IP Library Granted Patent US 11,226,683
Granted Patent B2
US 11,226,683 · App. 16/606,480 · Granted Jan 18, 2022

Tracking stylus in a virtual reality system

Inventors: Hiroshi Horii (Palo Alto, CA); Ian N Robinson (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
G06F3/014G06F3/0304G06F3/0346G06F3/03546G06T7/248G06T7/74
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,226,683
App. No.
16/606,480
Granted
Jan 18, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed to monitor movement of a held object in a virtual reality system. The apparatus comprises a primary tracking system with a first sensor to monitor movement of the user's hand, and a secondary tracking system with a second sensor to monitor a position of the held object. The position is measured in relation to the hand movement.

Claims (39)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a primary tracking system comprising a first sensor to monitor first movement of a user's hand, wherein the first sensor is attached to the user's hand; and

a secondary tracking system to monitor second movement of an object held in the user's hand and a position of the object, the secondary tracking system comprising at least one additional sensor, a pivot disposed coaxial with a knuckle of an index finger of the user's hand, and a rotational encoder to measure rotation of the pivot;

wherein the position is measured in relation to the first movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the secondary tracking system further detects an orientation of the object.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the secondary tracking system further comprises a second sensor to detect the object movement in a two-dimensional plane.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the secondary tracking system further comprises a third sensor to detect the object movement in a direction orthogonal to the two-dimensional plane.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 ,

wherein rotation of the pivot indicates up and down movement of the index finger.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , the secondary tracking system further comprising:

a second pivot disposed orthogonal to the pivot; and

a second rotational encoder to measure rotation of the second pivot;

wherein rotation of the second pivot indicates side-to-side movement of the index finger.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , the secondary tracking system further comprising:

a joystick sensor disposed at one end of the object, wherein the joystick sensor is coupled to the first sensor; and

a z-position sensor disposed along a shaft of the object.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a primary tracking system comprising a first sensor to monitor first movement of an object in a user's hand; and

a secondary tracking system comprising:

a second sensor to detect a position and orientation of the object within a working volume adjacent to the second sensor;

a structure partially encircling a top portion of the object, wherein the structure is equidistant from the top portion; and

a plurality of cameras affixed to the structure such that the top portion of the object is in view of each of the plurality of cameras;

wherein the position and orientation are measured in relation to the first movement.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a plurality of fiducials is disposed around the top portion of the object;

wherein the plurality of cameras tracks rotational movement of the object by observing movement of one or more of the plurality of fiducials.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the structure is affixed to the first sensor.

11. A method to track movement of a tip of a stylus in a human hand, the method comprising:

monitoring a first movement of the human hand by coupling a first sensor over a palm of the human hand;

monitoring a first stylus movement using a second sensor; and

monitoring a second stylus movement using a third sensor, wherein the second stylus movement is orthogonal to the first stylus movement;

wherein the first and second stylus movements are measured relative to the first movement of the human hand.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising a controller to receive:

the first movement of the human hand from the first sensor;

the first stylus movement from the second sensor; and

the second stylus movement from the third sensor;

wherein the controller processes the first movement, then derives the first and second stylus movements based on the first movement.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising coupling the first sensor to the second sensor.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

a tip sensor disposed on the tip of the stylus, the tip sensor to detect contact with a surface or motion of the tip over a surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2019
From: HORII, HIROSHI; ROBINSON, IAN N
To: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Reel/Frame 050761/0467 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210333875A1 · Oct 28, 2021