Optical Probe with Reflective Surface for 3D Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for optically measuring and locating points on 2D or 3D surfaces face challenges due to the obstruction of markers, which can obscure the view of the indicator and introduce errors in coordinate measurement, particularly when multiple markers are required for accurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A probe design that uses a single trackable marker positioned at a known offset and direction from the indicator, allowing the tracker to compute the indicator's location without blocking the view, and employs a mirror or equivalent reflecting surface to virtually collocate the marker and indicator, enabling accurate measurement with improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple markers are positioned on the probe to enable accurate coordinate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the markers obscure the indicator from view
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual marker is introduced as an intermediary element that mediates between the physical marker and the indicator. The virtual marker, generated through optical reflection or computational methods, provides the tracking information needed for coordinate measurement while allowing the physical indicator to remain visible and unobstructed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical markers, the system creates a virtual copy or representation of the marker's position through optical reflection (using mirrors or reflective surfaces) or computational geometry. This virtual marker copy provides the necessary tracking data without the physical presence that would block the indicator.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single marker is used on the probe, then the indicator remains visible, but accurate location determination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on the physical position of markers to incorporating virtual image dimensions. By using reflective surfaces to create virtual markers in additional spatial dimensions, the system maintains indicator visibility while providing sufficient geometric information for accurate location determination through the known relationship between the physical marker and its virtual image.
3Measurement precision
If markers are positioned close to the indicator for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the markers block the user's view of the indicator
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual marker serves as an intermediary that carries the measurement function while leaving the physical indicator space clear for user visibility. The virtual marker, positioned through reflection or computation, provides the necessary geometric reference for accurate measurement without physically occupying space that would block the user's view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a virtual copy of the marker positioned through optical reflection to maintain close proximity for accurate measurement while avoiding the physical obstruction problem. The virtual copy provides all necessary measurement data without the physical presence that would block user visibility.
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 solution allows for precise measurement of 2D or 3D coordinates without the need for multiple markers, reducing errors and improving user visibility, while maintaining the geometric relationships between the marker and indicator to ensure accurate coordinate calculation.
Implementation Method 1
Another embodiment virtually collocates a probe's marker and indicator by using a mirror—or an equivalent reflecting surface for a sonic marker. In this embodiment, the indicator and the marker lie on opposite sides of the mirror's reflecting surface at equal distances from the reflecting surface and on a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a location on a 2D surface or in a 3D volume. The system includes a probe and a tracker. The probe includes a marker, an indicator, and a reflective surface, wherein the probe is configured so the reflective surface forms a virtual image of the marker having an apparent location coincident to a location of the indicator. The tracker configured to measure the apparent location of the virtual image of the marker.