Universal Tracking Module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026094284-A1
Application number	US-202519358961-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 15, 2025
Priority date	Jul 12, 2023
Publication date	Apr 2, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a universal tracking module (UTM) capable of tracking six degrees of freedom of objects. In artificial reality environments, six degrees of freedom tracking refers to the ability to track an object moving and rotating freely in three-dimensional space along three axes of movement and Rotation. Six degrees of freedom tracking provides high precision in tracking movement and rotation in 3D space, enabling more accurate and realistic representations of objects and interactions in virtual and augmented reality environments, thereby allowing for more realistic and immersive experiences. In examples, the UTM includes a plurality of lightemitting diodes such that an image of the UTM can be utilized to determine the position and orientation of the UTM and the object to which the UTM is attached.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A tracking device for tracking a position and orientation of an object, the tracking device including:
a main logic board; a light-emitting diode wrap at least partially enclosing the main logic board, wherein the light-emitting diode wrap includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed on the light-emitting diode wrap; a cover at least partially enclosing the light-emitting diode wrap, wherein one or more light-emitting diodes of the plurality of light-emitting diodes are configured to emit light through the cover in accordance with one or more blinking rates; and a docking interface configured to couple the tracking device to the object, wherein one or more of the plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed on the light-emitting diode wrap are configured to blink in accordance with a framerate of an imaging device external to the tracking device.

3 . The tracking device of claim 2 , wherein the main logic board includes an inertial measurement unit configured to communicate sensor data to a head-mounted display integrated with the imaging device, and wherein the inertial measurement unit is configured to provide the sensor data in accordance with a frame rate of the imaging device.

4 . The tracking device of claim 3 , wherein the main logic board further includes a communication interface configured to:
receive light-emitting diode configuration information from the head-mounted display, the light-emitting diode configuration information indicating the one or more blinking rates of the one or more light-emitting diodes of the plurality of light-emitting diodes; and wirelessly communicate the sensor data to the head-mounted display, wherein the sensor data is communicated to the head-mounted display in accordance with the frame rate of the imaging device.

5 . The tracking device of claim 4 , wherein the communication interface is configured to pass an action or a command to the head-mounted display in accordance with an activation of a tactile switch disposed on the main logic board, wherein the action or the command initiates a pairing process between the head-mounted display and the tracking device.

6 . The tracking device of claim 2 , wherein the docking interface is communicatively coupled to the object such that at least one of an action or command can pass from the object to the tracking device via a communication pathway.

7 . The tracking device of claim 2 , wherein light-emitting diodes are disposed on the light-emitting diode wrap in accordance with a pattern specific to the tracking device.

8 . The tracking device of claim 2 , wherein the cover limits an amount of light emitted by one or more light-emitting diodes of the plurality of light-emitting diodes in accordance with a viewing angle.

Assignees

• Meta Platforms Tech Llc

Inventors

• Higgins Jason Andrew
• Jentz Lorenz Henric
• Everist Nicholas Friele
• Boulos Khaled

Classifications

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G06T2207/20021

  Dividing image into blocks, subimages or windows · CPC title

• G06T2207/20081

  Training; Learning · CPC title

• G06F3/0308

  comprising a plurality of distinctive and separately oriented light emitters or reflectors associated to the pointing device, e.g. remote cursor controller with distinct and separately oriented LEDs at the tip whose radiations are captured by a photo-detector associated to the screen · CPC title

• G06F3/0354 Primary

  with detection of two-dimensional [2D] relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks · CPC title