New method for fast motion-capturing in three dimensional space using a global linear-gradient and two uniform magnetic fields

A new method for fast motion-capturing in three dimensional space is proposed. The method employs triaxial magnetometers and three magnetic fields spanned over the space of interest: two uniform magnetic fields, the one perpendicular to the other, and a linear gradient magnetic field generated by a pair of head-on magnetic dipoles. Once the orientation of the magnetometer is determined with two uniform magnetic fields, its position relative to the symmetrical center of the linear-gradient fields can be uniquely determined based on a linear relationship between the field strength and the position of the third magnetic field.