3D Interactive System Using Reflective Surface to Eliminate Camera Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensor devices often fail to detect input objects within the camera's blind spots, leading to erroneous determinations of no input object present.
Innovation Solution
The use of one or more cameras and reflective surfaces to expand the sensing region by capturing reflected views of input objects, allowing the processing system to determine the position and distance of input objects within the sensing region, even in areas outside the direct field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a camera is used to capture images of input objects, then the sensing region can be monitored, but blind spots are created where input objects cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective surface (mirror) is introduced as an intermediary element to redirect light from blind spot areas to the camera lens. This allows the camera to capture images of input objects that would otherwise be outside its direct field of view, effectively eliminating detection blind spots while maintaining a single camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface changes the optical path dimension by introducing an indirect viewing angle. Instead of relying solely on direct line-of-sight imaging, the system uses reflected light paths to access areas that are geometrically obscured, thereby expanding the effective sensing region without adding more cameras.
2Reliability
If multiple cameras are used to eliminate blind spots, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more cameras to cover blind spots, the invention uses a reflective surface as a mediator that redirects light from obscured areas to the existing camera. This approach achieves complete coverage while maintaining a single-camera system, thereby avoiding the complexity of synchronizing and processing images from multiple cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface serves multiple functions: it expands the field of view, eliminates blind spots, and maintains image quality for distance calculation. A single camera system with the reflective surface achieves what would otherwise require multiple cameras, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If the camera is positioned to cover a large area, then the sensing region is expanded, but the field of view per unit area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface introduces an indirect imaging path that effectively increases the camera's field of view without compromising image resolution. By using reflected light paths, the system can capture detailed images of input objects in previously obscured areas, maintaining measurement precision while expanding the overall sensing region.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing region is effectively segmented into direct-view areas and reflected-view areas. The reflective surface handles the obscured portions, allowing the camera to maintain high resolution for distance measurement in all regions without requiring the lens to be oversized or the camera to be positioned at an impractical distance.
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 effectively reduces blind spots, enabling accurate detection and tracking of input objects across a larger area, enhancing the reliability of input devices by incorporating reflected views into the imaging process.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a first image comprising a first reflected view of an input object within a sensing region associated with an input surface, wherein the first image is obtained by a first camera comprising a first field of view, and wherein the first reflected view is obtained from a reflective surface within the first field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system is provided. The processing system includes: a sensor module configured to obtain a first image including a first reflected view of an input object within a sensing region associated with an input surface; and a determination module configured to: determine a first position of the input object within the first image; and determine a distance of the input object from the input surface using the first position.