- MotionProcessing
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MotionProcessing™ is the process of detecting, measuring, synthesizing, analyzing and digitizing an object’s motion in three-dimensional space. MotionProcessing technology combines an inertial measurement unit with digital processing and motion-based applications, enabling consumer devices to readily incorporate motion while still meeting critical cost, size, robustness, and battery life requirements. By attaching motion sensors, such as a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer, the consumer electronic device's movement can be accurately tracked. The gyroscope tracks the rotation of the device as it tilts forward or backward (pitch), turns from portrait to landscape (yaw) and twists from side to side (roll), while the accelerometer measures the linear movement of the device as it moves up or down (y-axis), left or right (x-axis) and toward or away from the user (z-axis). The analog data from the gyroscope and accelerometer can be digitized and synthesized using complex algorithms to support motion-based user interfaces on Smartphone's, and other applications, such as motion-based video games and on-screen menu navigation.
The term was defined and popularized by InvenSense in 2009, who marketed the world's first 'MPU', or Motion Processing Unit™, a single-chip motion processor featuring a 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer, and 9-axis MotionFusion™ with an embedded Digital Motion Processor™ (DMP) hardware accelerator engine for complete motion processing capability, and MotionApps™ and Embedded MotionApps software layer that makes the integration and interfaces to an application processor a very easy task without requiring expertise in the field of motion processing.
MPU3000
Contents
History
This past decade (2000–2009) will go down in history as one in which devices based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology broke barriers and emerged into the consumer market. Entry of MEMS sensors into consumer products has been under consideration since the 1980s but was never fully realized in part due to their bulky size, cost and some inherent reliability issues when compared to their semiconductor counterparts. Initially starting with hard disk drive protection, MEMS accelerometers were the first to break barriers by providing robust and reliable products that met consumer market price points. The Nintendo Wii game console was the first to fully embrace accelerometer technology and make it a household name. Shortly thereafter, the Apple iPhone made accelerometer production volumes climb through the roof as portrait/landscape orientation and motion gaming quickly became standard features in most smartphones. MEMS-based microphones also are credited with getting MEMS technology into various consumer markets.[1]
In early 2009, Nintendo added the Wii MotionPlus to its already popular Wii game console to bring MEMS gyroscopes into the limelight.
In December 2009, EETimes named MEMS gyroscopes as one of the hot applications for 2010, and this next decade will bring more sophisticated integrated MEMS inertial sensors and MotionProcessing technology will be featured in a variety of consumer electronics products from cell phones to game controllers and remotes, sports clothing and exercise equipment.[2]
In early 2010, InvenSense unveiled the world's first Motion Processing Unit for Smartphones with digital 3-axis gyroscope and built-in MotionFusion. Later that year, InvenSense added another world's first to their family of Motion Processors, the MPU-6000 with an integrated 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer and 9-axis MotionFusion.[3]
By the end of 2010, InvenSense introduced the world's first MotionApps and Embedded MotionApps with 9-axis MotionFusion for Android 2.3 Gingerbread.[4]
In January 2011, LG Electronics selected IXZ-500 gyroscope MotionProcessing solution for their Infinia line of 3D LED LCD high-definition (HD) televisions, Magic Motion Remote. The Magic Motion remote control integrates a MEMS gyroscope and a graphical user interface allowing for simple and intuitive hand movements to control motion-based navigation.
MotionProcessing™ Platform
The MotionProcessing platform is an intelligent, integrated scalable solution that has several fundamental elements: MEMS-based motion sensors and companion mixed-signal ICs, embedded Digital Motion Processors (DMP) that combine digital outputs from multiple motion sensors to provide more accurate motion tracking functionality, also referred to as MotionFusion, and MotionApps allowing software developers to create applications using MotionProcessing solutions, with application programming interfaces and pre-configured application functionalities, such as gesture recognition, which InvenSense refers to as Embedded MotionApps.
