Dual-Channel Optical Navigation with Vertical Sensor Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical navigation systems are spatially constrained due to their angular configuration, limiting their use in various applications and confining them to contact navigation applications close to the surface, as they require direct light reflection for operation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-channel optical navigation system that integrates both contact and free-space navigation sensors on a circuit board, utilizing a light pipe to redirect light from a contact navigation surface to a contact navigation sensor and incorporating a free-space navigation lens to collect ambient light for the free-space navigation sensor, allowing for reduced spatial requirements and versatility in navigation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional optical navigation system uses angular configuration to illuminate and track a navigation surface, then it can achieve contact navigation functionality, but it consumes excessive space and restricts incorporation in spatially-constrained applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal angular configuration to a vertical configuration by positioning the light source above the navigation surface and using a light pipe to conduct light vertically downward. This dimensional change eliminates the need for lateral space and angular arrangements, enabling compact integration while maintaining navigation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light pipe as an intermediary component between the light source and the navigation surface. The light pipe conducts light from the vertically positioned light source down to the navigation surface, enabling contact navigation without requiring the light source to be positioned at an angle near the surface, thus reducing spatial requirements.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional optical navigation system is configured for contact navigation, then it can track motion accurately, but it is confined to applications in close proximity to the navigation surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both contact navigation and free-space navigation capabilities into a single device. The contact navigation sensor detects motion when in contact with or near the navigation surface, while the free-space navigation sensor enables operation without direct contact, allowing the system to adapt to various application scenarios and environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines contact navigation and free-space navigation sensors into a unified dual-channel system. This merging of functionalities allows the device to operate in both contact and free-space modes, enhancing versatility and adaptability across different applications while maintaining motion tracking accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-channel optical navigation system integrates both contact and free-space navigation sensors on opposing sides of a circuit board, then it achieves versatility in navigation modes, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the navigation system into two independent channels: contact navigation and free-space navigation. Each channel has its dedicated sensor, light source, and processing circuitry. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall integration by reducing interference between the two navigation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the contact navigation sensor and free-space navigation sensor on opposing sides of the circuit board, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate the two channels. This spatial arrangement minimizes interference between the channels while maintaining a compact form factor, effectively managing device complexity through three-dimensional layout optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables navigation in both contact and free-space modes with reduced spatial constraints, enhancing the system's applicability in diverse environments by separating illumination and imaging channels vertically, thus minimizing horizontal distance and angles.
Implementation Method 1
The light pipe transmits the light from the light source to the contact navigation surface and directs reflected light from the contact navigation surface to the contact navigation sensor
Implementation Method 2
The light pipe transmits the light from the light source to the contact navigation surface and directs reflected light from the contact navigation surface to the contact navigation sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-channel optical navigation system with vertically aligned sensors. The dual-channel optical navigation system includes a circuit board, a contact navigation sensor, and a free-space navigation sensor. The circuit board mechanically supports and electrically connects multiple navigation sensors on opposing sides of the circuit board. The contact navigation sensor is coupled to a first side of the circuit board. The contact navigation sensor generates a contact navigation signal based on contact navigation images of a contact navigation surface approximately adjacent to the dual-channel optical navigation system. The free-space navigation sensor is coupled to a second side of the circuit board. The free-space navigation sensor generates a free-space navigation signal based on free-space navigation images of an operating environment of the dual-channel optical navigation system.