Hybrid RFID Vision Object Localization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current object localization technologies lack a generic solution for multiple applications, with existing methods being limited in scope and not effectively addressing the need for precise and robust localization across various environments.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid system combining RFID and vision-based tracking systems, where RFID tags with known positions and identifications are used to determine the position of a reader within an ellipsoid-shaped scanning volume, and a camera with a known pose refines the position of objects, enabling accurate and robust localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If RFID tags and readers are used for object localization, then the system can provide localization data across multiple applications and environments, but the measurement precision and robustness of the localization may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RFID technology with vision-based tracking systems to create a hybrid localization system. The RFID reader detects tags and provides coarse localization data, while the vision system refines this data to achieve higher precision. This merging of two different technologies resolves the contradiction by maintaining broad adaptability while improving measurement precision through complementary strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives localization data from RFID readers and refines it using vision-based tracking. This intermediary layer processes the raw RFID data, combines it with visual information, and produces more accurate localization results, thereby improving precision without sacrificing the versatility of the RFID-based approach.
2Measurement precision
If a hybrid system combining RFID and vision-based tracking is used, then localization precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a unified hybrid system that performs multiple functions: RFID tag detection, vision-based tracking, data fusion, and localization. By creating a multi-functional system that handles all these tasks through integrated components and processing pipelines, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-calibration and automatic synchronization mechanisms where the RFID and vision systems automatically adjust their parameters based on mutual feedback. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual configuration and external calibration equipment, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining precision.
3Area of stationary object
If the reader detects multiple tags within a scanning volume to determine position, then localization coverage is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes the spatial relationships between multiple RFID tags and their corresponding positions within the scanning volume. By pre-configuring the expected tag configurations and their geometric relationships, the system simplifies the real-time detection process. When localizing, the system only needs to match detected tags against pre-stored configurations, thereby reducing measurement difficulty while maintaining broad coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex geometric calculations and manual position determination with automated image processing and pattern recognition algorithms. The vision-based tracking system automatically identifies tag positions and calculates spatial relationships using computational methods, thereby reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring multiple tags while maintaining comprehensive localization coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for object localization includes providing a plurality of tags having fixed positions within an environment and known identifications, and providing a reader, for detecting the tags and reading the identifications, wherein the reader detects a plurality of tags within a scanning volume having a known shape. The method further includes determining positions for the plurality of tags within the scanning volume, and determining a position of the reader according to the positions for the plurality of tags within the scanning volume and the known shape of the scanning volume.