Mobile Barometric Pressure Normalization via GPS Altitude
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weather prediction systems are limited by their requirement to remain stationary to accurately track barometric pressure trends, as they fail to compensate for altitude changes, making them unreliable for mobile use and unable to provide absolute pressure normalized to sea level, which is essential for accurate weather forecasting.
Innovation Solution
A mobile weather monitoring and prediction system that utilizes a satellite radiolocalization system to provide absolute altitude measurements, compensating for altitude effects and normalizing barometric pressure readings to sea level, allowing for reliable predictions while in motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a barometric pressure sensor is made portable for mobile use, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to altitude variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of GPS altitude measurements and a barometric formula to mediate between the raw pressure sensor readings and the corrected sea-level pressure values. The GPS receiver provides altitude data that serves as a mediator to compensate for altitude effects, while the barometric formula acts as a mathematical intermediary to transform local pressure readings into standardized sea-level pressure values, thereby resolving the contradiction between portability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the pressure measurements based on altitude variations. The system continuously monitors altitude changes via GPS and applies corresponding corrections to the pressure readings using the barometric formula. This parameter-based compensation approach allows the portable device to maintain measurement precision equivalent to stationary instruments by adapting the pressure values to standard sea-level conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor remains stationary to track pressure trends, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static pressure measurement approach into a dynamic system that continuously adapts to changing altitude conditions. Instead of requiring the sensor to remain stationary, the system dynamically compensates for altitude changes by continuously receiving GPS altitude data and applying real-time corrections using the barometric formula. This dynamic adaptation enables the sensor to maintain measurement precision while being mobile, resolving the contradiction between stationary requirement and mobile capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes by continuously adjusting the pressure measurements based on real-time altitude variations detected by GPS. The barometric formula is applied dynamically to transform local pressure readings into standardized sea-level pressure values, allowing the sensor to maintain measurement accuracy equivalent to stationary instruments while being completely mobile and adaptable to various usage scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If altitude compensation is added to portable units, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of modern mobile devices by integrating the barometric pressure sensor and GPS receiver into a single multi-functional platform. Rather than adding a separate dedicated altitude measurement system, the invention utilizes the already-present GPS capability of smartphones and tablets to provide altitude data for pressure compensation. This approach achieves improved measurement precision while minimizing additional device complexity by repurposing existing universal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by utilizing the device's own GPS receiver to provide the altitude compensation data needed for accurate pressure measurements. The mobile device serves itself by using its built-in positioning capabilities to compensate for altitude effects, eliminating the need for external or additional specialized hardware. This self-service approach improves measurement precision without significantly increasing device 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
Enables accurate and reliable weather predictions in a mobile environment by compensating for altitude variations, improving the accuracy of pressure trend analysis and enabling timely warnings for severe weather events.
Implementation Method 1
a satellite radiolocalization receiver, including an antenna and a RF front-end arranged to receive radiolocalization signal from a constellation of positioning satellites
Implementation Method 2
electronic sensor of absolute pressure open to the local atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention consists of a barometric pressure sensor, coupled to a processor for recording changes in the pressure over time, this is coupled to a GPS device providing an accurate measurement of the altitude which allows for the barometric pressure measurements to be normalized, typically to mean sea level. Once the measurements have been normalized the effects of the vertical motion of the sensor are effectively removed and the resulting trend shows the absolute atmospheric pressure which can then be used for weather prediction.