Head Mounted Display Object Tracking via Forward Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In augmented and virtual reality environments, the tracking of handheld electronic devices can lead to discrepancies between their actual position and rendering in the virtual environment due to delayed updates, causing hindered user interaction.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a forward-prediction function that uses sensor data from the device and historical movement patterns to accurately render the handheld device's position, even when timely updates are not available, by assuming it remains fixed until a new measurement is taken, and synchronizing sensors to improve precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional tracking methods are used to update handheld device position, then the system structure remains simple, but rendering lag increases and positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidrendering lag
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting the future position of the handheld device based on historical movement data before the actual position update is available. This allows the virtual environment to be rendered in advance at the predicted position, reducing perceived lag while maintaining accuracy through subsequent correction when real position data arrives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If forward-prediction functions are implemented to reduce rendering lag, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering lagVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary prediction mechanism that acts as a mediator between the actual device position and the virtual rendering. This prediction layer processes historical data and generates intermediate position estimates, allowing the system to bridge the time gap without requiring complex real-time processing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If frequent position updates are performed to maintain accuracy, then positioning precision improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by updating the device position at optimized intervals rather than continuously. Historical movement data is collected over periods and processed batch-wise, allowing the system to maintain positioning accuracy through periodic corrections while avoiding the excessive energy consumption of continuous real-time tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3458934B1Object tracking in a head mounted reference frame for an augmented or virtual reality environment
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3458934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3458934B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3458934B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for tracking an object in an ambient environment with respect to a head mounted reference frame may allow the ambient object to be rendered in a virtual display, at a virtual position corresponding to its position in the ambient environment, in response to head movement. The system may detect a position of a head mounted device with respect to a fixed frame of reference in the ambient environment, and may detect a position of the ambient object with respect to the fixed frame of reference in the ambient environment. The system may then translate the detected position of the ambient object to the frame of reference of the head mounted device, or to the head mounted reference frame, to determine a position of the ambient object relative to the head mounted device. This newly determined position may be rendered in the virtual display generated by the head mounted device.