Passive User-Borne Device Contact Detection for Accurate Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for determining and tracking the location of passive user-borne devices with magnetometers face challenges due to manufacturing tolerances and unknown interaction surface locations, leading to inaccurate tracking and limited applicability.
Innovation Solution
A user-borne device with a magnetic object and a contact manipulation feature that transitions between states, allowing detection of contact events with the interaction surface, enabling accurate determination of the interaction surface location without the need for electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the interaction surface location is assumed or approximated, then the device can operate without complex calibration, but the tracking accuracy and reliability become inaccurate and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the device's own magnetic object and magnetometers to automatically determine the interaction surface location through contact event detection, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment or complex setup procedures. The device serves itself by using its inherent magnetic properties to establish the reference frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of contact events between the magnetic object and interaction surface to establish the interaction surface location before normal operation begins. This preliminary action creates a reliable reference frame for subsequent tracking without requiring complex pre-calibration procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plurality of magnetometers are tilted in an unknown way relative to the interaction surface, then the device can be operated on various surfaces, but the location determination becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to the device's orientation and position relative to the interaction surface by continuously detecting contact events and updating the interaction surface location. The magnetometer data is processed in real-time to compensate for tilting and positioning variations, maintaining accuracy across different operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from contact event detections to continuously refine the interaction surface location determination. The magnetometer measurements provide ongoing feedback about the magnetic object's position, allowing the system to adjust and maintain accurate location tracking despite changes in device orientation or surface position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interaction surface location is not known or defined accurately, then the device can be used arbitrarily on different surfaces, but the tracking reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of contact events to establish the interaction surface location before normal tracking operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that the reference frame is accurately established for each specific surface, maintaining reliability while allowing flexible surface selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the interaction surface location using its own magnetic object and magnetometers, eliminating the need for external reference systems or manual calibration. This self-service approach maintains tracking reliability across different surfaces without requiring accurate pre-definition of the 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
The solution provides increased accuracy and reliability in tracking and location determination of user-borne devices, even when the interaction surface is unknown or changes, while maintaining the device as electronically and electrically passive.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetometers (300) configured to create a sensing volume (M) and measure a magnetic field created by the magnetic object (110)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A user-borne device (100) operable on an interaction surface (210) comprises a housing (101), a magnetic object (110) coupled to the housing (101), and at least one contact manipulation feature (170) movably coupled to the housing (101). The at least one contact manipulation feature (170) is configured to interact with the magnetic object (110) such that an actuation of the at least one contact manipulation feature (170) causes a transition of the magnetic object (110) from a first state to a second state. The transition from the first state to the second state is indicative of a contact event of the user-borne device (100) with the interaction surface (210).