Markers

Active and passive versions available

Active markers are infrared light emitting elements, mostly LEDs. All active markers provided by ART are just emitting radiation when the tracking cameras are sensitive, thus have to be synchronized with the cameras. Synchronization can be done by a wired connection between the tracking system and the electronics controlling the active markers, but can also be done in a wireless way: For wireless synchronization a coded IR flash is sent out by at least one tracking camera. The active markers’ electronics recognize the coded flash and activate the LEDs.

Passive markers: The special retroreflective material of our passive markers reflects light, in this case the timed infra-red flash from the cameras, which allows our motion tracking systems to accurately detect and track the marker's position. 

Both active and passive markers will give 3DOF (3 degrees of freedom) for one single marker and 6DOF (resp. 5DOF) for a complete target (4+ markers).

Active Markers

In ART tracking systems different types of LED-based active markers are used, depending on the application.
All active markers provided by ART are controlled by special electronics that ensure synchronization with the tracking cameras and require a  power supply.
Active markers are often a good choice when working in environments where strong reflections from IR flashes or non-specific reflections from sunlight occur.

Active LED markers without housing 

  • Simple markers with a small design 
  • Range with vertical radiation up to 20m
  • Visibility angle up to +- 80° 
  • Applied to a mini circuit board (dimensions: 6 x 6mm) 
  • Electronics required for synchronization: AMC (see below)
  • Cable length between marker and electronics max. 30cm 


Active LED markers with diffuser 

  • LED marker 
  • Light-scattering surface
  • Range with vertical radiation up to 20m
  • Visibility angle up to +- 80° 
  • Diameter: diffuser 10mm, total diameter 14mm, height: 6mm
  • Electronics required for synchronization: AMC (see below) 
  • Cable length between marker and electronics max. 30cm 


AMC (Active Marker Controller) for active markers 

The AMC receives an optical or wired synchronization signal from the tracking system and activates the LED markers. Up to 6 active markers can be connected to the AMC. A power supply of 3-5 V is required.

Active LED markers with diffuser

Active LED markers with diffuser

AMC6 board with active markers

AMC6 board with active markers

Passive Markers

The passive markers most commonly used in tracking systems, including ART’s, are retroreflectors (see picture below). These markers reflect incoming IR radiation back in the direction of the incoming light.

More precisely the IR radiation is back-reflected into a narrow range of angles around the source of the incoming light. These markers are mostly spheres covered with retroreflecting foils, but can also be stickers made from retroreflecting material.

Retroreflecting sheets or foils available on the market can be based on two different optical principles:

  • Three mirrors, arranged in 90° angles to each other, reflect light in the described way. Mostly foils with arrangements of lots of very small mirrors in a plane are used.
  • Glass balls (with appropriate refraction index) focus incoming light onto the opposite surface of the ball. A layer of microscopic glass balls, carried by a reflecting material, acts as a retro reflector. These foils can be fabricated on a flexible carrier material, thus they are widely used for equipping spherical markers with retroreflecting surfaces.

Spherical Markers

Spherical markers are plastic spheres with a centric M3 threaded insert, which are coated with a highly retro-reflective film.

Some of them are also available as a protected version with a robust surface. We provide these robust markers in the following sizes: 14 mm and 16 mm.

Available sizes (mm/inch): 6.4 (0.25), 7.9 (0.31), 12 (0.47), 14 (0.55), 16 (0.63), 20 (0.79), 30 (1.18).

Flat Markers

Flat markers are pre-cut circular pieces of self-adhesive retro-reflective film.
Available sizes (mm/inch): 10 (0.39), 12.5 (0.49), 15 (0.59), 20 (0.79).
 

Ring Markers (Cylindrical Markers)

Ring markers allow 5DOF tracking of cylindrical objects. They can be used, for example, for tracking of 3D glasses or of VR input and drawing pens, as well as for more precise detection of the working points of tools with extensions. For more information regarding these applications, simply contact us here.

Spherical markers are available in many sizes

Spherical markers are available in many sizes

Passive ART markers are available either with or without protective film

Passive ART markers are available either with or without protective film

Screwdriver with ART Target for optical tool tracking

Screwdriver target

5DOF glasses target with ART ring (cylindrical) markers

5DOF glasses target with ART ring (cylindrical) markers

Technical data

The following additional products fit to this product

DTRACK

Our tracking software for any VR/AR application

All ART systems have been designed around an integrated and adaptable architecture that provides reliable and accurate motion tracking for immersive projection systems, wide area HMD tracking and many other VR applications.

ARTTRACK5 in use

ARTTRACK5

Industry standard for immersive 3D applications

The next generation of our ARTTRACK camera family comes with higher frame rate and resolution, as well as increased flexibility for all motion tracking applications.

SMARTTRACK3 & SMARTTRACK3/M

plug & play tracking solution for small volumes

Two tracking cameras and the controller are fully integrated in one housing. When delivered, SMARTTRACK3 is pre-calibrated and may be used immediately. This and its compact size make SMARTTRACK3 the ideal mobile, out-of-the-box…

ART Controller

Suitable for ART TRACKing systems

The ART Controller is available in a single variant for the housing and it is rack-mountable (19" housing). In case no rack will be available at the customer’s site it’s also possible to place the ART Controller on a table for example –…

Flystick2+

YOur PLUS for interaction

We have improved our bestseller for interaction Flystick2 with sophisticated details and new features. The interaction device convinces with a re-defined design, provides audio & vibro-tactile feedback and many more exciting features.

Fingertracking

vibro-tactile or pure

The Fingertracking device is an add-on to the ART tracking system, which allows you to track the orientation of the hand and the position of the fingers.

Measurement Tool

For high precise point measurements

The ART Measurement Tool is a pointing device for measurement applications. In this specialized field it is very important to measure positions of points with a high degree of accuracy.

Motion Capture

Digitizing of Movements

Motion Capture ("mocap") is the technique of digitizing the movement of people, animals or objects. In the case of the ART Motion Capture system, markers are attached to the subject’s limbs and can be worn over normal clothes (no need for lycra…

ART-Human

Motion capture assistance tool

ART-Human is a tool to assist motion-capture projects. The software uses the information of our highly accurate 6 degree-of-freedom (6DOF) optical targets to track a human subject. We use 17 ergonomically designed targets which can be worn directly on…

ART Satellite Merger

Tracking inside occluded compartments

Do you need tracking in an occluded compartment inside your CAVE? For example in a closed car body inside the CAVE? Is this occluded compartment even moving during tracking operation?

Targets

Many geometries, also customized

Targets consists of several markers (minimum 4), and will give the 6DOF (degrees of freedom). Besides our numerous standard models, we also offer customized developments.