TOF 3D Imaging Pointing System for Gesture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing depth measurement and gesture recognition systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing closely positioned body parts and require large physical dimensions and significant computational resources, especially when using stereoscopic methods, which are inferior for recognizing multiple body organs positioned closely together.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing Time-Of-Flight (TOF) 3D imaging to capture and calculate depth data, allowing for intuitive pointing and control commands without traditional devices, by identifying specific body parts and calculating a pointing line between them, and optionally using a pointing device with a trigger mechanism to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stereoscopic gesture recognition methods are used to recognize body organs positioned closely together, then the system can identify gestures, but the accuracy is insufficient to distinguish closely positioned body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stereoscopic camera system with a Time-of-Flight (TOF) depth measurement system. The TOF sensor measures the time for light to travel to and from the body, directly providing depth information without requiring complex multi-camera geometric arrangements. This substitution of mechanical/optical system with a temporal measurement system resolves the contradiction by achieving higher measurement precision for closely positioned body parts while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from 2D image coordinates (stereoscopic method) to 3D depth time (TOF method). By measuring the time of flight of light pulses, the system directly obtains depth information as a primary parameter, enabling accurate distinction of closely positioned body parts in three-dimensional space without relying on complex camera baseline geometry.
2Measurement precision
If stereoscopic camera arrangements with larger physical dimensions are used, then the accuracy of depth measurement improves, but the physical size of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stereoscopic camera system with a Time-of-Flight (TOF) depth measurement system. The TOF sensor measures the time for light to travel to and from the body, directly providing depth information without requiring complex multi-camera geometric arrangements. This substitution of mechanical/optical system with a temporal measurement system resolves the contradiction by achieving higher measurement precision for closely positioned body parts while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D image plane measurement to 3D spatial measurement by incorporating the time dimension. The TOF system measures depth as a direct temporal parameter (time of flight), adding the third dimension of depth measurement independent of camera baseline length, thereby achieving accurate depth measurement without increasing physical system dimensions.
3Extent of automation
If stereoscopic methods are used for depth measurement, then 3D imaging can be achieved, but the computational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stereoscopic camera system with a Time-of-Flight (TOF) depth measurement system. The TOF sensor measures the time for light to travel to and from the body, directly providing depth information without requiring complex multi-camera geometric arrangements. This substitution of mechanical/optical system with a temporal measurement system resolves the contradiction by achieving higher measurement precision for closely positioned body parts while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the depth measurement function from the complex stereoscopic image processing system and implements it as a dedicated TOF sensing mechanism. By separating the depth acquisition function from the 2D imaging function, the system obtains depth information directly through time measurement, eliminating the need for computationally intensive stereoscopic matching and trigonometric calculations.
4Ease of operation
If traditional pointing devices are used for computer interaction, then control commands can be input, but the interaction is not intuitive and requires additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the video camera system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both 2D imaging and 3D depth measurement/ gesture recognition. The same camera hardware that captures video can now also serve as a pointing device and gesture controller through integrated TOF depth sensing and line-of-sight calculation, eliminating the need for separate pointing devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own body (hand, finger, eye position) as the pointing device through natural gestures. The TOF camera captures depth information of the user's hand and finger positions, automatically calculates the line-of-sight from the eye through the pointing finger to the screen, and generates control commands without requiring external pointing devices. This self-service approach makes interaction intuitive while reducing hardware requirements.
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 accurate and intuitive pointing and control in a computer-based environment with small physical dimensions and reduced computational requirements, effectively distinguishing closely positioned body parts and improving interaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Depth measurement using TOF principals may also be done by calculating the distance of a point in the FOI by calculating the time that takes to a pulse of light to travel to the point and back to the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The pulsed light travels to the body and is reflected back to a video camera that is equipped with a shutter to control the timing of receipt of light onto its sensor
Implementation Method 3
Another method of measuring depth of a point on an imaged body is by measuring the phase-shift of the reflected light when it is received by the sensor, with respect to the phase of the emitted light towards the body
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for identifying a pointing organ or a pointing device in a field of imaging of a 3-D imaging system and for calculating a line of pointing relative to this organ or device are disclosed. The method and system may be used to enable a user to communicate with computer programs, such as computer games, 3-D design programs and the like. The method and system may further employ a trigger-like mechanism to identify a movement of a user that may be interpreted as trigger activation.