Magnetic motion tracker with transmitter placed on tracked object
US5744953A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/6801
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The motion of a person is measured in real time using magnetic fields. A magnetic transmitter and a number of magnetic receivers are placed at different points on the person. The transmitter transmits magnetic fields sequentially from three orthogonal coils. The magnetic field is received at each receiver, which consists of three orthogonal coils. The computer resolves the sequential position and orientation coordinates from each receiver into the person's movement, relative to the transmitter, from knowledge of where each receiver is placed on the person. Other embodiments measure the transmitter's position and orientation relative to a fixed location outside of the person. The computer then resolves the position and orientation data into the person's motion relative to the fixed location outside of the person. A second embodiment uses pressure sensitive switches and accelerometers placed on the person's feet and a computer program to find the transmitter's position and orientation relative to a fixed starting location. A third embodiment uses an optical subsystem to find the transmitter's position and orientation relative to a fixed location. A fourth embodiment uses at least one…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.