Viewing Distance Detection Using Interpupillary Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices struggle to determine the viewing distance of a user's head without requiring additional user input, as this information is not generally known and varies among individuals, hindering optimal display adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a user-facing camera to obtain an image and identify the distance between the user's pupils, calculating the viewing distance based on this information without explicit user calibration, allowing for adaptive display optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the mobile computing device uses user-specific calibration data (head size, arm length) to determine viewing distance, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring additional user input and configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically capturing an image of the user's face and measuring the interpupillary distance (IPD) without requiring any user input or manual configuration. The device uses its existing camera and processing capabilities to determine viewing distance parameters autonomously, eliminating the need for users to provide calibration data while maintaining accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from using fixed user-specific parameters (head size, arm length) to using dynamic image-based measurements (interpupillary distance from facial images). This parameter transformation allows the system to adapt to different users automatically by capturing their specific IPD value from an image, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the mobile computing device requires additional user input or calibration to determine viewing distance, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential measurement function from the complex calibration procedure. Instead of requiring comprehensive user calibration (head size, arm length, viewing angle), the system extracts only the critical parameter needed for distance estimation - the interpupillary distance - which can be obtained directly from a standard facial image capture. This simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining sufficient measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing camera, which is already provided on mobile devices for various purposes, to serve the additional function of capturing facial images for distance measurement. By making the camera multi-functional (still photography, video, and now calibration imaging), the invention avoids adding dedicated calibration hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling accurate viewing distance determination.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mobile computing device uses existing camera for viewing distance determination, then the ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the measurement precision may deteriorate due to lack of specialized calibration equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the camera's existing capabilities to perform self-calibration without requiring external specialized equipment. The camera captures facial images that contain sufficient geometric information (interpupillary distance) to enable accurate distance estimation, allowing the device to serve its own calibration needs using resources already present in the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical calibration procedures (physical measurement tools, manual positioning devices) with an optical/electronic approach using image processing. By substituting mechanical measurement systems with digital image analysis of facial features, the system achieves comparable or superior precision while using the existing camera, thereby improving cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer readable storage device, and apparatus for determining the distance a computing device is located from a user's face. An image of an individual is obtained. A first pupil location and a second pupil location are identified based on the obtained image. A first distance between the identified first and second pupil location is determined. A second distance between the individual and the computing device is determined based on the determined first distance between the identified first and second pupil locations.