Multi-surface optical tracking system

摘要

An optical tracking device that is capable of operation on both glossy and diffuse surfaces includes at least one housing, at least one light source, and at least one sensor. The light source emits light toward a surface on which the housing is moved and the sensor receives the light emitted by the light source after it is reflected off of the surface. The light source is oriented such that the angle of incidence of the emitted light corresponds to Brewster's angle. The sensor may be also oriented such that the angle of reflection of the reflected light corresponds to Brewster's angle. The light emitted by the light source may be polarized to increase the p-polarization of the emitted light and/or the light received by the sensor may be filtered to block s-polarized portions of the reflected light.

主权项

1. A method for operating an optical tracking device, the method comprising:
configuring the optical tracking device with at least one light source that emits light towards at least one surface on which the optical tracking device moves and at least one sensor that receives light reflected off of the at least one surface, the optical tracking device tracks movement in relation to the at least one surface using the light received by the at least one sensor; orienting the at least one sensor such that an angle of reflection of the light received by the at least one sensor reflected off of the at least one surface corresponds to Brewster's angle in response to detection that an intensity of the light received by the at least one sensor exceeds a capability of the at least one sensor; and orienting the at least one sensor such that the angle of reflection of the light received by the at least one sensor reflected off of the at least one surface corresponds to a different angle than Brewster's angle in response to detection that the intensity of the light received by the at least one sensor is below a threshold.