Optical Tracking Marker Mounting via Garment Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching optical tracking markers to subjects for motion capture systems face challenges such as skin irritation, difficulty in removing markers, and inaccurate recording due to loose or improperly fitted markers, whether directly attached to the skin or integrated into clothing.
Innovation Solution
An optical tracking arrangement featuring a garment with openings and mounts that securely hold optical tracking markers, using legs with barb hooks to engage the garment and a central body with a marker coupling for secure and removable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double sided tape or medical tape is used to attach markers directly to the subject's skin, then the markers are firmly affixed to eliminate unwanted movement, but the markers become difficult or painful to remove and may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a garment as an intermediary layer between the marker and the subject's skin. The marker is attached to the garment rather than directly to the skin, eliminating direct contact between adhesive and skin. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining marker stability through the garment while avoiding skin irritation and making removal painless by simply removing the garment.
2Reliability
If markers are permanently integrated into clothing through sewing, weaving or snapping, then the markers are firmly affixed to the article, but the article must fit the subject precisely or unwanted movement artifacts are recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses elastic bands as adjustable fasteners that can be dynamically adjusted to fit different body sizes and shapes. The elastic bands stretch and conform to the subject's body, ensuring the garment fits precisely without requiring permanent integration into specific clothing sizes. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining both marker stability and measurement precision across different subjects.
3Ease of operation
If markers are removably attached to clothing with hook and loop fasteners, double sided tape or adjustable straps, then the markers can be easily removed, but the attachment may not be firm enough to avoid recording unwanted movement artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses elastic bands that curve and wrap around the subject's body, utilizing the curvature of the body form to provide secure attachment. The elastic nature allows the bands to conform to body contours while maintaining firm attachment. This resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of removal (simply unfasten and remove) and reliable attachment (firm elastic hold that prevents movement artifacts).
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
Provides a precise, easy, and painless method for attaching markers, ensuring accurate movement tracking by maintaining marker position and preventing unwanted movement artifacts, while being easy to remove and reuse.
Implementation Method 1
The optical tracking markers are coated with a retro-reflective material which enhances the amount of light reflected back from the surfaces of the markers
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement comprises a garment, a mounting apparatus and an optical tracking marker to be used in motion capture. The arrangement may include a plurality of mounting apparatuses and optical tracking markers. The garment includes openings. The mounting apparatus includes legs which are shaped and include features to enable the mounting apparatus to engage the openings of the garment. The mounting apparatus further includes a marker coupling which is shaped and includes features to engage the optical tracking marker. The mounting apparatus provides a secure yet removable attachment for the optical tracking marker to the garment.