InvenSense MotionProcessing PlatformThe core of the MotionProcessing platform is proprietary MEMS-based motion sensors that provide the functionality required to measure analog motion signals. The high performance of these sensors due to the Nasiri-Fabrication™ process. Through a Digital Motion Processor (DMP), the analog signals from the sensors are converted into digital signals and are intelligently assimilated and analyzed through our embedded MotionFusion technology. This solution also includes a software abstraction layer, which includes our MotionApps, Embedded MotionApps, and application programming interfaces (API), that utilize the output of the DMP to enable system designers to use the sensor data in their applications without the need to understand analog sensor output and develop related motion processing algorithms. Finally, MotionProcessing solutions provides system designers pre-configured MotionApplication software to enable motion-based interfaces and speed their time to market, as well as ease the process of integrating our MotionProcessing solutions in their systems.
The InvenSense MotionApps software layer makes for simple integration and interfaces to an application processor with core algorithm engines without requiring expertise in the field of motion processing.
The MotionApps software controls critical motion processing tasks including sensor device management, sensor bias calibration, motion fusion, and gesture detection and removes the need for sensor driver and library coding by linking the sensor hardware with the Android sensor HAL and APIs and allows developers to immediately focus on unique and differentiating application development. The DMP reduces processor loading on the application processor by up to 10X and removes any real time constraints for accessing and processing the data which allows for 9-axis motion processing to be deployed on smart feature phone platforms using sub-1 GHz application processors.
MEMS Applications
Video Gaming
MotionProcessing technology in console and portable video gaming devices provides an immersive, life-like video gaming experience by accurately tracking body and hand movements, and is significantly more intuitive than traditional button and joystick based interfaces. The success of the Nintendo Wii MotionPlus accessory and market potential of the recently announced Nintendo 3DS is representative of the large opportunities for motion processing technology in the video gaming market.[5]
Handset and Tablet
While current handset and tablet devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, use basic motion sensing capabilities to provide tilt-sensing, screen rotation and basic video gaming functionality, handset and tablet devices enabled with MotionProcessing technology could deliver enhanced user experiences in the areas of web, media and menu navigation. In addition, MotionProcessing technology provides a range of other capabilities, such as more responsive motion-based video gaming, enhanced still and video image stabilization, improved pedestrian navigation, secure authentication through gestures, as well as gesture and character shortcuts that accelerate common tasks on the device. The Apple iPhone 4, which includes advanced motion sensing capabilities with the addition of a discrete gyroscope, is expected to further accelerate the adoption of motion sensing technology in the handheld market.
Remote Controls
Digital televisions (DTVs), set-top boxes and Blu-ray devices are becoming increasingly more interactive through the addition of interactive menus and applications, internet browsing, video-on-demand services and viewing of personal media content. This has created the need for a user interface device with the functionality of a computer mouse and the ability to operate without a desk, for example while sitting on a living room couch. With a motion-based approach to menu and web navigation, users can interface with an on-screen menu or use hand motions in a manner similar to motion-based video game controllers. Further, a motion controlled remote would allow additional functionality, including gesture shortcuts and games, to be embedded into the system.
Digital Still and Video Cameras
Many digital still and video cameras are equipped with basic motion sensors that perform image stabilization to reduce blur caused by hand jitter. The inclusion of MotionProcessing technology also enables digital still and video camera manufacturers to differentiate their products with an enhanced motion-based user interface.
Emerging Opportunities
There are many other possible applications for motion processing in products used by consumers daily. For example, manufacturers of remote-controlled toys, personal navigation systems, healthcare monitoring equipment, sports and fitness equipment, and industrial tools have or may in the future adopt motion processing technologies. The use of motion processing solutions in these devices can improves their performance, intelligence, safety and functionality.
See also
See Also
- MEMS
- InvenSense
- Nasiri-Fabrication
- Principles of Motion Sensing
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Inertial Measurement Unit
References
- ^ A Critical Review of the Market Status and Industry Challenges of Producing Consumer Grade MEMS Gyroscopes.
- ^ Hot Applications in 2010, EETIMES
- ^ InvenSense Announced World's First MotionProcessor
- ^ Gingerbread to Feature Wii Like MotionProcessing
- ^ [1]
External links
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