Calibrated hardware sensors for estimating real-world distances
First Claim
1. A method for estimating a real-world distance with a mobile device, the method comprising:
- calibrating a tilt-sensitive sensor of the mobile device;
orienting the mobile device toward an endpoint;
estimating a height of the mobile device;
receiving tilt-related data from the tilt-sensitive sensor;
estimating a tilt of the mobile device based at least in part on the received tilt-related data;
emitting, from the mobile device, a first signal;
detecting a reflected signal; and
estimating, via the mobile device, a multi-dimensional distance between the mobile device and an endpoint,wherein the estimated multi-dimensional distance is based on the reflected signal, estimated tilt and estimated height.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for assisting a user in determining a real-world distance. Hardware-based sensors (e.g., present in a mobile electronic device) may allow for a fast low-power determination of distances. In one embodiment, one or more telemetry-related sensors may be incorporated into a device. For example, data detected by a frequently-calibrated integrated accelerometer may be used to determine a tilt of the device. A device height may be estimated based on empirical data or based on a time difference between a signal (e.g., a sonar signal) emitted towards the ground and a corresponding detected signal. A triangulation technique may use the estimated tilt and height to estimate other real-world distances (e.g., from the device to an endpoint or between endpoints).
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for estimating a real-world distance with a mobile device, the method comprising:
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calibrating a tilt-sensitive sensor of the mobile device; orienting the mobile device toward an endpoint; estimating a height of the mobile device; receiving tilt-related data from the tilt-sensitive sensor; estimating a tilt of the mobile device based at least in part on the received tilt-related data; emitting, from the mobile device, a first signal; detecting a reflected signal; and estimating, via the mobile device, a multi-dimensional distance between the mobile device and an endpoint, wherein the estimated multi-dimensional distance is based on the reflected signal, estimated tilt and estimated height. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for estimating a real-world distance, the system comprising:
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a height estimator for estimating a height of the mobile device, the estimated height being relative to a ground level; a tilt estimator for estimating a tilt of a mobile device and orienting the mobile device toward an endpoint; a calibrator for calibrating the tilt estimator; a signal emitter and detector for emitting a first signal and detecting a reflected signal; a mobile device-to-endpoint distance estimator for estimating a multi-dimensional distance between the mobile device to the endpoint; and a display for presenting one or more distances, wherein at least one of the height estimator and the mobile device-to-endpoint distance estimator is coupled to the signal emitter and detector. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for estimating a real-world distance, the system comprising:
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means for calibrating a tilt-sensitive sensor of a mobile device; means for orienting the mobile device toward an endpoint; means for estimating a height of the mobile device; means for receiving tilt-related data from the tilt-sensitive sensor; means for estimating a tilt of the mobile device based at least in part on the received tilt-related data; means for emitting a first signal; means for detecting a reflected signal; and means for estimating a distance between the mobile device and an endpoint, wherein at least one of the means for estimating the height and the means for estimating the distance analyzes a time associated with the reflected signal, and wherein the estimated multi-dimensional distance is based on the reflected signal, estimated tilt and estimated height. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program which executes steps of:
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calibrating a tilt-sensitive sensor of a mobile device; orienting the mobile device toward an endpoint; estimating a height of the mobile device; receiving tilt-related data from the tilt-sensitive sensor; estimating a tilt of the mobile device based at least in part on the received tilt-related data; causing a first signal to be emitted; detecting a reflected signal; and estimating a multi-dimensional distance between the mobile device and an endpoint, wherein at least one of the estimated height and the estimated multi-dimensional distance is based on the detected reflected signal, estimated tilt and estimated height. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification