Sensor Device Event Time Accuracy via Delay Register
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately estimating the time of an event sensed by sensors, such as inertial sensors in mobile devices, due to internal delays, which can lead to inaccurate synchronization with other data and events.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device outputs a correction value to account for delays, allowing the system to estimate the time of the event by providing a difference between the event occurrence and the output time, expressed in clock cycles or absolute time, and generates interrupts to trigger the estimation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor readings are processed and output to the system, then the sensor data becomes available for use, but time delays occur between the actual event and the output time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the delay value in a delay register before the sensor reading is output. The delay value, which represents the time difference between the actual event and the output time, is computed in advance based on the processing time required. When a sensor reading is output, the system can immediately retrieve the pre-computed delay value to accurately determine the event time, eliminating the need for complex real-time delay calculations.
2Measurement precision
If delay calculations are performed to compensate for sensor delays, then event time accuracy improves, but the system complexity and computational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device performs self-service by automatically measuring its own processing delay and storing this information in the delay register. The delay value is determined by the sensor device itself based on its internal processing characteristics, without requiring external systems to perform complex measurements or calculations. This self-measured delay value is then used by the system to accurately compensate for the delay, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The delay register serves as an intermediary element that stores the pre-computed delay value. Instead of performing complex delay calculations at the time of event time determination, the system simply retrieves the delay value from this intermediary register. This intermediary structure decouples the delay measurement process from the event time calculation process, reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor device outputs correction values to account for delays, then the system can accurately estimate event times, but the data processing and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the delay value locally at the sensor device level through the delay register, rather than requiring global synchronization mechanisms or extensive data exchange between multiple sensors. Each sensor device independently determines and outputs its own delay value, which is then used locally by the system to correct the timing of that specific sensor's readings. This localized approach minimizes data volume while achieving accurate synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, methods, and computer-program products for reducing sensor reading time error and estimating the time of an event sensed by a sensor are presented. According to implementations, a sensor indicates to a system with which it interacts, the time when an event occurred. In some implementations, the sensor can generate an interrupt that is usable by the system to estimate the time when the event occurred. In implementations, the sensor can output a correction value that is usable by the system to estimate when the event occurred.