Natural Point erratic tracking problems

[qiyyq]

I've had natural point for about 3 years. In the last few months, it has become increasingly erratic. The cursor tends to jump around the screen. It usually starts okay, and then gets quickly worse; often it is unusable. Checking the tracking tab shows that the camera sometimes picks up light sources from everywhere but the actual hat - sometimes it sees nothing. I've tried repositioning the PC/camera/screen, also tried fresh reflective spots. I am running the latest version of smartnav.

Has anyone had similar issues? I have physical difficultes using a PC and have found this system of invaluable help. Support from Naturalpoint themselves had been less than helpful.

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

Could you post a screenshot of the Tracking Tab when it exhibits this behavior? That may help with trying to diagnose the problem.

[qiyyq]

Thanks for replying.

This is the normal view, with the reflective spot on the hat clearly shown and the background filtered out.


When the cursor jumps, the tracking tab shows flashes of the background, and the green spot jumps about. It feels as if the light filtering is not working properly; during the day, the software is unsable due to the amount of light.

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

This is very much an issue with IR interference. A large amount of IR light is essentially reflecting off your face with enough intensity to be picked up by the camera. It almost looks as if there's a window directly behind the camera. How does it function if you move to a different location during the day?

[qiyyq]

The window is to the right of the screen as I look at it. I have moved the camera a few times without success. It is a small room with limited options. I have moved rooms since first installing natural point, from one without an external window, and therefore little direct sunlight - though the problems began even before the move.

As I mentioned, it works better at night, but it is still prone to erratic behaviour. It seems sensitive to activity on the hard disk. I do have an older PC which performs well otherwise.

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

What kind of lighting do you have in the room?

[qiyyq]

A small desktop light, kind of like a halogen light. I have it to the right and behind the monitor / tracking camera, facing the ceiling.

Something that occured to me. In the old room/setup, in the few months before moving to the present room, I had to angle the camera to the left in order the pick up the reflective strip. Also, at the same time, if I moved too close to the camera, the cursor would jump. The light source in that room - again, a desktop light - was behind and to the left of the screen?!

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

Halogen emits light in the IR spectrum pretty heavily. It's very possible this is the source of your issue (the halogen lamp outputting high concentrations of IR causing more objects to appear unfiltered by the SmartNav).

[qiyyq]

That kind of explains things. Turning the light off seems to sort the problem - the tracking tab looks good. But obviously this makes PC use difficult. For evening use, I will try it with a 'normal' desk light. My real issue now it during the day. The natural light drives it crazy.

[qiyyq]

I thought I had used a different light in the old room. Turns out is was the same one, placed in the same position. As an experiement I rolled back to the software version I used in the first place 3.20.034. Same problems. Ok in the dark, with overhead light etc. Open the blinds or turn on the side light and it goes nuts.