Spatially Separated Gyroscope Sensors for Heading Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems using mobile communication devices struggle to accurately determine the heading of a moving object indoors due to weak or absent GPS signals, and existing methods like three-axis gyroscopes often confuse angular velocity changes with heading changes, especially when the device is held by the user.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple spatially separated sensors, such as gyroscope sensors, placed on different parts of the moving object to measure angular velocity and transmit signals to a processor for accurate heading determination, which can be housed in a mobile communication device or an accessory device, allowing for differentiation between true heading changes and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a three-axis gyroscope is used to track heading, then the system can measure angular velocity changes, but it cannot distinguish between heading changes and hand movement noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple spatially separated sensors (at least two sensors positioned at different locations on the moving object). Each sensor captures angular velocity data independently, allowing the system to segment the total angular velocity into components caused by heading changes versus hand movements. By analyzing the spatial distribution and temporal patterns of angular velocity from multiple sensors, the system can identify and filter out noise from hand movements while preserving true heading information.
2Measurement precision
If GPS signal is used for position tracking, then the system can determine position, speed and heading accurately, but it fails in indoor environments where GPS signal is weak or absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal heading tracking system that functions effectively across different environments (both outdoor GPS-available and indoor GPS-denied settings). By using multiple spatially separated angular velocity sensors and implementing signal processing algorithms that work independently of GPS, the system achieves multi-environment adaptability. The same sensor configuration and processing methodology provide reliable heading determination whether the moving object is outdoors with GPS coverage or indoors where GPS signals are unavailable.
3Measurement precision
If multiple spatially separated sensors are used to measure angular velocity, then the system can differentiate heading changes from noise, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple angular velocity measurements from spatially separated sensors into a unified heading determination process. Rather than treating each sensor independently, the system merges the data streams through coordinated signal processing that identifies common patterns (true heading changes) versus differential patterns (hand movement noise). This merging approach allows the system to achieve improved measurement precision while managing device complexity through integrated processing rather than separate independent systems.
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 significantly improves the accuracy of heading determination by differentiating between actual heading changes and noise, providing a more reliable tracking of the moving object's direction, even in GPS-denied environments.
Implementation Method 1
A first sensor adapted to register angular velocity and to generate a first signal in response to said registered angular velocity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and method for determining the heading of a moving object comprising a first sensor adapted to register its angular velocity and to generate a first signal in response to said registered angular velocity, at least a second sensor adapted to register its angular velocity and to generate at least a second signal in response to said registered angular velocity, a processor adapted to receive said first signal and said at least second signal, wherein said first sensor, said second sensor and said processor are located at said moving object, and wherein said first sensor and said second sensor are located at a distance from each other on said moving object, and wherein said processor is further adapted to determine the heading of said moving object based on said received first signal and said at least second signal.