Optical tracking device

Abstract

This invention discloses an optical tracking device, comprising a tracking module and a rotating component. The tracking module includes a light-emitting unit and an optical detector. The rotating component is disposed opposite to the tracking module. The rotating component has a rotating shaft, an outer surface, and opposing first and second ends. The rotating shaft passes through the center of the first and second ends. The outer surface connects between the first and second ends and partially faces the tracking module. The angle between the plane normal vector of a portion of the outer surface and the axial direction of the rotating shaft is greater than or less than 90 degrees. Illumination light output by the light-emitting unit is reflected by the outer surface and projected onto the optical detector; the angle value of the rotating component is designed to correspond to the illumination range of the light-emitting unit. The optical tracking device of this invention features a specially designed rotating component, which can effectively detect the rotation and relative translation of the rotating component, and can be applied to various types of electronic products, thus possessing superior market competitiveness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical tracking device, and more particularly to an optical tracking device with preferred design flexibility. Background Technology

[0002] With advancements in technology, smartwatches utilize optical detection devices to detect crown rotation. Traditional optical detection devices consist of a cylindrical rotating component and a detection module. The cylindrical rotating component has identical cross-sectional dimensions along its axial direction and is connected to the crown. The detection module outputs illumination light onto the cylindrical rotating component and receives reflected light to identify surface features, thereby analyzing the rotational action to determine the user's interaction with the crown. However, the distance between the light emitter and receiver in the detection module, and the distance between the detection module and the cylindrical rotating component, are limited by the cylindrical structure of the rotating component, making it difficult to apply traditional optical detection devices to electronic products requiring a compact and slim design. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an optical tracking device with preferred design flexibility.

[0004] The present invention further discloses an optical tracking device, comprising a tracking module and a rotating component. The tracking module includes a light-emitting unit and an optical detector. The rotating component is disposed opposite to the tracking module. The rotating component has a rotating shaft, an outer surface, and opposing first and second ends. The rotating shaft passes through the center of the first and second ends. The outer surface connects between the first and second ends and partially faces the tracking module. The angle between the plane normal vector of a portion of the outer surface and the axial direction of the rotating shaft is greater than or less than 90 degrees. Illumination light output by the light-emitting unit is reflected by the outer surface and projected onto the optical detector; the rotating component is designed with the angle value corresponding to the illumination range of the light-emitting unit.

[0005] The present invention also discloses that the shortest length of the outer surface between two reference points at the first end and the second end is greater than the shortest length of the rotating shaft between two corresponding reference points at the first end and the second end; or, the distance of the edge of the first end relative to the rotating shaft is less than the distance of the edge of the second end relative to the rotating shaft; or, the outer surface is divided into multiple segments, and the distance of each segment relative to the tracking module is different from the distance of other segments relative to the tracking module; or, the outer surface is divided into multiple segments, and the distance of each segment relative to the rotating shaft is different from the distance of other segments relative to the rotating shaft.

[0006] The invention also discloses that the cross-sectional dimension of the first end is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the second end. The rotating member has a tapered cross-section along the axial direction. The difference between the cross-sectional dimensions of the first end and the second end is less than a predetermined value, and the cross-sectional dimension of the rotating member in the intermediate section between the first end and the second end is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of either the first end or the second end. The tracking module is positioned corresponding to this intermediate section and between the first end or the second end.

[0007] The present invention also discloses that the distance between the light-emitting unit and the optical detector is inversely proportional to the angle value of the included angle. The distance between the tracking module and the rotating member is inversely proportional to the angle value of the included angle. The projection range of the rotating member on the optical detector partially overlaps with the detection surface of the optical detector. The length of the projection range along the axial direction is between one-third and one-quarter of the width of the detection surface along the axial direction.

[0008] The present invention also discloses that the optical tracking device further includes a processing unit electrically connected to the tracking module. The optical detector acquires a detection image associated with the rotating member, and the processing unit analyzes the detection image to determine the behavior of the rotating member. The processing unit analyzes feature points within the detection image to determine the rotation of the rotating member along the axis of rotation. The processing unit analyzes brightness changes in the detection image to determine the relative translation between the rotating member and the tracking module.

[0009] The present invention also discloses that the outer surface is a plane or an arc surface, and that the outer surface is a continuous surface or a discontinuous surface.

