Head Tracking System Using Optical Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head tracking systems are limited in detecting head rotations and movements, particularly in the horizontal plane, which hampers the generation of accurate virtual surround sound experiences using standard headphones.
Innovation Solution
A head tracking system utilizing a light source and a planar rectangular position sensitive device, where the light source emits a light spot on the device to determine head position, allowing detection of head rotations up to ±45° by displacing the light spot along diagonals, enabling the determination of yaw and pitch angles for generating a virtual surround sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional head tracking system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the detection precision of head rotation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or multi-sensor tracking systems with an optical system consisting of a light source and a position-sensitive device. This substitution enables precise detection of head rotations up to ±45° in the horizontal plane while maintaining relatively simple system architecture, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the parameter change of light position on the position-sensitive device to detect head rotation angles. By monitoring the displacement of the light spot along the diagonals of the rectangular sensor area, the system achieves precise measurement of yaw and pitch angles without requiring complex mechanical structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the detection range of head rotation is increased, then the virtual surround sound accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the detection range by utilizing the diagonal dimensions of the rectangular position-sensitive device. By orienting the light source and sensor such that head rotations up to ±45° displace the light spot along the diagonals, the system achieves enhanced adaptability without adding complex tracking mechanisms, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection range and device complexity.
3Reliability
If real-time head position tracking is implemented, then the virtual surround sound realism is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-sensor tracking systems with a simple optical measurement system that directly provides head position data. This substitution enables real-time tracking with minimal processing overhead, as the position-sensitive device directly outputs the light spot position corresponding to head orientation, thereby achieving high realism virtual surround sound with low processing time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the generation of a realistic virtual surround sound experience by accurately tracking head movements, allowing users to localize sound sources as if they were part of a 5.1 or 7.1 loudspeaker system, even with standard headphones, through real-time blockwise convolution with filter elements based on determined head positions.
Implementation Method 1
a light source emitting a light onto a planar rectangular position sensitive device provided in a support structure, the light emitted by the light source generating a light spot on the position sensitive device
Data Source
AI summary
A head tracking system for determining a head position of a user may include a light source configured to emit light onto a rectangular position sensitive device supported by a support structure such as headphones. The light emitted by the light source may generate a light spot on the position sensitive device. A head position determining module may determine the head position using the position of the light spot on the position sensitive device. The support structure may be configured to support the position sensitive device such that a head rotation results in rotation of the position sensitive device and a displacement of the light spot toward a corner of the rectangular position sensitive device.