Elevation Estimation Using Pressure Sensor Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating elevation traveled by a user using pressure sensors are prone to aberrant value issues due to acoustic phenomena and require significant computational resources, leading to unreliable and resource-intensive calculations.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs variance calculation and filtering to eliminate aberrant pressure values, using a sampling-filtering-calculation process to provide real-time elevation estimation with reduced computational load, involving a first sampling frequency for filtering and a lower second frequency for variance calculation, and a threshold comparison to validate height differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threshold filters and hysteresis mechanisms are used for elevation estimation, then elevation changes can be determined, but the algorithm is disrupted by outlier values from acoustic phenomena and requires significant computing power and memory capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes outlier values from the pressure data stream before processing. By identifying and eliminating aberrant pressure values caused by acoustic phenomena, the algorithm processes only valid elevation-related data, reducing computational load while improving reliability of elevation estimates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple statistical measures (mean and standard deviation) that are computationally inexpensive to calculate and discard after use. These temporary calculations replace complex hysteresis mechanisms, providing reliable filtering with minimal computational resources on embedded devices
2Productivity
If threshold filters are used to detect elevation changes, then elevation data can be obtained, but false triggers occur due to acoustic phenomena such as door openings or elevator entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing treatments to different portions of the pressure data. Valid pressure changes are processed for elevation calculation, while outlier values identified by statistical deviation are excluded. This selective processing maintains productivity for genuine elevation changes while eliminating false triggers from acoustic phenomena
Solution Approach 2:
The patent continuously monitors pressure data statistics (mean and standard deviation) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust which data points are processed. When outliers are detected through statistical analysis, they are automatically excluded from elevation calculations, creating a self-regulating system that reduces false triggers while maintaining accurate elevation tracking
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 effectively discriminates true elevation changes from noise, providing reliable real-time elevation data while minimizing computational power and memory usage, thus reducing false triggers and maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
This device is adapted to measure ambient pressure and deduce the corresponding altitude. Measuring pressure changes allows the corresponding change in altitude to be deduced
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for estimating the elevation change over a user, said method using a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, the pressure sensor being adapted to be kept substantially attached to the user, the method comprising at least: a) - a periodic sampling operation of the raw pressure values, recording the current raw pressure at a first sampling frequency (F1), the raw values being stored as pressure or corresponding altitude in a first buffer (B1), b) - a filtering operation based on the raw values stored in the first buffer (B1) to determine filtered values, c) - a variance calculation, performed on at least a part of the filtered values, in order to determine a condition for taking into account the elevation changes corresponding to the observed differences in pressure or altitude.