Sparse Projection Clusters for VR Headset Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual reality systems rely on active components for tracking headset position and movement, increasing design and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A virtual reality system utilizing a sparse projection system with diffractive optical elements to project unique clusters of illuminated regions, allowing the VR headset to determine its location within a virtual mapping of the local area through imaging and processing by the VR console.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active components (light emitting diodes) are used to track headset position and movement, then tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses projected light clusters as virtual copies/markers in the environment instead of physical active components on the headset. The imaging device captures images of these projected clusters to determine headset position and orientation, eliminating the need for active tracking components on the headset itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic active tracking system (light emitting diodes and their control circuits) with an optical projection system. The sparse projection system projects light clusters that passively indicate spatial positions, and the imaging device captures these to derive tracking information, substituting active electronic components with passive optical markers.
2Ease of operation
If active tracking components are installed in the VR headset, then position and movement tracking is enabled, but the design and manufacture of the VR headset becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of tracking markers by projecting light clusters at specific locations in the environment. These projected clusters serve as reference points that the imaging device uses to calculate headset position and orientation, eliminating the need to manufacture and install active tracking components in the headset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tracking functionality from the headset itself and relocates it to the environment. Instead of having active components in the headset, the system projects tracking markers in the surrounding environment and uses an imaging device to capture them, separating the tracking function from the headset hardware.
3Measurement precision
If conventional active devices are used for tracking, then accurate position determination is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses projected light clusters as virtual reference markers in the environment. The imaging device captures images of these projected clusters, and the system determines headset position by analyzing the relative positions of captured clusters compared to their known projected positions, eliminating complex active tracking hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces projected light clusters as intermediary elements between the headset and the tracking system. These clusters serve as mediators that carry spatial information from the environment to the imaging device, enabling position determination without direct communication or active components between the headset and tracking system.
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 simplifies the design and manufacturing of VR headsets by eliminating the need for active tracking components, enabling accurate and efficient determination of headset position and movement within a virtual environment.
Implementation Method 1
The sparse projection system generates a plurality of clusters using one or more diffractive optical elements and projects the clusters throughout a local area
Data Source
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AI summary
A virtual reality (VR) includes a sparse projection system configured to generate a plurality of clusters using one or more diffractive optical elements. Each generated cluster has a unique configuration that corresponds to a unique location in a virtual mapping of a local area. The sparse projection system projects the generated clusters throughout the local area. A VR console receives a series of images of the local area from the imaging device, with at least one image includes at least one cluster. The VR console determines a location of a VR headset within the virtual mapping of the local area based at least in part on a configuration of the at least one cluster included in the series of images. Content is generated based at least in part on the determined location of the VR headset and is provided to the VR headset for presentation.