Optical Navigation Self-Calibration via Calibration Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical navigation systems, such as computer mice, experience performance degradation due to contamination and operational changes, leading to fixed pattern noise and reduced accuracy in tracking operations.
Innovation Solution
An optical navigation system with a self-calibration module that uses a calibration cover with a known interior surface to detect performance-related changes, capturing frames of image data to identify contamination and operational deviations, and initiates corrective procedures to compensate for these changes, including filtering noise and adjusting light source power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the optical navigation system operates continuously over time, then tracking functionality is maintained, but performance degrades due to contamination and component deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions by capturing images of the calibration cover at predetermined intervals during operation. This proactive approach detects performance changes before they significantly degrade tracking accuracy, allowing for preventive maintenance scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where calibration images are continuously captured and analyzed to detect performance changes in the light source and optics. This feedback enables the system to monitor its own health status and trigger maintenance procedures when degradation thresholds are reached.
2Productivity
If contamination accumulates on optics and components, then the system continues to operate, but fixed pattern noise increases and cross-correlation results deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration cover serves as an intermediary reference object with known features. By comparing captured calibration images against reference images, the system can detect contamination-induced changes in optical components without requiring direct measurement of the contamination itself, thus preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (reference image) of the calibration cover under ideal conditions. This reference copy is then used to compare against subsequent calibration images, allowing the system to detect deviations caused by contamination while maintaining continuous operation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the light source illumination deteriorates over time, then the system remains operational, but image frame quality degrades and affects tracking performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct monitoring of light source physical properties with an optical measurement approach. By analyzing the intensity and characteristics of light reflected from the calibration cover in captured images, the system can detect illumination deterioration without requiring direct electrical or physical inspection of the light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in illumination parameters (intensity, uniformity, spectral characteristics) by analyzing calibration cover images over time. When parameter changes exceed predefined thresholds, the system triggers maintenance procedures to replace or recalibrate the light source, extending its effective operational life.
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 maintains tracking accuracy by detecting and compensating for performance degradations, ensuring reliable operation and user notification of potential issues, thereby extending the lifespan of the navigation system.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor to receive the light reflected from the navigation surface to successively capture frames of image data
Implementation Method 2
The image sensor has an array of photosensitive elements configured to capture frames of image data
Data Source
AI summary
An optical navigation system and method for performing self-calibration on the system uses captured frames of image data of an interior surface of a calibration cover of the system to detect a performance-related change of the system. In response to the detected performance-related change, a predefined procedure is then initiated.