Adaptive Barometric Sensor Sampling for Indoor Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor navigation techniques using barometric pressure sensors for altitude determination in mobile devices are less reliable due to weather changes, leading to increased power consumption when continuously taking measurements.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device adjusts the sampling rate of its barometric pressure sensor based on movement detected by motion sensors, reducing the rate when stationary and increasing it during movement to conserve power while maintaining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the barometric pressure sensor takes measurements continuously to account for weather changes, then the reliability of altitude determination is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sampling rate adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the sampling rate based on detected movement: using a higher sampling rate when movement is detected and a lower sampling rate when the device is stationary. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the measurement frequency to actual needs, maintaining reliability when necessary while reducing power consumption during stationary periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sampling rate based on movement detection. By monitoring movement parameters and adjusting the sampling rate accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between measurement reliability and power consumption. The sampling rate is increased when movement indicates potential altitude changes and decreased when stationary, eliminating the need for continuous high-rate sampling.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the barometric pressure sensor reduces the sampling rate to conserve power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the reliability of altitude determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using motion sensors to detect device movement and providing this information back to control the barometric pressure sensor's sampling rate. The system continuously monitors movement and adjusts sampling accordingly, ensuring that reliability is maintained when movement occurs while enabling power savings during stationary periods. This feedback mechanism prevents the reliability deterioration that would occur with purely reduced sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the sampling rate based on real-time movement detection, making the measurement process adaptive rather than static. This dynamic approach ensures that the sampling rate is optimized for current conditions, maintaining measurement reliability when needed while reducing power consumption when the device is stationary.
3Measurement precision
If the barometric pressure sensor operates at a high sampling rate to detect movement-induced altitude changes, then the measurement precision is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using motion sensors to detect device movement before altitude changes occur. This preliminary detection allows the system to proactively adjust the sampling rate to match actual measurement needs, ensuring high measurement precision when movement is detected while avoiding unnecessary high-rate sampling during stationary periods, thus reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor acts as an intermediary that bridges the relationship between device state and barometric sampling. By detecting movement first and using this information to control the sampling rate of the barometric pressure sensor, the system optimizes measurement precision while minimizing power consumption, eliminating the need for continuously high-rate sampling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the reliability of altitude determination in indoor navigation while reducing power consumption and battery drain, especially in multi-level environments.
Implementation Method 1
mobile devices can use barometric pressure sensors to determine when the mobile device transitions between floors
Implementation Method 2
one or more motion sensors configured to measure movement of the mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques provided herein are directed toward adjusting the rate at which a mobile device's barometric pressure sensor takes measurements, based on whether movement is detected from motion sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and the like. Where movement is below a threshold (e.g., below a threshold speed or within a threshold distance), then the barometric pressure sensor can reduce the sampling rate to a rate that still enables the mobile device to account for changes in the weather. If movement is detected (e.g., greater than a threshold distance), then the sampling rate of the barometric pressure sensor increases (i.e., to a normal rate for determining vertical movement changes).