Pointing device with adaptive illumination level
First Claim
1. A pointing device comprising:
- an illumination system that illuminates a surface over which said pointing device moves, said illumination system generating a light level determined by an illumination control signal;
a camera system that records a plurality of images of said illuminated surface; and
a controller that records first and second images captured by said camera at different times and determines a displacement indicative of the direction and distance said positioning device moved between said two different times, said controller further generating said illumination control signal, said illumination control signal depending on at least one of said images recorded by said camera system;
wherein said illumination system has a first illumination setting for providing a first level of accuracy in said determined displacement and a second illumination setting for providing a second level of accuracy that is greater than said first level of accuracy, said second illumination setting requiring more power than said first illumination setting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pointing device and method for operating the same is disclosed. The pointing device includes an illumination system, a camera system, and a controller. The illumination system illuminates a surface over which the pointing device moves. The illumination system generates a light level determined by an illumination control signal. The camera records a plurality of images of the illuminated surface. The controller records first and second images taken by the camera at different times and determines a displacement indicative of the direction and distance the positioning device moved between the two different times. The controller also generates the illumination control signal. The illumination control signal depends on at least one of the images recorded by the camera system. In one embodiment, the surface is characterized by a reflectivity and the light level generated by the illumination system is inversely related to that reflectivity.
95 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pointing device comprising:
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an illumination system that illuminates a surface over which said pointing device moves, said illumination system generating a light level determined by an illumination control signal; a camera system that records a plurality of images of said illuminated surface; and a controller that records first and second images captured by said camera at different times and determines a displacement indicative of the direction and distance said positioning device moved between said two different times, said controller further generating said illumination control signal, said illumination control signal depending on at least one of said images recorded by said camera system; wherein said illumination system has a first illumination setting for providing a first level of accuracy in said determined displacement and a second illumination setting for providing a second level of accuracy that is greater than said first level of accuracy, said second illumination setting requiring more power than said first illumination setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for determining the displacement of said pointing device on a surface, said method comprising:
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illuminating said surface with a light level determined by an illumination control signal; recording a plurality of images of said illuminated surface; and comparing first and second images captured at different times to determine a displacement indicative of the direction and distance said positioning device moved between said two different times, said illumination control signal depending on at least one of said recorded images; providing a first light level for providing a first level of accuracy in said determined displacement and a second light level for providing a second level of accuracy that is greater than said first level of accuracy, said second light level requiring more power than said first light level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A pointing device comprising:
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an illumination system that illuminates a surface over which said pointing device moves, said illumination system generating a light level determined by an illumination control signal, said illumination control signal being at least partially provided by a user of said pointing device; a camera system that records a plurality of images of said illuminated surface; and a controller that records first and second images captured by said camera at different times and determines a displacement indicative of the direction and distance said positioning device moved between said two different times; wherein said illumination system has a first illumination setting for providing a first level of accuracy in said determined displacement and a second illumination setting for providing a second level of accuracy that is greater than said first level of accuracy, said second illumination setting requiring more power than said first illumination setting. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for determining the displacement of said pointing device on a surface, said method comprising:
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illuminating said surface with a light level determined by an illumination control signal, said illumination control signal being at least partially provided by a user of said pointing device; recording a plurality of images of said illuminated surface; and comparing first and second images captured at different times to determine a displacement indicative of the direction and distance said positioning device moved between said two different times, said illumination control signal depending on at least one of said recorded images; providing a first light level for providing a first level of accuracy in said determined displacement and a second light level for providing a second level of accuracy that is greater than said first level of accuracy, said second light level requiring more power than said first light level. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification