Motion Tracking Staging System with Michelson Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion tracking systems face challenges in accurately recording the relative locations of beacons attached to moving objects, particularly when large areas are involved, leading to errors in the representation of body parts and their relative positions to the environment.
Innovation Solution
A staging system with a target frame and calibration mechanisms, including a frame adjustment mechanism, mirror orientation adjustment, and a Michelson Interferometer, is used to verify the accuracy of motion tracking by comparing stage-based and motion tracking system-based beacon locations, ensuring precise alignment and calibration of the target frame mirror relative to the horizontal pivot axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motion tracking system uses a large area for capturing athlete movements, then the coverage and versatility of the system is improved, but the accuracy of recording relative beacon locations deteriorates due to cumulative errors in positioning algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a staging system with a target frame and calibration spots as an intermediary reference framework between the motion tracking cameras and the athletes. This mediator provides known geometric relationships that can be used to verify and correct positioning accuracy, thereby maintaining measurement precision across large coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on purely algorithmic positioning with an optical interferometry-based verification system. The Michelson interferometer uses light interference patterns to precisely measure the positions of calibration spots, substituting mechanical/optical measurement for computational estimation and improving accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the motion tracking system relies on algorithmic determination of beacon locations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of location accuracy deteriorates when objects move through large spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the staging system with calibration spots provides reference measurements that verify the accuracy of algorithmic beacon location determination. The interferometry system continuously monitors calibration spot positions and can detect drift or errors in the motion tracking system, enabling correction and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by establishing known geometric relationships between calibration spots on the target frame before motion tracking begins. This pre-established reference framework allows the system to compensate for and correct positioning errors that may occur during subsequent motion tracking, improving reliability without compromising ease of operation.
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
Enhances the accuracy of motion tracking by maintaining consistent beacon locations relative to each other and the environment, reducing errors in the representation of moving objects, particularly athletes, by providing a systematic method for calibration and verification.
Implementation Method 1
a multiple-pass interferometer having reflectors to reflect at least two beams along multiple passes through the interferometer
Implementation Method 2
reflectors to reflect at least two beams along multiple passes through the interferometer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A staging system has to be calibrated to determine a location of a horizontal pivot axis of a target frame. A stage calibration light beam is generated and reflected from a target frame mirror. The target frame is pivoted between first and second positions and the locations of the stage calibration light beam are detected. The locations of the stage calibration light beam provide a value representing an orientation of the target frame mirror relative to the horizontal pivot axis. The orientation of the target frame mirror is then adjusted based on the value so that the target frame mirror is more normal to the horizontal pivot axis.