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FreeTrack Forum > FreeTrack : English Forum > Support : Tracking System > Reflective Tape and Glasses (affects performance?)

RSS >  Reflective Tape and Glasses (affects performance?)
Nikkolai #1 31/07/2013 - 16h42

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I'm planning on 'building' (sticking tape to headphones really shouldn't count as building) a reflective tracking thingy.
As a geek I obviously have poor vision and I wear glasses, will this reflect the IR light and ruin everything?

Yes I'm one of the people who makes an account to just ask one question. Sorry ^^
dewey1 #2 31/07/2013 - 17h14

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A reflective tracking system is the most unreliable method.
You would be much better off with IR leds in either a clip or hat configuration.
Edited by dewey1 on 31/07/2013 at 17h14.
Steph #3 31/07/2013 - 17h44

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You can find several builds in the "Your point model constructions" Section.
Like this one: http://forum.free-track.net/index.php?showtopic=466&message=5312
The most difficult part is to find a cam with good ir-sensitivity.
I tried it with a Ir-Spot like this one, but it can't track over one feet.

And yes, your glasses will reflect the Ir light.
Put a third glass on your head and you already got a three point reflectiv mount. :)
Nikkolai #4 31/07/2013 - 19h36

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Thanks, I'm aware using IR LED's would be much better but I'm not comfortable soldering so i'd have to buy a sort of set and it's just as easy to spend £2 on the tape and try it out.

For a while when I was playing about with it I thought I might have been able to use my glasses as tracking points :P Silly me.

I tried it today using the IR LED from my remote control and got the settings to that my glasses weren't being picked up but of course this will change using reflective tape.

I'm going to be using the A4Tech PK-333MB as suggested on the website. I dread my family seeing me with coat hanger wire/cardboard/reflective tape attached to my headphones. How will I explain this?


Awesome community, had been reading through lots of older posts before I posted so just wanted to say thanks for being so helpful.
dewey1 #5 31/07/2013 - 21h04

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Nikkolai @ 31/07/2013 - 21h36 a dit:

I dread my family seeing me with coat hanger wire/cardboard/reflective tape attached to my headphones. How will I explain this?



You could buy a TrackIR Pro Clip or this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DelanClip-Free-Track-head-motion-tracking-3-point-model-similar-to-TrackIR-/231011828918?pt=UK_Motion_Sensors_Cameras&hash=item35c960c4b6
Edited by dewey1 on 31/07/2013 at 21h05.
Nikkolai #6 01/08/2013 - 14h05

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Yeah, those two were the ones I had looked at and if the reflective tape fails horribly I'll probably do that.
(Expect to see a lot of me asking for help configuring the curves) :D
Nikkolai #7 03/08/2013 - 19h37

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Actually Steph or someone with knowledge on this;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DelanClip-Free-Track-head-motion-tracking-3-point-model-similar-to-TrackIR-/231011828918?pt=UK_Motion_Sensors_Cameras&hash=item35c960c4b6

Would powering this directly with a USB cause problems? Everything I read has said I need a resistor to avoid damaging motherboard but as far as I can see he doesn't have one?

I know nothing about electronics/circuits (should have paid attention in physics) so I don't even know why I resistor would be required but perhaps one of you can tell me if it would be safe to use this or not.

I'm only really paranoid because I'll just be getting my PC back in a few days because the mobo needed replaced.
dewey1 #8 03/08/2013 - 23h45

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Nikkolai @ 03/08/2013 - 21h37 a dit:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DelanClip-Free-Track-head-motion-tracking-3-point-model-similar-to-TrackIR-/231011828918?pt=UK_Motion_Sensors_Cameras&hash=item35c960c4b6

Would powering this directly with a USB cause problems? Everything I read has said I need a resistor to avoid damaging motherboard but as far as I can see he doesn't have one?

Yes, it has a 12 Ohm resistor!
Steph #9 04/08/2013 - 12h57

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If the circuit is well done, you can use it on your USB-PC.

Personally I do not use any USB-geeks and non standart devices on my motherboard:

Some non-standard USB devices use the 5 V power supply without participating in a proper USB network, which negotiates power draw with the host interface. These are usually called USB decorations[citation needed]. Examples include USB-powered keyboard lights, fans, mug coolers and heaters, battery chargers, miniature vacuum cleaners, and even miniature lava lamps. In most cases, these items contain no digital circuitry, and thus are not standard compliant USB devices. This may cause problems with some computers, such as drawing too much current and damaging circuitry. Prior to the Battery Charging Specification, the USB specification required that devices connect in a low-power mode (100 mA maximum) and communicate their current requirements to the host, which then permits the device to switch into high-power mode.

Some devices, when plugged into charging ports, draw even more power (10 watts or 2.1 Amps) than the Battery Charging Specification allows. The iPad and MiFi 2200 are two such devices.[74] Barnes & Noble NOOK devices also require a special charger that runs at 1.9 Amps.[75]


Wikipedia

A USB-charger cost about 5-10€, my motherboard 100€.
Why take the risk?
Nikkolai #10 04/08/2013 - 20h02

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Hahaha actually blushing right now. I completely forgot usb doesn't need to plug into my PC and I can get an adapter. Shh :P
Thank you.

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FreeTrack Forum > FreeTrack : English Forum > Support : Tracking System > Reflective Tape and Glasses (affects performance?)

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