[0010] The optical tracking device of this invention designs the rotating component as a structure with an inclined outer surface. The slope or curvature of the outer surface of the rotating component is inversely proportional to the distance between the light-emitting unit and the optical detector, allowing the light-emitting unit and the optical detector to be designed more closely together to create a smaller tracking module. The slope or curvature of the outer surface of the rotating component is also inversely proportional to the distance between the tracking module and the rotating component, allowing the rotating component to be closer to the tracking module, thus providing more internal configuration space in the electronic products in which the optical tracking device is applied. Compared to prior art, the optical tracking device of this invention, with its specially designed rotating component, not only reduces the overall size of the tracking module and the optical tracking device but also effectively detects the rotation and relative translation of the rotating component, making it applicable to a variety of different types of electronic products and giving it a superior market competitiveness. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of the optical tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the optical tracking device according to different embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a simplified structural diagram of an optical tracking device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a simplified structural diagram of an optical tracking device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0016] 10, 10A, 10B Optical Tracking Devices

[0017] 12 Tracking Module

[0018] Rotating components 14, 14A, 14B

[0019] 15. Operating Terminal

[0020] 16 Computing Processors

[0021] 18 light-emitting units

[0022] 20 Optical detectors

[0023] 22 Outer surface

[0024] 24,24B First End

[0025] 26,26B Second End

[0026] Section 28

[0027] 30 detection surfaces

[0028] Ax hinge

[0029] V1 Plane Normal Vector

[0030] V2 Axial

[0031] θ (angle)

[0032] R1, R2 reference points

[0033] Shortest length of D1, D2

[0034] Distance between D3 and D4

[0035] Projection distances of DP1 and DP2 Detailed Implementation

[0036] Please see Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of the optical tracking device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3The diagram shows a simplified structure of the optical tracking device 10 according to different embodiments of the present invention. The optical tracking device 10 can detect rotational and translational movements, and is preferably applicable to smartwatches. Due to its special structural design, the optical tracking device 10 also has a small size, further enabling smartwatches to have a lightweight and slim design. In addition, the optical tracking device 10 of the present invention can also be applied to small electronic products such as air conditioner knobs or speaker volume buttons, or even to large electronic products such as electric vehicles. The variations depend on actual needs, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0037] The optical tracking device 10 may include at least a tracking module 12 and a rotating member 14. One end of the rotating member 14 is connected to an operating end 15, and the other end of the rotating member 14 is disposed opposite to the tracking module 12. For example, if the optical tracking device 10 is used in a smartwatch, an air conditioning knob, or a horn volume button, the operating end 15 next to the rotating member 14 can be the crown of the smartwatch, or the control button of the air conditioning knob and / or the horn volume button; if the optical tracking device 10 is used in an electric vehicle, the rotating member 14 can be disposed on the axle of the electric vehicle, and the operating end 15 next to the rotating member 14 is the end on the axle where the tire is mounted, but the actual application is not limited to this.

[0038] In addition, the optical tracking device 10 may further include a processing unit 16 and an electrically connected tracking module 12. The tracking module 12 includes a light-emitting unit 18 and an optical detector 20. The light-emitting unit 18 outputs illumination light to project onto the rotating member 14. The optical detector 20 receives the illumination light reflected back from the rotating member 14, thereby generating a detection image associated with the rotating member 14; by analyzing the detection image, parameters such as the positional changes of feature points of the rotating member 14 and the changes in image brightness of the detection image can be obtained. The processing unit 16 analyzes these parameters of the detection image to determine the behavior of the rotating member 14.

[0039] The rotating member 14 may have a rotating shaft Ax, an outer surface 22, and opposing first ends 24 and second ends 26. The cross-sectional dimensions of the first end 24 are preferably smaller than those of the second end 26, so that the cross-section of the rotating member 14 along the axial direction V2 of the rotating shaft Ax can be tapered or similar in shape. The rotating shaft Ax passes through the center of the first end 24 and the second end 26, and the rotating member 14 rotates with respect to the rotating shaft Ax. The outer surface 22 may connect the first end 24 and the second end 26; as the rotating member 14 rotates, portions of the rotating member 14 will alternately face the tracking module 12. The processing processor 16 analyzes and detects changes in the position of feature points and / or image brightness of these portions of the rotating member 14 within the image to determine the behavior of the rotating member 14.

[0040] In this invention, the optical tracking device 10 alters the shape of the rotating member 14 to differ from a traditional standard cylinder, for example, presenting it as a cone or a structure with different dimensions at its two opposite ends. The outer surface 22 between the first end 24 and the second end 26 of the rotating member 14 can be composed of multiple inclined planes with different slopes, or an inclined plane with a single slope, such as... Figure 2 The illustrated implementation state may consist of multiple arc surfaces with gradually changing curvature, or arc surfaces with the same curvature, such as... Figure 3 The embodiment shown is not limited to this, but the actual variations are not limited to this. The outer surface 22 can be divided into multiple regions, which can be planar or curved, and are not limited to continuous or discontinuous surfaces; at least some of these regions have a plane normal vector V1 with respect to the axis V2 of the rotation axis Ax with an angle θ greater than or less than ninety degrees, that is, the plane normal vector V1 is not perpendicular to the axis V2.

