Spatial Diversity RF Tracking for VR Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current position tracking systems, particularly in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) environments, face challenges with accuracy, especially indoors, and require high precision and low power consumption to effectively track multiple objects in real-time, while existing systems are limited by GPS inaccuracy, energy consumption, and the need for recalibration when objects change.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing at least three spatially separated receiver antennae to receive RF signals from multiple RF-transmitting antennae, coupled with a processor to determine relative positions and control vehicle operations, enabling accurate and efficient tracking of objects both indoors and outdoors by leveraging multifrequency RF signals and inertial sensors for precise location and orientation determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If GPS is used for position tracking, then coverage area is large, but measurement precision deteriorates to meters level which is insufficient for VR/AR applications requiring five inches or less accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking function into multiple components: GPS provides coarse location coverage while local wireless access points provide fine-grained position accuracy within their coverage areas. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both wide coverage and high precision by combining different tracking methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless access points serve as intermediary devices between GPS satellites and the mobile device. They receive GPS-derived location data and provide supplementary wireless signals for precise indoor positioning, acting as a bridge that enhances overall system accuracy without sacrificing coverage area.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiver antennae are used to improve tracking precision, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple receiver antennae are integrated into the mobile device's existing wireless communication infrastructure. The same antennae used for standard wireless communications also perform position tracking functions, eliminating the need for dedicated tracking hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device's own wireless antennae serve dual purposes: maintaining wireless connectivity and enabling precise position tracking. The device uses its existing communication infrastructure to track its own position relative to known access points, eliminating the need for external tracking equipment.
3Measurement precision
If continuous tracking of multiple objects is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous tracking, the system performs periodic position updates by measuring the time difference of arrival of wireless signals from multiple access points. This periodic measurement approach maintains tracking accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces power-intensive active transmission with passive signal reception and time-difference measurement. By using the existing wireless infrastructure signals and measuring their arrival times at multiple antennae, the system achieves continuous tracking with minimal energy expenditure.
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 solution provides high accuracy and low power consumption for real-time tracking of multiple objects, improving user experience in VR and AR environments by enabling precise interaction and reducing the need for recalibration, while extending tracking capabilities beyond the transmission range of individual transmitters.
Implementation Method 1
determine timing information from the acquired RF signals
Implementation Method 2
A GPS receiver obtaining signals from three satellites can triangulate its position with time of receipt information
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicles and methods of navigating vehicles comprise at least three receiver antennae configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals from one or more RF-transmitting antennae coupled to an object, receiver circuitry coupled to the receiver antennae to acquire the RF signals and to determine timing information from the acquired RF signals, memory storing information related to fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna, a processor configured to determine a relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae based on the stored information related to the fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna and on the timing information determined by the receiver circuitry, and a control system configured to control operation of the vehicle in response to the relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae determined by the processor.