Positioning system and method
First Claim
1. A positioning system for identifying the location of a first object within a second object, the system comprising:
- a signal transmitter capable of emitting a first coded signal, wherein the first object includes the signal transmitter;
a plurality of receivers positioned at predetermined locations, each receiver capable of receiving the first coded signal emitted from the signal transmitter and outputting a second coded signal substantially upon receipt of the first coded signal; and
a central station in communication with the plurality of receivers for processing the second coded signal from each of the plurality of receivers to determine a three-dimensional coordinate position of the signal transmitter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A positioning system and method provide fast and accurate position of a portable signal transmitter. It is particularly suitable for tracking applications in a local area, e.g., virtual environment. This system includes at least two relay stations, at least one portable signal transmitter, and one central station. The portable signal transmitter emits a tracking signal, which is received by each of the relay stations and then relayed to the central station wirelessly or by a wired connection. Time data are measured either in the central station or in each of the relay stations. A data processor calculates the position coordinates of the portable signal transmitter. The position system can be used to track the location of one object within another object, such as a medical device within a human body.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A positioning system for identifying the location of a first object within a second object, the system comprising:
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a signal transmitter capable of emitting a first coded signal, wherein the first object includes the signal transmitter;
a plurality of receivers positioned at predetermined locations, each receiver capable of receiving the first coded signal emitted from the signal transmitter and outputting a second coded signal substantially upon receipt of the first coded signal; and
a central station in communication with the plurality of receivers for processing the second coded signal from each of the plurality of receivers to determine a three-dimensional coordinate position of the signal transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A positioning system for identifying the location of a transmitter within a human body the system comprising:
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a signal transmitter capable of emitting a first coded signal;
at least four receivers positioned at predetermined locations, each receiver capable of receiving the first coded signal emitted from the signal transmitter and outputting a second coded signal substantially upon receipt of the first coded signal; and
a central station in communication with the plurality of receivers for processing the second coded signal from each of the plurality of receivers to determine a three dimensional coordinate position of the signal transmitter, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate position of the signal transmitter is correlated with medical image data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification