Calibrated hardware sensors for estimating real-world distances

US8886449B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• QUALCOMM Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Sundeep Vaddadi · San Diego, US
• John H. Hong · San Diego, US
• Chong U. Lee · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 31, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 11, 2014
• Expiry date: Jul 31, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B11/028
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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).