Camera-Based Furniture Positioning With Concentric Ring Markers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of a mobile device within a system are either complex, space-intensive, or lack precision in determining both position and viewing direction.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a simple, space-efficient information carrier with concentrically arranged circular rings, detected by a camera, where the camera records an image, extracts identity information, and calculates geometric variables to determine the relative position and orientation of the mobile device relative to the information carrier, using synchronization patterns and arc lengths for accurate distance and viewing direction determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional positioning methods are used, then position determination is possible, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs circular rings instead of linear or angular codes. The circular geometry provides inherent rotational symmetry that simplifies detection and eliminates the need for complex orientation reference systems. The concentric circular rings create a radially symmetric pattern that is easily detectable by cameras and provides robust position and orientation information through simple geometric measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall pattern is symmetric, the patent introduces asymmetric elements through synchronization patterns with specific arc lengths and positions. These asymmetric features break the rotational symmetry in a controlled manner, providing unique orientation reference that allows the system to determine both position and viewing direction unambiguously without increasing overall complexity.
2Measurement precision
If detailed position and orientation data are captured, then measurement precision improves, but the area required for the information carrier increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional linear codes to a radial dimension system using concentric circular rings. By organizing data in radial tracks with varying radii, the system encodes position and orientation information in the radial dimension rather than requiring extended linear space. This dimensional reorganization allows comprehensive 6-degree-of-freedom pose estimation within a compact circular footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular ring structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides position encoding through radial position, orientation encoding through angular position of features, and scale reference through ring diameter measurements. The same geometric features used for position determination also provide viewing direction information, eliminating the need for separate reference markers and reducing overall area requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple information carrier designs are used, then ease of manufacture improves, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies parameters such as ring radii, arc lengths, and angular positions to encode different levels of information. By systematically varying these geometric parameters across multiple tracks, the system achieves high measurement precision through differential measurement while maintaining simple manufacturing processes. The parameters are designed to be easily manufacturable using standard printing or fabrication techniques.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the position of a furniture part and an information carrier for carrying out a method, the furniture part having a camera, by means of which a stationary information carrier can be detected, the information carrier having a data region, which in particular has concentrically arranged circular-ring-shaped tracks, the information carrier having circular rings, in particular circles, concentrically arranged radially within the data region, in a first method step an image of the information carrier being recorded from the furniture part, in a second method step the identity information being determined, in a third method step data associated with the identity information being read out of a memory of the furniture part, the data comprising information on the spatial position and spatial orientation of the information carrier in the system, in a fourth method step the values of the geometric variables of the arrangement of the circular rings concentrically arranged radially within the data region and at least one specific circumferential position of the data region of the information carrier being determined from the recorded image, in a fifth method step the spatial position of the furniture part relative to the information carrier being determined from the determined values of the geometric variables and from the values of the geometric variables read from the memory and the position of the furniture part being determined, taking into consideration the stored values of the spatial position of the information carrier.