Position determination based on phase difference
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for determining position of a device comprising steps of:
- generating at least two, time-varying, magnetic fields using inductive elements, wherein the at least two fields have differing phases;
detecting a signal modulated on the at least two fields, the signal being from the device; and
determining a position of the device based on a phase difference of the signal from the device and a reference signal.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining position of a device includes generating at least two, time-varying, magnetic fields using inductive elements, wherein the fields have differing phases. The method further includes detecting a signal modulated on top of the fields, wherein the signal is generated from the device, and determining a position of the device based on a phase difference of the signal from the device and a reference signal.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method for determining position of a device comprising steps of:
-
generating at least two, time-varying, magnetic fields using inductive elements, wherein the at least two fields have differing phases;
detecting a signal modulated on the at least two fields, the signal being from the device; and
determining a position of the device based on a phase difference of the signal from the device and a reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An apparatus for detecting position of a device, the apparatus comprising:
-
an oscillator and driver circuit;
a first inductive element energized by the oscillator and driver circuit to generate a first time-varying magnetic field at a first phase;
a second inductive element energized by the oscillator and driver circuit to generate a second time-varying magnetic field at a second phase;
circuitry associated with detecting and demodulating a signal from the device modulated on the first and second magnetic field; and
processing circuitry determining a position of the device based on a phase difference between the signal and a reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system for detecting a position of a tag, the system comprising:
-
at least one reader including inductive elements for generating at least two, time-varying, magnetic fields, wherein the at least two fields have differing phases;
at least one tag including an inductive element for coupling a magnetic field, the coupled magnetic field having components of the at least two, time-varying, magnetic fields, wherein the tag is operable to modulate a signal on the magnetic field, the signal having a phase approximately equal to the coupled magnetic field;
whereinthe at least one reader is operable to receive the modulated signal and determine a position of the tag based on a phase difference between the signal and a reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An apparatus determining position of a device comprising:
-
means for generating at least two, time-varying, magnetic fields using inductive elements, wherein the at least two fields have differing phases;
means for detecting a signal modulated on top of the at least two fields, the signal being from the device; and
means for determining a position of the device based on a phase difference of the signal from the device and a reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
-
21. A system comprising:
-
at least one electronic device housed in a rack;
a tag connected to the at least one electronic device; and
at least one reader operable to interrogate the tag to determine a position of the tag in the rack. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification