Magnetometer Arrays for Passive User-Borne Device Mode Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to accurately control the representation of passive user-borne devices on output devices, such as determining their type and function without relying on power sources or wireless power transmission, and to track their location and orientation within a sensing volume.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that utilize a plurality of magnetometers to measure magnetic fields from a magnetic object on a user-borne device, determining its location and mode based on predetermined operating ranges, and representing it on an output device, enabling automatic recognition of the device type and function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive user-borne devices are used without power sources or wireless power transmission, then device simplicity and user comfort are improved, but the ability to determine device type and function automatically deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field data to create a digital representation (copy) of the physical device's characteristics. By analyzing the magnetic field signature and spatial pattern, the system can identify device type and function without the device itself having computational capabilities, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling automatic recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field measurements as an intermediary between the passive device and the control system. The magnetometers detect the magnetic field generated by the device, and this intermediate data allows the system to infer device characteristics without requiring the device to actively communicate or process information.
2Measurement precision
If multiple magnetometers are used to create a sensing volume for tracking device location and orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the magnetometer array multi-functional by using it for both location determination and orientation detection. The same set of magnetometers that track device position also measure magnetic field direction, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall system complexity despite using multiple magnetometers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional position tracking to three-dimensional spatial understanding by incorporating magnetic field orientation measurements. The addition of orientation data from the magnetic field vectors adds a dimensional aspect to device tracking, enabling more precise control without requiring proportionally more complex processing.
3Extent of automation
If predetermined operating ranges with orientation intervals are implemented for mode recognition, then automatic device mode determination is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining operating ranges and orientation intervals for different device modes before runtime. These predetermined thresholds and classification rules are established in advance, allowing the system to automatically determine device modes through simple comparison operations rather than complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to represent different device modes by monitoring variations in magnetic field strength, orientation angles, and spatial position. By tracking changes in these measurable parameters and comparing them against predetermined ranges, the system can automatically identify device modes without requiring complex algorithms or additional sensors.
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 reliable and accurate control of user-borne device representations on output devices, allowing for automatic recognition of device types and functions, and tracking their location and orientation within a sensing volume.
Implementation Method 1
obtain magnetic field measurements associated with at least one magnetic object and measured with a plurality of magnetometers
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method 600 for controlling a representation of a user-borne device according to one of one or more user-borne device modes on an output device. The method 600 comprises obtaining magnetic field measurements 610 associated with at least one magnetic object 110. The magnetic field measurements are measured with a plurality of magnetometers 300. The at least one magnetic object 110 is coupled to a user-borne device 100. The method 600 further comprises determining a user-borne device location 630 based on the collected magnetic field measurements. The method 600 further comprises obtaining 630 user-borne device mode data indicative of predetermined operating ranges of the one or more user-borne device modes. Additionally, the method 600 comprises determining 640 a user-borne device mode based on the user-borne device location and on the user-borne device mode data.