Head Tracking System Automatic Recentering via Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head tracking systems for head-worn wearable devices, such as gaming headphones, often require manual user interaction to recenter the tracking system, which can lead to mismatches between the device's frame of reference and the user's natural head orientation, disrupting immersive audio experiences.
Innovation Solution
A head tracking system comprising headphones with motion detectors and a processor that automatically determines when the headphones are stably positioned on the user's head, establishing a relative orientation as a frame of reference without user intervention, allowing for continuous and accurate tracking of head movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual user interaction is required to recenter the tracking system, then the system can be recentered, but the user experience is disrupted and the operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The head tracking system automatically detects when headphones are placed on the user's head using motion detectors, determines when the headphones have stopped moving, and autonomously performs the recentering operation without requiring any manual user interaction. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and executing the alignment procedure automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of headphone placement and movement cessation before executing the recentering operation. By detecting when the headphones are no longer moving relative to the head, the system prepares the optimal conditions for accurate alignment before actually performing the recentering action.
2Reliability
If manual recentering is required, then the system can be reset, but time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors its own operational state through motion detectors and triggers recentering without user intervention, eliminating the time loss associated with manual operation. The autonomous detection and execution process continuously maintains alignment without interrupting the user's workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors headphone movement and maintains the frame of reference alignment without interruption. By automatically detecting when headphones are placed and when movement ceases, the system ensures continuous operational readiness without requiring the user to stop and manually recenter.
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically detects headphone placement, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion detectors serve multiple functions: detecting when headphones are placed on the head, monitoring when movement ceases, and triggering the recentering operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each detection task, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Ensures a high probability of aligning the head tracker's frame of reference with the user's natural head orientation, providing consistent and immersive audio adjustments, such as surround sound settings and active noise cancellation, without the need for manual recentering, thus enhancing the gaming or audio experience.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one motion detector is configured to transmit a second signal indicative of movement of the headphones relative to a user's head
Data Source
AI summary
A headphone assembly including headphones, a switch, at least one motion detector, and at least one processor is provided. The switch is configured to transmit a first signal indicative of a command to establish a relative orientation for the headphones. The at least one motion detector is configured to transmit a second signal indicative of movement of the headphones relative to a user's head. The at least one processor is programmed to receive a first signal to establish the relative orientation of the headphones and to receive the second signal that indicates that the headphones are moving relative to the user's head. The at least one processor is further programmed to determine that the headphones are in a stable state and to establish the relative orientation of the headphones while positioned on the user's head in response to at least determining that the headphones are in the stable state.