SBIR Phase I: Real-time 3D Tracking and Position Measurement System Using Scanning MEMS Mirrors

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目提出了一个基于MEMS的光学3D跟踪和3D位置测量系统，以显着推进3D位置输入和运动传感系统。与现有技术相比，这种传感系统将能够以更直观、精确和自然的方式与计算机、机器人和其他机械进行真实的时间交互。使用扫描MEMS反射镜、激光器、光学器件和光学传感器，该跟踪系统可以快速精确地确定位置、方向和运动速率。真实的三维跟踪具有许多潜在的应用。所提出的光学传感器将提供小目标物体的X，Y和Z位置信息，在大空间（如房间）中精度可达亚毫米，更新速率低于0.1ms。这些控制器可能包括用于视频游戏、PC交互、工业机器人控制、起重机操作等的控制器。拥有可以跟随我们的手或手指并解释我们的意图的控制器将使人机交互成为更愉快、更符合人体工程学和更精确的体验。微镜技术一直是MEMS反射镜领域的技术领导者。然而，构建这样的3D跟踪系统需要在光学设计、闭环控制、嵌入式计算和封装方面进行重大创新。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是实现人类与机器交互的上级、更经济、更准确的方式。人机交互是我们现代世界的必需品。我们与之交互的机器数量将继续增加，交互将变得越来越复杂。然而，人机交互往往不是愉快和直观的。由键盘、鼠标和不良姿势引起的人体工程学损伤越来越常见。开发更直观的交互能力将满足我们日益电子化的世界的巨大需求。添加更多的旋钮和按钮不是正确的解决方案。我们相信，基于3D跟踪的输入设备可以发展成为人们与增强和虚拟现实环境交互的直观和自然的方式。它可以增强我们处理比我们的手动灵活性范围大或小的物体的能力。最终，它可以帮助我们在一个越来越复杂的计算机化世界中导航。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to dramatically advance 3D position input and motion sensing systems with a MEMS-based optical 3D tracking and 3D position measurements system. This sensing system would enable real time interaction with computers, robots, and other machinery in ways that are more intuitive, precise and natural compared to existing technologies. Using scanning MEMS mirrors, lasers, optics and optical sensors, this tracking system can quickly and precisely determine location, direction, and rate of movement. Real time 3D tracking has many potential applications. The proposed optical sensor will provide X,Y, and Z position information of a small target object down to sub-millimeter precision in large spaces such as a room and at update rates below 0.1ms. These might include controllers for video games, PC interactions, industrial robot controls, crane operations, etc. Having controllers that can follow our hands or fingers and interpret our intentions would make human-machine interaction a more enjoyable, ergonomic, and precise experience. Mirrorcle Technologies has been a technical leader in the area of MEMS mirrors. However, building such a 3D tracking system requires significant innovation in optical design, closed-loop control, embedded computing, and packaging. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is to enable a superior, more economical, and more accurate means of interacting with machines by humans. Human machine interaction is a necessity in our modern world. The number of machines we interact with will continue to increase, and interactions will be increasingly complex. However, human-machine interaction is often not pleasant and intuitive. Ergonomic injuries caused by keyboard, mouse, and poor posture are increasingly common. Developing capabilities for more intuitive interaction will serve a great need for our increasingly electronic world. Adding more knobs and buttons is not the right solution. We believe that input devices based on 3D tracking can be developed into intuitive and natural ways for people to interact with augmented and virtual reality environments. It may enhance our ability to work with objects much bigger or smaller than our range of manual dexterity. Ultimately, it can help us navigate an ever more complex computerized world.