Magnetometer arrays for inertial navigation, mapping, and drift compensation
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:
- a magnetometer array of at least three magnetometers arranged in a fixed configuration in which the magnetometers are spaced apart from one another; and
one or more circuits being programmed or configured to;
receive magnetic field vector values from each of the magnetometers in the magnetometer array; and
compute Jacobian matrix values from the received magnetic field vector values.
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Abstract
Examples of arrays of magnetometers that can be used as or as part of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) are disclosed herein. Various methods for using such arrays in order to obtain highly precise and locationally unique data, which can be used to correct for drift effects, are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the Jacobian matrix of the magnetic field is computed from the magnetometer measurements. This Jacobian matrix data can be used to generate a magnetic field map for a particular environment and/or to locate position, velocity, and acceleration of the IMU by referencing such a magnetic field map.
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20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a magnetometer array of at least three magnetometers arranged in a fixed configuration in which the magnetometers are spaced apart from one another; and one or more circuits being programmed or configured to; receive magnetic field vector values from each of the magnetometers in the magnetometer array; and compute Jacobian matrix values from the received magnetic field vector values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform magnetic map construction operations comprising:
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inputting magnetic field vector values and associated Jacobian matrix values, the magnetic field vector values being from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) traversing an indoor space, the inertial measurement unit comprising an array of spaced-apart magnetometers, the Jacobian matrix values being computed from the magnetic field vector values measured by the magnetometers; and constructing a three-dimensional map of magnetic field vectors and associated Jacobian values for the indoor space, the three-dimensional map of magnetic field vectors and associated Jacobian values being constructed at least in part from the inputted magnetic field vector values and associated Jacobian matrix values. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method, comprising:
by a circuit of an inertial measurement unit (IMU); inputting magnetic field vector values from multiple magnetometers of a magnetometer array; computing Jacobian matrix values from the inputted magnetic field vector values; and selectively deactivating a gyroscope of the IMU based at least in part on the Jacobian matrix values. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification