Optical Mouse Surface Detection via Auto-Correlation Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical computer mice experience tracking performance issues due to varying surface types, particularly on non-homogeneous and non-plain surfaces, which affects navigational precision.

Innovation Solution

A surface detection system that uses auto correlation and normalization techniques to differentiate between homogeneous and plain surfaces, adjusting image filtering accordingly to enhance navigation accuracy by tailoring image processing for specific surface types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If optical computer mice are used for navigation, then user interaction is enabled without mechanical moving parts, but tracking performance deteriorates on non-homogeneous and non-plain surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidtracking performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary surface detection using auto-correlation analysis before navigation begins. By analyzing the surface characteristics in advance and classifying them as homogeneous/plain or non-homogeneous/non-plain, the system can pre-configure appropriate navigation parameters and image filtering settings to ensure reliable tracking performance from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation system dynamically adapts its behavior based on detected surface types. When non-homogeneous and non-plain surfaces are detected, the system adjusts image filtering settings, navigation speed, and tracking sensitivity in real-time to maintain accurate tracking performance across diverse surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If surface detection is performed to improve tracking accuracy, then navigational precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigational precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical surface analysis mechanisms with optical and computational methods. Instead of using physical sensors or mechanical probes to detect surface properties, the system uses image capture and auto-correlation algorithms to analyze surface characteristics, thereby achieving high measurement precision while keeping the device relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary image processing layer between the optical sensor and the navigation system. By using image filtering and auto-correlation analysis as intermediaries, the system can extract surface type information without direct mechanical interaction, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7382935B2Homogeneous and plain surface detection in optical navigation systems

Publication Date: 2008.06.03 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

One embodiment in accordance with the invention relates to detecting a homogeneous surface. A first surface image is received. A plurality of values are generated by performing a plurality of auto correlations with the first surface image and a copy of the first surface image. The plurality of values includes a first peak value. A determination is made as to whether a normalized second peak value of the plurality of values satisfies a defined condition associated with a value. If so, a homogeneous surface image filter is utilized with a second surface image.