System and method for generating positional and orientation information of an object

• US 7,294,815 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Haven, Richard Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): YAM, STEPHEN K
• Application Number:
  US11/220,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20070051871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 250/203.1, 250/206.1, 348169-172, 345/156
• US Class Current: 250/203.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0325 using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A method for generating positional information of an object is carried out by providing a reflector in the object and by providing a personal device containing a light generator and an imager. The personal device is mounted on a person holding the object at a mounting location that is identified to provide a first unobstructed line-of-sight between the light generator and the object and a second unobstructed line-of-sight between the imager and the object.

Claims

1. A system for generating positional information of an object, the system comprising:

a light reflector housed in the object;

a light generator configured to have a first unobstructed line-of sight with the light reflector, the light generator further configured to direct light upon the light reflector;

an imager configured to have a second unobstructed line-of-sight with the light reflector, the imager further configured to receive reflected light from the light reflector; and

an acquisition system operable to control the light generator to acquire the first unobstructed line-of-sight with the light reflector, and further operable to control the imager to acquire the second unobstructed line-of-sight with the light reflector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light generator and the imager are housed in a personal device mounted on a first location upon a person holding the object, the first location selected so as to provide the first unobstructed line-of-sight and the second unobstructed line-of-sight.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the object is a hand-held pointer.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the personal device is one of a clip-on personal device and a personal device attached to a strap.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the light reflector comprises a first reflecting element.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a processor configured to receive an electrical signal, the electrical signal being generated by the imager from reflected light received from the first reflecting element, the processor further configured to use the electrical signal to generate positional information of the object.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the light reflector further comprises a second reflecting element.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a processor configured to receive an electrical signal, the electrical signal being generated by the imager from reflected light received from the first reflecting element and the second reflecting element, the processor further configured to use the electrical signal to generate orientation information of the object.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a tracking system operable to control the light generator to maintain the first unobstructed line-of-sight with the light reflector, and further operable to control the imager to maintain the second unobstructed line-of sight with the light reflector.

10. A personal device for generating positional information of an object, the device comprising:

a light generator configured to have unobstructed line-of-sight with a first reflecting element housed in the object, the light generator further configured to direct light upon the first reflecting element;

an imager configured to have unobstructed line-of-sight with the first reflecting element, the imager further configured to receive reflected light from the first reflecting element;

a processor configured to receive a first electrical signal, the first electrical signal being generated by the imager from reflected light received from the first reflecting element, the processor further configured to use the first electrical signal to generate positional information of the object; and

an acquisition system operable to control the light generator to acquire unobstructed line-of-sight with the first light reflecting element, and further operable to control the imager to acquire unobstructed line-of-sight with the first light reflecting element.

11. The personal device of claim 10, wherein:

the light generator is further configured to have unobstructed line-of-sight with a second reflecting element housed in the object, the light generator further configured to direct light upon the second reflecting element;

the imager is further configured to have unobstructed line-of-sight with the second reflecting element, the imager further configured to receive reflected light from the second reflecting element; and

the processor is further configured to receive a second electrical signal, the second electrical signal being generated by the imager from reflected light received from the first reflecting element and the second reflecting element, the processor being further configured to use the second electrical signal to generate positional information of the object.

12. The personal device of claim 11, further comprising:

an enclosure housing the light generator, the imager, and the processor;

wherein the enclosure is configured for mounting on a person holding the object.

13. The personal device of claim 10, further comprising:

a tracking system operable to control the light generator to maintain unobstructed line-of-sight with the first light reflecting element, and further operable to control the imager to maintain the second unobstructed line-of-sight with the first light reflecting element.

14. A method for generating positional information of an object, the method comprising:

providing a light reflector in the object;

providing a personal device comprising a light generator and an imager;

identifying a mounting location on a person holding the object, wherein the mounting location provides a first unobstructed line-of-sight between the light generator and the object, and a second unobstructed line-of-sight between the imager and the object;

attaching the personal device to the person at the identified mounting location;

generating in the light generator, an on-axis light and an off-axis light;

transmitting the on-axis light and the off-axis light towards the object;

receiving in the imager, light reflected by the object;

generating an on-axis image and off-axis image;

generating a difference image from the on-axis image and the off-axis image;

using the difference image to generate positional information of the reflector; and

using the positional information of the reflector to generate positional information of the object.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the person holding the object moves the object through a plurality of positions.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the light reflector has a substantially spherical reflecting surface.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

using the difference image to generate orientation information of the reflector; and

using the orientation information of the reflector to generate orientation information of the object.