Patent ID: 6587809
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: G01B,G01S

Abstract:
A system for determining position, orientation and deformation in 3-D space of at least one moving object in real time, the system comprising:a plurality of energy emitting markers for placing for movement with the object; driving means coupled to the markers for driving the markers; a plurality of stationary sensors, each for sensing energy emitted from the markers; detection means coupled to the sensors for detecting the energy sensed by the sensors; and processing means for controlling the driving means so that the markers emit energy in a predetermined order and for processing the detected energies to derive position, orientation and deformation information for the object; wherein: the sensors are arranged in a linear array along an axis; and each sensor in the array has a respective collimator arranged so that: the respective sensor receives full energy from a marker when the angle between the line which connects the sensor to the marker and the plane which is perpendicular to the array axis is zero; the collimator increasingly attenuates the received energy as said angle increases from zero; and the collimator blocks the energy from the marker when said angle exceeds a predetermined angle.