Headtracking projector
Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 8:46 am
I just came across this interesting combination of a projector and head tracking software.
http://www.picoprojector-info.com/immer ... -projector" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It has a camera and software tracking the head motion of the user, and then a device moves a small projector so that its image is projected towards the users direction of view. The image is projected onto a cylindrical screen sitting on a desktop, with the projector sitting in the center.
The demonstration has two major limitations. #1) There is a slow response speed. #2) The projected image is very small. However, both of the above issues should be easily addressable. E.g They can switch to a different head tracking technology with less lag. Also, they don't need to use a pico-projector, but can switch to a larger one with a wider area of coverage. If the weight of the projector is too much to move quickly, they can aim the projector at a mirror and then move the mirror which has a much less inertia.
Also, for you home-brew folks, I think even the head tracker can be eliminated by having the projector mounted in a frame that is situated over the user's head and then the movement of the projector tied to the swivel of the chair. Someone here actually built this, but I can't find the discussion for some reason. I am not choosing the correct search terms. It was discussed within the past year.
An obvious alternative is the multi-projector camera set-up used in cave environments or on a larger cylindrical screen. Also, just using a single projector and projecting onto a cylindrical mirror onto a cylindrical screen gives a wide field of view. I imagine the advantage to having the projected image move is that you can use a single projector and still obtain a high resolution image regardless of the direction you look. With falling projector prices for high definition it may not be an issue any more. It may be easier in the long run to use multiple projectors on a curved screen.
I will mention one more concept, which is s bit off topic. I didn't think it was worth a new thread.
For these types of displays, you always need to have a pop-up window that shows your controls or other game information. If this information were instead put on to a LCD panel situated about where a laptop screen would be, then you can have your flight simulator instrument panel and other similar displays on that panel. With a touch screen, I imagine it would be very useful. This idea it so obvious, I am sure it is my inexperience with gaming software that explains why I haven't seen this before. Can someone mention a game that supports this arrangement? E.g. a laptop with instrument panel displayed, and using a larger separate monitor for the display of the environment.
Joe Dunfee
http://www.picoprojector-info.com/immer ... -projector" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It has a camera and software tracking the head motion of the user, and then a device moves a small projector so that its image is projected towards the users direction of view. The image is projected onto a cylindrical screen sitting on a desktop, with the projector sitting in the center.
The demonstration has two major limitations. #1) There is a slow response speed. #2) The projected image is very small. However, both of the above issues should be easily addressable. E.g They can switch to a different head tracking technology with less lag. Also, they don't need to use a pico-projector, but can switch to a larger one with a wider area of coverage. If the weight of the projector is too much to move quickly, they can aim the projector at a mirror and then move the mirror which has a much less inertia.
Also, for you home-brew folks, I think even the head tracker can be eliminated by having the projector mounted in a frame that is situated over the user's head and then the movement of the projector tied to the swivel of the chair. Someone here actually built this, but I can't find the discussion for some reason. I am not choosing the correct search terms. It was discussed within the past year.
An obvious alternative is the multi-projector camera set-up used in cave environments or on a larger cylindrical screen. Also, just using a single projector and projecting onto a cylindrical mirror onto a cylindrical screen gives a wide field of view. I imagine the advantage to having the projected image move is that you can use a single projector and still obtain a high resolution image regardless of the direction you look. With falling projector prices for high definition it may not be an issue any more. It may be easier in the long run to use multiple projectors on a curved screen.
I will mention one more concept, which is s bit off topic. I didn't think it was worth a new thread.
For these types of displays, you always need to have a pop-up window that shows your controls or other game information. If this information were instead put on to a LCD panel situated about where a laptop screen would be, then you can have your flight simulator instrument panel and other similar displays on that panel. With a touch screen, I imagine it would be very useful. This idea it so obvious, I am sure it is my inexperience with gaming software that explains why I haven't seen this before. Can someone mention a game that supports this arrangement? E.g. a laptop with instrument panel displayed, and using a larger separate monitor for the display of the environment.
Joe Dunfee