VR Controller LED Synchronization for Motion Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming controllers lack the capability to simulate actual user motion, resulting in a less immersive virtual-reality experience, and they often have short battery life due to high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held controller with a grip, a cage, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can be duty-cycled based on wireless signals from a remote camera, allowing motion tracking while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LEDs are continuously on for motion tracking, then motion tracking capability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by duty-cycling the LEDs to flash only during camera capture intervals rather than remaining continuously on. The LED controller receives synchronization signals from the camera system and activates the LEDs in periodic bursts that correspond to the camera's frame capture timing, enabling motion tracking while dramatically reducing overall power consumption.
2Duration of action of moving object
If LEDs are duty-cycled to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but motion tracking precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by using the camera's capture timing signals to synchronize LED activation. The LED controller receives timing information from the camera system and adjusts LED flash timing accordingly, ensuring that LEDs are illuminated precisely when needed for accurate motion tracking. This closed-loop synchronization maintains tracking precision while enabling duty-cycled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-synchronizing LED flash timing with anticipated camera capture moments. The LED controller is configured to activate LEDs in advance of or in precise coordination with camera frame capture timing, ensuring that the LEDs are already illuminated when the camera needs to capture motion data, thereby maintaining tracking accuracy.
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
Enhances the virtual-reality experience by simulating actual hand movements and extends battery life through efficient power management by duty-cycling the LEDs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on an outer surface of the cage
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held controller for a virtual-reality system includes an antenna, a grip, a cage coupled to the grip, and a plurality of LEDs on an outer surface of the cage. Wireless signals are received from a remote camera via the antenna. The plurality of LEDs is duty-cycled, which includes turning on the plurality of LEDs at times determined using the wireless signals. The times when the plurality of LEDs is turned on correspond to times when the remote camera captures images of the hand-held controller.