Barometer adaptive sampling through tight integration with other sensors and actuators

Abstract

A personal electronic device features intelligent adjustment of the sampling rate of a sensor, such as a barometer. Before acquiring a measurement from the sensor, the device checks other hardware for conditions that might introduce noise into the measurement. If the device does not determine that excessive noise might exist after checking other hardware, it continues to acquire a measurement from the sensor. Otherwise, the device delays the measurement. At the end of the delay, the device may check other hardware again before acquiring a measurement from the sensor.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Various personal electronic devices, such as smartwatches, activity trackers, or other wearable devices, include barometers. These devices can use their barometers to detect changes in altitude. However, other features of the device, such as speakers or haptic actuators, can introduce noise into the measurements taken by the barometer. This interference is particularly noticeable in designs where the barometer is placed near a speaker. Regular use of the device, such as moving it quickly or speaking into it, also introduces noise into the measurements obtained by the barometer.

[0002] Barometers consume more power than some other device inputs, so barometer sensor sampling rates tend to be relatively low to conserve battery life. Therefore, real-time use of barometer measurements (e.g., for tracking user location or gestures) relies on a relatively small number of data points, meaning that noise affecting any single sample can have a significant impact on any barometer-related functionality. Avoiding transient conditions that introduce noise when acquiring samples from the barometer will improve the results of barometer-related functions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The device can be configured to acquire measurements from a barometer at a variable rate. This rate may vary depending on whether the measurements are acquired from a hardware feature of a device other than the barometer or instructions are sent to that hardware feature. The device configuration may include a timer function for observing sampling intervals. At the end of the sampling interval, the device may check the hardware feature other than the barometer for conditions that might introduce noise into the measurements. If the noise-related conditions are within acceptable limits, measurements can be acquired from the barometer. If the noise-related conditions exceed acceptable limits, the device may avoid acquiring measurements from the barometer and instead wait for a delay interval shorter than the sampling interval before checking the hardware other than the barometer. The acceptable limits of the noise-related conditions may become less stringent over time since the end of the sampling interval. The timer function may reset at the end of the sampling interval, meaning the sampling interval will end at a constant, fixed frequency, regardless of how long the device waits due to noise-related conditions.

[0004] The buffer window can begin at the end of the sampling interval. At the end of the buffer window, the device can acquire measurements from the barometer regardless of noise-related conditions. Therefore, at the end of the buffer window, the device can acquire measurements from the barometer without needing to check hardware other than the barometer for noise-related conditions.

[0005] In another aspect, a device can be configured to increase the sampling rate of a barometer when noise-related conditions are present. The device can be configured to decrease the sampling interval whenever a command of at least a threshold order is sent to the noise-generating hardware or a measurement of at least a threshold order is received from a noise-indicating sensor. In another example, the device can be configured to check for noise-related conditions in hardware other than the barometer as soon as the barometer acquires a measurement. If a noise-related condition exceeding a threshold order is detected, the sampling rate can be increased. The sampling rate can remain increased until a noise-related condition below a threshold order is detected when checking hardware other than the barometer.

[0006] On the other hand, the device may include a sensor, noise correlation hardware, and one or more processors communicating with the sensor and the noise correlation hardware. The one or more processors may be configured to periodically check the noise correlation hardware for noise correlation conditions. The one or more processors may also be configured to determine whether to acquire a measurement from the sensor if the noise correlation conditions are within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring a measurement from the sensor if the noise correlation conditions are outside acceptable limits.

[0007] In some arrangements, the processor can be configured to wait through a delay interval once the acquisition of a delayed measurement is determined, and after the delay interval ends, to re-examine the noise association hardware for a second noise association condition, and determine whether to acquire the second measurement from the sensor if the second noise association condition is within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring the second measurement from the sensor if the second noise association condition is outside acceptable limits.

[0008] In some arrangements, the processor can be configured to acquire a third measurement from the sensor after a predetermined number of delays, regardless of noise-related conditions.

[0009] In some arrangements, the sensor may be a first sensor, and the noise association hardware may include a second sensor that samples more frequently than the first sensor.

