Wearable RF Transponder Arrays for Mobile Body Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body tracking systems are cumbersome, limited in mobility, and require infrastructure, making them unsuitable for daily use and unable to accurately track all body movements in virtual or augmented reality environments.
Innovation Solution
A system using arrays of radio frequency (RF) transponders integrated into wearable fabric, allowing for accurate tracking of body movements by determining relative locations and angles between body parts using a single antenna and processor, without the need for complex infrastructure or bulky equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrastructure-based solutions (Microsoft Kinect, LED-based, RF-based) are used for accurate body tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring multiple reader antennas, transponders, triangulation arrangements, and calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking functionality from complex infrastructure-based systems and concentrates it into a single portable reader device. This single device contains both the antenna for RF communication and the processor for calculating body part locations, eliminating the need for multiple distributed reader antennas and transponders while maintaining tracking accuracy through phase-based distance measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the antenna and processor into a single integrated reader device. This combination allows the system to perform accurate body tracking without requiring complex arrangements of multiple readers and transponders, as the single device can independently measure phase differences and calculate relative locations of body parts
2Measurement precision
If wearable tracking systems with sensors (sensor jacket, SensorTape) are used to measure joint angles and track posture, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and device complexity worsen due to batteries, heavy electronics, and multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor systems (stretch sensors, inertial sensors, batteries, electronics) with an RF-based electromagnetic system. The passive transponders embedded in fabric communicate with a portable reader through RF signals, eliminating the need for heavy electronic components and batteries while maintaining tracking precision through phase-based distance measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses passive RF transponders that can be embedded in washable fabric, replacing expensive and heavy electronic sensor systems. These transponders require no batteries or complex electronics, making the system lightweight and suitable for daily wear, while the portable reader handles all processing functions
3Measurement precision
If multiple reader antennas are arranged for triangulation or tri-lateration of transponders, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and device complexity worsen due to complicated arrangements and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location calculation functionality from complex multi-antenna triangulation systems and implements it in a single portable reader device. The device uses phase-based distance measurement to directly calculate relative locations of body parts without requiring complex antenna arrangements or calibration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs location calculations using phase differences measured by the single reader device. No manual calibration or complex configuration is needed, as the processor independently computes relative locations based on RF signal phase measurements, making the system easy to operate without specialized setup
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 convenient, accurate, and mobile body tracking, allowing users to engage in daily activities while providing precise movement data for virtual or augmented reality applications without the constraints of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
communicating, with an antenna of a reader device, at least one activation signal to each RF transponder of the first array and the second array; receiving, with the antenna, a plurality of response signals from the first array and the second array
Implementation Method 2
determining, with at least one processor, a difference in distances between the antenna and at least two RF transponders of the first array and a difference in distances between the antenna and at least two RF transponders of the second array based at least partially on at least a portion of the plurality of response signals
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for tracking a body. The method includes communicating at least one activation signal to each RF transponder of a first array and a second array, receiving a plurality of response signals from the first array and the second array, the plurality of response signals comprising a response signal for each RF transponder of the first array and the second array, determining a difference in distances between the antenna and each RF transponder of the first array and each transponder of the second array based at least partially on at least one corresponding response signal of the plurality of response signals, and determining a relative location of the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body.