Sensor calibration based on device use state

• US 9,746,491 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Perotti, Erik, Bran, Cary
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Toan
• Application Number:
  US14/216,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20150260754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the preceding groups
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

A wearable device includes: a first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal; a second sensor configured to provide a second sensor signal; and a processor configured to i) determine whether the wearable device is being worn based on the first sensor signal, and ii) calibrate the second sensor responsive to determining that the wearable device is being worn. Also, a holdable device includes a first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal; a second sensor configured to provide a second sensor signal; and a processor configured to i) determine whether the holdable device is being held based on the first sensor signal, and ii) calibrate the second sensor responsive to determining that the holdable device is being held.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising:

a first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal;

a second sensor configured to provide a second sensor signal; and

a processor configured to

i) determine whether the wearable device is being worn based on the first sensor signal, and

ii) calibrate the second sensor responsive to determining that the wearable device is being worn.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is further configured to calibrate the second sensor responsive to a selected interval elapsing after determining that the wearable device is being worn.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is further configured to calibrate the second sensor responsive to a selected interval elapsing after the wearable device is powered on.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising:

a third sensor configured to provide a third sensor signal;

wherein the processor is further configured to

i) determine a motion of the wearable device based on the third sensor signal; and

ii) calibrate the second sensor responsive to the motion of the wearable device being less than a threshold motion.

5. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of:

a microphone;

an accelerometer;

a gyroscope;

an environmental sensor; and

a biometric sensor.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of:

a don/doff sensor; and

a clasp detector.

7. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a headset;

a bracelet;

a necklace;

a ring; and

a garment.

8. A holdable device comprising:

a first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal;

a second sensor configured to provide a second sensor signal; and

a processor configured to

i) determine whether the holdable device is being held based on the first sensor signal, and

ii) calibrate the second sensor responsive to determining that the holdable device is being held.

9. The holdable device of claim 8, wherein:

the processor is further configured to calibrate the second sensor responsive to a selected interval elapsing after determining that the holdable device is being held.

10. The holdable device of claim 8, wherein:

the processor is further configured to calibrate the second sensor responsive to a selected interval elapsing after the holdable device is powered on.

11. The holdable device of claim 8, further comprising:

a third sensor configured to provide a third sensor signal;

wherein the processor is further configured to

i) determine a motion of the holdable device based on the third sensor signal; and

ii) calibrate the second sensor responsive to the motion of the holdable device being less than a threshold motion.

12. The holdable device of claim 8, wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of:

a microphone;

an accelerometer;

a gyroscope;

an environmental sensor; and

a biometric sensor.

13. The holdable device of claim 8, wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of:

a don/doff sensor; and

a clasp detector.

14. The holdable device of claim 8, further comprising at least one of:

sports equipment;

toys; and

tools.

15. A memory comprising a computer-readable storage device tangibly embodying instructions executable by a computer in a device to perform functions comprising:

receiving a first sensor signal from a first sensor;

receiving a second sensor signal from a second sensor;

determining whether the device is being worn or held based on the first sensor signal; and

calibrating the second sensor responsive to determining that the device is being worn or held.

16. The memory of claim 15, wherein the functions further comprise:

calibrating the second sensor responsive to a selected interval elapsing after determining that the device is being worn or held.

17. The memory of claim 15, wherein the functions further comprise:

calibrating the second sensor responsive to a selected interval elapsing after the device is powered on.

18. The memory of claim 15, wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving a third sensor signal from a third sensor;

determining a motion of the device based on the third sensor signal; and

calibrating the second sensor responsive to the motion of the device being less than a threshold motion.

19. The memory of claim 15, wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of:

a microphone;

an accelerometer;

a gyroscope;

an environmental sensor; and

a biometric sensor.

20. The memory of claim 15, wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of:

a don/doff sensor; and

a clasp detector.