Sensor Calibration System Using Cavity Orientation and Threshold Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor calibration methods for magnetometers do not assess the necessity of calibration and often fail to address excessive differences between sensor measurements, leading to inaccurate motion tracking and decision-making in applications relying on magnetic field sensing.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for calibrating multiple sensors with magnetometers, gyroscopes, and accelerometers by determining differences in magnetic field measurements and calibrating them if thresholds are exceeded, using a device with cavities to orient sensors uniformly and a computing apparatus to transmit and process calibration data, allowing for simultaneous calibration through rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art calibration methods are used, then sensors can be calibrated, but they do not assess whether calibration is necessary and may not calibrate magnetometers effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration necessity assessmentVSAvoidcalibration method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of sensor measurements to determine whether calibration is necessary before proceeding with calibration. The computing apparatus receives measurements from multiple magnetometers and evaluates whether calibration is needed based on predefined criteria, avoiding unnecessary calibration operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-calibration capability where the sensor device autonomously determines its own calibration status and performs calibration when needed. The processing circuitry evaluates measurement data and triggers calibration procedures automatically without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple sensors are calibrated individually, then each sensor can be calibrated, but the process is time-consuming and does not ensure consistent performance across sensors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor measurement consistencyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple magnetometer sensors into a single calibration operation. The processing circuitry receives measurements from multiple magnetometers simultaneously, evaluates their consistency, and performs unified calibration that ensures all sensors achieve consistent performance standards together rather than individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system is designed to handle multiple sensor types and configurations through a universal calibration process. The computing apparatus can calibrate multiple magnetometers with different characteristics using the same evaluation criteria and calibration procedures, ensuring consistent performance across diverse sensor implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sensor electronics have poor stability, then measurements contain increasing errors over time, but frequent calibration increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracy over timeVSAvoidcalibration operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous monitoring of sensor measurements to detect drift and deterioration over time. The processing circuitry evaluates measurement data from multiple magnetometers and provides feedback on calibration needs, automatically triggering calibration procedures when measurement quality degrades below acceptable thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system operates dynamically, adjusting calibration frequency and intensity based on actual sensor performance and environmental conditions. Rather than fixed periodic calibration, the system responds to real-time measurement quality indicators, performing calibration only when and where needed to maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3847418B1Method and system for calibrating sensors
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 SWORD HEALTH SA
  • EP3847418B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3847418B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3847418B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method (100) for calibrating a plurality of sensors (21-24) each comprising a magnetometer (31), a gyroscope (32) and an accelerometer (33), the method comprising: providing (111) a first device (10) comprising at least one cavity (15-18) adapted for introduction of one or more sensors (21-24); introducing (112) each sensor of the plurality of sensors (21-24) into the first device (10); transmitting (113), from each sensor of the plurality of sensors (21-24) to a computing apparatus (40), a first measure corresponding to the respective magnetometer (31); determining (114), the computing apparatus (40), whether differences between the first measure of each sensor and the first measure of the other sensors of the plurality of sensors (21-24) are lower than a predetermined threshold; and calibrating (115) the plurality of sensors (21-24), if at least one of the differences between the first measures is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, by rotating the first device (10) or a second device (10) with the plurality of sensors (21-24) introduced therein, the second device comprising at least one cavity (15-18) adapted for introduction of one or more sensors (21-24). Also, a system (5) for calibrating a plurality of sensors (21-24).