Altitude Detection in Mobile Devices Using Sensor Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices equipped with atmospheric pressure sensors face challenges in accurately detecting changes in altitude due to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, leading to errors in altitude calculation during travel.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating both an atmospheric pressure sensor and an acceleration sensor, the device calculates altitude changes by correcting atmospheric pressure variations observed during travel based on stationary conditions, thereby reducing errors and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If altitude detection is performed using atmospheric pressure sensor alone, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to atmospheric pressure fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines atmospheric pressure sensor and acceleration sensor into a unified detection system. The controller integrates data from both sensors to distinguish between altitude changes and atmospheric pressure fluctuations, thereby improving altitude detection accuracy without relying on a single sensor type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The acceleration sensor acts as an intermediary that provides contextual information about device movement. By analyzing acceleration data, the system can determine whether observed atmospheric pressure changes are due to actual altitude changes or atmospheric fluctuations, enabling more accurate altitude detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If atmospheric pressure fluctuations are not corrected, then calculation process is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in altitude calculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude calculation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors both atmospheric pressure and acceleration data, using the acceleration information as feedback to correct atmospheric pressure-based altitude calculations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for measurement errors in real-time, improving altitude calculation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically adjusts the altitude calculation parameters based on detected movement states. When acceleration data indicates device movement, the system modifies the atmospheric pressure conversion parameters to account for these conditions, thereby maintaining calculation accuracy under varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 accuracy of altitude detection and traveling environment determination by isolating altitude changes from atmospheric fluctuations, resulting in precise altitude calculations and improved energy consumption analysis.

Implementation Method 1

detecting atmospheric pressure acting on the mobile electronic device by employing the atmospheric pressure sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmospheric pressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

detecting acceleration acting on the mobile electronic device by employing the acceleration sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10228244B2Mobile electronic device, controlling method, and control program for computer

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A mobile electronic device (e.g., a smartphone) includes an atmospheric pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a controller. The atmospheric pressure sensor detects atmospheric pressure acting on the mobile electronic device. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration acting on the mobile electronic device. The controller detects traveling of the device on the basis of the acceleration. The controller calculates a change in an altitude of the device by correcting a change in the atmospheric pressure observed while the device is traveling, on the basis of a change in the atmospheric pressure observed while the device is not traveling.