Portable Positioning Device for Occluded Area Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing position determination systems, such as laser-based systems, are limited to line-of-sight measurements and cannot effectively determine position information in interior or occluded areas of large structures like aircraft or other repositionable structures, making it difficult to assemble or maintain components within these areas.

Innovation Solution

A portable device that initializes with initial position and orientation data within a local coordinate system, uses movement sensors to detect motion, and communicates with a positioning system to determine spatial relationships, allowing position and orientation determination even in areas not accessible by traditional systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If laser-based position determination systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but the system is limited to line-of-sight measurements and cannot determine positions in occluded areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the measurement task between a stationary laser-based position determination system for line-of-sight measurements and a portable device with motion sensors for occluded area measurements. Each segment handles specific measurement scenarios, allowing the system to maintain high precision while expanding coverage to previously inaccessible areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device acts as an intermediary between the laser-based system and occluded areas. It receives initial position data from the laser system, then uses its own motion sensors to determine positions in areas where the laser system cannot directly measure, bridging the gap between line-of-sight capability and occluded area coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a portable device with motion sensors is used to access occluded areas, then coverage area is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to sensor drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidposition determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by establishing the portable device's initial position and orientation using the accurate laser-based position determination system before the portable device enters occluded areas. This preliminary action provides a precise reference point that anchors subsequent relative measurements, reducing the impact of sensor drift.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously comparing the portable device's measured position against the established coordinate system and using this information to correct for drift. The initial precise position data serves as a reference that the system can return to or compare against, allowing correction of accumulated errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If traditional line-of-sight position determination systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot determine positions in interior or occluded areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The portable device serves multiple functions: it acts as an extension of the laser-based system for position determination, provides autonomous navigation capability in occluded areas, and maintains coordination with the overall positioning system. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle diverse measurement scenarios without requiring entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables precise determination of position and orientation within occluded areas, improving assembly and maintenance processes by providing accurate location information for components inside large structures, overcoming the limitations of traditional line-of-sight dependent systems.

Implementation Method 1

The portable device includes at least one movement sensor to detect motion of the portable device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2513602B1Position and orientation determination using movement data

Publication Date: 2015.01.07 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

Position determining systems and methods are provided. A particular portable device includes a calibration component to communicate with a local positioning system to determine an initial position and orientation of the portable device within a local coordinate system associated with a target structure. The portable device also includes at least one movement sensor to detect movement of the portable device. The portable device further includes a processor to determine a measured position and orientation of the portable device based on the initial position and orientation of the portable device within the local coordinate system and based on the detected movement of the portable device.