[0010] In some arrangements, noise association conditions may include the output of noise association hardware or measurements obtained from another sensor.

[0011] In some setups, the acceptable limits of noise association conditions can be predefined threshold orders of magnitude of the output of the noise association hardware or measurements obtained from other sensors.

[0012] In some arrangements, the sensor can be a barometer.

[0013] In some configurations, the processor can be configured to interpret the measurements using recently observed noise correlation conditions as soon as the measurements are acquired from the sensor.

[0014] In some arrangements, the processor is configured to examine the noise-correlated hardware for noise-correlated conditions, which may include examining the output of the noise-correlated hardware that creates conditions that allow noise to be introduced into measurements acquired from sensors.

[0015] In some arrangements, the noise-related hardware of the device as claimed in claim 9 may include at least one of a speaker or an actuator.

[0016] In some arrangements, the sensor may be a barometer, and the noise-related hardware includes at least one of a speaker, microphone, actuator, accelerometer, or inertial measurement unit.

[0017] In some configurations, one or more processors can be configured to estimate the height of a personal electronic device using measurements obtained from a barometer.

[0018] On the other hand, a method for periodically sampling a sensor may include using one or more processors to examine hardware other than the sensor for noise-correlated conditions. The method may further include using one or more processors to determine whether to acquire a measurement from the sensor if the noise-correlated conditions are within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring a measurement from the sensor if the noise-correlated conditions are outside acceptable limits.

[0019] In some arrangements, the method may include: once a determination to delay the acquisition of a measurement is made, waiting for a delay interval to pass; and, after the delay interval has ended, repeating the steps of checking the hardware and making a determination to acquire or delay the acquisition of the measurement.

[0020] In some arrangements, the method may include adjusting the acceptable limits to be more lenient relative to the initial state each time the acquisition of a measurement is delayed, and resetting the acceptable limits to the initial state once the measurement is acquired.

[0021] In some configurations, hardware checks and determinations can be performed at the end of a repetitive sampling interval that lasts longer than the delay interval.

[0022] In some arrangements, the method may include: acquiring measurements from the sensor, regardless of noise conditions, once a predetermined buffer interval following the end of a given sampling interval has elapsed and no measurements have been acquired from the sensor since the end of the given sampling interval.

[0023] In some configurations, checking noise-related conditions for noise-related hardware may include checking instructions sent to output hardware that, when executed by the output hardware, cause the output hardware to create conditions that allow noise to be introduced into measurements acquired from sensors.

[0024] On the other hand, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to periodically check noise-correlated hardware in response to noise-correlated conditions. These instructions can also cause the processors to determine whether to acquire measurements from sensors if the noise-correlated conditions are within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring measurements from sensors if the noise-correlated conditions are outside acceptable limits.

[0025] In some arrangements, the medium can store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to wait through a delay interval once a delay measurement is determined. The instructions can also cause the processors to repeat the steps of checking the hardware and determining whether to acquire or delay the acquisition of the measurement after the delay interval has elapsed. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an example process according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of an example process according to another aspect of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an example process according to another aspect of this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of an example system based on aspects of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 It is used by users Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the system.

[0031] Figure 6 During user use Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the system.

[0032] Figure 7 It is used by users Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the system. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a process 10 for periodically acquiring measurements from a barometer. Process 10 can be performed, for example, by any electronic device having a barometer, processor, memory, and other hardware that can create or detect conditions that may generate noise in the measurements acquired from the barometer. Although process 10 is described with respect to a barometer, the same or similar steps can be performed when acquiring measurements from any other type of sensor. In such examples, where the hardware or conditions associated with barometric noise are mentioned below, the same considerations can alternatively be made for hardware or conditions associated with noise that can be detected by any other sensor.

[0034] Process 10 is repeated over the barometer sampling interval. When the sampling interval in block 14 has elapsed, the device resets the timer in block 18. The device then continues to check the hardware other than the barometer in block 22 for barometer noise correlation conditions.

