Position calculation system

Abstract

Embodiments employ one or more ellipses to determine distance and location in relation to a camera. The captured images of ellipses are analyzed to determine the size of the major axes of the ellipses in the captured image. From the size of the major axis, using mathematics, the distance from the camera can be computed. This distance from the camera combined with the location of the center of the ellipse in the captured image may then be used to locate the ellipse in X-Y-Z space. The ellipses may be placed on articles attached to the body or head of a person, such as a hat or glasses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for calculating position in relation to a camera comprising one or more ellipses; a camera configured to capture images of said ellipses; an image analysis system coupled to said camera and configured to calculate a position of each of said ellipses from said camera images; and, said calculate a position and an orientation of each of said ellipse comprises locate a two-dimensional projection of said ellipses in said camera images; and, measure the length of major axes of said ellipses in said camera images; and, calculate a distance from said camera based on size of said major axes, and calculate a three-dimensional position and orientation of said ellipses from said two-dimensional projection. 
     
     
         2 . The method for calculating position of  claim 1 , wherein said ellipses are attached to an article that is in a fixed location in relation to a person. 
     
     
         3 . The method for calculating position of  claim 2 , wherein said fixed location is in relation to the head of said person. 
     
     
         4 . The method for calculating position of  claim 1 , wherein said camera is a built in or stand-alone camera that captures still images and video on a computer. 
     
     
         5 . A method for calculating distance in relation to a camera comprising one or more ellipses; a camera configured to capture images of said ellipses; an image analysis system coupled to said camera and configured to calculate a position of each of said ellipses from said camera images; and, said calculate a position and an orientation of each of said ellipse comprises locate a two-dimensional projection of said ellipses in said camera images; and, measure the length of major axes of said ellipses in said camera images; and, calculate a distance from said camera based on size of said major axes. 
     
     
         6 . The method for calculating distance in relation to a camera of  claim 5 , wherein said ellipses are attached to an article that is in a fixed location in relation to a person. 
     
     
         7 . The method for calculating distance in relation to a camera of  claim 6 , wherein said fixed location is in relation to the head of said person. 
     
     
         8 . The method for calculating position of  claim 5 , wherein said camera is a built in or stand-alone camera that captures still images and video on a computer. 
     
     
         9 . A position calculating system comprising one or more ellipses; a camera configured to capture images of said ellipses; an image analysis system coupled to said camera and configured to calculate a position of each of said ellipses from said camera images; and, said calculate a position and an orientation of each of said ellipse comprises locate a two-dimensional projection of said ellipses in said camera images; and, measure the length of major axes of said ellipses in said camera images; and, calculate a distance from said camera based on size of said major axes, and calculate a three-dimensional position and orientation of said ellipses from said two-dimensional projection. 
     
     
         10 . The position calculating system of  claim 9 , wherein said ellipses are attached to an article that is in a fixed location in relation to a person. 
     
     
         11 . The position calculating system of  claim 10 , wherein said fixed location is in relation to the head of said person. 
     
     
         12 . The position calculating system of  claim 9 , wherein said camera is a built in or stand-alone camera that captures still images and video on a computer.