Peripheral Light Constellation Control for Optical Tracking Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices that optically track user gestures using peripheral devices with multiple light sources face issues such as high power consumption and non-uniform brightness, leading to reduced battery life and impaired tracking performance due to continuous illumination of all light sources, even when some are occluded or not directly facing the image sensor.
Innovation Solution
A system dynamically adjusts the intensity of light sources on a peripheral device based on their pose and movement relative to the computing device, using constellation-specific intensity values to ensure uniform brightness and power conservation by powering off occluded or non-visible light sources, and adjusting intensities based on calibration tables and motion data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all light sources are continuously illuminated for optical tracking, then tracking performance is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the illumination state of individual light sources based on their spatial relationship with the image sensor. Light sources are selectively illuminated - those facing the sensor are lit while occluded ones remain off. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining tracking reliability only where needed (visible light sources) rather than uniformly illuminating all light sources, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination state of light sources in real-time based on their current pose and visibility to the image sensor. The controller continuously monitors which light sources are occluded or facing away from the sensor and adjusts their illumination accordingly. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring light sources are illuminated only when necessary for tracking, optimizing the balance between tracking performance and power consumption.
2Illumination intensity
If all light sources are continuously illuminated, then uniform brightness is achieved, but unnecessary power is consumed by occluded light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different illumination states to different light sources based on their visibility. Visible light sources receive illumination to maintain brightness uniformity for tracking, while occluded light sources are turned off to eliminate energy waste. This localized approach resolves the contradiction by ensuring brightness uniformity only where it matters (visible to sensor) rather than uniformly illuminating all light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and identifies the subset of light sources that are actually visible to the image sensor, separating them from occluded light sources. By taking out only the necessary light sources (those facing the sensor) for illumination while leaving others off, the system achieves brightness uniformity for tracking purposes without wasting energy on invisible light sources, thus resolving the contradiction between brightness uniformity and energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If light sources are dynamically adjusted based on pose and movement, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the peripheral device's own motion sensors and pose detection capabilities to determine which light sources should be illuminated. The device autonomously monitors its own orientation and movement, and the controller automatically adjusts light source illumination based on this self-detected information. This self-service approach reduces power consumption through dynamic adjustment while minimizing the need for external control infrastructure, thereby managing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed that relate to dynamically controlling light sources on an optically trackable peripheral device. One disclosed example provides a near-eye display device comprising an image sensor, a communications subsystem, a logic subsystem, and a storage subsystem. The storage subsystem stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem to control a peripheral device comprising a plurality of light sources by receiving image data from the image sensor, identifying in the image data a constellation of light sources formed by a subset of light sources of the peripheral device, and based upon the constellation of light sources identified, send to the peripheral device via the communications subsystem constellation information related to the constellation of light sources identified.