[0035] Here, "noise-correlated conditions" refers to any condition that, with sufficient magnitude, can introduce noise into a measurement acquired from a given sensor. Therefore, noise-correlated hardware is any hardware capable of generating or detecting noise-correlated conditions. In the case of a barometer, noise-correlated conditions include sound and motion that create changes in air pressure near the barometer; therefore, noise-correlated hardware includes any hardware capable of generating or detecting motion or sound. Thus, the noise-correlated hardware that can be examined will vary depending on the device. Process 10 may include examining all available noise-correlated hardware, or any subset of potentially valid noise-correlated hardware for a given application. For example, in a device with several types of noise-correlated sensors, limiting the examination to sensors already operating at a higher sampling rate than the barometer may be effective.

[0036] In the example of process 10 executed in a smartwatch or phone, the check of other hardware in block 22 for noise-related conditions includes any or a combination of the following: checking commands sent to a haptic actuator, commands sent to a speaker, measurements obtained from an accelerometer, measurements obtained from a microphone, measurements obtained from an inertial measurement unit, or measurements obtained from a magnetometer unit. In the example implemented in a robot or other motorized device, the check of other hardware in block 22 includes, supplementing or replacing any or all of the above-described noise-related hardware examples, checking any or both commands to a motor and feedback from a servo motor.

[0037] The device then determines at block 26 whether the noise-related conditions observed from the inspection at block 22 could introduce significant noise into the measurements obtained from the barometer. At block 26, it is determined whether significant noise is likely to be present by comparing the noise-related conditions observed at block 22 with predetermined thresholds. In some examples, different predetermined thresholds are assigned to each noise-related condition. If any noise-related condition exceeds its corresponding threshold, significant noise is considered likely to be present. In other examples, any two or more noise-related conditions, up to all noise-related conditions, are individually weighted, and the cumulative predetermined threshold is taken into account overall. In a later example of this type, significant noise is considered likely to be present if the total value of the weighted noise-related conditions in a group exceeds the cumulative predetermined threshold for that group.

[0038] As an example of noise-correlated hardware in the system, including a speaker and an accelerometer, execution block 22 may include checking whether the speaker is instructed to create sound and whether the accelerometer detects movement of the system. A predetermined volume threshold may exist for the speaker. If the speaker is instructed to produce a sound exceeding the threshold volume, significant noise may be determined at block 26. Different predetermined volume thresholds can be defined for different tones. Similarly, a predetermined acceleration threshold may exist for the accelerometer. If the accelerometer detects acceleration exceeding the acceleration threshold, significant noise may be determined at block 26. Supplementing or alternative to the foregoing, speaker volume and acceleration can both be weighted, and if the weighted sum of speaker volume and acceleration exceeds a predetermined total threshold, significant noise may be determined at block 26. The above principles can be applied to any set of noise-correlated hardware that the system may possess.

[0039] If significant noise is identified at block 26, the device will not immediately acquire a measurement from the barometer. In the example shown, device 10 instead waits at block 30, and then at block 34 determines whether the buffer interval after resetting the timer at block 18 has elapsed. If the buffer interval has not elapsed when checked at block 34, the device returns to block 22 to recheck the noise-associated hardware. If significant noise is not identified at block 26, or if the buffer interval has elapsed when checked at block 34, the device will continue acquiring a measurement from the barometer at block 38. After acquiring a measurement at block 38, the device will wait at block 42 until the sampling interval at block 14 ends, at which point the series of events starting from block 18 will be repeated.

[0040] According to process 10 described above, if other available hardware indicates the potential presence of significant noise, the device will delay periodically acquiring measurements from the sensor. This delay will continue until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after the scheduled acquisition, at which point the device will acquire the measurement regardless of the noise-related conditions, or until a check of the noise-related hardware does not indicate the potential presence of significant noise. Whenever a measurement is acquired, the noise-related conditions observed most recently during block 22 can be used to interpret or refine the measurement, for example, by estimating how noise affects the acquired measurement.

[0041] Figure 1 The placement of buffer check block 34 shown is merely an example. In other examples, the device indefinitely delays and re-checks the noise-associated hardware, thereby eliminating block 34. In other examples, the device implements... Figure 1The process 10 shown has the same effect, but the logic is different. In some such examples, after determining that a predetermined number of delays have occurred since the previous acquisition, the device continues to acquire measurements from the barometer regardless of noise-related conditions. In other such examples, block 34 is located elsewhere between blocks 18 and 38, but the determination that the buffer interval has elapsed leads directly to block 38.

