Optical Motion Sensor Dynamic Hysteresis Threshold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical pointing devices face challenges in preventing false motion detection and excessive power consumption when at rest, particularly on low contrast surfaces, due to the fixed hysteresis threshold settings which require a trade-off between motion detection sensitivity and power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dynamically adjusting the hysteresis value of comparators based on the device's state, setting a low hysteresis value when moving and a high value when at rest, allowing for reliable motion tracking on low contrast surfaces while reducing false motion detection and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed hysteresis threshold is used for motion detection, then the device can maintain stable operation, but it causes false motion detection on low contrast surfaces and excessive power consumption when at rest

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed hysteresis threshold to a dynamically adjustable threshold that adapts based on device state (motion vs. rest). The system automatically increases the threshold when motion is detected and decreases it when the device is at rest, resolving the contradiction between reliable motion detection and power consumption efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the hysteresis threshold value based on operational conditions. The threshold parameter is changed from a static fixed value to a dynamic value that increases during motion detection to improve reliability and decreases during rest periods to reduce power consumption, directly addressing the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If a high hysteresis threshold is set to prevent false motion detection at rest, then power consumption is reduced, but motion detection sensitivity decreases on low contrast surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmotion detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamics to adjust the hysteresis threshold based on device state. When motion is detected, the threshold is lowered to maintain high sensitivity for detecting motion on low contrast surfaces. When the device is at rest, the threshold is raised to prevent false detection and reduce power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If a low hysteresis threshold is set to improve motion detection sensitivity on low contrast surfaces, then false motion detection increases when at rest, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection sensitivityVSAvoidfalse motion detection rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the hysteresis threshold adjustable based on device state. The system maintains low threshold values during motion to ensure high sensitivity for detecting subtle movements on low contrast surfaces, while automatically increasing the threshold during rest periods to eliminate false detections and reduce power consumption, resolving the reliability-sensitivity contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 prevents false motion detection when the device is at rest and ensures accurate motion tracking on low contrast surfaces, thereby optimizing power usage and detection performance.

Implementation Method 1

a photodetector device (320) which is a photodetector array including a plurality of pixels, responsive to radiation reflected from the illuminated surface portion S

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

each for comparing the light intensity of a first pixel of array 320 with the light intensity of a second pixel of array 320 and for outputting a resulting edge direction condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentEP1785820B1Method, sensing device and optical pointing device including a sensing device for comparing light intensity between pixels
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN
  • EP1785820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1785820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1785820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for operating an optical motion sensing device comprising a light source and a photodetector device, said method comprises the steps of: a) illuminating a surface portion with radiation by means of the light source; b) detecting radiation patterns reflected from the illuminated surface portion by means of the photodetector device; c) extracting motion features from the detected radiation patterns by comparing light intensity between neighbouring pixels of said photodetector device by means of comparators with a determined hysteresis threshold; d) detecting and measuring displacement with respect to the illuminated surface portion based on said extracted motion features; e) determining whether the optical motion sensing device is moving or at rest; f) adjusting said determined hysteresis threshold of the comparators between at least a low and a high hysteresis values, consisting in selecting said low hysteresis value when the optical motion sensing device is moving and selecting said high hysteresis value when the optical motion sensing device is at rest.