Hybrid Millimeter-Wave and Light Imaging for Ear-Region Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measurement systems struggle to accurately image and measure the ear-region of a user due to hair occlusion, which affects the proper fitting and comfort of head-mounted devices, particularly in terms of ear saddle point positioning.
Innovation Solution
The use of millimeter-wave or ultrasound transmit signals that penetrate hair to image the ear-region, combined with light imaging for facial features, generates a hybrid face-ear image, allowing for accurate measurement of dimensions between the eye and ear for improved head-mounted device fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional light-based imaging systems are used to image the ear-region, then the system structure remains simple, but the imaging accuracy deteriorates due to hair occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines millimeter-wave imaging systems with light-based imaging systems to create a hybrid imaging approach. The millimeter-wave component penetrates hair to image the ear saddle point, while the light-based component images facial features, and the two are merged into a hybrid face-ear image that provides comprehensive and accurate measurements for head-mounted device fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces millimeter-wave signals as an intermediary medium to overcome the hair occlusion problem. These signals can penetrate hair tissue and provide accurate imaging of the ear saddle point, which would otherwise be inaccessible to conventional light-based imaging systems.
2Measurement precision
If millimeter-wave imaging is used to penetrate hair and image the ear saddle point, then imaging accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges millimeter-wave imaging capabilities with conventional light-based imaging systems. This combination allows the system to benefit from the hair-penetrating capability of millimeter waves for ear imaging while using established light-based technology for facial imaging, thereby achieving improved overall accuracy without requiring a completely new system.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed with multi-functionality to handle different imaging requirements. The millimeter-wave component specifically targets ear saddle point imaging through hair penetration, while the light-based component handles facial feature imaging. This universal approach allows a single system to address multiple imaging challenges simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If accurate ear-region imaging is achieved, then head-mounted device fitting improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses millimeter-wave signals as an intermediary that can penetrate hair to directly detect the ear saddle point. This intermediary approach transforms the difficult task of imaging through hair into a solvable problem, enabling accurate measurement of ear dimensions that are critical for head-mounted device fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional optical imaging mechanisms with millimeter-wave based detection for ear imaging. This substitution allows the system to detect ear features that are occluded from optical view, thereby reducing the difficulty of measurement while improving fitting precision.
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 approach enables precise imaging of the ear saddle point and surrounding ear features, enhancing the fit and comfort of head-mounted devices by providing accurate measurements for better alignment and pressure distribution, thus improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The use of millimeter-wave or ultrasound transmit signals that penetrate hair to image the ear-region
Implementation Method 2
The use of millimeter-wave or ultrasound transmit signals that penetrate hair to image the ear-region
Implementation Method 3
capturing a facial image of a face-region by sensing visible or non-visible light reflecting back from the face-region
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitter emits transmit signals to an ear-region. Image signals are generated by a receiver. The image signals are generated by the receiver in response to receiving return signals. The return signals are the millimeter-wave transmit signals reflecting back from the ear-region. An ear-region image is generated in response to the image signals.