Neural Network Position Tracking for Mixed Reality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixed reality and augmented reality devices face challenges in accurately determining the position of input devices in 3D space, leading to unnatural interactions due to offsets between real and virtual environments.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an industrial robot with a light-emitting element, capturing images with multiple cameras, and training a fully connected artificial neural network to determine the position of the light-emitting element or input device, using pixel coordinates from CCD sensors as input, and dividing the camera field of view into coordinate areas to reduce processing time and latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional image processing and image recognition methods are used to determine the position of the light-emitting element, then the system can identify the object's location, but the computing time is excessive and training speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcomputing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for position determination - specifically the coordinates of illuminated pixels from camera sensors - and feeds this directly into the neural network. This extraction approach bypasses time-consuming image processing and recognition steps, achieving both accurate position determination and reduced computing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical image processing systems with a neural network-based system that directly processes pixel coordinate data. This substitution eliminates the need for complex image recognition algorithms while maintaining position determination accuracy and significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If the camera field of view is processed as a single unit by the neural network, then the system maintains comprehensive coverage, but processing time and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the camera sensor coordinates into multiple ranges and assigns different coordinate ranges to different subnetworks. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different spatial regions, reducing overall processing time and latency while maintaining comprehensive field of view coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of processing by organizing the neural network into multiple subnetworks that operate in parallel on different coordinate ranges. This dimensional organization of processing units enables simultaneous computation across the entire field of view, effectively reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a single artificial neural network processes all coordinate data, then the system maintains unified processing, but training time and computational resources are excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination reliabilityVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single neural network into multiple subnetworks, each responsible for processing specific coordinate ranges. This segmentation reduces the computational burden on each individual network, enabling faster and more efficient training while maintaining reliable position determination through coordinated processing of all subnetworks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 and reliable determination of the input device's position, improving interaction accuracy and reducing latency, allowing for more intuitive engagement with virtual content in mixed reality environments.

Implementation Method 1

Any position in the workspace of a robot, in particular an industrial robot, is approached, with a light-emitting element attached to the robot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

coordinates of the pixels of the sensors of the cameras illuminated by the light-emitting element being determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3867736B1Method and device for training an artificial neural network and method for position tracking of an input device
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 AR TECH GMBH
  • EP3867736B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3867736B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3b
  • EP3867736B1 patent drawingFigure 4~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for training an artificial neural network for determining the position of an object. Any position in the working area of a robot having a light-emitting element is approached. At least two images of the object are captured by cameras (24). Coordinates of the object are determined and used as input parameters for the input layer of the artificial neural network. The invention further relates to a device for training an artificial neural network and a method and a system for determining a position of an object.