Magnetometer Orientation Tracking for User-Borne Device Location
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the location of user-borne devices using magnetometers are limited by the assumption that the interaction surface is exactly parallel to the magnetometer plane, which restricts accuracy and reliability when the magnetometers are moved relative to the interaction surface.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that uses magnetic field measurements from a plurality of magnetometers and orientation data from orientation sensors to determine the orientation and position of the magnetometers relative to an interaction reference coordinate system, allowing for accurate tracking of user-borne devices even when the magnetometers are rotated relative to the interaction surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the interaction surface is assumed to be exactly parallel to the magnetometer plane, then the location determination can be simplified, but the accuracy and reliability deteriorate when the magnetometers are moved relative to the interaction surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces orientation parameters (rotation angles around x, y, z axes) to describe the relative position between the magnetometer plane and interaction surface. By changing from a fixed parallel assumption to a variable orientation model, the system can accurately determine locations even when the magnetometers are rotated or moved relative to the interaction surface, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the magnetometers are fixed relative to the interaction surface, then the location determination remains accurate, but the adaptability to different device configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static model (fixed magnetometer position) into a dynamic model where the magnetometer plane can rotate and move relative to the interaction surface. By introducing time-varying orientation parameters and updating the location determination model accordingly, the system maintains accuracy while adapting to different device configurations and magnetometer positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If orientation sensors are added to track magnetometer position, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces orientation sensors as intermediary devices that measure the rotation and position of the magnetometer plane relative to the interaction surface. These sensors act as mediators between the physical magnetometer movement and the computational location determination model, providing the necessary orientation data without requiring complex mechanical coupling or direct integration between the magnetometers and interaction surface.
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 precise and reliable determination and tracking of user-borne device locations, improving accuracy and adaptability by automatically adjusting to changes in the orientation and position of the magnetometers relative to the interaction surface.
Implementation Method 1
obtain magnetic field measurements associated with at least one magnetic object with a plurality of magnetometers
Implementation Method 2
obtain orientation data from at least one orientation sensor, wherein the at least one orientation sensor is arranged in an electronics device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A computer-implemented method (600) for determining a location of at least one user-borne device (100) comprises obtaining magnetic field measurements (610) associated with at least one magnetic object (110) with a plurality of magnetometers (300), wherein the at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled to at least one user-borne device (100), and wherein the at least one user-borne device (100) is associated with an interaction reference coordinate system (Xs, Ys, Zs). The computer-implemented method (600) comprises obtaining orientation data (620) from at least one orientation sensor (520), wherein the at least one orientation sensor (520) is arranged in an electronics device (500), and wherein the plurality of magnetometers (300) is arranged in the electronics device (500). Furthermore, the computer-implemented method (600) comprises determining an orientation and a position (630) of the plurality of magnetometers (300) relative to the interaction reference coordinate system (Xs, Ys, Zs) based on the obtained orientation data. Additionally, the computer-implemented method (600) comprises determining a user-borne device location (640) relative to the interaction reference coordinate system (Xs, Ys, Zs) based on the obtained magnetic field measurements and the determined orientation and position.