[0042] The buffer interval can be less than the sampling interval. The buffer interval is a predetermined fraction or percentage of the sampling interval. As an example only, the sampling interval could be a quarter second associated with a sampling rate of 4Hz, meaning the system would request four measurements from the sensor per second. If the buffer interval is 10% of the sampling interval, then the buffer interval is 0.025 seconds. In such an example, since the sampling interval remains constant regardless of the delay, the shortest time between any two requests from the system to the sensor for acquiring a measurement is 0.225 seconds, and the longest time between any two requests from the system to the sensor for acquiring a measurement is 0.275 seconds. The actual time between measurements may vary further because some sensors require time to perform a measurement after receiving a request.

[0043] In some examples, the delay time at block 30 is similarly a predetermined fraction or percentage of the sampling interval and the buffer interval. For example, if the delay time is 1% of the sampling interval, then it is 10% of the buffer interval. Furthermore, if the sampling rate is 4Hz, the delay time is 0.0025 seconds. In such examples, the measurement can be delayed ten times after the end of the sampling interval before the buffer interval has elapsed, at which point the measurement will be acquired regardless of noise-related conditions. In other examples, the delay time at block 30 varies, for example, becoming shorter as the number of delays since the end of the sampling interval increases.

[0044] Process 10 can be implemented with any of the aforementioned quantities at different values. As an example only, the sampling rate can range from approximately 0.5 to 10 Hz, including the end values, but process 10 can be implemented at any sampling rate. The buffer interval can range from approximately 5% to 25% or 50% of the sampling interval. The delay time can range from approximately 0.1% to 2.5% or 5.0% of the sampling interval. It should be understood that these values ​​are illustrative rather than limiting.

[0045] The duration of the wait at block 30 can vary depending on the noise-related condition found at block 22. The variance can be proportional to the magnitude of the noise found in the determination at block 26. In other examples where a noise-related condition is detected in the instructions sent to the output hardware, the duration of the delay can be indicated by the content of the instructions. For example, if the instructions for noise-related output hardware (such as a speaker or actuator) suggest that the output hardware will generate a noise-related condition over a period of time, the wait at block 30 can continue until the time when the instructions suggest that the output will decrease or stop.

[0046] Figure 2 Process 110 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. In such a way... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Between processes 10 and 110, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements; for example, blocks 122 and 126 can be performed in the same manner as described above with respect to blocks 22 and 26, unless otherwise specified. Therefore, not all elements of process 110 will be described in detail.

[0047] In process 110, if significant noise is likely detected at block 126, the device will enter a state at block 146 to acquire measurements from the barometer at a high frequency. High-frequency acquisition can be any elevated sampling rate exceeding the rate corresponding to the normal sampling interval. Consider elevated sampling rates ranging from 1.2 times to 20 times the normal sampling rate; specific examples are 1.2, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 times the normal sampling rate. The device then waits at block 150 and then checks the noise-correlated hardware again at block 154. The wait at block 150 can last for the duration of one or more high-frequency sampling intervals. Thus, in various examples, the wait at block 150 lasts for the time between one high-frequency sample and the next, or it may last across multiple high-frequency samples, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5 high-frequency samples. In other examples, the wait at block 150 lasts for a period of time that is a function of the frequency at which the noise-correlated hardware can be checked. In some such examples, the wait duration is one or more sampling intervals of the noise-correlated sensor.

[0048] In block 158, the noise associated with the conditions observed in block 154 is evaluated in largely the same manner as in block 126 to assess their potential contribution to the measurements from the barometer. If significant noise is again found to be present, high-frequency sampling continues and the process waits again at block 150. If no significant noise is found at block 158, the process moves instead to block 162, where the sampling interval is reset to its previous relatively low frequency.

