Optical Navigation Phase Grating Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser mice struggle to distinguish individual features on highly specular surfaces like glass due to high intensity and low contrast of reflected laser light, making it difficult to accurately determine movements.
Innovation Solution
An optical navigation device with a phase grating for beam steering is used, which redirects a portion of the reflected light away from the image sensor, reducing intensity and enhancing contrast by directing only a portion of the light along the imaging path to the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If all reflected light is directed to the image sensor, then signal intensity is high, but image contrast is low making feature distinction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The reflected light is segmented into multiple paths using a beam steering element. A first portion of the reflected light is directed along the imaging path to the image sensor, while a second portion is directed along a beam steering path away from the imaging path. This segmentation allows the system to reduce the intensity of light reaching the sensor while maintaining sufficient signal for detection, thereby improving image contrast and feature distinction capability.
2Power
If laser light is used on specular surfaces, then signal intensity is high, but individual features cannot be distinguished due to low contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful component (excessive reflected light intensity) is extracted from the system by directing a second portion of the reflected light away from the imaging path using the beam steering element. This extraction reduces the intensity of light reaching the image sensor while preserving the necessary information-carrying light, thereby preventing information loss and enabling feature distinction on specular surfaces.
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 solution allows for improved image contrast and feature distinction, enabling more accurate tracking of movements on specular surfaces by reducing the intensity of the reflected light received at the image sensor.
Implementation Method 1
The beam steering element receives reflected light from the navigation surface along a specular reflection path. The beam steering element directs a first portion of the reflected light along the imaging path toward the image sensor. The beam steering element directs a second portion of the reflected light along a beam steering path away from the imaging path.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical navigation device with a phase grating for beam steering. The optical navigation device includes a light source, and image sensor, and a beam steering element. The light source directs a light beam toward a navigation surface. The image sensor receives light along an imaging path and generates a navigation image of the navigation surface from the light received along the imaging path. The beam steering element is disposed between the navigation surface and the image sensor. The beam steering element receives reflected light from the navigation surface along a specular reflection path. The beam steering element directs a first portion of the reflected light along the imaging path toward the image sensor. The beam steering element directs a second portion of the reflected light along a beam steering path away from the imaging path.