HMD Depth Camera Tracking for Real Object Interaction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mounted display (HMD) technologies for gaming lack immersive interactivity and effective tracking of user movements, limiting the realism and engagement of virtual reality experiences.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a head-mounted display with a communications module, depth camera, and illuminating elements, such as LEDs or IR emitters, for tracking the HMD and controller, allowing for immersive three-dimensional gameplay by rendering user hands and correlating controller movements with virtual actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HMD devices are used for gaming, then virtual reality experience is provided, but immersive interactivity and tracking of user movements are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external camera system as an intermediary to track the HMD and controllers. The camera captures images of illumination objects (LEDs/IR emitters) integrated into the HMD and controllers, enabling accurate spatial position tracking without requiring complex inertial sensors or processing units within the HMD itself. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by externalizing the tracking complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tracking systems (inertial measurement units, gyroscopes, accelerometers) with an optical tracking system using cameras and illumination objects. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity within the HMD while maintaining or improving tracking accuracy through image processing and spatial analysis.
2Measurement precision
If traditional HMD tracking systems are used, then basic head tracking is achieved, but accurate hand and controller tracking is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into distinct illumination objects placed on different components (HMD, controllers, hands). Each component has its own set of identifiable illumination objects, allowing the camera system to track each segment independently with high precision. This segmentation enables accurate hand and controller tracking while keeping each individual tracking element relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses illumination objects that emit distinct colors or patterns (LEDs/IR emitters) that can be easily differentiated by the camera system. These color-coded markers enable precise identification and tracking of different components (HMD vs. controllers vs. hands) without requiring complex sensor arrays, thereby improving measurement precision while managing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no hand tracking is implemented, then system simplicity is maintained, but immersive interactivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables hand tracking by having users wear illumination objects on their hands or use controllers with illumination objects. The existing camera system automatically detects and tracks these self-applied illumination objects, providing hand tracking capability without requiring additional complex sensors or processing in the HMD. This self-service approach enhances interactive capability while minimizing added system 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
Enables highly immersive and interactive virtual reality experiences by accurately tracking user movements and correlating them with virtual actions, enhancing the realism and engagement of games played on HMDs.
Implementation Method 1
A depth camera is integrated into the viewing module and is oriented to capture depth data of an environment in front of the exterior housing
Implementation Method 2
A plurality illuminating elements integrated with the exterior housing of the viewing module. The plurality of illumination elements are defined for image tracking of the head mounted display
Data Source
AI summary
A head mounted display (HMD) is provided. The HMD includes a housing and a view port of the housing. The view port has a screen for rendering an augmented reality scene. Included is a communications device for exchanging streaming data over a network. A depth camera integrated in the housing and oriented to capture depth data of an environment in front of the housing is included. A processor is configured to use the depth data captured by the depth camera to identify spatial positioning of real objects in the environment. A real object is rendered into the augmented reality scene, and the real object is tracked such that insertion of augmented reality objects are placed in coordination with movements of the real object shown in the augmented reality scene. The real object captured by the depth camera is the environment where a user wearing the HMD is located.