[0049] Figure 3Process 210 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. Similarly, between processes 10, 110, and 210, similar elements refer to similar elements, such as blocks 222 and 226, which can be performed in the same manner as described above with respect to blocks 22 and 26, unless otherwise specifically stated. Therefore, not all elements of process 210 will be specifically described.

[0050] In process 210, if potentially significant noise is detected in block 226, the exceeded noise threshold is increased in block 266. In various examples considering multiple thresholds, either all thresholds are increased, or only those exceeded are increased. After increasing the noise threshold in block 266, the device waits in block 270 before returning to blocks 222 and 226 to re-examine and re-evaluate the noise association conditions for the new thresholds, respectively. When no noise association conditions exceeding any one or more noise thresholds are actually found by block 226, the device continues to acquire sensor measurements and resets one or more noise thresholds to their initial state in block 274. Thus, process 210 becomes more lenient with respect to the noise association conditions each time measurement acquisition is delayed and resets upon measurement acquisition.

[0051] Although illustrated and described separately, processes 10, 110, and 210 described above can be combined according to various examples. In some examples, Figure 3 Process 210 is similar to that about Figure 1 The buffer interval described in process 10 is implemented by the buffer interval. Therefore, process 210 can delay the acquisition of the measurement and increase the noise threshold by a predetermined multiple only before acquiring the measurement and resetting the noise threshold.

[0052] Any of processes 10, 110, and 210 can be generated by, for example Figure 4 The system 310 shown is executed. System 310 can be implemented in any device including a processor, memory, a barometer, and other hardware capable of generating or detecting conditions that introduce noise into the measurement from the barometer. Such devices include personal electronic devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, wearable activity trackers, and certain computers. Robots, vehicles, and manufacturing equipment used in some applications can also implement process 10. Furthermore, a barometer is used herein as an example of a sensor that can sample at variable intervals. Since processes 10, 110, and 210 can be implemented to sample sensors other than a barometer at variable intervals, other arrangements of system 310 can include corresponding sensors other than a barometer and hardware capable of generating or detecting conditions associated with noise in that sensor.

[0053] The system 310 shown in the example includes a control subsystem 320, which in turn includes one or more processors 322 and memory 324. However, in other examples, the processes 10, 110, and 210 described above may be employed by systems lacking discrete subsystems, processors, or memory.

[0054] Processor 322 can be a single processor or multiple cooperating processors. One or more processors 322 can be any conventional processor, such as a commercially available microprocessor. Alternatively, one or more processors can be special-purpose devices, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other hardware-based processors. Although Figure 3 Functionally, the processor, memory, and other components of the control subsystem 320 are shown within the same block; however, those skilled in the art will understand that a processor or memory may actually include multiple processors or memories that may or may not be stored in the same physical housing. Similarly, memory may be a hard disk drive or other storage medium located in a housing different from that of the control subsystem 320. Therefore, references to processors or computing devices will be understood to include references to processors or collections of computing devices or memories that may or may not operate in parallel.

[0055] Memory 324 may store information accessible to processor 322, including instructions 326 and data executable by processor 322. Memory 324 may be a type of memory operable to store information accessible to processor 322, including non-transitory computer-readable media or other media storing data readable by means of an electronic device, such as hard disk drives, memory cards, read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), optical discs, and other writable and read-only memories. The subject matter disclosed herein may include different combinations of the foregoing, whereby different portions of instructions 326 and data are stored on different types of media.

[0056] Data can be retrieved, stored, or modified by processor 322 according to instruction 326. For example, while this disclosure is not limited to any particular data structure, data can be stored in computer registers, as a table with multiple different fields and records in a relational database, an XML document, or a flat file. Data can also be formatted in a computer-readable format, such as, but not limited to, binary values, ASCII, or Unicode. As a further example only, data can be stored as a bitmap consisting of pixels stored in compressed or uncompressed form, or various image formats (e.g., JPEG), vector-based formats (e.g., SVG), or computer instructions for drawing graphics. Furthermore, data may contain information sufficient to identify relevant information, such as numbers, descriptive text, proprietary code, pointers, references to data stored in other memory (including other network locations), or information about functions used to calculate relevant data.

