Inertial Sensor Mouse for Reflective Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer mice, both mechanical and optical, face challenges with accuracy on specular, transparent, or highly reflective surfaces and power consumption issues in wireless devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating at least two accelerometers and two gyroscopes within a computer mouse, along with a digital filter like a Kalman filter, to detect movement and correct for gravity and surface non-uniformities, and optionally using an optical sensor for complementary positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sensors are used to detect mouse motion, then mechanical wear and contamination are eliminated, but accuracy on specular, transparent, or highly reflective surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensors with inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to detect mouse motion. This substitution eliminates the fundamental limitation of optical sensors on reflective surfaces, as inertial sensors measure physical motion directly through gravity and acceleration forces rather than relying on light reflection patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical reflection characteristics to inertial forces (gravity and acceleration). By measuring the force of gravity and acceleration through inertial sensors, the system can accurately determine mouse motion on any surface type regardless of optical properties.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inertial sensors are used to detect motion, then operability on difficult surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inertial sensors that serve multiple functions: detecting linear acceleration, determining orientation relative to gravity, and measuring rotational motion. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor system to handle various surface types and motion patterns without requiring additional specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines accelerometers and gyroscopes into an integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU). By merging these sensors and processing their data together, the system achieves comprehensive motion detection capability while minimizing the number of separate components required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If accelerometers are used to detect motion, then surface independence is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates due to gravity detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using gyroscope data to correct accelerometer measurements. The gyroscope provides accurate orientation information that feeds back to the accelerometer processing, allowing the system to compensate for gravity components and extract pure motion signals even when the mouse is tilted or on non-horizontal surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric sensor placement and differential measurement techniques. By comparing signals from multiple accelerometers and gyroscopes positioned at different orientations, the system can mathematically separate gravity components from motion components, improving accuracy despite the presence of gravitational forces.
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
Enhances accuracy and operability on difficult surfaces while reducing power consumption by leveraging inertial sensors and correcting for surface tilt and non-uniformities, providing reliable motion detection.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit including at least two accelerometers and at least two gyroscopes within the housing
Implementation Method 2
a sensor unit including at least two accelerometers and at least two gyroscopes within the housing
Implementation Method 3
a digital filter, for example a Kalman filter, is utilized
Data Source
AI summary
A computer input device includes, in one embodiment, at least two accelerometers, at least two gyroscopes, and a processor within a housing. Signals from the accelerometers and the gyroscopes are utilized to determine the relative motion of the computer input device.