor, and a speaker array. The processor may contain an adaptive filtering feature, to separate desirable sound from undesirable sound. The undesirable sound may be suppressed by the processor by creating a canceling waveform and transmitting the canceling waveform to the user's head via a speaker array. The desirable sound may be enhanced by increasing the amplitude of the waveform and transmitting the amplified waveform to the user's head via a speaker array. The sound transmitted to the user's head by the system may be localized using an image tracking subsystem and speaker array. The image tracking system may track the actual visible image or alternatively a heat (e.g. infrared) image of the user's head.

A video gaming system a gaming console device and a gaming object. The game console device is coupled to: determine a gaming environment; map the gaming environment to a coordinate system; determine position of at least one of a player and a gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system; track motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object; receive a gaming object response regarding a video game function; and integrate the gaming object response and the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with the video game function. The gaming object is coupled to provide the gaming object response.

Small radio frequency tags for use in a motion capture system include a power source, circuitry for generating radio frequency identification signals, an antenna for transmitting the signals, and means for automatically activating the tags so that the tags begin transmitting the signals including a tag identification code when a cover is removed. The activation means may include a release strip that, when removed, opens or closes an electrical circuit that activates the tag and also exposes an adhesive covered surface of the tag so that the tag can then be adhered to a clothed or unclothed human body or other object to be tracked. The activation means can also include an optical sensor, an oxygen sensor, or other sensors. The battery and the antenna may be printed or constructed of film, thus allowing the tag to be small, thin, and flexible.

A system, apparatus and method are thereby provided for the non-invasive motion tracking to augment patient administered physical therapy via a motion tracking apparatus, a display, and a computing platform coupled to the motion tracking apparatus and the display. The computing platform serves to provide a menu driven interface to the patient, an instruction to the patient, a determination of the patient's motion or action in response to the instruction, a comparison between the instruction to the patient and the determination of the patient's motion or action, and to provide a feedback display to the patient. In certain embodiments, the system, apparatus and methods further includes a social networking link. In yet other embodiments, a live telemedicine link is provided, and optionally triggered based upon detection of an alert or alarm condition. In yet other embodiments, rehab tools are utilized.

A new approach to tracking head motion for headphone-based sound is described. Called MTB2.0 for “Motion-Tracked Binaural with 2 Channels”, the method may be used for any 2-channel binaural signals without any increase in the bandwidth requirement. MTB2.0 provides a simple and effective means to improve the quality of headphone-based sound reproduction by sensing the orientation of the listener's head and using the sensed orientation to appropriately modify the signals sent to the two ears. MTB2.0 method increases the realism and removes some of the shortcomings of binaural sound capture and recording, as well as improves the quality of binaural rendering of stereo.

The invention discloses a three-dimensional virtual human head image generation method, and a method and a device of human head image motion tracking, and belongs to the field of image processing. The three-dimensional virtual human head image generation method comprises collecting a human face picture, obtaining feature points on the human face picture, wherein the feature points are used for showing a left eyebrow, a right eyebrow, a left eye, a right eye, a nose, the edge contour of a human face and a forehead portion of the human face; obtaining a personalized three-dimensional human face model according to the obtained feature points and a preset standard human face model; and carrying out texture mapping to the personalized three-dimensional human face model, and generating a three-dimensional virtual human head image. Due to the facts that the feature points which are used for characterizing feature information of the human face on a single human face picture are obtained, and are applied in the three-dimensional human face model, and the personalized three-dimensional human face model which includes the forehead portion and is good in third dimension is generated, the three-dimensional virtual human head image generation method, and the method and the device of the human head image motion tracking have the advantages of being in no need of manual marking of the feature points, greatly reducing manual processing amount, being applicable to modeling occasions which require for simpleness and speediness, and being capable of enabling the third dimension of the generated three-dimensional human head image to be greatly improved and to be high in accuracy due to the fact that the feature points include feature points of the forehead portion of the human face.

The invention discloses a stable motion tracking method and a stable motion tracking device based on integration of a simple camera and an IMU (inertial measurement unit) of a smart cellphone, and belongs to the technical field of AR (augmented reality) / VR (virtual reality) motion tracking. The method includes processing an acquired image according to an ORB (object request broker) algorithm, performing 3D (three-dimensional) reconstruction to obtain initial map points, and completing map initialization; performing visual tracking through ORB algorithm real-time matching and parallel partial keyframe mapping to obtain a visual pose; acquiring accelerated velocity and angular velocity, both generated in a three-dimensional space, of the IMU, and performing integral operation on the accelerated velocity and the angular velocity to obtain an IMU pose prediction result; performing Kalman fusion on the visual pose and the IMU pose prediction result, and performing motion tracking according to pose information acquired after fusion. Compared with the prior art, the stable motion tracking method and the stable motion tracking device have the advantages that a stable motion tracking mode can be acquired and real-time online dimension estimation can be achieved.

Image templates are extracted from video images in real-time and stored in memory. Templates are selected on the basis of their ability to provide useful positional data and compared with regions of subsequent images to find the position giving the best match. From the position data a transform model is calculated. The transform model tracks the background motion in the current image to accurately determine the motion and attitude of the camera recording the current image. The transform model is confirmed by examining pre-defined image templates. Transform model data and camera sensor data are then used to insert images into the live video broadcast at the desired location in the correct perspective. Stored templates are periodically updated to purge those that no longer give valid or significant positional data. New templates extracted from recent images are used to replace the discarded templates.

