Selective Light Source Control for HMD Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted device (HMD) tracking systems require continuous illumination of light sources, leading to inefficient power usage and reduced battery life due to the need for constant tracking of input devices.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system that selectively activates a subset of light sources based on the estimated relative pose of the user-interaction controller with respect to the HMD, using a processor to determine which light sources are visible from the camera's perspective and deactivate the rest, optimizing power consumption and improving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all light sources are illuminated at all times to enable tracking of the controller device, then the tracking accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the set of light sources into multiple groups or individual controllable units, allowing selective illumination of only those light sources that are currently visible to the HMD camera. This segmentation enables the system to maintain tracking accuracy by illuminating visible light sources while conserving power by keeping non-visible light sources off.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination state of light sources based on real-time tracking data and camera orientation. As the controller or HMD moves, the system recalculates which light sources are visible and updates their illumination status accordingly, ensuring optimal power consumption while maintaining continuous tracking capability.
2Reliability
If all light sources are illuminated at all times to enable tracking of the controller device, then the tracking reliability is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source array is divided into independently controllable segments, allowing the system to activate only the necessary portion of light sources at any given time. This maintains reliable tracking by ensuring visible light sources are always illuminated while extending battery life by eliminating unnecessary power consumption from non-visible light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of light sources based on visibility conditions, transitioning between active and inactive states. This parameter adjustment ensures that light sources only consume power when needed for tracking, thereby extending battery life while maintaining tracking reliability through conditional activation.
3Measurement precision
If a plurality of light sources are continuously activated for tracking, then the tracking precision is maintained, but the processing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light source control into visible and non-visible groups, processing and illuminating only the necessary subset. This reduces processing overhead by eliminating calculations and control operations for non-visible light sources while maintaining tracking precision through focused illumination of relevant light sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking system for use in head-mounted device (HMD) includes light sources arranged spatially around user-interaction controller(s); controller-pose-tracking means arranged in user-interaction controller(s); HMD-pose-tracking means; camera(s) arranged on portion of HMD that faces real-world environment in which HMD is in use; and processor(s) configured to estimate relative pose, based on controller-pose-tracking data and HMD-pose-tracking data; determine sub-set of light sources, based on estimated relative pose and arrangement of light sources; selectively control light sources such that light sources of sub-set are activated, whereas remaining light sources are deactivated; process at least one image, captured by camera(s), to identify operational state of light source(s) of sub-set that is visible in image(s), wherein image(s) is indicative of actual relative pose; and correct estimated relative pose to determine actual relative pose, based on operational state.