Peripheral Magnetometer Array for Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetometer-based location determination systems for user-borne devices are inaccurate and unreliable due to interference from ferromagnetic elements in electronic devices like laptops, which restrict the placement of magnetometers and affect the sensing volume's accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A peripheral device with a plurality of magnetometers configured in a specific arrangement to extend the sensing volume, allowing for improved signal-to-noise ratio and accurate tracking of magnetic objects, even at a distance from the host device, and can be communicably coupled to various electronic devices via Bluetooth Low Energy or WiFi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetometers are placed within the host device (laptop), then location determination can be performed, but the sensing volume is limited and accuracy is reduced due to interference from ferromagnetic elements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the magnetometer array into two separate segments: magnetometers integrated within the host device and additional magnetometers placed in an external peripheral device. This segmentation allows the sensing volume to be extended beyond the host device boundaries, avoiding ferromagnetic interference from internal components while maintaining location determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
An external peripheral device serves as an intermediary carrier for additional magnetometers. This peripheral device positions the magnetometers at optimal locations away from ferromagnetic elements, acting as a mediator that extends the sensing capability without being constrained by the host device's internal interference-prone environment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetometers are placed away from the host device to avoid interference, then ferromagnetic interference is reduced, but the sensing volume coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the sensing volumes of multiple magnetometers distributed across both the host device and the external peripheral device. This combination creates a unified, extended sensing volume that covers a larger spatial region while maintaining adequate signal strength through the coordinated operation of all magnetometers.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer array extends into additional spatial dimensions by placing sensors in an external peripheral device rather than confining them to the host device's three-dimensional interior. This dimensional extension increases the overall sensing volume coverage while positioning magnetometers away from ferromagnetic interference sources.
3Reliability
If a single magnetometer array is used within the host device, then device complexity is low, but location tracking reliability is insufficient under demanding positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The external peripheral device serves multiple functions: it houses additional magnetometers for extended sensing, provides structural support for the magnetometer array, and communicates with the host device to coordinate location determination. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering superior location tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the host device and peripheral device exchange data to optimize location determination. The peripheral device provides magnetic field measurements from its magnetometers, and the host device processes this information alongside its own sensor data, creating a feedback loop that enhances tracking reliability under demanding conditions.
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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of magnetometer-based location tracking by expanding the sensing volume and improving the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling precise detection of user-borne devices' locations, even in environments with demanding positioning constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetometers disposed on the support... obtain magnetic field measurements associated with the user-borne device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A peripheral device (50) comprising a support (51) defining a peripheral coordinate system of the peripheral device (50), wherein the peripheral device (50) has a longitudinal, transverse and vertical extent, a plurality of magnetometers (54) disposed on the support (51); a controller (52) communicably coupled to the plurality of magnetometers (54, 80), and a communication interface (53) communicably coupled to the controller (52).