Image processing techniques that can improve the user interface experience associated with key-based input devices. In one embodiment, a motion sensitive mechanical keyboard can utilize orthogonally-oriented cameras to sense hand / finger motion over the surface of the keys. This arrangement can enable a standard look and feel mechanical keyboard to receive command and cursor input (e.g., pointing and gestures) from the user without requiring the user to move the user's hand off the keyboard. The image processing techniques can be utilized to minimize or remove undesirable cursor movement that can occur based on certain detected hand / finger motion from such cameras, including looming and / or vertical motions for example.

Current MRI technologies require subjects to remain largely motionless for achieving high quality magnetic resonance (MR) scans, typically for 5-10 minutes at a time. However, lying absolutely still inside the tight MR imager (MRI) tunnel is a difficult task, especially for children, very sick patients, or the mentally ill. Even motion ranging less than 1 mm or 1 degree can corrupt a scan. This invention involves a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time. An object orientation marker, preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on a patients' head or other body organ of interest during MRI. The RGR makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track the organ of interest. A camera-based tracking system observes the marker and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the tracking system is sent to the MR scanner via an interface, allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position in real-time. The RGR-based motion correction system has significant advantages over other approaches, including faster tracking speed, better stability, automatic calibration, lack of interference with the MR measurement process, improved ease of use, and long-term stability. RGR-based motion tracking can also be used to correct for motion from awake animals, or in conjunction with other in vivo imaging techniques, such as computer tomography, positron emission tomography (PET), etc.

A goggle based light-weight VOG system includes at least one digital camera connected to and powered by a laptop computer through a firewire connection. The digital camera may digitally center the pupil in both the X and Y directions. A calibration mechanism may be incorporated onto the goggle base. An EOG system may also be incorporated directly into the goggle. The VOG system may track and record 3-D movement of the eye, track pupil dilation, head position and goggle slippage. An animated eye display provides data in a more meaningful fashion. The VOG system is a modular design whereby the same goggle frame or base is used to build a variety of digital camera VOG systems.

A computer simulation and virtual reality system simulates the use of a blasting nozzle to remove one or more coatings and / or rust from a virtual surface. The user operates an electronic controller in the form of a blasting nozzle that outputs a signal indicating whether the blasting nozzle controller is in an “on” position or in an “off” position. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the blasting nozzle controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software in a computer generates virtual blast pattern data, and the removal of the virtual coating(s) and / or rust image from the virtual surface is displayed in real time on the display screen.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for monitoring / tracking the movement of an object in a location which is difficult to access, such as the movement of a patient in a clinical MRI scanner. This is achieved by an optical motion tracking system for determining the movement of an object at least partly located in a volume of difficult access and / or at least partly located in an electromagnetic field, said system comprising a borescope for imaging a pattern on the object or a surface part of the object with a camera, said pattern or surface part located adjacent to a distal end of the borescope and said camera attached to a proximal end of said borescope, and image processing means for calculating the movement of said pattern or surface part relative to the distal end of the borescope based on a plurality of frames / images captured by the camera. The invention further relates to the use of a borescope for motion tracking of an object and a marker plate suitable for use in the motion tracking system.

Systems and methods for generating an action in a virtual reality or augmented reality environment based on position or movement of a mobile device in the real world are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: displaying an optical marker on a display device of a motion-tracking controller; receiving a set of reference data from the motion-tracking controller; receiving captured marker image data from an image capturing subsystem of an eyewear system; comparing reference marker image data with the captured marker image data, the reference marker image data corresponding to the optical marker; generating a transformation matrix using the reference marker image data and the captured marker image data, the transformation matrix corresponding to a position and orientation of the motion-tracking controller relative to the eyewear system; and generating an action in a virtual world, the action corresponding to the transformation matrix.

A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system. Virtual spray pattern images are displayed in real time on the display screen in accordance with the accumulation of virtual spray pattern data at each location on the virtual surface.

A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. Alternatively, the system includes a head-mounted display unit that displays a virtual spray painting environment in which the virtual surface is defined. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system. Virtual spray pattern images are displayed in real time on the virtual surface in accordance with the accumulation of virtual spray pattern data at each location on the virtual surface.

A method of image processing in three-dimensional (3-D) head motion tracking is disclosed. The method includes: providing a user's source image to a first processing device; capturing the user's first image and providing it to a second processing device; selecting three facial feature points of the first image from the second processing device to form a 3-D feature triangle; capturing user's consecutive video frames and providing them to the second processing device when the user proceeds with head motions; tracking the three facial feature points corresponding to the consecutive video frames to form a series of actual 2-D feature triangle; rotating and translating the 3-D feature triangle freely to form a plurality of geometric transformations, selecting one of the geometric transformations with acceptable error between the two consecutive 2-D feature triangles, repeating the step until the last frame of the consecutive video frames and geometric transformations corresponding to various consecutive video frames are formed; and providing the geometric transformations to the first processing device to generate a head motion corresponding to the user's source image.

An exemplary method and system monitors patient safety to, for example, minimize disease transmission from healthcare providers with unclean hands to patients and their surroundings. Signals (for example, infrared and radio frequency) among an area monitor, identification badge, and cleaning agent dispenser help locate and identify objects (persons and equipment). Objects may be identified and monitored using object recognition and motion tracking, zones (around the objects) are defined based on proximity to the object, and subzones are defined within zones to enhance monitoring of compliance with hygiene guidelines. The movements of objects may be monitored using motion tracking, and the objects may be identified by detecting a signal pulse in the object's silhouette. A caretaker entering a zone, moving between subzones, or contacting objects without dispensing cleaning agent from a dispenser can be alerted that they have unclean hands. Observations can be automatically recorded for real-time alerting and auditing purposes.