Solid state motion tracking system

Abstract

A motion tracking system includes a processor, a heat source generator operatively coupled to the processor, and a heat sensor operatively coupled to the processor. As the system moves along a surface, the heat source generator generates a heated area on the surface. The heat sensor senses the heated area on the surface, and the processor determines the movement of the heat sensor relative to the surface based on the heated area. The processor in one mode determines the relative direction of movement by comparing the location of a pulsed heated area relative to a reference location. In another mode, the processor determines the relative direction by comparing the location of a thermal dissipative zone to the location of a hot zone of a continuously heated area.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.