Motion Capture Power Reduction via Gesture Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motion-capture systems face significant power consumption challenges due to high frame rates and lighting requirements, limiting their practical applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that operates cameras and image-processing hardware in a low-power mode until touch gestures are detected, using contact microphones or vibrational sensors to 'wake up' the system for high-frame-rate image acquisition when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the motion-capture system operates at high frame rates with adequate lighting to ensure accurate motion tracking, then the quality of motion capture is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state between low-power standby mode and high-power active mode based on detected motion or touch events. The camera and image-processing hardware are activated only when motion is detected, allowing the system to maintain high tracking accuracy when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sampling at low frame rates during standby mode, switching to high frame rates only when motion events occur. This periodic activation pattern allows the system to balance between capturing accurate motion data and reducing overall power consumption by limiting high-power operation to necessary time windows.
2Speed
If the system remains in active mode to detect touch gestures quickly, then the responsiveness to user input is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary low-power sensor (such as a microphone or vibration sensor) that continuously monitors for touch gestures with minimal power consumption. When this intermediary sensor detects a gesture, it triggers the activation of the main camera system, thereby achieving fast gesture detection without keeping the high-power camera continuously active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection using low-power sensors before activating the main motion-capture system. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for upcoming motion capture events, ensuring rapid response to gestures while minimizing the duration of high-power operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system reduces frame rate to lower power consumption, then power requirements are reduced, but the ability to track motion in real time is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts frame rate based on operational state: using low frame rates during standby to conserve power, and switching to high frame rates (at least 15 fps) when motion is detected to ensure real-time tracking capability is maintained when actually needed.
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
This approach reduces power consumption by minimizing active monitoring and only engaging high power usage during motion capture, thereby extending the system's operational range and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A contact microphone, or other vibratory or acoustical sensor, is used for detecting audio signals (or other vibrational phenomena) generated by contact of the object with the surface
Implementation Method 2
detecting audio signals (or other vibrational phenomena) generated by contact of the object with the surface
Implementation Method 3
a touch may 'wake up' a device from a low-power standby mode using an electrical signal from a piezo or electromagnetic actuator
Implementation Method 4
a touch may 'wake up' a device from a low-power standby mode using an electrical signal from a piezo or electromagnetic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed provides systems and methods for reducing the overall power consumption of an optical motion-capture system without compromising the quality of motion capture and tracking. In implementations, this is accomplished by operating the motion-detecting cameras and associated image-processing hardware in a low-power mode (e.g., at a low frame rate or in a standby or sleep mode) unless and until touch gestures of an object such as a tap, sequence of taps, or swiping motions are performed with a surface proximate to the cameras. A contact microphone or other appropriate sensor is used for detecting audio signals or other vibrations generated by contact of the object with the surface.