Radar-Detected Display Patterns for Non-Line-of-Sight Device Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for accurately determining the orientation and position of devices are limited to line-of-sight measurements and may not guarantee authenticity, leading to inaccurate rendering of augmented reality content.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes radar modules to detect display patterns with spatial variations on a first user device, enabling determination of orientation, position, or size, and allows for accurate localization of the first user device relative to a second user device, incorporating inertial data for precise rendering of augmented reality features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If line-of-sight measurement techniques are used to determine device orientation and position, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the method is limited to direct line-of-sight scenarios and cannot accurately determine position when devices are not in line-of-sight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation and position determination accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to non line-of-sight scenarios

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces display patterns as intermediary elements that reflect radar signals. These patterns act as mediators between the transmitting device and receiving device, enabling position determination without direct line-of-sight contact. The display patterns modulate the radar signals to encode spatial information that can be decoded by the receiving device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional optical camera-based tracking systems with radar-based detection. By using radar modules to detect display patterns instead of cameras, the system achieves capability to determine position and orientation in non line-of-sight conditions where optical methods fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If display patterns with spatial variations are used for radar detection, then position and orientation determination capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional display and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition and orientation detection capabilityVSAvoiddisplay pattern generation and processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display serve multiple functions: it displays normal content for the user while simultaneously encoding radar detectable patterns for position determination. The same display hardware performs both user interface and positioning marker functions, avoiding the need for separate dedicated positioning displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic switching between display patterns to encode spatial information. By alternately displaying different patterns at known intervals, the system creates detectable temporal-spatial signatures that radar can use to determine position and orientation without requiring continuous complex display output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If radar modules detect display patterns to determine device position, then authentication reliability is improved, but false detection may occur leading to inaccurate rendering of augmented reality content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication of device positionVSAvoidaccuracy of position determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric display patterns with specific spatial variations that are deliberately designed to be detectable by radar. These asymmetric patterns create unique radar return signatures that are difficult to confuse with background noise or other objects, improving both authentication reliability and measurement precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 accurate localization and rendering of augmented reality content in correct positions relative to real-life objects, even when devices are not in line-of-sight, ensuring consistent and authentic user interactions.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, at a second user device, one or more display patterns displayed at a display of a first user device, wherein the one or more display patterns comprise features with spatial variations configured to be detected by a radar module of the second user device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS12561010B2Device orientation detection

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus, method and computer program is described comprising: detecting, at a second user device, one or more display patterns displayed at a display of a first user device, wherein the one or more display patterns comprise features with spatial variations configured to be detected by a radar module of the second user device; determining at least one of an orientation, position, or size of the first user device based, at least in part, on the one or more display patterns; and determining at least one of an orientation or position of the second user device relative to the first user device within a coordinate system of the first user device.