Optical Mouse Lens Array for Glass Surface Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical computer mice struggle to track motion on smooth surfaces like glass due to lack of surface roughness, leading to unreliable detection of tracking features, and existing solutions involving secondary devices are inconvenient and costly.
Innovation Solution
An optical mouse design that uses a light source, image sensor, and an array of lenses to superimpose images of spatially different areas of the tracking surface onto the image sensor, allowing for the detection of motion through time-sequenced frames of image data, even on surfaces with low feature density, such as glass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional optical mouse uses a single image sensor to track motion, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot reliably detect tracking features on smooth surfaces like glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple independent lens channels, where each lens captures a different spatial region of the tracking surface. This segmentation allows the system to collect more tracking features by combining images from multiple regions, thereby improving tracking reliability on smooth surfaces without requiring a single complex high-resolution sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point imaging approach to a multi-region imaging approach by using an array of lenses. This dimensional expansion in the optical path allows simultaneous capture of multiple spatial areas, effectively increasing the sampling area and probability of detecting tracking features on smooth surfaces
2Reliability
If the sensor area is increased to detect more tracking features, then feature detection probability improves, but image resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large sensor that would reduce resolution, the patent segments the imaging task across multiple smaller lenses, each maintaining high resolution for its specific region. The combined effect provides both wide coverage and high resolution, resolving the trade-off between detection probability and image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple high-resolution images from different spatial regions into a composite tracking signal. This combining approach preserves the high resolution of individual lens images while achieving the equivalent effect of a larger sensor area, thereby maintaining both detection probability and image resolution
3Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary device like a puck is used to enable tracking on smooth surfaces, then tracking capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical mouse itself universal by enabling it to track on multiple surface types including smooth surfaces. The array of lenses provides the adaptive capability to detect features on various surfaces without requiring external accessories, thereby achieving versatility without additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the mouse to self-adapt to different surface conditions through its multi-lens optical system. The system automatically adjusts its tracking capability based on the surface it encounters, eliminating the need for external辅助设备 and making the device self-sufficient across different tracking environments
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 effectively tracks motion on smooth surfaces by increasing the effective sensor area and probability of detecting tracking features without losing image resolution, enabling reliable tracking on surfaces like glass without the need for additional devices.
Implementation Method 1
Light from the light source is directed onto the tracking surface, and the image sensor is used to acquire a series of image of the tracking surface
Implementation Method 2
an array of lenses configured to superimpose a plurality of images of spatially different areas of the tracking surface onto the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed herein that are related to computer mice configured to track motion on smooth surfaces. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an optical mouse comprising a light source configured to illuminate a tracking surface, an image sensor, and an array of lenses configured to superimpose a plurality of images of spatially different areas of the tracking surface onto the image sensor. The optical mouse further comprises a controller configured to receive a plurality of time-sequenced frames of image data from the image sensor, to detect motion of the mouse on the tracking surface from movement of one or more tracking features in the plurality of time-sequenced frames of image data, and to output a motion signal.