3-D ROBOTIC VISION AND VISION CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20080297590A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dan Hess, Fred Barber
• Original Assignee: Dan Hess, Fred Barber
• Inventors: BARBER, Fred, Hess, Dan
• Application Number:
  US11/756,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20080297590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/47
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/383 for tracking with gaze detection, i.e. detecting the lines of sight of the viewer's eyes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

A robotic vision and vision control system includes a stereoscopic camera mounted on a robot and a remote three-dimensional display system that provides the operator of the robot with a good sense of depth or distance for more precisely maneuvering the robot. The stereoscopic display system can further include an eye-tracking system that monitors the operator'"'"'s eyes to determine the direction in which the operator'"'"'s eyes are looking and points the camera in that direction.

Claims

1. A robotic vision and vision control system for remote robot control, the system comprising:

a stereoscopic video camera system mounted to a remotely controllable robot; and

a stereoscopic display system remotely coupled to the stereoscopic video camera system for viewing by an operator remotely controlling the robot.

2. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic display system is a holographic display system.

3. The system claimed in claim 2, wherein the holographic display system comprises a holographic screen and dual projectors for projecting left-eye and right-eye images upon the holographic screen.

4. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic display system further comprises an eye-tracking subsystem for tracking a direction of an operator'"'"'s eyes and providing a feedback signal to the stereoscopic video camera system for controlling pointing of the stereoscopic video camera system.

5. The system claimed in claim 4, wherein the stereoscopic display system is a holographic display system.

6. The system claimed in claim 5, wherein the holographic display system comprises a holographic screen and dual projectors for projecting left-eye and right-eye images upon the holographic screen.

7. A method for providing robotic vision and vision control, comprising:

mounting a stereoscopic video camera system to a remotely controllable robot; and

coupling a stereoscopic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system, the stereoscopic display system co-located with a robot operator console for viewing by an operator remotely controlling the robot.

8. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of coupling a stereoscopic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system comprises coupling a holographic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system.

9. The method claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of coupling a holographic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system comprises coupling a holographic display system comprising a holographic screen and dual projectors for projecting left-eye and right-eye images upon the holographic screen.

10. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of coupling a stereoscopic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system further comprises coupling an eye-tracking subsystem for tracking a direction of the operator'"'"'s eyes and providing a feedback signal to the stereoscopic video camera system for controlling pointing of the stereoscopic video camera system.

11. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of coupling a stereoscopic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system comprises coupling a holographic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system.

12. The method claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of coupling a holographic display system to the stereoscopic video camera system comprises coupling a holographic display system comprising a holographic screen and dual projectors for projecting left-eye and right-eye images upon the holographic screen.