Peripheral Input Tracking With Contact-Based Depth Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracking a paired input device within a 3D physical environment is often inaccurate and computationally expensive, particularly when relying on computer vision for depth determination.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device employs a positional tracker that switches between first and second tracking modes based on sensor data from a paired peripheral input device, using pressure and proximity sensors to determine contact with physical objects, and utilizes an environmental map for accurate depth determination in the second mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computer vision alone is used to determine depth of the paired input device, then tracking can be performed without additional sensors, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to inherent inaccuracies in computer vision depth estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines computer vision tracking with sensor data (pressure sensors, proximity sensors, IMU) to determine depth of the paired input device. By merging multiple data sources including environmental maps and sensor readings, the system achieves more accurate depth determination than computer vision alone while managing complexity through integrated processing.
2Measurement precision
If traditional computer vision methods are used for tracking, then the system remains computationally simple, but computational cost increases when using more accurate depth determination methods
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates environmental maps containing depth information about the physical environment before tracking begins. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly query pre-computed depth data from the environmental map during tracking, avoiding the need for real-time complex computations while maintaining high position tracking accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the system switches between multiple tracking modes based on contact criteria, then tracking accuracy improves in contact scenarios, but device complexity increases due to mode switching logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tracking mode switching between first tracking mode (using full sensor data including pressure and proximity) and second tracking mode (using simplified depth from environmental map) based on contact criteria detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize tracking accuracy during contact events while maintaining efficiency during non-contact periods, managing complexity through context-dependent mode selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes tracking, via a positional tracker, the paired peripheral input device in a first tracking mode. The method includes obtaining sensor data from the paired peripheral input device via a communication interface. The method includes determining that the paired peripheral input device satisfies a contact criterion based on the sensor data. The contact criterion is based on a contact between the paired peripheral input device and a physical object. The method includes, in response to determining that the paired peripheral input device satisfies the contact criterion, changing the positional tracker from the first tracking mode to a second tracking mode. Tracking in the second tracking mode is based in part on a depth that indicates a distance between the electronic device and the physical object.