[0057] Instruction 326 can be executed to perform any of the above processes 10, 110, 210, for example, by running a timer at a fixed sampling interval, checking the noise association hardware for noise association conditions, and changing the timing of individual noise samples based on the possibility of significant noise.

[0058] The control subsystem 320 communicates electronically with the barometer 330 and the noise-associated hardware 340, which can be wired or wireless. Although the control subsystem 320, barometer 330, and noise-associated hardware 340 are shown in the same box, they can be in different physical housings or in the same housing.

[0059] Noise-correlated hardware 340 may include any hardware capable of detecting or generating conditions that may introduce noise into measurements acquired from barometer 330. For example, as shown, noise-correlated hardware includes output hardware 342 and noise-correlated sensor 346. Output hardware 342 may be any hardware used by the device for actuation or communication, such as a vibration mechanism or actuator for generating haptic feedback, a speaker, etc. Noise-correlated sensor 346 may include, for example, any sensor other than barometer 330 capable of detecting conditions related to noise in barometer measurements, such as a microphone, accelerometer, gyroscope, inertial measurement unit, other barometers, etc. While the noise-correlated hardware shown in the example includes output hardware 342 and noise-correlated sensor 346, it should be understood that other examples may include one or both.

[0060] Electronic communication enables the control subsystem 320 (including processor 322) to observe any commands 344 sent to the output device 342 and measurements acquired from the noise-correlated sensor 346. Processor 322 evaluates the commands 344 and measurements individually or in combination, and if processor 322 determines that there may be significant noise in the measurement of barometer 330 at the end of the sampling interval, processor 322 changes the measurement time according to any of the processes 10, 110, and 210 described above.

[0061] exist Figure 5In this system, system 310 is integrated into a smartwatch or wrist-worn activity tracker. User 410, wearing system 310 on their wrist, performs arm movements, such as exercises or gestures. Taking into account measurements from any one or any combination of measurements from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and inertial measurement unit in system 310, any of the aforementioned processes 10, 110, and 210 are performed by varying the timing of individual samples from barometer 330. Therefore, system 310 is able to relatively accurately determine the height of user 410's wrist by excluding pressure fluctuations caused by sudden movements of the wearer or by the tactile output of system 310 itself. System 310 may be able to use the improved height measurement to classify and count user 410's movements, such as waving or repetitive exercises.

[0062] Figure 6 Another application is illustrated, in which system 310 is implemented in a cellular device. System 310 performs any of processes 10, 110, and 210 by receiving input from a microphone when user 410 speaks or when ambient sound 414 arrives at the device. For user privacy, system 310 can be configured to receive input from the microphone without recording sound for the purposes of processes 10, 110, and 210, or to receive input from the microphone only in limited circumstances. By receiving input from the microphone and applying any of processes 10, 110, and 210, system 310 can reduce the influence of the user's voice, ambient sound, or sound emitted from system 310's own speaker on barometer measurements.

[0063] Figure 7 The illustration shows another application of system 310 in a cellular device. When the cellular device generates audible and haptic feedback, system 310 identifies conditions created by the device's noise-associated hardware (e.g., the cellular device's speaker and haptic actuator). By executing any of processes 10, 110, and 210, the system can reduce the impact of vibration from the cellular device or sound from the speaker on barometer measurements, for example, by delaying individual barometer sampling to avoid acquiring measurements from the barometer while the actuator is causing the device to vibrate or the speaker is emitting loud noise. Reducing the influence of conditions that introduce noise into measurements acquired from the barometer allows the device to determine barometric pressure or altitude with an efficient overall accuracy comparable to that obtained by sampling the barometer at a relatively fast, constant rate. Therefore, the device achieves high accuracy at a constant sampling rate without associated power consumption.

[0064] Although Figures 5-7 Examples are described as being applied to smartwatches and cellular devices; the same features can be applied to any wearable personal electronic device, such as earbuds, pendants, and smart glasses. Therefore, although System 310 in Figure 5The system is shown as being implemented in a smartwatch or wrist-worn activity tracker, but the same functionality can be performed using system 310, which is used in cellular devices. Similarly, although system 310 is shown as being implemented in... Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is implemented in cellular devices, but the same functionality can be performed using systems applied to smartwatches.

