Quad View Glasses with Selective Barriers for Single-Camera Head Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D stereoscopic systems face challenges in providing multiple views to users without relying on expensive hardware, and existing head tracking methods are costly and inaccurate, especially when users wear glasses, due to limitations in camera depth sensing and angular tracking.

Innovation Solution

A quad view display system using glasses with selective barriers for each lens, such as anaglyph, polarized, and shutter filters, combined with image analysis and computer vision to track the position and orientation of the glasses, allowing multiple users to see different images and enabling single-camera operation for pointing and interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If expensive tracking hardware (ZSpace, TrackIR, Kinect) is used to track head position and orientation, then tracking accuracy is improved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive dedicated tracking hardware with inexpensive components already present in most computers: a standard USB camera and free software (OpenCV, MediaPipe). This substitution dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining adequate tracking functionality for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the camera serve multiple functions: it acts as both the primary tracking sensor for detecting glasses position and orientation, and simultaneously functions as the display medium through which users view the stereoscopic content. This eliminates the need for separate expensive tracking devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If shutter glasses are used to present different images to different users, then multiple concurrent views are enabled, but the speed of shutter lenses and display panel switching limits the number of concurrent users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of concurrent usersVSAvoidshutter switching speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with passive optical filters (anaglyph, polarized, or other filter types) integrated into the glasses lenses. This eliminates the need for high-speed electronic switching, allowing unlimited concurrent users to view different images simultaneously without speed limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temporal multiplexing where different images are displayed sequentially to different users based on their tracked position, with the camera capturing multiple frames per second to determine which user should see which image at any given moment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If a single camera is used for tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but depth sensing capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of camerasVSAvoiddepth sensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D image plane analysis to 3D spatial reasoning by detecting the geometric shape (circle/ellipse) of the glasses lenses in the camera image. By analyzing the distortion of the circular lens shape due to perspective projection, the system can calculate the glasses' position and orientation in 3D space without requiring multiple cameras or active depth sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables cost-effective, accurate, and efficient multiple view display and head tracking, allowing multiple users to see distinct stereoscopic images from a shared display without the need for expensive accessories, and facilitates single-camera operation for interactive 3D stereoscopic experiences.

Implementation Method 1

passively polarized glasses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarisation: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

anaglyph glasses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS11343487B2Trackable glasses system for perspective views of a display

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 WOODS DAVID

AI summary

Embodiments allow a viewer of a display to see images. The images viewed by the glasses may be based on the orientation of the glasses, so that the images correspond to the user's viewpoint. Different images may be presented to left and right eyes for 3D stereoscopic viewing. The position and orientation of the glasses may be tracked by analyzing images from one or more cameras observing the glasses. Glasses may have distinct geometric shapes or features, such as circular lenses, rims, regions around the lenses, to facilitate tracking. One or more regions of the glasses may be illuminated by self-contained or reflected light, to facilitate tracking under various ambient lighting conditions. The lenses of the glasses may have selective barriers such as anaglyph filters, polarizing filters, and shutters, to select images from the display.