Biomagnetic Sensor Using Magnetosensitive Bioparticles for GPS-Free Geolocation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current geolocation systems for motor vehicles rely on external data sources like GPS satellites, which may not be available in all environments, limiting their functionality and independence.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system utilizing a gel medium with magnetosensitive bioparticles and an integrated circuit array of magnetometers to detect fluctuations in the Earth's geomagnetic field, allowing for self-contained geolocation without external data sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS satellite communication is used for geolocation, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system independence and reliability deteriorate due to external dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces magnetosensitive bioparticles as an intermediary medium between the geomagnetic field and the detection system. These bioparticles convert magnetic field information into detectable optical signals through fluorescence modulation, enabling independent geolocation without satellite dependency while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic/magnetic detection systems with a bio-based optical detection system. Magnetosensitive bioparticles respond to geomagnetic field changes and modulate fluorescent signal intensity, which is then detected by photodetectors, substituting traditional mechanical or electronic sensors with a biological sensing mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If electromechanical magnetometers are used to detect geomagnetic field, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates compared to biological magnetoreception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidmagnetic field detection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from direct magnetic field measurement by electromechanical sensors to optical signal measurement via fluorescent bioparticles. The bioparticles' fluorescence intensity serves as the measurable parameter that correlates with magnetic field strength, leveraging biological magnetoreception sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite sensing system combining magnetosensitive bioparticles with fluorescent markers and gel medium. This composite structure integrates the magnetic sensitivity of biological organisms with the optical detectability of fluorescent materials, achieving high precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables independent geolocation and navigation by detecting ambient magnetic field changes, providing accurate positioning without reliance on satellite communication or other external systems.

Implementation Method 1

Many species, such as birds, bees, and bacteria, possess magnetoreception: the ability to detect Earth's geomagnetic field. The biomagnetic sensor utilizes the sensitivity of biological systems having magnetoreception to achieve geolocation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoreception: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

an integrated circuit comprising an array of magnetometers placed in proximity to the magnetosensitive bioparticles, to detect changes in the local magnetic moment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic moment detection: Magnetometer

Data Source

PatentUS11402212B2Biomagnetic sensor

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

Motor vehicles use biomagnetic sensors to determine global position by detecting Earth's geomagnetic field. Magnetosensitive bioparticles, such as magnetotactic bacteria or organelles from a magnetoreceptive eukaryotic species, are dispersed in a gel medium. The magnetosensitive bioparticles generate a local magnetic moment that changes in response to fluctuations in the immediate geomagnetic field vector, the latter of which is dependent on global position. An integrated circuit, such as an array of superconducting quantum detects changes in the local magnetic moment, and a controller thereby determines the ambient geomagnetic field vector. The controller accesses a database having a correlation of geomagnetic field vector and geolocation.