Absolute position tracker
US5812257A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S13/876
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A position tracker wherein a base unit scans a selected path with electromagnetic signals. A remote unit whose position relative to the base unit is to be detected includes a sensor for detecting the signals from the base unit. When the scanning signals are detected by the remote unit, the remote unit transmits a response signal to the base unit. The base unit may calculate the angular position of the remote unit relative to the base unit by comparing the time intervals between successive response signals. By locating multiple base units in different positions, the position of the remote unit along multiple coordinate axes may be determined. By adding multiple sensors and response transmitters to the remote unit, the roll, pitch and yaw of the remote unit also may be calculated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.