[0065] Although the subject matter herein has been described with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that these examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to the illustrative examples, and other arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: Barometer sensor; The barometer noise association hardware is capable of detecting the movement of the device or detecting or generating sound. as well as One or more processors that communicate with the sensor and the noise-associated hardware, the one or more processors being configured to: The barometer noise association hardware is periodically checked for barometer noise association conditions, wherein checking the barometer noise association hardware for barometer noise association conditions includes checking for instructions sent to the output hardware that, when executed by the output hardware, cause the output hardware to generate conditions that allow barometer noise to be introduced into the measurement acquired by the barometer sensor. as well as The determination is made to acquire a measurement from the barometer sensor when the barometer noise association condition is within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring a measurement from the barometer sensor by waiting for a delay interval depending on the instruction corresponding to the barometer noise association condition when the barometer noise association condition is outside acceptable limits.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to: After the delay interval ends, the barometer noise association hardware is checked again for the second barometer noise association condition; and Determine whether to acquire the second measurement from the barometer sensor if the second barometer noise association condition is within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring the second measurement from the barometer sensor if the second barometer noise association condition is outside acceptable limits.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The processor is configured to acquire a third measurement from the barometer sensor after a predetermined number of delays, regardless of barometer noise correlation conditions.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The barometer sensor is the first sensor, and the barometer noise association hardware includes a second sensor that is sampled more frequently than the first sensor.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The acceptable limit of the barometer noise association condition is a predefined threshold order of magnitude of the output of the barometer noise association hardware.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to interpret the measurement using recently observed barometer noise correlation conditions once a measurement is acquired from the barometer sensor.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The barometer noise-correlation hardware includes at least one of the following: a loudspeaker, an actuator, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and an inertial measurement unit.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more processors are configured to estimate the height of the device using measurements obtained from the barometer sensor.

9. A method for periodically sampling a barometer sensor, comprising: Using one or more processors, check hardware other than the barometer sensor that can detect device movement or detect or generate sound for barometer noise association conditions, wherein checking for barometer noise association conditions includes checking for instructions sent to output hardware that, when executed by the output hardware, cause the output hardware to generate conditions that can introduce barometer noise into measurements acquired by the barometer sensor. as well as The one or more processors determine whether to acquire a measurement from the barometer sensor if the barometer noise association condition is within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring a measurement from the barometer sensor by waiting for a delay interval depending on the instruction corresponding to the barometer noise association condition if the barometer noise association condition is outside acceptable limits.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising: After the delay interval ends, the steps of checking the hardware and making a determination to acquire or delay the acquisition of the measurement are repeated.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising: Each time a measurement is acquired, the acceptable limit is adjusted to become more lenient relative to the initial state, and once the measurement is acquired, the acceptable limit is reset to the initial state.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The steps of checking the hardware and making a determination are performed at the end of a repeated sampling interval that is longer than the delay interval.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising: Once the predetermined buffer period following the end of the given sampling interval has elapsed, if no measurement has been obtained from the barometer sensor since the end of the given sampling interval, a measurement shall be obtained from the barometer sensor regardless of the barometer noise conditions.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, said instructions, when executed by one or more processors, causing the processors to: Regularly inspect the barometer noise correlation hardware based on the barometer noise correlation conditions. The barometer noise association hardware is capable of detecting device movement or detecting or generating sound. The barometer noise association condition check includes checking for instructions sent to the output hardware that, when executed by the output hardware, cause the output hardware to generate conditions that allow barometer noise to be introduced into the measurement acquired by the barometer sensor. as well as The determination is made to acquire a measurement from the barometer sensor if the barometer noise correlation condition is within acceptable limits, or to delay acquiring the measurement from the barometer sensor by waiting for a delay interval depending on the instruction corresponding to the barometer noise correlation condition if the barometer noise correlation condition is outside acceptable limits.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to: After the delay interval ends, the steps of checking the hardware and determining whether to acquire or delay the acquisition of the measurement are repeated.

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