The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2002
Leandra Vicci, Siler City, NC (US);
Richard Superfine, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Leandra Vicci, Siler City, NC (US);
Richard Superfine, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems for controlling motion of and optically tracking a mechanically unattached probe () in three-dimensions are disclosed. A mechanically unattached magnetic probe () is placed in the system under test. The position of the probe is optically tracked in three dimensions by sensing light scattered by the probe and direct light from a light source. Magnetic poles () positioned about the probe are selectively magnetized to control motion of the probe in three dimensions by minimizing error between a sensed position and a desired position. In one implementation, the coil currents are time division multiplexed such that the average force on the probe produces motion in a desired direction.