Perspective tracking system
Resolution of perspective in three dimensions is necessary for intermeshing real players into simulated environments during virtual training exercises. A combination of small sized sensors and image recognition tracking algorithms allows the tracking element to be placed directly on the device whose perspective is desired. This provides a solution to determining perspective as it provides a direct measurement from the center axis of the observer. This invention employs a perspective tracking device to determine a point-of-gaze or a point-of-aim in a three-dimensional space to a high degree of accuracy. Point-of-gaze may be used to determine views for head mounted displays and aim-points for weapons. The invention may operate in an unconstrained space allowing simulation participants to operate in a larger, open environment. Areas of interest in the environment are bounded by emitters which identify the region and its physical constraints.
1. A perspective tracking system comprising:
a computer-based perspective tracking device; and
an array of emitters configured to define at least one area of interest based on emitted signals from at least two emitters in the array of emitters;
wherein the computer-based perspective tracking device is configured to determine a spatial position, orientation, and size of the area of interest based on the emitted signals from the array of emitters;
wherein the computer-based perspective tracking device is configured to capture a plurality of image frames of said at least one area of interest;
wherein the computer-based perspective tracking system is configured to analyze said plurality of image frames to determine a motion formulae of the computer-based perspective tracking device, and
wherein the computer-based perspective tracking system is configured to measure a light intensity of each of the at least two emitters in the array of emitters over a detection threshold and apply a correction equation to the light intensity measurement that yields temperature-based offsets.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one emitter in the array of emitters comprises a light emitter.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one emitter in the array of emitters is configured to modulate the light to output an identification of said light emitter.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said identification comprises one or more of:
an identification sequence;
an error correction; and
a validation sequence.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one area of interest comprises an n-sided polygon defined by said array of emitters.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said spatial position, orientation, and size comprise:
point of gaze; or
point of aim.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the perspective tracking system is configured to determine the motion formulae in six degrees of freedom.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said determining by the perspective tracking system comprises the use of one or more of:
an accelerometer;
a gyroscope; and
a magnetometer.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer-based perspective tracking device and at least one emitter of the array of emitters are configured to communicate wirelessly.
10. A perspective tracking method comprising:
capturing, using a computer-based system, a first image frame wherein said first image frame includes a first location of a first emitter and a first location of a second emitter;
determining, using the computer-based system, a first area of interest based on the first location of the first emitter and the first location of the second emitter;
determining, based on the first locations of the first and second emitters, a spatial position, an orientation, and a size of the first area of interest;
capturing, using the computer-based system, a second image frame wherein said second image frame includes a second location of said first emitter and a second location of said second emitter;
determining, using the computer-based system, a second area of interest based on the second location of the first emitter and the second location of the second emitter;
determining, based on the second locations of the first and second emitters, a spatial position, an orientation, and a size of the second area of interest; and
determining a motion characteristic of the first and second emitters,
wherein the capture of each image frame comprises measuring a light intensity of each of the first and second emitters over a detection threshold and applying a correction equation to the light intensity measurement that yields temperature-based offsets.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the capture of each image frame further comprises
calculating a centroid of the light intensity of each of the first and second emitters.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
said first image capturing step further comprises capturing said first image frame wherein said first image frame includes a first location of a third emitter;
said first determining step comprises determining said first area of interest based on the first location of each of the first, second, and third emitters;
said second image capturing step further comprises capturing said second image frame wherein said second image frame includes a second location of said third emitter; and
said second determining step comprises determining said second area of interest based on the second location of each of the first, second and third emitters.
13. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to track a movement and a perspective of an array of emitters, the control logic comprising:
first computer readable program code for causing the computer to capture a first image frame wherein said first image frame includes a first location of a first emitter and a first location of a second emitter;
second computer readable program code for causing the computer to determine a first area of interest based on the first location of the first emitter and the first location of the second emitter;
third computer readable program code for causing the computer to determine, based on the first locations of the first and second emitters, a spatial position, an orientation, and a size of the first area of interest;
fourth computer readable program code for causing the computer to capture a second image frame wherein said second image frame includes a second location of said first emitter and a second location of said second emitter;
fifth computer readable program code for causing the computer to determine a second area of interest based on the second location of the first emitter and the second location of the second emitter;
sixth computer readable program code fir causing the computer to determine, based on the second locations of the first and second emitters, a spatial position, an orientation, and a size of the second area of interest; and
seventh computer readable program code for causing the computer to determine a motion characteristic of the first and second emitters,
wherein each of the first and fourth computer readable program code comprises:
computer readable program code for causing the computer to measure a light intensity of each of the first and second emitters over a detection threshold; and
computer readable program code for causing the computer to apply a correction equation to the light intensity measurement that yields temperature-based offsets.
14. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein each of the first and fourth computer readable program code further comprises:
computer readable program code for causing the computer to calculate a centroid of the light intensity of each of the first and second emitters.
15. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein said correction equation yields an
optical error correction.