Computing Device Reference Alignment Through Body-Pose Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning computing devices in a 3D space, such as head-mounted and mobile devices, are computationally costly and inefficient, often relying on fiducial markers that can be obtrusive and fail to account for drift.
Innovation Solution
A calibration process using a body portion of the user, such as the thumb and forefinger, to align computing devices by determining their relative orientations through imaging and sensor data, establishing a common reference frame without fiducial markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are used for device alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to obtrusive markers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes fiducial markers from the alignment process entirely. Instead of using external markers, the system uses the user's body portion (hand, finger, or arm) as the reference object for alignment, eliminating the need for obtrusive markers while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The user's body portion serves as an intermediary object between the first and second computing devices. By having the user hold or position their body part in a specific orientation, the system establishes a common reference frame without requiring direct device-to-device alignment or external markers.
2Measurement precision
If computationally costly mapping methods are used, then alignment accuracy is improved, but computational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the computationally intensive SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) process from the alignment procedure. Instead of generating full environmental maps, the system uses simplified orientation detection based on device sensors and body pose estimation, dramatically reducing computational requirements while maintaining sufficient alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for alignment from complex spatial maps to simpler orientation angles and positional coordinates. By focusing on essential parameters (device orientations, body portion position) rather than comprehensive environmental mapping, the computational burden is significantly reduced.
3Productivity
If device alignment is performed without accounting for drift, then computational burden is reduced, but alignment reliability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the relative positions and orientations of devices and the user's body portion. By repeatedly detecting the body pose and comparing it against the established reference frame, the system can detect and correct drift accumulation over time, maintaining alignment reliability without heavy computational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a first computing device comprises determining an orientation of a body portion using a camera on the first computing device; presenting, on a display, a representation of the body portion and a representation of an alignment position for a second computing device; while the second computing device is in the alignment position, receiving a communication from the second computing device, the communication including orientation data; and determining a calibration parameter based on the orientation data and the orientation of the body portion.