Optical tracker for tracking surface-independent movements

• US 7,782,296 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kong, Yuan, Ranta, Craig S
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu; Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez; Joseph G
• Application Number:
  US11/269,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

Optical tracking systems, method, and devices are described in which optical components detect light within a substantially planar region adjacent to a user device. Tracking logic may receive signals output by the optical components and determine coordinates associated with a movement of a pointing object through the substantially planar region. The tracking logic may then provide for translation of the coordinates into an action on a display, such as, for example, a movement of a cursor or other icon on the display.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

optical components that are operable to sense surface-independent movement of a pointing object within a first substantially planar region adjacent to the device, the optical components including at least one image sensor that is operable to output pixel values corresponding to the movement, the at least one image sensor comprising a row of pixels included in the first substantially planar region, the optical components further operable to sense surface-independent secondary movement of the point object within a second substantially planar region adjacent to the device, the second substantially planar region being substantially parallel and non-intersecting to the first substantially planar region, the at least one image sensor comprising a row of pixels included in the second substantially planar region, wherein the optical components include at least two image sensors having at least a part within the first substantially planar region, and further wherein the at least two image sensors are limited to detecting light from the first substantially planar region by use of selected rows of pixels of the at least two image sensors; and

tracking logic that is operable to determine coordinates associated with the movement and secondary movement of the pointing object, based on the pixel values, and provide the coordinates for translation into an action on a display based on a relationship between coordinates associated with the movement within the first substantially planar region and coordinates associated with the secondary movement within the secondary substantially planar region, wherein the tracking logic is operable to determine the coordinates based on an apparent size of the pointing object as determined from the pixel values, relative to reference size information associated with the pointing object.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a keyboard, and further wherein the first substantially planar region is provided within an open space above a top surface of the keyboard.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a wireless communications device, and further wherein the first substantially planar region is provided within an open space that is adjacent to an edge surface of the wireless communications device.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a wireless communications device, a personal digital assistant, a display, a desktop computer, a tablet personal computer, a cell phone, a gaming device, an insertable module, a positionable module, and/or a laptop computer.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein secondary movement includes a tilt of the pointing object relative to the substantially planar region, and wherein the tracking logic is operable to provide a secondary action on the display, based on the tilt.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the optical components include a light source that is operable to project non-structured light into the first substantially planar region.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the tracking logic is operable to determine the coordinates and/or to translate the coordinates at least in part through communication with a computing resource that is external to the device.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the tracking logic is operable to determine a motion of the pointing object into and/or out of the first substantially planar region, based on a presence or absence of reflected light from the pointing object that is detected by the at least one image sensor, and further operable to translate the motion into a secondary action on the display.

9. A method comprising:

receiving pixel values from optical components that are operable to sense surface-independent movement of a pointing object within a first substantially planar region adjacent to the device, the optical components including at least one image sensor that is operable to output pixel values corresponding to the movement, the at least one image sensor comprising a row of pixels included in the first substantially planar region, the optical components further operable to sense surface-independent secondary movement of the point object within a second substantially planar region adjacent to the device, the second substantially planar region being substantially parallel and non-intersecting to the first substantially planar region, the at least one image sensor comprising a row of pixels included in the second substantially planar region, wherein the optical components include at least two image sensors having at least a part within the first substantially planar region, and further wherein the at least two image sensors are limited to detecting light from the first substantially planar region by use of selected rows of pixels of the at least two image sensors;

determining coordinates associated with the movement and secondary movement of the pointing object, based on the pixel values, and provide the coordinates for translation into an action on a display based on a relationship between coordinates associated with the movement within the first substantially planar region and coordinates associated with the secondary movement within the secondary substantially planar region, wherein the tracking logic is operable to determine the coordinates based on an apparent size of the pointing object as determined from the pixel values, relative to reference size information associated with the pointing object; and

translating the coordinates to provide an action on a display.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving pixel values related to surface-independent movement of a pointing object within a substantially planar region defined adjacent to a device comprises:

projecting non-structured light into the first substantially planar region; and

detecting portions of the non-structured light reflected from the pointing object.