[0041] On the other hand, two reference points R1 can be defined on the outer surface 22 at the first end 24 and the second end 26, respectively, and two corresponding reference points R2 can also be defined on the rotation axis Ax at the first end 24 and the second end 26, respectively. The relationship between reference points R1 and R2 is that the coordinates of reference point R1 projected vertically onto the rotation axis Ax are the same as the coordinates of reference point R2 on the rotation axis Ax. Therefore, the shortest length D1 between the two reference points R1 on the outer surface 22 will be greater than the shortest length D2 between the two corresponding reference points R2 on the rotation axis Ax. The line corresponding to the shortest length D2 is a horizontal straight line, while the line corresponding to the shortest length D1 is... Figure 2 The illustrated implementation is a slanted straight line, in Figure 3 The illustrated implementation is a sloping arc; however, practical applications are not limited to this.

[0042] Other interpretations include: the distance D3 of the edge of the first end 24 relative to the rotation axis Ax can be less than the distance D4 of the edge of the second end 26 relative to the rotation axis Ax, and the outer surface 22 between the first end 24 and the second end 26 will exhibit a single slope, a gradually changing slope, a single curvature, or a gradually changing curvature. In other words, it can also be interpreted as: the outer surface 22 can be divided into multiple segments 28, and the projection distance DP1 of each segment 28 relative to the tracking module 12 can be different from the projection distance DP1 of other segments 28 relative to the tracking module 12; or it can be interpreted as: the projection distance DP2 of each segment 28 relative to the rotation axis Ax can be different from the projection distance DP2 of other segments 28 relative to the rotation axis Ax.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the illumination light output by the light-emitting unit 18 is reflected by the outer surface 22 of the rotating member 14 and projected onto the optical detector 20. Therefore, the optical tracking device 10 of the present invention designs the rotating member 14 as a cone (or a similar shape), which, compared to a conventional standard cylinder, changes the reflection direction of the illumination light from the outer surface 22 to the optical detector 20. This allows for a closer distance between the light-emitting unit 18 and the optical detector 20, enabling the production of a smaller tracking module 12. In addition, the special design of the rotating member 14 further shortens the distance between the tracking module 12 and the rotating member 14, allowing the electronic products in which the optical tracking device 10 is used to have more internal configuration space.

[0044] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a simplified structural diagram of an optical tracking device 10A according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, elements with the same numbers as those in the previous embodiment have the same structure and function, and will not be described again here. In the previous embodiment, the tracking module 12 was placed between the first end 24 and the second end 26 of the rotating member 14; however, practical applications are not limited to this. In possible variations, the tracking module 12 can be disposed on the side end of the rotating member 14A. For example, the projection range of the rotating member 14A of the optical tracking device 10A onto the optical detector 20 can partially overlap with the detection surface 30 of the optical detector 20, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the length of this projection range along the axial direction Ax can be selectively between one-third and one-quarter of the width of the detection surface 30 along the axial direction Ax. Therefore, the design of this invention can also shorten the length of the rotating member 14A, thereby achieving a smaller optical tracking device 10A.

[0045] It is worth noting that this invention does not explicitly define the actual value or change of the slope or curvature of the outer surface 22 of the rotating member 14 between the first end 24 and the second end 26; the light-emitting unit 18 is typically a divergent light source, and the rotating member 14 is designed with an included angle θ corresponding to the illumination range (FOI) of the light-emitting unit 18 (corresponding to the change of slope or curvature of the outer surface 22 between the first end 24 and the second end 26). In other words, the optical tracking device 10 determines the slope or curvature of the outer surface 22 of the rotating member 14 according to the light source form of the light-emitting unit 18, or can further select the light source form of the light-emitting unit 18 and the slope or curvature of the outer surface 22 of the rotating member 14 according to the required size of the tracking module 12 and / or the required internal configuration space of the electronic product to which the optical tracking device 10 is applied.

[0046] In actual operation of the optical tracking device 10, if the user rotates the operating end 15, it will cause the rotating component 14 to rotate synchronously. The tracking module 12 can capture a detection image associated with the rotating component 14, and the processing unit 16 analyzes the feature points in the detection image to determine whether the rotating component 14 rotates along the rotation axis Ax, as well as its rotation angle and speed. If the user presses the operating end 15, the rotating component 14 will move relative to the tracking module 12 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (From right to left); at this time, the projection range of the illumination light reflected by the outer surface 22 may move from a position that completely covers the optical detector 20 to a position that partially covers the optical detector 20, or a position that does not cover the optical detector 20. Therefore, the processing processor 16 can analyze the brightness change of the detected image to determine the relative translation between the rotating member 14 and the tracking module 12.

