Patent ID: 6288785
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
A system for determining the location of one or more objects, comprising:a first subsystem having a first set of sensors and a first coordinate system, said first set of sensors producing a first data signal indicative of the position and orientation of said one or more objects within said first coordinate system, wherein said first subsystem produces a first subsystem location signal, responsive to said first data signal, which is indicative of the location of said one or more objects within said first coordinate system, wherein said first data signal is also provided to a second subsystem;said second subsystem having a second set of sensors and a second coordinate system, said second set of sensors producing a second data signal indicative of the position and orientation of said one or more objects within said second coordinate system, wherein said second subsystem produces a second subsystem location signal, responsive to said second data signal, which is indicative of the location of said one or more objects within said second coordinate system, wherein said second data signal is also provided to said first subsystem;a coupling arrangement for producing a coupling location signal indicative of the location of said first subsystem within said second coordinate system of said second subsystem; anda processor responsive to said coupling location signal and at least one of said subsystem location signals for locating said one or more objects within said first coordinate system of said first subsystem;wherein said first subsystem uses said second data signal to enhance the robustness and accuracy of said first subsystem location signal;wherein said second subsystem uses said first data signal to enhance the robustness and accuracy of said second subsystem location signal.