Headrest Optical Head Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head tracking systems for acoustic virtualization are cumbersome, often requiring wearables or front cameras, which can cause discomfort and distract the user, and may not continuously track head movements due to visibility issues and high computational demands.
Innovation Solution
A head tracking system integrated into a headrest using optical circuits with sensors to detect reflected light from the head, processing units to analyze frame changes, and adjustable light sources for continuous tracking without wearables or cables, allowing for flexible and efficient head movement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearables or front cameras are used for head tracking, then head position detection is achieved, but user comfort deteriorates due to wearing fatigue and distraction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing sensors on the front of the head or on wearables, the patent inverts the approach by positioning sensors on the back of the headrest to capture images of the back of the user's head. This inversion eliminates the need for wearables and front-facing cameras that distract users, while still achieving accurate head tracking through the optical circuitry detecting head movements from the rear view
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the headrest itself - which integrates the optical circuits and sensors. This intermediary structure allows head tracking to occur without direct contact with the user's face or field of view, using the headrest as a mediating platform that captures head position data from the back of the head while maintaining user comfort
2Measurement precision
If front cameras are used for head tracking, then head detection is possible, but tracking continuity deteriorates when head is not visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional front-facing camera approach by using rear-facing sensors on the headrest that continuously capture images of the back of the user's head. This ensures tracking continuity regardless of head orientation, as the back of the head remains visible to the sensors even when the user swivels or turns their head, eliminating the visibility problems associated with front cameras
3Measurement precision
If image processing is performed to track head movements, then head position is determined, but computational load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses only on the essential elements needed for head tracking - specifically tracking movements of the back of the head rather than performing comprehensive face recognition or image analysis. This extraction of the core tracking function from complex image processing significantly reduces computational requirements while maintaining tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of processing entire images or performing full face recognition, the patent applies partial action by focusing only on detecting movements of the back of the head. This selective approach processes only the necessary visual information for tracking purposes, reducing overall computational load while achieving the required tracking precision
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 user-friendly, continuous head tracking without wearables or cables, reducing computational load and maintaining user visibility, allowing for enhanced acoustic virtualization by adjusting loudspeaker settings based on head position and orientation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical circuit comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor arranged to detect light reflected from at least portion of an illuminated scene
Data Source
AI summary
A head tracking system for use in a headrest, includes at least one optical circuit having a plurality of sensors. Each sensor arranged to detect light reflected from at least portion of an illuminated scene. The portion of the scene contains at least a part of a head to be tracked, and to provides an output signal corresponding to an amount of reflected light detected by the sensor. An acquisition circuit is arranged to receive a plurality of output signals from the plurality of sensors and to derive a frame from said output signals. A processing unit is arranged to receive the frame and to derive an indication of a change in position and/or orientation of the head by comparing the received frame with one or more frames obtained at different moments in time.