[0047] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a simplified structural diagram of an optical tracking device 10B according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, elements with the same numbers as those in the previous embodiments have the same structure and function, and will not be described again here. The optical tracking device 10B can design the rotating member 14B such that the cross-sectional dimensions of the first end 24B are the same as or similar to the cross-sectional dimensions of the second end 26B, that is, the difference between the cross-sectional dimensions of the first end 24B and the second end 26B is less than a predetermined value, and the cross-sectional dimensions of the intermediate section 32 of the rotating member 14B between the first end 24B and the second end 26B will be smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the first end 24B and / or the second end 26B; the predetermined value depends on the allowable error of the rotating member 14B.

[0048] The rotating component 14B is a structure that is wide at both ends and narrow in the middle, and can be applied to the wheel axle of an electric vehicle. The tracking module 12 of the optical tracking device 10B can be selectively positioned at a position corresponding to the middle section 32 of the rotating component 14B, or at a position corresponding to the middle section 32 of the rotating component 14B and the first end 24B or the second end 26B. When the electric vehicle moves forward or backward, the optical tracking device 10B can analyze the positional changes of feature points on the rotating component 14B in the detection image to determine the direction or speed of the electric vehicle; the optical tracking device 10B can also further analyze the brightness changes in the detection image to determine whether the rotating component 14B has translated, thereby detecting whether the electric vehicle is turning.

[0049] In summary, the optical tracking device of the present invention designs the rotating component as a structure with an inclined outer surface. The slope or curvature of the outer surface of the rotating component is inversely proportional to the distance between the light-emitting unit and the optical detector, allowing the light-emitting unit and the optical detector to be designed more closely together to create a smaller tracking module. The slope or curvature of the outer surface of the rotating component is also inversely proportional to the distance between the tracking module and the rotating component, allowing the rotating component to be closer to the tracking module, thus providing more internal configuration space in the electronic products in which the optical tracking device is applied. Compared to prior art, the optical tracking device of the present invention, with its specially designed rotating component, not only reduces the overall size of the tracking module and the optical tracking device but also effectively detects the rotation and relative translation of the rotating component, enabling its application in various types of electronic products and giving it superior market competitiveness.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical tracking device, characterized in that, The optical tracking device includes: The tracking module includes a light-emitting unit and an optical detector; and A rotating component is disposed opposite to the tracking module. The rotating component has a rotating shaft, an outer surface, and opposing first and second ends. The rotating shaft passes through the center of the first and second ends. The outer surface is connected between the first and second ends and partially faces the tracking module. The angle between the plane normal vector of a portion of the outer surface and the axis of the rotating shaft is greater than or less than 90 degrees. The illumination light output by the light-emitting unit is reflected by the outer surface and projected onto the optical detector; the rotating component is designed with the included angle value corresponding to the illumination range of the light-emitting unit.

2. The optical tracking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shortest length of the outer surface between the two reference points at the first end and the second end is greater than the shortest length of the shaft between the two corresponding reference points at the first end and the second end.

3. The optical tracking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the edge of the first end and the pivot is less than the distance between the edge of the second end and the pivot.

4. The optical tracking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface is divided into multiple segments, and the distance of each segment relative to the tracking module is different from the distance of other segments relative to the tracking module.

5. The optical tracking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface is divided into multiple segments, and the distance of each segment relative to the axis of rotation is different from the distance of other segments relative to the axis of rotation.

6. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional dimension of the first end is smaller than that of the second end.

7. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The rotating component has a tapered cross-section along this axis.

8. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The difference between the cross-sectional dimensions of the first end and the cross-sectional dimensions of the second end is less than a predetermined value, and the cross-sectional dimensions of the rotating member in the intermediate section between the first end and the second end are less than the cross-sectional dimensions of the first end or the second end.

9. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The tracking module is positioned between the corresponding middle section and the first or second end.

10. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the light-emitting unit and the optical detector is inversely proportional to the angle value of the included angle.

11. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The distance of the tracking module relative to the rotating component is inversely proportional to the angle value of the included angle.

12. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The projection range of the rotating component onto the optical detector partially overlaps with the detection surface of the optical detector.

13. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The length of the projection range along the axis is between one-third and one-quarter of the width of the detection surface along the axis.

14. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical tracking device also includes a processing unit electrically connected to the tracking module. The optical detector acquires a detection image associated with the rotating component, and the processing unit analyzes the detection image to determine the behavior of the rotating component.

15. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The processor analyzes the feature points within the detected image to determine the rotation of the rotating component along the axis of rotation.

16. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The processor analyzes the brightness changes in the detected image to determine the relative translation between the rotating component and the tracking module.

17. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface is either flat or curved.

18. The optical tracking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface can be a continuous surface or a discontinuous surface.

Images