HMD Tracking Using Corner Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mounted display (HMD) systems for virtual reality require cumbersome setups with wired peripherals like emitters and sensors, which are aesthetically unpleasing and limit placement options due to the need for lengthy wires and complex connections.
Innovation Solution
The use of corner reflectors positioned discreetly in the environment to track the HMD's location and orientation using a scanning beam that traces a predefined pattern, eliminating the need for additional wired peripherals by reflecting the beam back to the HMD for detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired peripherals (emitters or sensors) are used to track the HMD, then tracking functionality is achieved, but the setup becomes cumbersome and placement options are limited due to lengthy wires and complex connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired tracking system with an optical system. Instead of using wired emitters or sensors that require physical connections, the invention uses a camera to capture images of corner reflectors attached to the HMD. The tracking is achieved through optical detection and image processing, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and complex peripheral setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses corner reflectors as passive optical markers that reflect ambient light back to the camera. These reflectors create visible patterns in captured images that can be detected and tracked without requiring active emission or wired connections. The reflectors serve as passive copies or markers that enable tracking through their optical properties rather than through active electronic components.
2Reliability
If wired peripherals are used for HMD tracking, then tracking is achieved, but the system becomes aesthetically unpleasing and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired tracking system with an optical system. Instead of using wired emitters or sensors that require physical connections, the invention uses a camera to capture images of corner reflectors attached to the HMD. The tracking is achieved through optical detection and image processing, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and complex peripheral setups.
3Measurement precision
If additional wired peripherals are used for tracking, then tracking precision can be maintained, but user freedom of movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired tracking system with an optical system. Instead of using wired emitters or sensors that require physical connections, the invention uses a camera to capture images of corner reflectors attached to the HMD. The tracking is achieved through optical detection and image processing, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and complex peripheral setups.
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
This solution provides accurate and discreet tracking of the HMD's position and orientation without the need for additional wiring, enhancing user experience and setup simplicity while maintaining high precision for immersive virtual reality experiences.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of reflectors is configured to reflect the scanning beam back to the HMD along a return path that is substantially parallel and substantially coincident to an emission path along which the scanning beam was emitted from the emitter
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted display (HMD) is provided, including the following: an emitter configured to emit a scanning beam into an interactive environment in which the HMD is disposed, the scanning beam being configured to continuously trace a predefined scan pattern; a detector configured to detect reflections of the scanning beam back to the HMD by each of a plurality of reflectors; a processor configured to, for each reflector, determine a time at which the reflection of the scanning beam by the reflector occurred, wherein the time is used to determine a location or orientation of the HMD in the interactive environment; a display device configured to render a view of a virtual space that is determined based on the determined location or orientation of the HMD.