Radiation Sensor Grid for Object Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for tracking objects on surfaces, such as touchscreens and whiteboards, face issues with complexity, high computational overhead, and accuracy, leading to inefficiencies in detecting and positioning radiation blocking objects.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a frame with radiation sources and sensors that sequentially activate and measure radiation attenuation to estimate the position of radiation blocking objects, using a controller to calculate their physical position based on radiation intensity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex existing systems are used for tracking objects on surfaces, then object detection capability is achieved, but device complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking surface into a grid of zones corresponding to individual radiation sources. Each zone is independently monitored by sensors, allowing localized detection of radiation blocking objects. This segmentation reduces the computational complexity by processing smaller discrete regions rather than analyzing the entire surface simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or computational tracking systems with a radiation-based detection system. Radiation sources emit beams that are detected by sensors, and object positions are determined by analyzing radiation attenuation patterns. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical moving parts or heavy computational algorithms while maintaining reliable detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If existing radiation tracking systems are used, then object position detection is achieved, but computational overhead affects accuracy and response time
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a grid of radiation sources and sensors before operation begins. The geometric relationships between sources, sensors, and surface zones are predetermined and stored. When an object is detected, the system only needs to query pre-calculated position data based on which radiation paths are blocked, rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thus improving response time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sequential activation of radiation sources rather than continuous operation. Each source is activated in turn, allowing the system to quickly scan through different zones without the computational overhead of processing continuous data streams. This approach reduces processing time while maintaining detection accuracy by focusing measurements one zone at a time.
3Device complexity
If sequential radiation source activation is used, then computational overhead is reduced, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates radiation sources in a periodic sequential manner, cycling through the grid in a predetermined pattern. This periodic activation allows the system to maintain low computational overhead by processing one source at a time while ensuring complete coverage of the surface. The regular pattern enables efficient timing and synchronization, reducing total measurement time compared to random or non-systematic activation sequences.
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
This approach simplifies the detection process, reduces computational overhead, and enhances accuracy in tracking objects on various surfaces, including touchscreens and whiteboards, by effectively estimating the position of radiation blocking objects through radiation attenuation analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation blocking object present within the frame will typically block or attenuate one or more of the paths between some of the radiation sources and some of the radiation sensors
Implementation Method 2
A radiation blocking object present within the frame will typically block or attenuate one or more of the paths between some of the radiation sources and some of the radiation sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
Several systems for tracking one or more radiation blocking objects on a surface are disclosed. A pair of radiation sensors are provided adjacent the surface and a plurality of radiation sources are provided adjacent the surface. Radiation from at least some of the radiation sources travels across the surface to reach each of the radiation sensors. One or more radiation blocking objects on the surface attenuate radiation from one or more radiation sources from reaching each of the sensors. The position of the one or more radiation blocking objects is estimates and may be tracked based on the position of the one or more attenuated radiation sources relative to each radiation sensor.