AR Depth Sensor Light Patterns for Battery-Efficient Depth Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable augmented reality (AR) devices with limited battery capacity face challenges in generating accurate depth maps for the entire field of view (FoV) area while minimizing power consumption by time-of-flight (ToF) type depth sensors.
Innovation Solution
The AR device identifies user activity through motion sensing and adjusts the light pattern and emission characteristics of the ToF depth sensor based on the identified activity, including light pattern, intensity, and frame rate to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ToF depth sensor operates continuously with high emission intensity and full FoV coverage to generate accurate depth maps, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the depth sensor's operation adaptive rather than static. The sensor continuously adjusts its emission intensity and scanning pattern based on detected user activities and environmental conditions, optimizing power consumption while maintaining depth map accuracy when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (emission intensity, scanning frequency, FoV coverage) based on detected conditions. During low-activity periods, the sensor reduces emission intensity and scanning frequency, while during high-activity periods, it increases these parameters to maintain accurate depth mapping
2Measurement precision
If the depth sensor emits light across the entire field of view to ensure complete depth coverage, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the spatial distribution of light emission based on user activity. During certain activities, the sensor concentrates emission on specific regions of interest within the FoV rather than uniformly illuminating the entire area, reducing power consumption while maintaining depth accuracy where needed
3Productivity
If the depth sensor operates at high frame rate to capture dynamic depth information, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by varying the frame rate of depth sensor operation based on detected user activities. During static or low-motion activities, the sensor reduces frame rate to conserve power, while during high-motion activities, it increases frame rate to maintain accurate depth tracking
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces power consumption while maintaining accurate depth map generation, extending battery life in AR devices by dynamically adapting to user activity and environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
time of flight (ToF) type depth sensor
Implementation Method 2
sensing a motion of the AR device worn by a user
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining a depth map, performed by an augmented reality (AR) device including a depth sensor, includes: sensing a motion of the AR device worn by a user; identifying an activity of the user, based on the sensed motion of the AR device; determining a light pattern of emission light to be emitted by the depth sensor, based on the identified activity; controlling the depth sensor to emit emission light in the determined light pattern; receiving reflection light obtained by reflection of the emission light by at least one object; and obtaining the depth map, based on the emission light and the received reflection light.