Device and Method for Determining the Distance And/or Orientation of a Moveable Object

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

This patent describes a device and method for determining the distance and/or orientation of a movable object using radio frequency signals. The system involves a transmitter with a known polarization plane and a receiver with both left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized antennas. By analyzing and comparing the phase values of signals received from the transmitter, the system can compute the object's position and/or orientation. The invention can also be operated in reverse, with the receiver and transmitter switching roles regarding antenna types.

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

• Real-time tracking of moving vehicles or drones for navigation or positioning systems
• Robotics and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) needing precise location and orientation sensing
• Augmented reality or virtual reality systems requiring accurate user or object tracking
• Industrial automation where machinery or parts need monitored movement and orientation
• Sports technology, such as tracking balls or players on a field for analytics
• Indoor localization systems where GPS is unavailable or unreliable
• Satellite navigation and space applications for tracking satellites or spacecraft

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables accurate distance and orientation measurement of moving objects
• Doesn't require complex inertial or camera-based navigation systems, avoiding their typical cumulative errors or complex calibration
• Minimal hardware requirements for the movable object (just a transmitter or receiver and specific antennas)
• Works in environments where optical systems (like cameras) might fail due to obstructions or lighting
• Can be scaled to multidimensional localization with additional transmitters or receivers
• Allows for both relative and absolute distance/orientation computation with use of reference devices
• Versatile for different applications such as robotics, vehicles, sports, or satellite systems

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the distance and/or orientation of a moveable object, having at least one transmitter being attached on the object, said transmitter comprising a defined frequency, and a receiver, wherein the transmitter has an antenna comprising a known polarization plane, and the receiver has a counterclockwise and a clockwise circular polarized antenna, and the receiver is equipped or connected to an analysis device which determines two phase measuring values from the two signals received in consideration of the defined frequency, by means of said two signals the distance and/or the orientation can be calculated. In a device operated inversely, the transmitter has two circular polarized antennas, and the receiver has an antenna having a known polarization plane.