Magnetic tracking methods and systems
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorAlan S. Edelstein
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Abstract
Methods and systems for tracking a magnetic object are disclosed. A plurality of line segments can be complied based on data received from a plurality of magnetic sensors. The line segment that minimizes an error thereof can then be determined. The path of a magnetic object can then be established based on the compiled line segments and calculated error thereof, thereby permitting the magnetic object to be tracked according to the data received from the magnetic sensors, which can be based on the closest of approach of one or more of the magnetic sensors to the magnetic object. The present invention can thus permit a magnetic object to be tracked utilizing the total magnetic field measured at a position of closest approach by the magnetic object to one or more magnetic sensors from among a group of magnetic sensors.
Claims20
A method for tracking a magnetic object, said method comprising the steps of:
- compiling a plurality of line segments based on data received from a plurality of magnetic sensors;
- determining which line segment among said plurality of line segments minimizes an error thereof;
- and
- establishing a path of a magnetic object based on said plurality of line segments and said error thereof, thereby permitting said magnetic object to be tracked according to said data received from said plurality of magnetic sensors based on a position of closest of approach of at least two magnetic sensors from among said plurality of magnetic sensors to said magnetic object.
A method for tracking a magnetic object, said method comprising the steps of:
- compiling a plurality of line segments based on data received from a plurality of magnetic sensors;
- determining which line segment among said plurality of line segments minimizes an error thereof;
- establishing a path of a magnetic object based on said plurality of line segments and said error thereof, thereby permitting said magnetic object to be tracked according to said data received from said plurality of magnetic sensors based on a closest of approach of at least one magnetic sensor from among said plurality of magnetic sensors to said magnetic object;
- calculating said error by the variable Er, wherein said error is defined by a mathematical formula comprising:
- E r = ∑ i ( S i S imax - C i C imax ) 2
- wherein Si comprises a variable representing a total magnetic field measured by an ith magnetic sensor among said plurality of magnetic sensors;
- wherein Simax comprises a variable representing a maximum of Si;
- wherein Ci comprises a variable representing a total magnetic field calculated at a position of said ith magnetic sensor based on a set of assumptions regarding said magnetic object;
- and
- wherein Cimax comprises a variable representing a total magnetic field calculated at a position of a magnetic sensor among said plurality of magnetic sensors at which Si is maximum.
A system for tracking a magnetic object, said system comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic sensors;
- compiling module for compiling a plurality of line segments based on data received from said plurality of magnetic sensors;
- error determination module for determining which line segment among said plurality of line segments minimizes an error thereof;
- and
- tracking module for establishing a path of a magnetic object based on said plurality of line segments and said error thereof, thereby permitting said magnetic object to be tracked according to said data received from said plurality of magnetic sensors based on a position of closest of approach of at least two magnetic sensors from among said plurality of magnetic sensors to said magnetic object.
A system for tracking a magnetic object, said system comprising:
- compiling module for compiling a plurality of line segments based on data received from a plurality of magnetic sensors;
- error determination module for determining which line segment among said plurality of line segments minimizes an error thereof;
- tracking module for establishing a path of a magnetic object based on said plurality of line segments and said error thereof, thereby permitting said magnetic object to be tracked according to said data received from said plurality of magnetic sensors based on a closest of approach of at least one magnetic sensor from among said plurality of magnetic sensors to said magnetic object;
- wherein said error determination module further comprises a calculating module for calculating said error by the variable Er, wherein said error is defined by a mathematical formula comprising:
- E r = ∑ i ( S i S imax - C i C imax ) 2
- wherein Si comprises a variable representing a total magnetic field measured by an ith magnetic sensor among said plurality of magnetic sensors;
- wherein Simax comprises a variable representing a maximum of Si;
- wherein Ci comprises a variable representing a total magnetic field calculated at a position of said ith magnetic sensor based on a set of assumptions regarding said magnetic object;
- and
- wherein Cimax comprises a variable representing a total magnetic field calculated at a position of a magnetic sensor among said plurality of magnetic sensors at which Si is maximum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.