Detection of metal disturbance in a magnetic tracking system
First Claim
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1. A method for tracking an object, comprising:
- (i) producing energy fields at a plurality of different frequencies in a vicinity of the object;
(ii) receiving signals that are generated at a location of the object at the different frequencies in response to the energy fields;
(iii) making multiple computations of spatial coordinates of the object based on the signals received at the different frequencies;
ascertaining whether the energy fields have been perturbed by an article in the vicinity of the object by testing a convergence of the computations; and
(iv) if testing reveals a convergence of the computations then repeating steps (i) through (iv) for N repetitions, wherein N equals a plurality of times.
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Abstract
A method for tracking an object includes producing energy fields at a plurality of different frequencies in a vicinity of the object, and receiving signals that are generated at a location of the object at the different frequencies in response to the energy fields. Multiple computations are made of spatial coordinates of the object based on the signals received at the different frequencies. Convergence of the computations is tested in order to ascertain whether the energy fields have been perturbed by an article in the vicinity of the object.
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22 Claims
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1. A method for tracking an object, comprising:
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(i) producing energy fields at a plurality of different frequencies in a vicinity of the object; (ii) receiving signals that are generated at a location of the object at the different frequencies in response to the energy fields; (iii) making multiple computations of spatial coordinates of the object based on the signals received at the different frequencies;
ascertaining whether the energy fields have been perturbed by an article in the vicinity of the object by testing a convergence of the computations; and(iv) if testing reveals a convergence of the computations then repeating steps (i) through (iv) for N repetitions, wherein N equals a plurality of times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for tracking an object, comprising:
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at least one radiator, which is adapted to produce energy fields at a plurality of different frequencies in a vicinity of the object; at least one sensor, fixed to the object, which is adapted to generate signals in response to the energy fields at the different frequencies; and a system controller, which is adapted to;
(i) make multiple computations of spatial coordinates of the object based on the signals generated at the different frequencies, and to (ii) ascertain whether the energy fields have been perturbed by an article in the vicinity of the object by testing a convergence of the computations, wherein the system controller repeats (i) and (ii) when testing reveals a convergence of the computations for N repetitions, wherein N equals a plurality of times. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification