Optical Tracking Base Station Using Macro-Micro Pattern Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical tracking systems face limitations in angular resolution due to practical constraints, resulting in positional accuracy issues, particularly with systems like Lighthouse and Instant Replay, which struggle to achieve sub-millimeter accuracy with targets at a distance, and require multiple base stations or large optical apertures.
Innovation Solution
A single, compact optical pattern emitting base station with a rotating disk and multiple lasers emitting macro- and micro-patterns allows for sub-millimeter accuracy tracking of a photosensor, using a combination of macro- and micro-measurement patterns to determine angular position with higher resolution than the aperture size, enabling more precise positional tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple base stations are used to improve positional accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical pattern into macro-patterns and micro-patterns, where macro-patterns provide coarse angular position information and micro-patterns provide fine angular position information. This segmentation allows a single base station to achieve high measurement precision by combining information from both pattern types, eliminating the need for multiple base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by sequentially projecting macro-patterns and micro-patterns at different time intervals. The photosensor detects patterns in sequence, and the system reconstructs angular position by combining macro and micro measurements. This temporal multiplexing enables a single base station to provide positioning accuracy previously requiring multiple spatially separated base stations.
2Measurement precision
If larger optical apertures are used to improve angular resolution, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the angular measurement task into two parts: macro-patterns for coarse angular position and micro-patterns for fine angular position. The micro-patterns use sub-aperture encoding to provide high-resolution angular information without requiring the entire optical aperture to be large. This allows the system to achieve high angular resolution while keeping the photosensor aperture size practical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoding parameters by using different pattern densities and spatial frequencies for macro and micro measurements. The micro-patterns use higher spatial frequency encoding that can be resolved by smaller apertures, while macro-patterns use lower spatial frequency for coarse positioning. This parameter differentiation enables high angular resolution without proportionally increasing aperture size.
3Productivity
If fast scanning is used to achieve real-time tracking, then productivity improves, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic sequential projection of macro-patterns and micro-patterns at high frequency. By projecting patterns rapidly in sequence and using the photosensor's integration capability, the system achieves real-time tracking at 60Hz or higher while maintaining high measurement precision. The periodic action allows complete angular information to be captured within each frame without requiring slow scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous projection of optical patterns at high frequency, with the photosensor continuously detecting and the system continuously computing angular position. This continuous action eliminates gaps in measurement while maintaining real-time performance. The macro and micro patterns are projected in rapid succession, ensuring that angular position is always being measured without interruption, thus achieving both high productivity and high precision.
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 achieves an order of magnitude finer angular resolution and smaller positional accuracy compared to existing systems, allowing for accurate 3D tracking with a single base station and reducing the need for extensive base station separation, enhancing applications like virtual reality and inventory control.
Implementation Method 1
One or more fixed location base stations emit time-varying patterns of angularly structured light into the scene. The resulting time-varying light intensity measured at each photosensor is used to calculate the angle of that photosensor
Implementation Method 2
A rotating disk with patterns diffracts laser light to create angularly structured macro- and micro-patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking apparatus includes a photosensor. The apparatus includes only a single, physically compact, optical pattern emitting base station. The apparatus includes a computer that tracks the photosensor to sub-millimeter accuracy using the optical pattern emitted by the base station. Alternatively, the computer determines angular position of the photosensor relative to the base station to a finer resolution than the size of an aperture of the photosensor from the light emitted by the base station. A method for tracking.