Head-Mounted Camera Auto-Calibration via Head Stillness Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted image sensor devices, such as smartglasses, face challenges in automatically calibrating operational parameters like focus length and shutter speed, especially in situations where manual intervention is not feasible or safe, such as during medical procedures or in hard-to-reach locations, due to limitations in voice control recognition and sterility concerns.

Innovation Solution

A head-mounted device equipped with a sensor system that detects translation and rotation, allowing for automatic calibration of image sensor parameters by requiring the wearer to hold their head still for a predetermined time, using components like accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine movement thresholds and trigger calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration of image sensor parameters is performed, then calibration accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to hands-free constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic calibration of image sensor parameters by detecting head stillness periods and triggering calibration routines without user intervention. The device serves itself by using its own sensor data (accelerometer/gyroscope) to determine when calibration conditions are met, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors head movement through accelerometers and gyroscopes, providing feedback on motion state. When the feedback indicates stillness (below threshold for predetermined time), the system automatically initiates calibration. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures calibration occurs at appropriate moments without requiring manual input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If voice control is used for calibration, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to voice recognition limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces voice-based acoustic control with a mechanical/physical sensing approach using accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect head stillness. This substitution of control modality eliminates voice recognition issues while maintaining hands-free operation, as the mechanical sensing of motion is more reliable in clinical environments where masks and equipment interfere with voice commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary physical state (head stillness) that mediates between the user and the calibration function. Instead of directly interpreting voice commands, the system waits for a detectable physical condition (stillness period) that reliably indicates user intent to calibrate, providing a more robust control mechanism in noisy clinical environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If automatic calibration is triggered by head stillness detection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the accelerometer and gyroscope sensors for multiple purposes: both for navigation/orientation functions and for detecting calibration-triggering stillness events. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware components to serve dual roles, minimizing additional complexity while enabling automatic calibration based on head motion analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the calibration trigger mechanism with the existing motion sensing subsystem. Instead of adding separate dedicated sensors for calibration detection, the system combines the calibration function with the already-present accelerometers and gyroscopes used for device orientation and navigation, consolidating functions to reduce overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 hands-free and intuitive image optimization, ensuring accurate image quality for remote assistance and monitoring, while maintaining sterility and user safety by automatically adjusting focal length and shutter speed based on detected movement conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11950001B2Automated calibration of head-mounted hands-free camera

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 RODS & CONES HLDG BV

AI summary

A head-mounted device can be automatically calibrated using an image sensor and at least one sensor system for detecting translation and rotation of the head-mounted device. Parameters under which the image sensor operates can be automatically calibrated when a detected translation remains below a predetermined translational threshold and a detected rotation remains below a predetermined rotational threshold for at least a predetermined period of time. The head-mounted device can be used by a medical professional in a surgical procedure.