Mobile Pressure Sensor Calibration via Location Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure sensors in mobile devices face challenges in achieving accurate calibration, which is crucial for applications like altitude measurement and environmental monitoring, due to variations in environmental conditions and usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for calibrating pressure sensors in mobile devices using location-based reference pressure information from external sources, which can be obtained through a personal area network or servers, and compensating for environmental variables like temperature and humidity, allowing for continuous updates and adjustments based on usage conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pressure sensor calibration is performed using fixed factory settings, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic calibration by continuously updating pressure sensor readings using reference pressure data from external sources (weather stations, barometric models) adjusted for local conditions. Instead of fixed factory calibration, the system adapts calibration parameters in real-time based on environmental variables like temperature, humidity, and location-specific atmospheric pressure, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and measurement accuracy under varying conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes calibration parameters dynamically by incorporating environmental compensations for temperature, humidity, and altitude. The calibration manager adjusts pressure readings based on reference data from external sources, transforming static factory calibration into a dynamic process that adapts to changing environmental conditions, thereby maintaining measurement precision across diverse operating scenarios
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensor calibration uses location-based reference data from external sources, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a calibration manager as an intermediary software component that handles the complexity of external data acquisition and processing. This mediator layer communicates with external sources (weather services, barometric models) and translates reference pressure data into calibration adjustments, shielding the pressure sensor hardware from complexity while enabling high-precision measurements through location-based environmental compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration manager serves multiple functions: acquiring reference pressure data from various external sources, adjusting for local environmental conditions, compensating for temperature and humidity effects, and updating calibration parameters. This multi-functional component consolidates the complexity into a single software module, enabling precise pressure measurements without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Measurement precision
If environmental variables are compensated for in pressure measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial environmental compensation by selectively adjusting for the most significant factors (temperature and humidity) rather than attempting to compensate for all possible environmental variables. The calibration manager implements compensation only when reference pressure data is available and environmental conditions warrant adjustment, achieving improved measurement precision while avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from continuous comprehensive environmental monitoring and compensation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for calibrating a pressure sensor associated with a mobile device. Location information may be determined for the mobile device and used to obtain reference pressure information. The reference pressure information may then be used to calibrate the pressure sensor. Additionally, when the pressure sensor of the mobile device has been calibrated, output from the pressure sensor may be used as reference pressure information by another device.