Wide-Angle Lens Mapping for Undistorted Motion Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entertainment devices, such as video game machines, are limited in interaction types due to physical controllers that primarily rely on button-pushing or specific actions, lacking the ability to interpret complex body motions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a wide-angle image capture and processing system, where a controller with a wide-angle lens and imaging means captures and maps images onto flat planes, allowing for the interpretation of image features as inputs to software, enabling more nuanced interactions by analyzing motion within an environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional physical controllers (joysticks, keypads) are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the interaction capability is limited to button-pushing or specific actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical controllers with an optical imaging system. A camera captures images of the environment, and image processing algorithms analyze motion and gestures, substituting mechanical button-pushing with optical detection and computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary between the user and the games machine. The camera and image analysis software act as mediators that translate physical gestures into digital commands, enabling new interaction modes without direct mechanical contact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical controllers like Eye Toy are used, then body motion control is enabled, but the field of view is limited and requires specific positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D image analysis to 3D environmental mapping by mapping image regions to facets of a cube. This dimensional transformation enables comprehensive spatial awareness and motion tracking from multiple virtual perspectives, eliminating positioning constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the wide-angle image into multiple regions and maps each region to a corresponding facet of a cube. This segmentation allows independent analysis of different spatial zones, enabling robust motion recognition regardless of camera positioning.
3Area of stationary object
If wide-angle imaging is used, then environmental coverage is increased, but image distortion increases requiring complex processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maps distorted wide-angle image regions onto flat facets of a cube, transforming the distorted 2D projection into undistorted planar representations. This dimensional transformation corrects distortion while preserving the expanded field of view.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of interaction with a data processor such as a games machine comprises the steps of capturing a wide angle image of an environment, obtaining image features from the wide angle image, and then interpreting these image features as inputs to software running on the games machine. The step of obtaining image features from the wide angle image further comprises the step of mapping one or more regions of the wide-angle image to corresponding one or more flat image planes, and obtaining image features from one or more of said planes of the mapped wide-angle image. Advantageously, the planes can be arranged to reflect the topology of a room or the positioning of players, and allow a consistent representation of image features and consequently of input motion to a process such as a game, without position dependent distortions of the features inherent in the wide angle image.