Directional Input via 3D Object Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video game systems lack effective methods for providing precise directional input, especially in immersive gaming experiences that require tracking of three-dimensional movements and interactions with virtual environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an image capture device to track the three-dimensional location of a first object and the two-dimensional location of a second object, separated by a fixed distance, to determine directional input for video games, incorporating motion sensors and additional data for accurate tracking and input determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only two-dimensional tracking of objects is used, then the system is simpler to implement, but directional input precision is insufficient for immersive gaming experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional tracking to three-dimensional tracking by incorporating depth information through time-of-flight measurements. This allows the system to capture the z-coordinate in addition to x and y coordinates, enabling precise directional input in immersive gaming environments while maintaining system feasibility through the use of infrared light and phase difference calculations
2Measurement precision
If three-dimensional tracking of all objects is implemented, then directional input precision is improved, but processing complexity and computational load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking objects into different roles: a first object (emitter) that provides reference points for depth calculation and second objects (trackers) that provide positional information. This segmentation allows the system to calculate three-dimensional positions selectively rather than tracking all objects uniformly, reducing computational complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the first object acts as a reference emitter that facilitates depth calculation for second objects. The infrared light emitted by the first object serves as an intermediary medium that enables indirect measurement of distances to multiple second objects, simplifying the overall tracking computation
3Measurement precision
If motion sensors are incorporated into the input device, then directional input accuracy is enhanced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing approaches into a unified system: optical tracking of illuminated objects on the controller, inertial measurement units (accelerometers and gyroscopes) for motion detection, and depth sensing. This combination allows the system to cross-validate data from different sensors, enhancing directional input accuracy while distributing the complexity across multiple integrated components
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing directional input to a video game is provided. The method initiates with capturing an image of a first object and a second object, the first object and the second object being defined at a fixed distance from each other. A three-dimensional location of the first object is determined based on analysis of the captured image, and a two-dimensional location of the second object is determined based on analysis of the captured image. An input direction for a video game is determined based on the three-dimensional location of the first object and the two-dimensional location of the second object.