Method and device for determining the position and orientation of a mobile transmitter

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a method and device that can determine both the position and orientation of a mobile transmitter (such as one inside a moving object) by using advanced signal modeling and measurement. The system uses multiple receiving antennas and processes the signals—specifically the phase and time-of-arrival of carrier waves—through a mathematical model (field-theory) implemented in a Kalman filter. This approach accounts for interfering factors like the arbitrary rotation of the transmitter, allowing accurate tracking of its position and spin/orientation without additional hardware.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Sports tracking systems (e.g., tracking a ball by embedding a transmitter) to accurately monitor position and rotation on the field.
• Robotics, for determining the precise location and heading of autonomous robots in an environment.
• Indoor navigation systems where GPS is unavailable, for applications like warehouse automation or asset tracking.
• Drone or UAV tracking to obtain both position and orientation reliably during flight, even with random rotations.
• Motion capture for VR/AR or animation, using mobile transmitters attached to body segments to provide more accurate orientation data.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improved accuracy in determining the position and orientation of a moving transmitter, even when it rotates arbitrarily.
• Reduces errors caused by signal distortions due to transmitter rotation, which traditional systems struggle to correct.
• Eliminates the need for additional orientation sensors, lowering hardware complexity and cost.
• Enhanced real-time tracking performance due to the use of advanced Kalman filtering and modeling.
• Applicable in environments where magnetic or inertial orientation sensors are unreliable or impractical.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The method involves creating a field-theoretical model of a transmission path between a mobile transmitter (10) and receivers (3), where the model defines carrier-phase measured values. The model is implemented in a Kalman filter, and received signals are evaluated with respect to the measured values and/or time of arrival values. Position and orientation of the mobile transmitter are determined in the Kalman filter using the model and the measured values and/or the time of arrival values. The measured values and/or the time of arrival values are corrected using calibration values. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for determining position and orientation of a mobile transmitter, comprising a kalman filter.