Sensing device for determining weather event attributes

• US 8,635,024 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Brillhart, David C., Karels, Nicholas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundu, Sujoy
• Assistant Examiner(s): RABOVIANSKI, IVAN I
• Application Number:
  US12/848,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20120029823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 702/1, 702/2, 702/3
• US Class Current: 702/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/14 Rainfall or precipitation gauges measuring volume in general G01F

Abstract

A sensing device for use in determining at least one attribute of a weather event comprising a plurality of elements. The sensing device can comprise a pressure sensitive surface. The pressure sensitive surface can comprise a pressure sensor. In response to receiving pressure applied by one of the elements, the pressure sensor can generate an output. A first attribute of the at least one attribute of the weather event is determinable at least in part from the output. A system, method, and computer program product for use in determining the at least one attribute are also provided.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program for determining at least one attribute of a weather event comprising a plurality of elements, the computer program comprising:

first program instructions to receive an output generated by a pressure sensitive surface receiving pressure imparted by a raindrop falling on the pressure sensitive surface, the output indicating a location of applied pressure on the pressure sensitive surface, wherein the pressure sensitive surface is flat and declines toward an accumulator; and

second program instructions to determine a first attribute of the at least one attribute at least in part from the output;

wherein the first attribute is an attribute selected from the group consisting of an average distance between falling raindrops impacting the pressure sensitive surface, and an average size of raindrops impacting the pressure sensitive surface;

wherein the first and second program instructions are stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the computer program is provided on a server of a service provider.