Barometric Pressure Sensor Altitude Correction for Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile and vehicle-based systems for collision threat detection often provide erroneous alarms due to inaccurate elevation data, particularly when vehicles are at different altitudes, leading to unnecessary alerts and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computer atmospheric barometric pressure system that includes barometric pressure sensors and processors to adjust measurements for acceleration and noise, providing accurate altitude data to differentiate between vehicles at the same or different elevations, thereby preventing false collision alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS latitude and longitude data is used to determine collision risk, then collision detection capability is provided, but elevation accuracy is insufficient leading to false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces barometric pressure as an intermediary measurement to determine elevation. Instead of relying solely on GPS latitude and longitude data which lacks accurate elevation information, the system uses a barometer to measure atmospheric pressure and convert it to elevation data. This intermediary measurement enables the system to accurately determine the vertical separation between vehicles, thereby reducing false collision alarms while maintaining collision detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If barometric pressure sensors are added to measure altitude, then elevation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the barometric pressure sensor serve multiple functions: it measures both the primary function of determining vehicle separation altitude for collision detection, and can also be used for other vehicle monitoring purposes. By integrating the barometer into the existing vehicle computer system and utilizing its data for multiple analytical purposes, the system achieves accurate altitude measurement without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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
The system ensures accurate altitude determination, reducing false collision alarms and enhancing safety by providing reliable collision threat assessments based on precise altitude information.
Implementation Method 1
Barometric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of air in the atmosphere of Earth
Implementation Method 2
The sensor set may include one or more accelerometers
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a system, method and tangible memory for providing a vehicular barometric pressure reading. The system includes a plurality of electronic sensor devices configured to record first barometric pressure data describing a first barometric pressure associated with the vehicle. Each of the electronic sensor devices may record a separate barometric pressure reading associated with the vehicle. The system may further include an onboard vehicle computer that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of electronic sensor devices and programmed to (1) analyze the separate barometric pressure readings to determine, for each of the electronic sensor devices, a confidence factor indicating a confidence in the accuracy of the barometric pressure reading for each of the electronic sensor devices and (2) determine whether to provide a sensor service recommendation based on the confidence factor.