Head tracker system

• US 6,377,401 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Limited (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Bartlett, Christopher T
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEYRAFI, SAEED HMT
• Application Number:
  US09/622,312
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 359/629, 359/630, 359/632, 359/462, 359/466, 359/815, 2/61, 2/7, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/225 Helmet sighting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042

Abstract

A head tracker system for determining a user'"'"'s head orientation relative to a datum comprises: a head mounting, preferably a helmet (2), for attachment to the user'"'"'s head and a sensor system (10,12) for sensing the orientation of the head mounting (2) relative and the datum. A distinguishable marking (26) is provided at a first known point fixed relative to the head mounting or a second known point fixed relative to the datum. At the other known point an optical sensor (18), preferably a video camera, is mounted. The system further comprises processing means (28) for determining when the marking is within the field of view of the optical sensor and the output of the processing means is used to correct for drift in the sensor system or to provide an independent verification that the system is functioning within preselected tolerances.

Claims

1. A head tracker system for determining a user'"'"'s head orientation relative to a datum comprising:

a head mounting for attachment to the user'"'"'s head and a sensor system for sensing the orientation of the head mounting relative to the datum;

characterised by a distinguishable marking and an optical sensor designed in use to be fixed respectively relative to a first known point fixed relative to the head mounting and a second known point fixed relative to the datum or vice versa and processing means for determining when the marking is within the field of view of the optical sensor and wherein the output of the processing means is used to correct for drift in the sensor system or to provide an independent verification that the system is functioning within preselected tolerances.

2. A head tracker system according to claim 1 wherein the distinguishable marking comprises a spatial pattern.

3. A head tracker system according to claim 1 wherein the distinguishable marking is defined in part at least by the colour of the marking.

4. A head tracker system according to claim 1, and further comprising a marking generator for generating the distinguishable marking.

5. A head tracker system according to claim 4 wherein the colour of the marking is defined by the wavelength of the light produced by the marking generator.

6. A head tracker system according to claim 4 wherein the marking is defined in part at least by modulating the light produced by the marking generator.

7. A head tracker system according to claim 1 wherein the marking is a substantially collimated image having an axis which is predetermined and which passes through said associated known point.

8. A head tracker system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second known fixed points are selected such that the marking is within the field of view of the optical sensor whenever the user'"'"'s head is oriented in a direction in which it is most commonly directed during operation.

9. A head tracker system according to claim 8 wherein when the optical sensor is associated with the first known point, the axis of the field of view of the sensor is substantially aligned with the forward looking direction of the user.

10. A head tracker system according to claim 7, wherein the marking generator comprises a boresight reticle unit.

11. A head tracker system according to claim 7, when used in an aircraft or other vehicle which includes a head-up display, further comprises using the head-up display to produce the distinguishable marking.

12. A head tracker system according to claim 1 wherein the optical sensor comprises a video camera.

13. A head tracker system according to claim 1 and further comprising at least two known fixed points having a respective distinguishable marking associated with it.

14. A head tracker system according to claim 1 wherein the processing means is operable to correlate scene data captured by the optical sensor with data which is representative of the or each marking to determine if the or each marking is within, and or where it is within, the field of view of the optical sensor.