Power consumption in motion-capture systems with audio and optical signals
First Claim
1. A method of operating an optical motion-capture system with reduced power consumption, the method including:
- monitoring a contact microphone coupled to an optical motion-capture system, wherein the contact microphone is in contact with a surface of an object upon which one or more cameras of the optical motion-capture system are placed;
detecting an audio signal generated by contact of a control object with the object surface; and
switching at least one camera of the optical motion-capture system, in response to the detected audio signal, from a standby mode to an operational mode;
wherein the standby mode and the operational mode apply to recognition of in-air control object gestures by the optical motion-capture system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The technology disclosed provides systems and methods for reducing the overall power consumption of an optical motion-capture system without compromising the quality of motion capture and tracking. In implementations, this is accomplished by operating the motion-detecting cameras and associated image-processing hardware in a low-power mode (e.g., at a low frame rate or in a standby or sleep mode) unless and until touch gestures of an object such as a tap, sequence of taps, or swiping motions are performed with a surface proximate to the cameras. A contact microphone or other appropriate sensor is used for detecting audio signals or other vibrations generated by contact of the object with the surface.
269 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of operating an optical motion-capture system with reduced power consumption, the method including:
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monitoring a contact microphone coupled to an optical motion-capture system, wherein the contact microphone is in contact with a surface of an object upon which one or more cameras of the optical motion-capture system are placed; detecting an audio signal generated by contact of a control object with the object surface; and switching at least one camera of the optical motion-capture system, in response to the detected audio signal, from a standby mode to an operational mode;
wherein the standby mode and the operational mode apply to recognition of in-air control object gestures by the optical motion-capture system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An optical motion-capture system, including:
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a camera for capturing images of an object within a field of view thereof; a contact microphone coupled to the camera and in contact with a surface of an object upon which one or more cameras of the optical motion-capture system are placed; a sensor for monitoring the contact microphone; and a control module for switching the camera from a standby mode to an operational mode in response to detection of an audio signal generated by contact of a control object with the object surface;
wherein the standby mode and the operational mode apply to recognition of in-air control object gestures by the optical motion-capture system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for programming one or more processors to operate an optical motion-capture system with reduced power consumption, the instructions, when executed on the processors, implementing actions including:
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monitoring a contact microphone coupled to an optical motion-capture system, wherein the contact microphone detects audio signals propagated through a solid object surface upon which one or more cameras of the optical motion-capture system are placed; and in response to detection of an audio signal propagated through the solid object by a control object, switching a camera of the optical motion-capture system from a standby mode to an operational mode;
wherein the standby mode and the operational mode apply to recognition of in-air control object gestures by the optical motion-capture system.
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Specification