Optical Mouse Image Brightness Analysis for Cursor Jitter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical mice fail to accurately distinguish between being lifted up and operated on a rough surface, leading to cursor jitter on the screen due to incorrect image quality detection.
Innovation Solution
An optical mouse apparatus and method that utilize a light source unit, sensing unit, and processing unit to emit and analyze optical signals, determining the operation status by analyzing image brightness variations in consecutive images, thereby differentiating between being lifted up and operating on a rough surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the existing optical mouse uses a photosensitive element to obtain multiple sensed images for displacement detection, then the displacement detection function is achieved, but the ability to correctly determine whether the mouse is lifted up or operating on a rough surface is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensed image into multiple regions (first region and second region) and separately analyzes the image quality of each region. By segmenting the image analysis, the system can compare different regions to determine operation status, resolving the contradiction between maintaining displacement detection and achieving reliable lift-up detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different analysis methods to different regions of the sensed image. Specifically, it evaluates image quality metrics (such as gradient magnitude, entropy, or standard deviation) for each region separately, allowing the system to identify regions with poor image quality that indicate lift-up status, while still using good quality regions for accurate displacement detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical mouse operates on a slightly rough surface, then the image quality of the sensed image deteriorates, but the existing optical mouse cannot distinguish this from being lifted up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors image quality metrics of multiple regions and uses this feedback to determine operation status. When image quality deterioration is detected in one or more regions, the system feedback indicates lift-up status, allowing the rough surface operation to continue without false lift-up detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent analyzes image quality of multiple regions rather than relying on a single region or the entire image. This partial analysis approach allows the system to identify that only certain regions may be affected by rough surface conditions, while other regions remain suitable for accurate displacement detection, thus maintaining adaptability without sacrificing precision.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the optical mouse cannot determine the exact time at which it is lifted up, then the cursor position can be tracked continuously, but the jitter of the mouse cursor on the screen is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of multiple regions of the sensed image to detect operation status before using the image for displacement calculation. By pre-evaluating image quality metrics of different regions, the system can identify lift-up status in advance and prevent using poor quality images for cursor position updates, thus reducing cursor jitter while maintaining continuous tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image quality metrics (such as gradient magnitude, entropy, or standard deviation) as an intermediary to mediate between the raw sensed images and the displacement calculation. This intermediary evaluation layer allows the system to filter out images with poor quality that would cause cursor jitter, while still maintaining continuous cursor tracking by using only high-quality images.
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
Accurately determines the operation status, reducing cursor jitter by inhibiting or allowing image displacement output based on image brightness analysis, effectively distinguishing between being lifted up and operating on a surface.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit (105), arranged for generating and emitting an optical signal
Implementation Method 2
the optical signal is emitted upon a surface, and then reflected to form an optical reflected signal
Implementation Method 3
a sensing unit (110), arranged for generating a sensed image output according to the optical reflected signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical mouse apparatus includes a light source unit, a sensing unit, and a processing unit. The light source unit is arranged for generating and emitting an optical signal, wherein the optical signal is emitted upon a surface, and then reflected to form an optical reflected signal. The sensing unit is arranged for generating a sensed image output according to the optical reflected signal, wherein the sensed image output is utilized for estimating an image displacement of the optical mouse apparatus. The processing unit is coupled to the light source unit and the sensing unit, and arranged for controlling the light source unit to emit the optical signal and determining a operation status of the optical mouse apparatus according to an image variation of at least a partial region of each of consecutive images of the sensed image output.