Magnetometer Layout for Uneven Interaction Surface Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of user-borne devices using magnetic fields assume a parallel interaction surface to the magnetometer plane, leading to inaccurate tracking due to manufacturing tolerances and uneven surfaces, limiting application accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that considers the interaction surface configuration, allowing at least two interaction surface portions to be at different distances from the magnetometer plane, using a plurality of magnetometers to collect magnetic field measurements and generate location data, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the interaction surface is assumed to be exactly parallel to and directly above the magnetometer plane, then the system design is simplified, but location determination accuracy deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the magnetometer arrangement by tilting the magnetometer plane relative to the interaction surface at a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees). This parameter change allows the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and uneven surfaces, thereby improving location determination accuracy while maintaining reasonable design complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable/adaptive elements that allow the system to dynamically compensate for surface variations. The tilted magnetometer configuration enables the system to adapt to different interaction surface conditions, transforming a static parallel assumption into a dynamic compensation mechanism
2Measurement precision
If the magnetometers are arranged in a non-parallel configuration to account for uneven surfaces, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a specific tilt angle parameter to the magnetometer plane configuration. By changing the geometric parameter from parallel (0 degrees) to a specific tilt angle (e.g., 45 degrees), the system achieves improved measurement precision while maintaining a relatively simple and regular magnetometer arrangement pattern
3Device complexity
If the interaction surface is assumed to be parallel to the magnetometer plane, then manufacturing tolerances are not compensated, but the calculation model remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameter of the magnetometer plane orientation by introducing a tilt angle. This parameter change enables the calculation model to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and surface variations, thereby improving tracking reliability and accuracy while maintaining reasonable computational complexity
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 reliable determination and tracking of user-borne devices by accounting for interaction surface configurations, improving location reproduction as a virtual object with increased precision.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetometers to measure a magnetic field associated with a magnetic object arranged in the user-borne device
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method (600) for determining a location of a user-borne device (100) comprises collecting magnetic field measurements (610) associated with at least one magnetic object (110) with a plurality of magnetometers (300), wherein the plurality of magnetometers (300) is configured to create a sensing volume and is associated with a magnetometer plane (310). The at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled to a user-borne device (100). The user-borne device (100) is operable on an interaction surface (210) defined within the sensing volume. The computer-implemented method (600) further comprises generating magnetic object location data (620) associated with the at least one magnetic object (110) based on the collected magnetic field measurements. In addition, the computer-implemented method (600) comprises determining a user-borne device location (630) relative to the interaction surface (210) based on the magnetic object location data, wherein the interaction surface (210) comprises an interaction surface configuration in which at least two interaction surface portions (210a, 210b) are arranged at different portion distances (c1, c2) with respect to the magnetometer plane (310).