TrackClip project

ark1320
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:37 am

Re: TrackClip project

Post by ark1320 »

In case this helps anyone ...

I went ahead and built a 3 IR LED "Hat Clip Pro" and it seems to work very well. The only dimension I found advantageous to change relative to the original hat clip was to increase the "height" of the center LED about 1/2 inch (helps with the range for looking up, like at an aircraft overhead panel, but reduces the "look down" range a bit). This configuration tracks well in all directions to just about the limits of my ability to see my 28" screen out of the corner of my eye. As discussed above there does not seem to be a way to shut off the IR transmitters in the camera when the software is in the Hat Clip mode (which it must be), so I lowered their brightness as much as possible (setting of 10). I also increased the filter setting to the max of 253 since the TrackIR Hat Clip software is looking for a faint IR reflection rather then a relatively strong transmitted IR signal.

I used OSRAM SFH4556P wide angle (130 deg) IR LEDs -- they are available from Mouser Electronics for less than 50 cents each.

I found it is best to keep the size of the "green dots" as seen on the Track IR display as small as possible, while still having reliable performance, because if two of the dots merge, as will tend to happen in certain head positions, the tracking freezes. So smaller dots are better than large blobs that will merge "sooner" for a given head position. To this end I found it best to run the LEDs at low power, which is not a problem since the software is looking for a faint reflection. My "Hat Clip Pro" is powered by 5 volts thru a USB connection (I used the USB cable from an old mouse -- 50 cents at the local flea market) and wired the LEDS in series along with a 10 ohm resistor. This results in about 50mA of current (the LEDs are rated for a nominal current of 100mA) which helps to keep the dot size small and the power demand low. The frame/bracket for holding the LEDS looks similar to the Hat Clip in general shape (basic T shape) and was made by bending and super gluing together two pieces of thin metal strap I had in my junk box. I spray painted the bracket flat black to reduce potential reflections. The LEDs were mounted on 1/4" plastic "blocks" glued to the metal frame (the LED leads pass thru two tiny holes in the blocks). It also helps to design the bracket/LED mounting so that the two front LEDs protrude a bit past the end of the cap peak so they are not "blocked out" from the camera by the hat peak when looking up. I use a spring clip to fasten the "Hat Clip Pro" to the peak of my hat.

I personally find the "Hat Clip Pro" a viable alternative to the TrackClip Pro. I prefer not to have anything hanging off the side of the headset I use for flight simulation, and I happen to find wearing a baseball type cap comfortable. Since I had stuff like wire, the metal straps, and paint lying around, my cost for the "Hat Clip Pro" was less than $10 or so, and about half of that was the IR LED shipping cost from Mouser. I judge the performance of the "Hat Clip Pro" to be a definite improvement over the original Hat Clip (mainly wrt tracking range), but not dramatically so. All in all an interesting and fun project.

Al
Last edited by ark1320 on Sat Jul 04, 2015 9:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
gpbarth
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 1:16 pm
Location: NE Pennsylvania

Re: TrackClip project

Post by gpbarth »

Well, I left the receiver set for the Pro clip, and put on my ball cap, with the horizontal LED layout. Long story short, it don't work. Won't stop trying to figure out why those lights aren't in the right configuration.

So until someone can figure out how to turn off those receiver LEDs, they'll just have to stay on.
ark1320
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:37 am

Re: TrackClip project

Post by ark1320 »

gpbarth wrote:Well, I left the receiver set for the Pro clip, and put on my ball cap, with the horizontal LED layout. Long story short, it don't work. Won't stop trying to figure out why those lights aren't in the right configuration.
Yep, with the receiver set for the Pro Clip, it expects to see 3 aligned vertical lights when you are looking straight ahead. If it sees 3 horizontal lights, it assumes you have essentially moved your head so your ear is touching your shoulder (not so easy to do!). Of course, one could try mounting 3 IR LEDs in a TrackClip Pro Pattern on a hat and then use the Track Clip Pro software.

The camera's 4 IR LEDs remaining on does not seem to be a problem with a Track Clip like "triangular IR LED hat" as long as there is nothing highly reflective on the hat.
Al
gpbarth
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 1:16 pm
Location: NE Pennsylvania

Re: TrackClip project

Post by gpbarth »

Yeah, I figured as much. My hat works very well with the on-board LEDs working, so there's no problems - it's just that I have heard there is a heat build-up with those 4 LEDs running all the time, and I wanted to prevent that.

When I'm using the headset, the Pro clip will work fine, and when I'm not...well, the hat works great and maybe a little better than the reflectors, so I'll still use that, too. If anyone can ever tell me how to turn those things offf, though, I'd really appreciate it. :D
MikeWitham
Posts: 1477
Joined: Mon Nov 04, 2013 10:19 am

Re: TrackClip project

Post by MikeWitham »

gpbarth,

I wish I had the answer for you. I'm going to keep bugging the devs until they are tired of hearing me talk about it. Hopefully I can get something going for you!

Regards,
Mike Witham
TrackIR Product Manager
gpbarth
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 1:16 pm
Location: NE Pennsylvania

Re: TrackClip project

Post by gpbarth »

Thanks, Mike. I'm a patient sort of guy, so no big rush. It's just be nice to know. Back to the skies! I do love the Track IR, and I'm still learning how to fine-tune it.
snagov
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 7:36 am

Re: TrackClip project

Post by snagov »

This is my idea, i use 3 little and light balls, relective material and hot glue:

http://www.alasdeacero.com/index.php/al ... rt=0#15653
Dietrich
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 2:01 am

Re: TrackClip project

Post by Dietrich »

Track ir 5 has been used for a few years, and the infrared reflector is used to track the movement of the head. This reflector has two weaknesses:
1.track ir5 active emission of infrared light will be harmful to health for a long time, and the ir5 heat has a high probability of burning (although the probability is small);
2. The reflection angle of the reflective frame is limited, and the amplitude of the head movement should not be too large, especially when the head is raised and the head is lowered, the tracking target of ir5 is often lost.

Later I changed to clip pro, this thing is very good, completely solved the above two shortcomings, but it brought another trouble, because I don't often use headphones, use clip pro to use headphones, and the headphone cable and Clip pro's power supply line will always make the head feel that there is not enough freedom, so there is the idea of ​​changing the clip pro into a wireless version.
In the end, I succeeded in changing it to a wireless version without changing the original clip pro. It allows you to completely get rid of the line and freely and freely fly the plane.
This version can continuously and continuously power the clip pro. The rechargeable battery has a long battery life. It has not been measured for how long it has been used. It is estimated that it can be used for 2 weeks (6 hours a day without interruption), and the battery box has a switch.
Overall light weight: plus clip pro and battery total weight 186 grams

This link may help you http://www.winsupport-ic.com/
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