Motion Tracking Magnetic Disturbance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion tracking systems using magnetic field sensors face inaccuracies due to magnetic disturbances, which are not effectively detected by current methods, leading to incorrect tracking of object or person motion, especially when multiple sensors are involved.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a computing device to process magnetic field measurements from multiple sensors, including magnetometers, gyroscopes, and accelerometers, to determine the presence of magnetic disturbances by comparing intensity and inclination differences and adjusting the operation of the motion tracking system based on threshold values and areas, thereby correcting for inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic field measurements are used for motion tracking, then motion tracking capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to magnetic disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic field measurement problem by comparing measurements from multiple sensors (at least two sensors) to identify and isolate disturbed measurements. Each sensor's measurement is independently evaluated against others, allowing the system to segment out corrupted data from valid data, thereby maintaining motion tracking capability while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring magnetic field measurements from multiple sensors and using the comparisons to adjust the motion tracking operation. When disturbances are detected through measurement discrepancies, the system provides feedback to adjust its operation, such as weighting certain measurements differently or alerting the user, thereby compensating for the accuracy deterioration.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to improve measurement reliability, then sensor redundancy is increased, but detection accuracy of magnetic disturbances deteriorates due to similar disturbance effects on all sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by considering the specific spatial arrangement and individual characteristics of each sensor. Even though multiple sensors may experience similar disturbances, the patent analyzes local differences in measurement values and uses the specific positions of sensors to identify patterns that indicate disturbances versus actual motion, thereby maintaining both reliability and detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from analyzing single-dimensional magnetic field strength to analyzing multi-dimensional characteristics including intensity differences, inclination differences, and spatial relationships between sensors. By adding these dimensional aspects to the analysis, the system can distinguish between uniform disturbances affecting all sensors and differential measurements indicating actual motion, resolving the contradiction between reliability and detection accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If threshold-based disturbance detection is used, then detection simplicity is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates when deviations are within nominal ranges but still significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for disturbance detection from simple absolute threshold comparisons to relative difference measurements between multiple sensors. Instead of checking if a single measurement exceeds a fixed threshold, the system compares measurements across sensors and evaluates intensity and inclination differences, thereby detecting disturbances that fall within nominal ranges but represent significant deviations from expected patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of comparative analysis between multiple sensors to the simple threshold detection approach. By introducing intensity differences and inclination differences as additional evaluation criteria beyond single-value thresholds, the system maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving detection accuracy for subtle disturbances.
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
This approach allows for accurate detection and adjustment for magnetic disturbances, ensuring precise motion tracking by identifying affected sensors and adjusting the system to maintain accuracy despite disturbances, thereby improving the reliability of motion tracking systems.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, the computing device, a magnetic field measurement from each sensor of the plurality of sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting operation of a motion tracking system having a computing device and sensors, wherein each sensor includes a magnetometer, a gyroscope and an accelerometer, includes the following steps: receiving, the computing device, a magnetic field measurement from each of the sensors; digitally processing, the computing device, each of the magnetic field measurements in order to determine if a difference of intensities and/or inclinations of at least one pair of magnetic field measurements exceeds a threshold value, and/or if an x,y point with the differences of intensities and inclinations as coordinates thereof falls outside of a threshold area; and adjusting the operation of the motion tracking system if at least one difference exceeds the threshold value and/or the x,y point falls outside of the threshold area.