Computer Mouse Sensor Timing Synchronization for Jitter-Free Reporting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of synchronization between sensor activity to calculate displacement and communication activity to read displacement in computer mice leads to jitter in reported displacement.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that synchronizes sensor activity with communication activity by having the host MCU calculate an optical sensor flash rate, trigger communication to read displacement, and initiate the next calculation at fixed intervals, while also generating surface flashes to identify surface characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor calculates displacement independently at irregular intervals, then the sensor can operate autonomously without host intervention, but the host perceives jitter in displacement readings due to lack of synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs displacement calculation in advance before the host reads the data, and stores both the displacement value and its corresponding timing information in a buffer. This preliminary calculation with embedded timing data eliminates the need for synchronous operation and prevents jitter by providing the host with pre-prepared accurate displacement readings and their exact calculation times.
2Ease of operation
If the host reads displacement at a fixed polling rate, then the communication is simple and regular, but the reading rate is not synchronous with sensor calculation, causing jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor prepares displacement calculations in advance and stores them with timing information in a buffer before the host needs to read them. This allows the host to read at any fixed polling rate without synchronization issues, as the data is already prepared with precise timing information, thus maintaining both communication simplicity and measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If the sensor does not indicate when displacement was calculated, then the communication protocol is simpler, but the host assumes incorrect timing and perceives jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The timing information is merged with the displacement data in the buffer, where each displacement reading is paired with its corresponding calculation timestamp. This combination allows the host to receive both pieces of information through a single communication channel without requiring separate timing indication mechanisms, thus maintaining protocol simplicity while preserving essential timing information to eliminate jitter.
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
Eliminates jitter in displacement reporting by ensuring the host MCU is aware of when displacement is calculated, thereby improving displacement accuracy and surface detection.
Implementation Method 1
A computer peripheral device, especially a mouse is using an optical sensor to calculate the displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for operating a computer mouse including an optical sensor emitting flashes and calculating displacements, a communication module to communicate with a host MCU computer and one or more processors coupled to the optical sensor. The method includes: calculating an optical sensor flash rate by the host MCU computer; and triggering by the host MCU computer communication with the optical sensor in order to read the calculated displacement and trigger the next displacement calculation of the optical sensor to ask the optical sensor for the position at a time between two flashes.