Mixed Reality Projector with Adjustable Mount for Face Pose Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixed reality head-mounted displays (HMDs) are often bulky and expensive, limiting their accessibility and usability in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes an electronic device with an image sensor, a projector, and an adjustable mount, which determines the face pose of a viewer and characteristics of a projection surface to project 3D images, adjustable for optimal viewing through 3D glasses, allowing for a mixed reality experience without the need for bulky HMDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If head mounted displays (HMD) are used for augmented or mixed reality, then immersive experience is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a projector as an intermediary device that projects images onto a real-world surface, which users can then view through 3D glasses. This mediator allows the mixed reality experience to be achieved without requiring users to wear bulky HMDs, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the real-world environment by projecting computer-generated images onto physical surfaces. This copying approach allows users to experience mixed reality through the projected images rather than through head-mounted displays, reducing device bulkiness while maintaining the immersive experience
2Ease of operation
If head mounted displays (HMD) are used for augmented or mixed reality, then immersive experience is achieved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive HMDs with cheaper components: a standard projector, 3D glasses, and a mobile device. These are significantly less expensive than HMDs while still providing the mixed reality experience, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a mobile device that can perform multiple functions (capturing images, processing data, controlling projection) rather than requiring a specialized expensive HMD. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system cost while maintaining accessibility
3Ease of operation
If projector position is fixed, then system complexity is reduced, but viewing quality for different face poses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable mounting structure that allows the projector to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on the detected face pose of the user. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal viewing quality for different user positions while maintaining reasonable system complexity through automated control
4Measurement precision
If images are projected without adjusting for face pose, then system complexity is reduced, but image perception accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the mobile device's camera to detect the user's face pose and provides feedback to the processor, which then adjusts the projection parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures accurate image perception for different face poses while managing system complexity through software-based control
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes an image sensor, a projector, an adjustable mount, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to: receive at least one image of an environment around the electronic device from the image sensor; determine a face pose of a viewer based on the at least one image; determine characteristics of a projection surface based on the at least one image; control the projector to project a plurality of images onto the projection surface, the images determined based in part on the face pose of the viewer and the characteristics of the projection surface, wherein the images are configured to be perceived as a three-dimensional (3D) object image when viewed through 3D glasses; and control the adjustable mount to adjust a position or an orientation of the projector based in part on a change in the face pose of the viewer.