Pseudo Marker Coil Estimation for Head Position Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for estimating the spherical model of a head portion using three to five marker coils suffer from reduced accuracy in biological information measurement systems like MEG, especially when MRI images are not available.
Innovation Solution
The information processing apparatus calculates pseudo marker coordinates to complement positional information from marker coils, using these coordinates in a spherical model fitting process via the least squares method to estimate the position and size of the head portion, thereby improving accuracy without requiring additional devices or MRI images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spherical model is estimated using three to five marker coils, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision is largely reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pseudo marker coils as an intermediary element to bridge the gap between the limited physical marker coils (3-5) and the requirements for accurate spherical model estimation. These virtual marker coils are calculated based on the geometric relationships among the actual marker coils, effectively mediating the estimation process to achieve high precision without requiring a large number of physical markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of marker coils through calculation. By computing pseudo marker coil positions based on the spatial relationships of actual marker coils, the system generates additional reference points that behave like real marker coils but require no physical installation, thus improving measurement precision without increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of three-dimensional coordinate points are used, then the spherical model estimation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and number of required markers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pseudo marker coils as computational intermediaries that generate additional three-dimensional coordinate points without requiring physical markers. These calculated pseudo markers provide the necessary quantity of coordinate points for accurate spherical model estimation while maintaining a minimal number of actual physical marker coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of marker coil positions through mathematical calculation. By generating pseudo marker coil coordinates based on the geometric configuration of actual markers, the patent effectively multiplies the available three-dimensional coordinate points without adding physical components, thus improving estimation accuracy while keeping the quantity of actual markers low.
3Measurement precision
If MRI images are used to acquire positional information, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the marker coil system to be self-sufficient by calculating pseudo marker coil positions from the geometric relationships among the actual marker coils themselves. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external MRI equipment, as the system uses its own marker coil configurations to generate the necessary positional information for accurate spherical model estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual positional information through calculation rather than requiring physical MRI imaging. By computing pseudo marker coil positions that replicate the functionality of MRI-acquired data, the system achieves comparable measurement precision without the complexity and cost of MRI equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an information acquisition unit and an estimation unit. The information acquisition unit is configured to acquire biological information on a measurement target portion of a measurement target person, the biological information being measured by a biological information measurement apparatus. The estimation unit is configured to estimate a position and a size of the measurement target portion using positional information on a plurality of locations in the measurement target portion and complementary positional information.