Aspects of the present invention relate to a compact optics module for a head mounted display including a DLP image source comprising a polarized light source providing illumination light, a flat reflective polarizer to reflect the illumination light toward the DLP image source and transmit image light, wherein the illumination light is provided at an angle to the DLP, a quarter wave retarder to change the polarization state of the illumination light as it is reflected by the DLP image source thereby providing image light, at least one light trap to absorb a portion of off-state image light, a lens element to provide a viewable field of view of on-state image light in an image displayed by the DLP image source, and a combiner to reflect the on-state image light toward a user's eye and provide a see-through view of a surrounding environment.

See-through computer display systems

A method for detecting direction when interfacing with a computer program is provided. The method includes capturing an image presented in front of an image capture device. The image capture device has a capture location in a coordinate space. When a person is captured in the image, the method includes identifying a human head in the image and assigning the human head a head location in the coordinate space. The method also includes identifying an object held by the person in the image and assigning the object an object location in coordinate space. The method further includes identifying a relative position in coordinate space between the head location and the object location when viewed from the capture location. The relative position includes a dimension of depth. The method may be practiced on a computer system, such as one used in the gaming field.

Methods and systems for enabling depth and direction detection when interfacing with a computer program

An invention is provided for affording a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment using a three-dimensional camera. The invention includes obtaining two-dimensional data values for a plurality of pixels representing a physical scene, and obtaining a depth value for each pixel of the plurality of pixels using a depth sensing device. Each depth value indicates a distance from a physical object in the physical scene to the depth sensing device. At least one computer-generated virtual object is inserted into the scene, and an interaction between a physical object in the scene and the virtual object is detected based on coordinates of the virtual object and the obtained depth values.

System and method for providing a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment

Game interface tracks the position of one or more game controllers in 3-dimensional space using hybrid video capture and ultrasonic tracking system. The captured video information is used to identify a horizontal and vertical position for each controller within a capture area. The ultrasonic tracking system analyzes sound communications to determine the distances between the game system and each controller and to determine the distances among the controllers. The distances are then analyzed by the game interface to calculate the depths within the capture area for each controller.

Determination of controller three-dimensional location using image analysis and ultrasonic communication

Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user.

3D pointing devices with orientation compensation and improved usability

A user controlled device, movable into a plurality of positions of a three-dimensional space, includes a MEMS acceleration sensor to detect 3D movements of the user controlled device. The device, such as a mouse, sends control signals correlated to the detected positions to an electrical appliance, such as a computer system. A microcontroller processes the output signals of the MEMS acceleration sensor to generate the control signals, such as screen pointer position signals and “clicking” functions.

User controlled device for sending control signals to an electric appliance, in particular user controlled pointing device such as mouse or joystick, with 3D-motion detection

In an integrated free-fall detection device for a portable apparatus an acceleration sensor generates acceleration signals correlated to the components of the acceleration of the portable apparatus along three detection axes. A dedicated purely hardware circuit connected to the acceleration sensor generates a free-fall detection signal in a continuous way and in real-time. The free-fall detection signal has a first logic value in the event that the acceleration signals are simultaneously lower than a respective acceleration threshold, and is sent to a processor unit of the portable apparatus as an interrupt signal to activate appropriate actions of protection for the portable apparatus. Preferably, the acceleration sensor and the dedicated purely hardware circuit are integrated in a single chip and the acceleration sensor is made as a MEMS.

Free-fall detection device and free-fall protection system for a portable electronic apparatus

In a pedometer device for detecting and counting steps of a user on foot, an accelerometer sensor detects a vertical acceleration generated during the step. A processing unit, connected to the accelerometer sensor, processes an acceleration signal relating to the acceleration in order to detect the occurrence of a step, and in particular compares the acceleration signal with a first reference threshold. The processing unit automatically adapts the first reference threshold as a function of the acceleration signal. In particular, the processing unit modifies the first reference threshold as a function of an envelope of the amplitude of the acceleration signal.

Pedometer device and step detection method using an algorithm for self-adaptive computation of acceleration thresholds.

In a displacement detection device, an acceleration sensor generates at least a first acceleration signal relating to an axis of detection, and a displacement detection circuit is connected to the acceleration sensor has a comparator stage for comparing the acceleration signal with a programmable acceleration threshold and generates a displacement-detection signal. A high-pass filter is arranged between the acceleration sensor and the comparator stage so as to reduce a DC component of the acceleration signal. The cut-off frequency of the high-pass filter is modified according to the type of displacements that are to be detected.

Displacement detection device for a portable apparatus

A device for measuring the relative angular position of two bodies with respect to a point is provided with a first measuring element and a second measuring element, relatively movable with respect to one another and connectable to a first body and a second body, respectively; the first measuring element includes a first inclination sensor, which has a first detection axis and supplies a first inclination signal, correlated to a first angle of inclination of the first detection axis with respect to a reference axis, and the second measuring element includes a second inclination sensor, which has a second detection axis and supplies a second inclination signal, correlated to a second angle of inclination of the second detection axis with respect to the reference axis.

Fabio Pasolini

Papers

User controlled device for sending control signals to an electric appliance, in particular user controlled pointing device such as mouse or joystick, with 3D-motion detection

Free-fall detection device and free-fall protection system for a portable electronic apparatus

Pedometer device and step detection method using an algorithm for self-adaptive computation of acceleration thresholds.

Displacement detection device for a portable apparatus

Device for measuring the relative angular position of two bodies with respect to a point, and articular prosthesis provided therewith