METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE HEIGHT OF A DEVICE ABOVE GROUND
First Claim
1. A device having a processor for determining the height above ground, the processor configured for performing the steps comprising:
- receiving barometric pressure data samples from a barometric pressure sensor;
evaluating the barometric pressure data samples to determine a slope of a best fit line that represents a change in height of the device between a current sample time and one, or more, previous sample times; and
applying a value representing the slope to a previously determined current height value of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device updates a value representing its current height above ground when it detects a height change. The device uses the slope calculated from collected barometric pressure data samples to calculate height change during a period when the value of the slope exceeds a predetermined value. The device also analyzes a predetermined number of barometric pressure sensor data samples preceding and succeeding a height change indicated by the slope change. The device performs an evaluation, i.e., determining the difference between an average of the preceding and succeeding samples, to determine a height change. The device may select either the slope-of-the-curve-during-the-height-change-period method or the difference-between-the-averages method based on meeting a criterion. The processor de-energizes a GPS circuit, height determination method, and sets the height above ground to zero if it detects movement. Placing the device on a charger resets the device'"'"'s height value to the charger height above ground.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device having a processor for determining the height above ground, the processor configured for performing the steps comprising:
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receiving barometric pressure data samples from a barometric pressure sensor; evaluating the barometric pressure data samples to determine a slope of a best fit line that represents a change in height of the device between a current sample time and one, or more, previous sample times; and applying a value representing the slope to a previously determined current height value of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. The device of claim A wherein the slope is compared to a predetermined criterion and added to the previously determined current height value of the device if the slope exceeds the predetermined criterion.
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10. A device having a processor for determining the height above ground, the processor configured for performing the steps comprising:
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receiving data corresponding to barometric pressure data samples from a barometric pressure sensor into a first memory; evaluating the data corresponding to the barometric pressure, data samples to determine whether a slope of the data corresponding to the barometric pressure data samples exceeds a predetermined first slope threshold indicating a first change in slope; storing the data from the first memory to a second memory when the slope of the data corresponding to the barometric pressure data samples does not exceed a predetermined second slope threshold indicating a second change in slope; evaluating the data corresponding to the barometric pressure data samples stored in the first and second memories to determine that a change in height of the device has occurred during a period between the occurrences of the first and second changes in slope; and applying a value corresponding the determined change in height to a previously determined current height value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device having a processor for determining the height above ground, the processor configured for performing the steps comprising:
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receiving barometric pressure data samples from a barometric pressure sensor into a first memory; evaluating the barometric pressure data samples to determine a slope of the barometric pressure data samples; comparing the determined slope to a predetermined slope criterion; storing samples stored in the first memory into a second memory when the determined slope exceeds the predetermined slope criterion indicating a first change in slope; determining an offset value based on the determined slope and sample rate that the first memory receives the barometric pressure data samples; determining whether the offset value exceeds a predetermined offset threshold value; adding the offset value to a current height value if the offset value exceeds the predetermined offset threshold value; and if the offset value does not exceed the predetermined offset threshold value; storing the received barometric data from the first memory to a third memory if the evaluation of the barometric pressure data samples indicates that a second change in slope has occurred; evaluating the barometric pressure data samples stored in the second and third memories to determine that a change in height of the device has occurred during a period between the occurrences of the first and second changes in slope; and adding a value corresponding the change in height determined from the first and second changes in slope to the current height value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification