Head-Wearable Camera Arrangements for Low-Power Depth Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for depth mapping in artificial reality systems are imprecise and inefficient, requiring excessive power consumption and lacking effective protection for sensors.
Innovation Solution
A head-wearable device equipped with forward-facing cameras and illumination sources, such as LEDs, coupled with depth-tracking components and cover windows made of specific material stacks to enhance depth mapping precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional depth mapping methods are used, then depth information can be obtained, but the measurement precision and efficiency are insufficient while power consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple camera types (monochrome and color cameras) and illumination sources (LEDs) into an integrated depth mapping system. The monochrome camera captures depth information while the color camera captures visual information, and they work together with the illumination source to achieve accurate depth mapping with reduced power consumption compared to conventional single-camera systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the depth mapping system by using adjustable illumination sources with varying intensities and the head-wearable device adjusts the illumination intensity based on ambient light conditions. This optimization allows the system to achieve accurate depth mapping while consuming less power by using minimal illumination when sufficient ambient light is available
2Reliability
If sensors are exposed without protection, then depth mapping function is accessible, but the sensors are vulnerable to damage and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures for the cover windows protecting the sensors. The cover windows are constructed with multiple layers including transparent protective materials that allow light transmission while providing mechanical protection and environmental sealing for the underlying sensors, achieving both protection and optical functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The cover windows serve as intermediary elements between the external environment and the sensitive sensors. These transparent protective barriers shield the sensors from physical damage, moisture, and dust while allowing light to pass through to enable the depth mapping function, thus mediating between protection requirements and optical access needs
3Measurement precision
If multiple camera components are integrated, then depth tracking capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple camera components (monochrome camera for depth, color camera for visual information) that serve different functions within a unified depth mapping system. Each camera type is optimized for its specific function, and together they provide comprehensive depth tracking and environmental awareness capabilities, making the system multi-functional while managing complexity through specialized component design
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
Improves depth mapping accuracy and reduces power consumption while protecting sensors, enabling efficient user movement tracking and environmental awareness in artificial reality systems.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination source includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and the forward-facing camera is configured to track light emitted by the LEDs
Implementation Method 2
a respective first cover window, where the respective first cover window is a first type of cover window including a first stack of material layers
Data Source
AI summary
The various implementations described herein include methods and devices for artificial-reality systems. In one aspect, a head-wearable device includes a depth-tracking component configured to obtain depth information associated with one or more objects in a physical environment of the head-wearable device. The head-wearable device also includes a set of peripheral camera components, and a set of forward-facing camera components, where each forward-facing camera component of the set of forward-facing camera components includes a monochrome camera and a color camera.