Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for electromagnetic position and orientation tracking with distortion compensation employing a modulated signal

US6762600B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
12References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 2003
Grant dateJul 13, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/06
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A bounding box or volume of interest is flooded with a modulated AC electromagnetic signal from a source. Different types of modulated signals may be used, including single-tone AM and FM. One or more sensors disposed on an object or body within the volume are then used to detect the signal, and a digital and/or analog spectral and phase analysis is performed on the received signal in hardware or software. The processing distinguishes between the direct source to sensor response and the response due to eddy currents. By removing the response due to the distorters, the effects of the electromagnetic distortion can be removed through a more conventional “free-space” solution. The invention finds applicability in a wide variety of environments, including head tracking systems and helmet-mounted displays for fighter aircraft; head trackers for armored vehicles; medical-guided surgery and biopsy; remote sensing, among other potential uses.

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