Magnetic Sensor Error Measurement Using Temporal Fluctuation Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for measuring errors in magnetic sensors lack accuracy, particularly in determining azimuth errors due to disturbances in geomagnetism, leading to potential deviations from intended navigation paths.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that measures temporal fluctuations of magnetic values during movement and calculates measurement errors based on these fluctuations, allowing for more accurate error determination without relying on registration information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If registration information comparison method is used to measure magnetic sensor errors, then measurement process is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidmagnetic sensor error measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional method of comparing magnetic sensor readings with pre-stored registration information (information processing approach) with a physical measurement approach using a magnetometer to directly measure geomagnetic field values at the same location. This substitution of measurement methodology enables more accurate error calculation by relying on direct physical measurement rather than database comparison, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If magnetic sensor error measurement is performed without considering temporal fluctuation, then measurement process is faster, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidmagnetic sensor error measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing multiple measurements at different time points before final error calculation. The system measures geomagnetic field values at the same location multiple times, stores these temporal measurements, and then uses them to calculate the average error value. This preliminary repeated measurement approach accounts for temporal fluctuations in the magnetic field, ensuring higher precision while maintaining reasonable measurement speed through efficient data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by continuously measuring and recording magnetic field values over time at the same location. Rather than taking a single instantaneous measurement, the system maintains continuous measurement activity, capturing temporal variations in the geomagnetic field. This continuous measurement approach provides a more complete picture of magnetic field behavior, enabling more accurate error determination that accounts for natural temporal fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9927237B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

To be capable of realizing a technique which enables a measurement error of a magnetic sensor to be obtained with higher accuracy, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a fluctuation measuring unit configured to measure temporal fluctuation of a magnetic value measured by a magnetic sensor during movement of at least the magnetic sensor or information obtained based on the magnetic value, and a measurement error acquiring unit configured to obtain a measurement error of the magnetic sensor based on the fluctuation.