Hybrid Tracking Input Device for High-Speed Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical mice have an upper speed limit beyond which they lose tracking, leading to unreliable displacement and location data, limiting user experience, especially in high-speed applications like gaming, due to limitations in frame rate, power consumption, and sensitivity of sensors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating multiple sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes within the input device, which switch from optical to inertial tracking when the speed exceeds the optical sensor's limit, using a microcontroller to manage data from both sensors and an Extended Kalman Filter for calibration, allowing continuous and accurate motion tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the frame rate of the imaging sensor is increased to detect fast movements, then the speed of movement detection is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical sensing and inertial sensing systems into a single input device. The inertial sensor module measures acceleration and derives position data, while the optical sensor module captures images to determine offset. These two systems work together to provide high-speed tracking capability without requiring the optical sensor alone to operate at extremely high frame rates, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining speed detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically switches between optical tracking and inertial tracking based on movement conditions. When the device is stationary or moving slowly, optical tracking is used. When rapid movement is detected or optical tracking is lost, the system transitions to inertial tracking. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve high-speed tracking capability on demand without continuously operating at maximum power consumption.
2Illumination intensity
If a brighter LED is used to compensate for reduced illumination at higher frame rates, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining inertial sensing with optical sensing, the system does not rely solely on increasing optical illumination to maintain tracking at high speeds. The inertial sensor provides position data independently of illumination levels, allowing the LED to operate at lower brightness levels while still achieving accurate high-speed tracking through the complementary inertial data.
3Measurement precision
If a more sensitive imaging sensor is used to improve tracking at higher speeds, then the sensitivity is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical sensing with inertial sensing to achieve high-speed tracking capability. Rather than relying on a single, extremely sensitive optical sensor, the system uses a standard optical sensor complemented by an inertial sensor module. This combination provides the necessary measurement precision for high-speed tracking without requiring an expensive, highly sensitive optical sensor alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial sensor acts as an intermediary that supplements optical sensing data. When optical tracking becomes insufficient at high speeds or during rapid movements, the inertial sensor provides complementary position and acceleration data, maintaining measurement precision without requiring upgrades to the optical sensor itself.
4Speed
If the optical sensor tracks at high speeds, then the speed of movement detection is improved, but the reliability of tracking decreases due to loss of tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical tracking and inertial tracking into a unified system. The inertial sensor module continuously measures acceleration and calculates position data independently of optical tracking. When optical tracking is lost during high-speed movement, the inertial system maintains reliable position tracking. The microcontroller integrates data from both sources, switching between or combining them based on which provides reliable data at any given moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from both optical and inertial sensors to monitor tracking quality. When the optical sensor experiences loss of tracking (indicated by insufficient overlap between successive images or erratic cursor movement), the system detects this condition and switches to inertial tracking feedback. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous reliable tracking by adapting to changing movement conditions.
5Illumination intensity
If the brightness of the LED is increased to improve illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining inertial sensing with optical sensing, the system achieves accurate high-speed tracking without relying on high-intensity LED illumination. The inertial sensor provides position data that is independent of illumination levels, allowing the LED to operate at lower brightness levels and thus generate less heat while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input devices configured with a plurality of sensors configured to determine the displacement and position of the input device. Tracking of the input device may be switched from an optical sensor to an inertial sensor based on the speed of movement of the input device or based on the input device detecting that loss of tracking has occurred. In some embodiments, a gyroscope may be configured to modify data from the inertial sensor module to correct for fictitious accelerations generated when the input device is rotated.