Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for determining remote object orientation and position

US4742356A · kind A · utility

348Cited by
49References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 1985
Grant dateMay 3, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S3/14
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for determining remote object orientation and position with an electromagnetic coupling. A plurality of radiating antennas are provided for radiating electromagnetic energy. Each of the radiating antennas have independent components for defining a source reference coordinate frame. A transmitter is provided for applying electrical signals to the radiating antennas for generating a plurality of electromagnetic fields. The signals are multiplexed so that the fields are distinguishable from one another. A plurality of receiving antennas are disposed on a remote object for receiving the transmitted electromagnetic fields. The receiving antennas have a plurality of independent components for detecting the transmitted electromagnetic fields and defining a sensor reference coordinate frame. An analyzer is provided for receiving the output of the receiving antennas and converting the components of the transmitted electromagnetic fields into remote object position and orientation relative to the source reference coordinate frame. The analyzing means includes means for processing the components of the electromagnetic fields in an uncoupled manner into remot…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.