Smart Necklace Stereo Vision Depth Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable cameras lack real-time processing and depth perception information, limiting their ability to provide effective environmental awareness and social interaction, particularly for blind individuals who require additional feedback about their surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A smart necklace equipped with stereo cameras, a positioning sensor, and a processor that processes image and positioning data to provide navigation, object recognition, and social interaction feedback through audio and haptic outputs, enhancing environmental awareness and social interaction for users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wearable cameras are used to record user experience, then recording functionality is provided, but real-time processing and depth perception information are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple camera systems (stereo cameras, TOF cameras, or structured light cameras) into a single wearable device to capture both 2D image data and 3D depth information simultaneously. This merging of camera functions resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive depth perception while maintaining a unified device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is designed to perform multiple functions: recording 2D images, capturing 3D depth data, providing real-time processing, and delivering haptic/audio feedback. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address various information needs without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Reliability
If stereo cameras are added to provide depth perception, then environmental awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates stereo cameras with processing units and feedback mechanisms into a unified system. By merging these components, the device achieves reliable environmental awareness through depth perception while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is nested within the wearable device structure, with cameras, processors, and feedback mechanisms organized in hierarchical layers. This nesting approach allows complex functionality to be contained within a compact form factor, reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If real-time processing is implemented, then actionable feedback is provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system implements selective real-time processing, focusing computational resources on critical depth perception tasks and essential environmental awareness functions rather than processing all captured data in full detail. This partial action approach maintains productivity for key functions while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic processing cycles where data is processed at optimized intervals rather than continuously. This allows real-time feedback for time-critical functions while reducing energy consumption during less demanding periods, creating an efficient rhythm of processing activity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and processors are integrated, then functional capability is enhanced, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested architecture where sensors, processors, and other components are arranged in hierarchical layers within the wearable device. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to be packed into a compact volume by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently and organizing components in concentric or layered configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes flexible circuit boards, thin-film sensors, and flexible housing materials to reduce the overall volume of integrated components. These flexible elements allow for compact arrangement of multiple sensors and processors while maintaining device flexibility and comfort for wearable application.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart necklace includes a body defining at least one cavity and having a neck portion and first and a second side portions. The necklace includes a pair of stereo cameras that is configured to detect image data including depth information corresponding to a surrounding environment of the smart necklace. The necklace further includes a positioning sensor configured to detect positioning data corresponding to a positioning of the smart necklace. The necklace includes a non-transitory memory positioned in the at least one cavity and configured to store map data and object data. The smart necklace also includes a processor positioned in the at least one cavity, coupled to the pair of stereo cameras, the positioning sensor and the non-transitory memory. The processor is configured to determine output data based on the image data, the positioning data, the map data and the object data.