Self-Leveling Magnetic Source Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic tracking systems face challenges in accurately aligning the roll and pitch axes of magnetic sources with a fixed reference frame, as this process is often expensive and time-consuming, and exact mechanical fixtures are not always feasible or convenient.
Innovation Solution
A method for calibrating a transmitter circuit in an electromagnetic tracking system using an inertial motion unit (IMU) to adjust pitch and roll angle offsets, allowing alignment with a reference frame, either through mechanical adjustment or calibration data, to accurately determine the position and orientation of a first object relative to a second object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an exact mechanical fixture is used to align the magnetic source with the fixed reference frame, then the alignment precision is improved, but the cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fixture alignment system with an electronic calibration system. The transmitter circuit includes pitch and roll angle offset values that are electronically adjustable, allowing the magnetic source to be aligned with the fixed reference frame through software calibration rather than mechanical adjustment. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming mechanical fixtures while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the alignment parameters from fixed mechanical dimensions to adjustable electronic parameters. The transmitter circuit stores pitch angle offset and roll angle offset values that can be modified to achieve proper alignment. This allows flexible adjustment of the magnetic field orientation without physical repositioning, reducing both time and cost while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If an exact mechanical fixture is used to align the magnetic source, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical alignment fixtures with a simplified electronic calibration system. The transmitter circuit incorporates adjustable offset values for pitch and roll angles, allowing alignment to be achieved through software parameters rather than complex mechanical structures. This reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the alignment process through electronic calibration data. Instead of using physical fixtures to enforce alignment, the system uses stored offset values that represent the desired alignment state. This virtual copying of the alignment reference simplifies the physical system while preserving alignment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical adjustment is performed to align the IMU reference frame with the transmitter circuit, then the alignment precision is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with automated electronic calibration. The system can determine pitch and roll angle offsets through software processing of sensor data, eliminating the need for operators to perform precise manual mechanical adjustments. This maintains alignment precision while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically determining the pitch and roll angle offsets between the IMU reference frame and the transmitter circuit. The calibration process can be executed autonomously using sensor data and computational algorithms, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the alignment process while maintaining high precision.
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 alignment and tracking of objects within a common space, improving the accuracy of position and orientation determination by accounting for pitch and roll angle offsets, facilitating applications in virtual reality, surgical simulations, and other interactive environments.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, by the inertial motion unit (IMU), each of a pitch angle offset and a roll angle offset of the IMU relative to a gravitational force
Implementation Method 2
an actuating circuit configured to actuate the transmitter coils to generate a time-multiplexed or frequency-multiplexed magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
The sensing elements are configured to detect respective components of the magnetic field generated by the plurality of transmitter coils
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a magnetic source of an electromagnetic tracking system for tracking a position and orientation of an object using an inertial motion unit (IMU) mounted to the magnetic source and aligned with the coil array of magnetic source. Pitch and rolls angles of the coil array are calibrated using the IMU.