Systems and methods for position tracking using magnetoquasistatic fields

Number: 9625247
Published: 2017-04-18
Filed: 2014-05-29
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Arumugam; Darmindra D. et al.
CPC: A63B43/004; G01B7/004
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Position-tracking hardware using magnetoquasistatic (near-field magnetic) fields, e.g. for wearables/props in a defined space.

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate systems, methods, apparatuses and program products that provide position tracking using a simple, low frequency oscillator that is attached to an object to be tracked, and one or more receiving stations that are placed around the area in which the object moves. Embodiments of the invention enable position tracking of the object using light weight equipment which minimally impacts the object's natural state.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a high level view of example geometry of a position and orientation tracking system according to an embodiment of the invention.(2) FIG. 2A illustrates one-dimensional complex image theory (CIT) employed in the tracking of an electrically small loop antenna (or magnetic dipole) above the earth with finite conductivity according to an embodiment of the invention.(3) FIG. 2B illustrates power contributions from the source and complex image as well as their sum (complex image theory) versus distance at 400 kHz according to an embodiment of the invention.(4) FIG. 2C illustrates power contributions from the source and complex image as well as their sum (compleximage theory) versus distance at 40 kHz according to an embodiment of the invention.(5) FIG. 2D illustrates power contributions from the source and complex image as well as their sum (complex image theory) versus distance at 4 kHz according to an embodiment of the invention.(6) FIG. 2E illustrates the error from using the free space formulation instead of complex image theory as a function of separation distance for transmissions at 4, 40, and 400 kHz according to an embodiment of the invention.(7) FIG. 3 illustrates measurements of the signal received from an electrically small loop antenna above the earth versus distance according to an embodiment of the invention.(8) FIG. 4 illustrates the one-dimensional (height and orientation of the emitter f

Claims

1. A system comprising: one or more processors; a receiving module configured to receive inputs derived from an emitter configured toinclude one or more antennas emitting quasistatic magnetic fields; said emitter comprising a multi-turn loop and an integrated circuit disposed about a central part of an interiorcavity of a ball, wherein said multi-turn loop is wound around an inner lining of the ball; and a program storage device tangibly storing a program of instructions executable by the one or more processors to utilize the one or more inputs to determine an above ground position and orientation of the emitter with respect to the receiving module utilizing complex image theory, a fingerprinting technique, or the combination thereof. 8. An apparatus comprising: an above ground emitter including one or more antennas configured to emit quasistatic magnetic fields measurable by one or more antennas placed at least 25 yards away from the emitter and suitable for the detection and tracking of the emitter's position and orientation by the one or more antennas placed at least 25 yards away from the emitter; said emitter comprising a multi-turn loop and an integrated circuit disposed about a centralpart of an interior cavity of a ball, wherein said multi-turn loop is wound around an inner lining of the ball. 13. A method comprising: receiving inputs derived from an emitter configured to emit quasistatic magnetic fields; said emitter comprising a multi-turn loop and an integrated circuit disposed about a central part of an interior cavity of a ball, wherein said multi-turn loop is wound around an inner lining of the ball; and utilizing a subset of the inputs to determine an above ground position and orientation of the emitter utilizing complex image theory, a fingerprinting technique, or the combination thereof. 15. A computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to receive inputs derived from quasistatic magnetic field data emitted from an emitter; said emitter comprising a multi-turn loop and an integrated circuit disposed about a central part of an interior cavity of a ball, wherein said multi-turn loop is wound around an inner lining of the ball; and computer readable program code configured to utilize the inputs to determine an above ground position and orientation of the emitter with respect to a receiving module utilizing complex image theory, a fingerprinting technique, or the combination thereof.