Low-Profile Pointing Device Sensor Fusion Using Antenna Phase Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately determining the pointing direction of portable pointing devices, especially those with a small form factor, is complex and expensive due to the need for multiple sensors, which is not feasible for devices like smartphones or remote controls.
Innovation Solution
A pointing device system using a set of antennas aligned with the pointing direction, combined with inertial measurement units (IMUs), gravity sensors, and magnetometers, to determine the pointing direction through signal phase difference and physical quantities, allowing for precise interaction with targets without requiring full pose determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to determine position and orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for pointing direction determination from the full pose (position and orientation). Instead of using multiple sensors to capture complete pose data, the system uses antenna phase differences to directly obtain pointing direction, eliminating the need for complex sensor arrays while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor arrays with electromagnetic field-based measurement. By using antenna phase difference to determine pointing direction, the system substitutes complex mechanical sensor configurations with a simpler electromagnetic measurement approach, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to determine position and orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for pointing direction determination from the full pose (position and orientation). Instead of using multiple sensors to capture complete pose data, the system uses antenna phase differences to directly obtain pointing direction, eliminating the need for complex sensor arrays while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor arrays with electromagnetic field-based measurement. By using antenna phase difference to determine pointing direction, the system substitutes complex mechanical sensor configurations with a simpler electromagnetic measurement approach, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If full pose determination is implemented, then interaction accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for pointing direction determination from the full pose (position and orientation). Instead of using multiple sensors to capture complete pose data, the system uses antenna phase differences to directly obtain pointing direction, eliminating the need for complex sensor arrays while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by determining only the pointing direction component needed for interaction, rather than computing the complete pose. This selective approach provides sufficient accuracy for pointing tasks while avoiding the complexity of full pose determination 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
Enables accurate and efficient interaction with pointing targets using a thin form factor device by resolving ambiguities in position and orientation, enhancing user experience and reducing hardware complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
determining a difference between a signal as received by the first antenna and the signal as received by the second antenna. Determining, using the difference, an angle between the pointing direction and a signal source direction of the signal
Implementation Method 2
measuring a physical quantity using the at least one of the inertial measurement unit, the gravity sensor, and the magnetometer
Implementation Method 3
at least one of an inertial measurement unit, a gravity sensor, and a magnetometer
Implementation Method 4
at least one of an inertial measurement unit, a gravity sensor, and a magnetometer
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems related to the field of pointing devices are disclosed herein. One disclosed device has a pointing direction, a set of antennas including a first antenna and a second antenna, and at least one of an inertial measurement unit, a gravity sensor, and a magnetometer. The device also includes one or more computer readable media storing instructions which, when executed on the device, cause the device to: determine a difference between a signal as received by the first antenna and the signal as received by the second antenna; determine, using the difference, an angle between the pointing direction and a signal source direction of the signal; measure a physical quantity using the at least one of the inertial measurement unit, the gravity sensor, and the magnetometer; and determine a pointing target of the device using the angle and the physical quantity.