Rotating-Axis Tracking Accuracy Evaluation Without Reference Hardware

Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced visual-inertial tracking systems are costly and challenging to set up, necessitating a more affordable and practical method for evaluating tracking accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A tracking accuracy evaluating system comprising a body with a rotating axis, an accommodating space, and a distance sensor, which detects distances between reference positions during rotation to estimate and determine the tracking accuracy of a tracking device using a processing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If another high-performance tracking system is employed as a reference point or ground truth, then tracking accuracy evaluation is improved, but system cost and setup complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracy evaluationVSAvoidsetup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the tracking device's pose through visual-inertial odometry algorithms, using images and sensor data to reconstruct pose information without requiring a physical reference tracking system. This virtual copy serves as the ground truth for evaluation, eliminating the need for expensive hardware replicas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical reference tracking system with a computational approach using visual-inertial odometry. Instead of using another physical tracking device to measure pose, the system uses algorithms that process camera images and inertial sensor data to estimate pose, substituting mechanical measurement with computational estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If another high-performance tracking system is employed as a reference point or ground truth, then tracking accuracy evaluation is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracy evaluationVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the tracking device's pose through visual-inertial odometry algorithms, using images and sensor data to reconstruct pose information without requiring a physical reference tracking system. This virtual copy serves as the ground truth for evaluation, eliminating the need for expensive hardware replicas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical reference tracking system with a computational approach using visual-inertial odometry. Instead of using another physical tracking device to measure pose, the system uses algorithms that process camera images and inertial sensor data to estimate pose, substituting mechanical measurement with computational estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If a distance sensor and rotating axis system are used to detect distances and estimate pose variation, then tracking accuracy can be evaluated without high-performance systems, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem affordabilityVSAvoidpose variation estimation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple data sources including distance sensor measurements, inertial sensor data, and visual information from camera images to estimate pose variation. By combining these complementary sources, the system achieves accurate pose estimation using affordable components rather than relying on a single high-precision device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the tracking device's own sensors and the visual-inertial odometry algorithm to continuously refine pose estimates. The estimated pose is fed back into the evaluation process, allowing the system to self-correct and improve measurement precision through iterative refinement rather than requiring external high-precision reference measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Provides a low-cost and effective method to evaluate tracking accuracy by estimating pose variations and determining tracking device precision, offering a reliable alternative to high-performance systems.

Implementation Method 1

a distance sensor... configured to perform: detecting a plurality of distances between the tracking accuracy evaluating device and a plurality of reference positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12387372B2Tracking accuracy evaluating system, tracking accuracy evaluating device, and tracking accuracy evaluating method

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 HTC CORP

AI summary

The embodiments of the disclosure provide a tracking accuracy evaluating system, a tracking accuracy evaluating device, and a tracking accuracy evaluating method. The method includes: detecting multiple distances between the tracking accuracy evaluating device and multiple reference positions in a rotating process associated with a rotating axis, wherein an accommodating space of the tracking accuracy evaluating device accommodates a tracking device during the rotating process, and the distance sensor, the rotating axis, and the tracking device accommodated in the accommodating space have a fixed relative position therebetween; estimating a first pose variation of the tracking device during the rotating process based on the distances and the fixed relative position; obtaining a second pose variation of the tracking device during the rotating process; and determining a tracking accuracy of the tracking device based on the first pose variation and the second pose variation.