Flexible Local Tracking Using Anchor Device Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object tracking technologies are expensive, complex, and lack flexibility, making them unsuitable for widespread adoption, particularly for individual use, as they often require precise setup and are limited to specific sports or provide only relative tracking.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a user equipment as an anchor device to determine its position and orientation, establishing a connection with a tracked device to estimate its relative and absolute position through signals like IEEE 802.11, BLE, UWB, or ultrasonic signals, allowing for flexible tracking on any playing surface and multiple device coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera-based tracking systems are used for professional sport tracking, then tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical camera-based tracking systems with wireless signal-based tracking using sensors and communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ultrasonic). This substitution maintains tracking precision while dramatically reducing system complexity and cost, making the system accessible for individual use rather than requiring professional infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary between the tracked device and the tracking system. Instead of direct optical measurement, the system uses signal transmission and reception with time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival calculations to determine position, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If sensors are positioned at precise locations with calibration, then tracking reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the tracking system to automatically establish its own coordinate system and perform self-calibration. The system determines the position and orientation of anchor devices relative to each other and automatically computes the transformation to the playing surface coordinate system, eliminating the need for manual positioning and calibration by technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic coordinate system that adapts to the actual deployment configuration of anchor devices. Rather than requiring fixed pre-calibrated positions, the system dynamically determines the relationship between anchor devices and the playing surface, allowing flexible placement while maintaining tracking reliability.
3Ease of operation
If built-in sensors in sporting equipment are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal tracking system that can track any device equipped with wireless communication capabilities across multiple sports and contexts. The system is not limited to specific sporting equipment but can track smartphones, tablets, wearables, or custom devices in various sports (tennis, basketball, soccer, etc.) and even non-sport applications, providing broad adaptability while maintaining ease of use.
4Device complexity
If relative tracking is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges relative tracking (from wireless signals) with absolute reference information (from anchor devices with known positions and orientations). By combining these approaches, the system achieves absolute position accuracy while maintaining the simplicity of wireless signal-based relative measurement, resolving the contradiction between complexity and precision.
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 accurate and flexible tracking of objects or body parts across various surfaces and sports, providing absolute position data and improving user experience by reducing setup complexity and cost, while allowing tracking of multiple devices and users.
Implementation Method 1
the relative position of the tracked device is estimated by measuring a Time-of-Flight (ToF) for the signal and measuring an Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) for the signal
Implementation Method 2
the signal comprises at least one of an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 signal, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal, an Ultrawide Band (UWB) signal, or an Ultrasonic sign
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method and apparatus for tracking a device. The tracked device may be a wearable device worn by a user participating in an athletic activity. An anchor device is positioned with respect to a playing area and receives signals from the tracked device. The anchor device estimates the position of the tracked device by measuring a distance and direction of the signal, and decodes the signal to obtain measurements taken by the tracked device. The position and the measurements are combined to produce tracking data for the device.