Coordinate Calculation Using Vector Reference Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coordinate calculating systems fail to accurately determine object positions in images due to noise interference, such as images with the same color as markers or objects outside the display screen being detected as markers, leading to incorrect calculations.

Innovation Solution

A coordinate calculating apparatus and program that utilize image processing and tilt determination to detect and select the correct object position coordinates by setting references based on previous vectors and tilt information, and selecting combinations of coordinates that match these references, even in the presence of noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If simple marker detection is used, then the system is easy to operate, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting multiple candidate coordinate points before final selection, and uses preliminary vector information from previous frames to guide the selection process. This allows the system to prepare reference data in advance that helps distinguish true markers from noise during the selection phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by comparing detected coordinate combinations against reference vectors derived from previous successful detections. The selection process incorporates feedback from historical data to validate current detections, ensuring that only combinations consistent with expected spatial relationships are accepted as true markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple coordinate points are detected to account for noise, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the detection process into distinct phases: candidate detection, combination generation, and selection based on reference comparison. This segmentation allows complex noise handling to be broken down into manageable steps, where each phase handles a specific aspect of the problem without requiring the entire system to become overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic selection criteria that adapt based on the number of detected candidates and their consistency with reference vectors. Rather than using a fixed complex algorithm, the selection process dynamically adjusts its approach based on the current detection scenario, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If reference comparison is performed for all combinations, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial comparison by evaluating combinations against reference vectors only to the extent necessary for validation. Rather than exhaustively comparing all possible attributes of each combination, the system uses key reference features (such as vector direction and distance from reference points) to efficiently filter and select the correct marker combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP1832966B1Coordinate calculating apparatus and coordinate calculating program
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP1832966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1832966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1832966B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A coordinate calculating apparatus detects a coordinate point (detected coordinate point) of an area satisfying a predetermined condition in a captured image for each area. When a plurality of position coordinate points have been detected, the coordinate calculating apparatus sets a reference (a previous vector or an assumed vector) concerning at least one of a direction indicating two position coordinate points in the captured image and a length between the two position coordinate points. The coordinate calculating apparatus selects a combination of two position coordinate points closest to the set reference, as two object position coordinate points, from combinations of two position coordinate points from the plurality of position coordinate points.