VR Optical Sensor Scheduling for Low-Power Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited battery life of VR controllers due to high power consumption in optical position tracking devices is a significant challenge, as they typically operate wirelessly using rechargeable batteries.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to dynamically enable and disable light sensors in VR controllers based on their likelihood of detecting laser lines, using time differences and angular coordinate calculations to determine three-dimensional positions and poses, thereby reducing unnecessary sensor usage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light sensors are continuously enabled to detect laser lines for position tracking, then position tracking accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the light sensor between enabled and disabled states based on real-time detection needs. The sensor is dynamically controlled to be enabled only when laser line detection is anticipated (based on emitter cycle timing and angular position calculations) and disabled otherwise, resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and power conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling the light sensor only during specific time windows corresponding to emitter cycles when laser lines are expected to be emitted. The sensor operates in periodic bursts synchronized with the emitter's scanning cycles rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection capability when needed.
2Reliability
If all light sensors are enabled to ensure detection coverage, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively enabling only those light sensors that are geometrically positioned to detect laser lines from the emitter based on calculated angular coordinates. Instead of uniformly enabling all sensors, the system determines which specific sensors have a line-of-sight path to the emitter and enables only those, reducing complexity and power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating which light sensors will be able to detect laser lines based on the emitter's scanning pattern, angular position, and sensor geometry before the actual detection occurs. This preliminary determination allows the system to proactively enable only the necessary sensors, avoiding the need for complex real-time decisions during detection cycles.
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 approach significantly improves battery life by minimizing power consumption in VR controllers while maintaining accurate position tracking, extending the usable time of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor arranged to receive optical signals from the stationary emitter
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein are devices and techniques for managing power consumption of a position tracking device. The position tracking device may be a virtual reality (VR) controller having multiple optical sensors oriented to receive optical signals from different directions. A stationary optical emitter projects a laser line into a space and repeatedly scans the laser line through the space. For any given scan, some of the sensors may detect the laser line and some of the sensors may not detect the laser line because they are oriented away from the emitter or because of a blocking object. When an individual sensor fails to detect a laser scan, that sensor is disabled for one or more subsequent laser scans in order to reduce power consumption of the VR controller.