Ear Saddle Point Detection for Custom Wearable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable heads-up displays are often bulky and unsuitable for individual user preferences due to their universal design, failing to provide a customized fit that aligns with a user's unique head features and style.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for determining the ear saddle point of a user to fit a scanning laser-based wearable heads-up display, utilizing imaging data and 3D modeling to generate customized configurations that align with the user's head anatomy, allowing for precise positioning of temple support portions and optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a universal design is used for wearable heads-up displays, then manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but fit customization and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of the user's head anatomy before manufacturing or assembly, capturing 3D data of head features including ear saddle points. This preliminary measurement enables subsequent customization of temple arm length and positioning without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each variant, as the customization is driven by digital data rather than physical tooling changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key geometric parameters of the wearable display based on measured user anatomy. Specifically, temple arm length (parameter) is adjusted according to the distance from the hinge to the ear saddle point, and positioning parameters are modified based on head width and ear location. This allows a single manufacturing process to produce customized fits by adjusting dimensional parameters rather than creating entirely different product variants.
2Device complexity
If a universal design is used for wearable heads-up displays, then device complexity is reduced, but user comfort and aesthetic appeal worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service customization by automatically scanning the user's head and computing optimal temple arm dimensions and positioning without requiring manual measurement or expert intervention. The device performs its own fitting assessment by capturing images, identifying anatomical landmarks, and calculating customized parameters, thereby improving comfort while maintaining simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical fitting mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of providing multiple physical adjustment mechanisms or requiring manual fitting procedures, the system uses image processing algorithms and 3D modeling to determine optimal fit parameters, substituting mechanical complexity with software-based customization.
3Manufacturing precision
If customized fit specifications are generated based on ear saddle point determination, then fit precision and user comfort are improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary computational model that translates simple 2D image captures into accurate 3D anatomical measurements. Rather than requiring direct 3D scanning equipment or complex measurement tools, the invention uses 2D images from standard cameras as an intermediary representation, which is then processed through algorithms to extract precise ear saddle point locations and head geometry, achieving high measurement accuracy with simple input devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms 2D image data into 3D anatomical measurements by adding a computational dimension. Multiple 2D images taken from different angles are processed to reconstruct 3D head geometry and locate ear saddle points in three-dimensional space. This dimensionality transformation enables precise fit measurements without requiring physically complex 3D scanning hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
An ear saddle point of a subject's ear is determined to produce specifications to fit a wearable apparatus to a subject's head. A boundary of the subject's ear in a profile image is determined using a first model. A map of the subject's ear is generated indicating probable locations of a two-dimensional ear saddle point. A most probable location of the two-dimensional ear saddle point is determined based on the probability map. The two-dimensional ear saddle point is projected onto a three-dimensional mesh surface representing the subject's head. A maximum depth of the three-dimensional mesh surface is determined in a defined region around the projected two-dimensional ear saddle point. The ear saddle point is computed based on the projected two-dimensional ear saddle point and the determined maximum depth. Specifications of a wearable apparatus are generated to fit the apparatus to the subject's head based on the computed ear saddle point.