Ranging Sensor Face Orientation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing face detection methods using computer vision and cameras are complex and power-intensive, making it challenging to detect the orientation of a face with a simple configuration.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus equipped with a ranging sensor that divides a detection range into measurement units to measure distances, allowing for person detection, face range detection, and face direction detection based on distance information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If face detection is performed using camera-based computer vision methods, then face orientation detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveface orientation detection accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical/mechanical camera-based detection system with an electromagnetic field-based ranging sensor system. The ranging sensor uses time-of-flight measurement of light signals to detect distance information, which is then processed to determine face orientation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex image recognition algorithms while achieving accurate face orientation detection through simpler distance measurements from multiple measurement units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If camera-based face detection is used, then face orientation can be detected, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveface orientation detectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the high-power camera-based image processing system with a lower-power ranging sensor system that measures distance using time-of-flight principles. The ranging sensor captures distance information from multiple measurement units, which is then processed to determine face orientation without requiring intensive image recognition computations, thereby significantly reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential distance information needed for face orientation detection from the environmental data, rather than processing complete images. By using ranging sensors to measure distance to multiple measurement units and analyzing the differences in distance values, the system obtains face orientation data with minimal computational overhead and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If simple detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidface orientation detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection space into multiple measurement units arranged in a grid pattern, with each unit independently measuring distance to objects. By analyzing the distance differences between adjacent measurement units, the system can precisely determine face orientation (upward, downward, leftward, rightward, or neutral) using simple ranging measurements rather than complex image processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional image plane detection to three-dimensional spatial distance measurement. By measuring distance values in the depth dimension from multiple measurement units and analyzing the spatial distribution of these distance values, the system achieves accurate face orientation detection with a simpler ranging-based approach rather than complex image recognition.

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 the detection of face orientation with a simple configuration, reducing development costs and power consumption compared to conventional camera-based methods.

Implementation Method 1

a ranging sensor which divides a predetermined detection range into a plurality of measurement units to measure the distance to an object for each of the measurement units

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12307983B2Information processing apparatus and control method

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a ranging sensor which divides a predetermined detection range into a plurality of measurement units to measure the distance to an object for each measurement unit; a memory which temporarily stores distance information indicative of the distance for each measurement unit measured by the ranging sensor; and a processor which executes processing based on the distance information for each measurement unit. The processor detects a range of a person present in the detection range based on the distance information for each measurement unit, detects a range of a face of the person in the range of the person detected in the detection range based on the distance information for each measurement unit, and detects the orientation of the face based on distance information in the range of the face among pieces of the distance information each piece for each measurement unit.