Barometric Sensor Calibration via Building Height Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
The barometric pressure sensor in mobile devices is challenging to calibrate, especially in urban environments or indoors, due to its susceptibility to drift and the need for frequent calibration, which is impractical when the device is not at a known altitude.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the building height and uses atmospheric pressure measurements to calculate a combined calibration value, allowing for calibration of the barometric sensor even in less-than-ideal conditions such as indoors or on bumpy terrain by identifying the building's height and using a combination of calibration values from multiple buildings to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barometric pressure sensor calibration is performed using traditional methods requiring known altitude locations, then calibration accuracy is improved, but calibration frequency and availability deteriorate due to inability to calibrate at every location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces building height information as an intermediary element that enables calibration without requiring direct knowledge of the device's absolute altitude. By using the building's known height combined with barometric pressure measurements taken at different floors, the system can calculate calibration offsets without needing GPS-grade altitude accuracy, thus enabling calibration in urban and indoor environments where traditional methods fail
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on vertical altitude dimension (which requires precise GPS or known elevation points) to incorporating horizontal building structure dimension. By utilizing building height, floor level information, and spatial relationships within the building, the system creates a new calibration approach that works in environments where traditional altitude-based calibration is unavailable
2Adaptability or versatility
If barometric pressure sensor is used for altitude estimation in urban environments, then positioning capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to drift and environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously compares barometric pressure-based altitude estimates with altitude derived from building height information and floor level data. This feedback loop enables real-time drift detection and correction, maintaining measurement precision even in challenging urban and indoor environments where the sensor would otherwise accumulate errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts calibration parameters based on the device's location context. When the device is detected to be within a building, the system activates building-specific calibration using known building height parameters. When outdoors, it switches to terrain-based calibration, thereby adapting the measurement parameters to match the environmental context and maintain precision across diverse settings
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed at every location to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and calibration process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the calibration system to automatically detect when calibration conditions are met and perform calibration without user intervention. The system monitors its own location, determines when it is inside a building with known height parameters, collects necessary pressure measurements, and executes calibration autonomously, thereby maintaining precision without requiring complex user-managed calibration schedules or procedures
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 enables precise calibration of the barometric pressure sensor in various environments, enhancing altitude estimation accuracy and reducing the need for frequent recalibration, even in situations where traditional calibration methods are impractical.
Implementation Method 1
collecting first atmospheric pressure measurements inside the first building using a barometric pressure sensor of the computing device
Data Source
AI summary
Estimated positions of a computing device and whether the computing device is inside a building are determined. Atmospheric pressure measurements are collected when inside the buildings using a barometric pressure sensor of the computing device. Heights of the buildings are determined. Calibration values based on the heights of the buildings and the atmospheric pressure measurements are determined. A combined calibration value is determined based on the plurality of calibration values. The combined calibration value corresponds to a numerical overlap region of the plurality of calibration values.