Beacon and Scene Navigation System Misalignment Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gyro navigation systems are costly to develop and implement, and they struggle with reporting three-dimensional position changes accurately, especially when the beacon is out of the field of view or subject to environmental noise, leading to false readings and restricted usage due to sensitivity to misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system that combines beacon-based navigation with scene-based navigation, using an image sensor and navigation processing logic to generate position data and distinguish between beacon and non-beacon light sources, allowing for accurate 3D positioning even when the beacon is out of range and compensating for misalignment, thereby reducing the need for separate gyroscopic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a gyro is used for navigation, then position changes can be reported, but the development and setup cost is very high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition reportingVSAvoiddevelopment and setup cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex gyroscopic components with a cheaper alternative consisting of an image sensor and beacon system. The image sensor captures images of the beacon, and the processor determines position based on beacon position in the image, eliminating the need for costly gyro fabrication facilities and setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical gyroscopic system with an optical-based system using an image sensor to capture beacon images. The processor then calculates position information from the beacon's position in the captured image, replacing mechanical motion sensing with optical detection and computational analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple gyros are used to report position in multiple dimensions, then dimensional coverage improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional coverageVSAvoidnumber of gyros

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single image sensor that serves multiple functions: it captures beacon images for position determination, provides gross motion reporting when the beacon is out of view, and enables three-dimensional position tracking. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate gyro components for each dimension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a beacon-based system is used, then navigation can be achieved without gyros, but the system is sensitive to environmental noise and false readings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation implementationVSAvoidsensitivity to environmental noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the beacon with distinctive local characteristics including a specific geometric shape, particular color properties, and a unique pattern of light-emitting diodes arranged in a recognizable configuration. These localized quality features enable the image sensor and processor to reliably distinguish the beacon from environmental noise and false light sources through pattern recognition and feature matching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the beacon is out of the field of view, then the image sensor cannot contribute to navigation, but the gyro is needed to report gross motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation continuityVSAvoiddependency on gyro

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous navigation capability by having the image sensor continuously capture images even when the beacon is out of view. The processor analyzes these images to detect gross motion of the controller by tracking changes in the captured scene, allowing the image sensor to maintain its navigation contribution without requiring gyro intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 combined approach reduces setup and development costs, provides accurate three-dimensional positioning, and mitigates the limitations of conventional systems by integrating navigation functionality on a single silicon chip, enabling robust and flexible navigation without relying solely on gyroscopic data.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor and navigation processing logic are provided. The image sensor generates an image within a field of view of the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8285475B2Combined beacon and scene navigation system

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A controller and navigation system to implement beacon-based navigation and scene-based navigation is described. The navigation system may generate position data for the controller to compensate for a misalignment of the controller relative to the coordinate system of the navigation system. The navigation system may also distinguish between a beacon light source and a non-beacon light source.