Optical Navigation Light Source Drive Current Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical navigation systems waste power due to a single, constant drive current for light sources, which is insufficient for darker surfaces but excessive for brighter surfaces, leading to inefficient power usage across various surface types.
Innovation Solution
An automatic drive current adjustment system that classifies frames of image data based on brightness characteristics, adjusting the drive current between predefined levels to optimize light intensity for different surface types, reducing power consumption while maintaining tracking performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single high drive current is used to ensure sufficient illumination for dark surfaces, then tracking performance on dark surfaces is improved, but power consumption increases and illumination intensity is excessive for bright surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static, fixed drive current to a dynamic, adjustable drive current that adapts to different surface brightness conditions. The system automatically adjusts the drive current between at least two different levels based on real-time analysis of image frame brightness, ensuring optimal illumination for both dark and bright surfaces while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the drive current parameter from a constant value to a variable value with at least two different levels. By analyzing the brightness characteristics of captured image frames and comparing them to threshold values, the system dynamically adjusts the drive current parameter to match the illumination requirements of different surface types, thereby reducing power waste on bright surfaces while maintaining adequate illumination on dark surfaces.
2Illumination intensity
If a single high drive current is used to illuminate all surface types, then illumination sufficiency is improved, but power waste on bright surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the drive current level based on the brightness characteristics of the target surface. The system analyzes image frame data to determine whether the surface is bright or dark, then selects an appropriate drive current level from at least two available levels. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that illumination intensity matches the actual needs of the surface, eliminating power waste on bright surfaces while maintaining sufficient illumination on dark surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting surface brightness conditions and adjusting its own drive current without external intervention. The optical navigation device analyzes its captured image frames, compares brightness values to thresholds, and autonomously selects the appropriate drive current level, thereby optimizing illumination efficiency and reducing energy loss adaptively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If frame-by-frame brightness analysis is performed to adjust drive current, then power optimization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the brightness characteristics of captured image frames and using this information to adjust the drive current. The system compares the brightness of each frame (or sampled frames) to predetermined threshold values and automatically adjusts the drive current level accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables power optimization through adaptive illumination while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by not analyzing every single frame in sequence, but rather sampling frames periodically or selectively to determine brightness conditions. This approach reduces the computational burden and processing complexity while still achieving effective power optimization. The system performs sufficient brightness analysis to make accurate drive current adjustments without the excessive complexity of continuous frame-by-frame analysis.
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
The system effectively adjusts light source intensity based on surface brightness, reducing power waste and maintaining navigation accuracy, thereby optimizing power usage without compromising tracking performance.
Implementation Method 1
An optical navigation system uses a light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode, to illuminate a region of a target surface
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor to receive the light reflected from the target surface to successively capture frames of image data of the target surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically adjusting a drive current to a light source during an optical navigation operation uses brightness characteristics of captured frames of image data to determine whether each of the frames of image data belongs to one of at least first and second types of frames of image data. The drive current is adjusted depending on counts of the frames of image data belonging to the first and second types of frames of image data.