Control device with passive reflector

• US 9,524,554 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2015
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Plagge, Mark, Baiyya, Vijay, Leyvand, Tommer, Song, Susan Shuchen
• Primary Examiner(s): Yen, Jason
• Application Number:
  US14/976,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20160155233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2445 detecting reflected light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A control device includes a housing. The control device also includes a wireless communicator interior the housing. The wireless communicator wirelessly sends commands for controlling an electronic device, such as a game console. The control device also includes a reflector positioned to reflect light directed at the housing.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving one or more infrared images from an infrared camera;

recognizing within one or more of the infrared images an active infrared light emitted from a beacon of a wireless control device; and

after the beacon of the wireless control device stops emitting the active infrared light, recognizing within one or more of the infrared images a passive infrared light reflected from a retroreflector of the control device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending to the beacon of the wireless control device a command to emit the active infrared light.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a position of the active infrared light to locate the control device in one or more depth images.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a position of the passive infrared light to locate the control device in one or more depth images.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising assessing a three-dimensional position of the control device from the one or more depth images.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising tracking the three-dimensional position of the control device over time.

7. A computing device, comprising:

an infrared camera configured to generate one or more infrared images of a scene;

an infrared emitter to illuminate at least a portion of the scene with infrared light;

a logic machine operatively coupled to the camera; and

a storage machine holding instructions executable by the logic machine to;

recognize within one or more of the infrared images an active infrared light emitted from a beacon of a wireless control device; and

after the beacon of the wireless control device stops emitting the active infrared light, recognize within one or more of the infrared images infrared light emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a retroreflector of the wireless control device.

8. The computing device of claim 7, further comprising a communication subsystem configured to send to the beacon of the wireless control device a command to emit the active infrared light.

9. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the infrared camera includes a depth camera configured to generate depth images, and wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to use a position of the active infrared light to locate the control device in one or more of the depth images.

10. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the infrared camera includes a depth camera configured to generate depth images, and wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to locate the control device in one or more of the depth images based at least in part on a position of infrared light emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a retroreflector of the wireless control device.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to assess a three-dimensional position of the control device from the one or more depth images.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to track the three-dimensional position of the control device over time.

13. The computing device of claim 7, further comprising a communication subsystem configured to receive commands from the wireless control device.

14. A computing device, comprising:

a camera input configured to receive one or more infrared images from an infrared camera;

a logic machine operatively coupled to the camera input; and

a storage machine holding instructions executable by the logic machine to;

recognize within one or more of the infrared images an active infrared light emitted from a beacon of a wireless control device; and

after the beacon of the wireless control device stops emitting the active infrared light, recognize within one or more of the infrared images a passive infrared light reflected from a retroreflector of the wireless control device.

15. The computing device of claim 14, further comprising a communication subsystem configured to send to the beacon of the wireless control device a command to emit the active infrared light.

16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to use a position of the active infrared light to locate the control device in one or more depth images.

17. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to use a position of the passive infrared light to locate the control device in one or more depth images.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to assess a three-dimensional position of the control device from the one or more depth images.

19. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the storage machine holds instructions executable by the logic machine to track the three-dimensional position of the control device over time.

20. The computing device of claim 14, further comprising a communication subsystem configured to receive commands from the wireless control device.