Portable Device Attitude Matrix Sensor Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in accurately determining an attitude matrix due to noise and environmental factors affecting accelerometer and magnetometer data, leading to errors in navigation and augmented reality applications, and existing solutions either sacrifice agility or fail to track fast movements.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines data from accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes, using a mixing coefficient to fuse attitude matrix gradients, allowing for a balanced and responsive attitude matrix update, which adapts to changes in acceleration and magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If accelerometer and magnetometer data are used to determine attitude matrix, then the device can provide orientation information, but noise and environmental factors cause errors and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattitude matrix accuracyVSAvoidnavigation and augmented reality performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines data from accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope sensors to determine the attitude matrix. By merging multiple sensor inputs, the system compensates for individual sensor weaknesses (noise and environmental factors) while maintaining comprehensive orientation tracking capability, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously updates the attitude matrix by comparing current sensor readings with previous measurements and applying corrective adjustments. This feedback mechanism allows the device to compensate for accumulated errors and maintain accurate orientation information despite noise and environmental disturbances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If existing solutions are used to determine attitude matrix, then orientation information is provided, but agility and responsiveness to fast movements are sacrificed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattitude matrix stabilityVSAvoidtracking responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic sensor fusion that adapts the weighting of different sensor inputs based on current motion conditions. During fast movements, the system increases reliance on gyroscope data for immediate responsiveness, while during stable periods it incorporates more accelerometer and magnetometer data for enhanced accuracy, thus achieving both agility and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters such as filter coefficients and integration time constants based on detected motion intensity. This allows the attitude matrix calculation to be optimized for either speed or accuracy depending on real-time conditions, maintaining responsiveness during fast movements while ensuring stability during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides a reliable and agile attitude matrix that accurately tracks changes in orientation and position, enhancing the performance of navigation and augmented reality applications by reducing noise and maintaining responsiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a gyroscope for detecting the rotational velocity of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

an accelerometer for detecting the acceleration experienced by the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 3

an electronic compass for determining the position and orientation of the device with respect to a magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2520904B1Portable Electronic Device Adapted to Provide an Improved Attitude Matrix
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2520904B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2520904B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2520904B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one aspect, a method of determining an attitude matrix on a portable electronic device. The method includes determining a first attitude matrix gradient using data from at least one of an accelerometer and a magnetometer, determining a second attitude matrix gradient using data from a gyroscope, fusing the first attitude matrix gradient and the second attitude matrix gradient based on a mixing coefficient to generate a fused gradient, and based on the fused gradient, updating a fine attitude matrix for the portable electronic device.