Optical Mouse Flash Sequencing for Tracking and Surface Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer mouse technologies face challenges in simultaneously maintaining accurate displacement tracking and surface classification without disrupting regular operation, as they typically require fixed sensor settings that cannot adapt to different surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A computer mouse method that alternates between tracking and surface classification flashes, using shorter surface flashes to identify surface characteristics without affecting displacement reporting, with flash durations differing by a factor of two or six, and employs column average deviation methods for precise surface detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical sensor uses fixed flash rate settings for tracking, then displacement tracking is maintained, but surface classification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flash operation into two distinct types: tracking flashes for displacement measurement and surface flashes for surface classification. Each flash type has dedicated parameters (tracking flash rate vs. surface flash rate, different flash durations) allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction between maintaining tracking accuracy and gaining surface classification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic alternation between tracking flashes and surface flashes in a structured sequence. Surface flashes are inserted at regular intervals between tracking flashes, creating a periodic pattern that enables continuous surface classification while maintaining displacement tracking, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If surface classification flashes are added between tracking flashes, then surface detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses shorter flash durations for surface classification compared to tracking flashes. The surface flash duration is specifically set to be less than the tracking flash duration, allowing rapid surface detection without excessive time consumption. This partial action approach enables surface classification to be performed efficiently without significantly impacting overall processing time
Solution Approach 2:
By inserting surface flashes periodically between tracking flashes rather than continuously, the patent achieves surface detection accuracy while minimizing processing time. The periodic insertion at intervals between tracking flashes ensures surface classification occurs without creating a continuous time burden, balancing accuracy and efficiency
3Speed
If flash rate is increased for faster tracking, then displacement reporting speed is improved, but surface classification quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flash operations into tracking flashes optimized for speed (higher flash rate for rapid displacement reporting) and surface flashes optimized for quality (lower flash rate with longer duration for accurate surface classification). This segmentation allows each function to operate at its optimal parameters independently, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different flash parameters locally to different functions: tracking flashes use higher flash rates for speed optimization, while surface flashes use lower flash rates with longer durations for quality optimization. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve both fast displacement reporting and high-quality surface classification simultaneously
4Adaptability or versatility
If surface classification is performed continuously, then surface detection is maintained, but regular tracking operation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flash sequence into distinct tracking flashes and surface flashes, with surface flashes inserted as discrete intervals between tracking flashes. This segmentation ensures that surface detection occurs without continuously interrupting the tracking operation, maintaining the reliability and stability of regular tracking functionality while still providing ongoing surface detection capability
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 simultaneous and accurate surface classification and displacement tracking without compromising the quality of displacement reports, optimizing both functionalities.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor emitting flashes and calculating displacements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention deals with a computer mouse and a computer-implemented method for operating a computer mouse comprising an optical sensor, the method comprising steps for: - calculating a first/tracking optical sensor flash rate, - generating tracking flashes in order identify relative displacement along an underlying surface, - calculating a second/surface optical sensor flash rate taking into account the first/tracking optical sensor flash rate, - generating surface flashes in order identify surface characteristics along the underlying surface, so that a surface flash is generated between two tracking flashes.