Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for calibrating a sensor under disruptive conditions. The apparatus includes user equipment. The user equipment includes a memory element and processing circuitry coupled to the memory element. The processing circuitry monitors at least one sensor of the user equipment. The at least one sensor includes an existing calibration. The processing circuitry also identifies a disruption in a sensor of the at least one senor, the disruption causing unexpected sensor readings for the sensor based on the existing calibration. The processing circuitry also calculates a new calibration based on the disruption.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present application relates generally to sensors and, more specifically, to calibrating sensor devices under disruptive conditions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Peripheral sensor devices are becoming more common in the mobile market. Specifically, wearable technologies that can calculate steps and activity are able to be paired with user equipment (UE) and report health information to a user. These wearable technologies are costly due to the sensors, transmission capabilities, size, batteries, among other reasons. Additionally, the wearable technologies must be charged periodically and sometimes a user may not have charged the device before an activity. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An apparatus is provided for calibrating a sensor under disruptive conditions. The apparatus includes user equipment. The user equipment includes a memory element and processing circuitry coupled to the memory element. The processing circuitry monitors at least one sensor of the user equipment. The at least one sensor includes an existing calibration. The processing circuitry also identifies a disruption in a sensor of the at least one senor, the disruption causing unexpected sensor readings for the sensor based on the existing calibration. The processing circuitry also calculates a new calibration based on the disruption. 
         [0004]    A method is provided for calibrating a sensor. The method includes monitoring at least one sensor of the user equipment. The at least one sensor includes an existing calibration. The method also includes identifying a disruption in the sensor of the at least one senor, the disruption causing unexpected sensor readings for the sensor based on the existing calibration. The method also includes calculating a new calibration based on the disruption. 
         [0005]    A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising logic, stored on the computer-readable storage medium for execution on a plurality of processors, is provided for calibrating a sensor. The logic provides for monitoring at least one sensor of the user equipment. The at least one sensor includes an existing calibration. The logic also provides for identifying a disruption in the sensor of the at least one senor, the disruption causing unexpected sensor readings for the sensor based on the existing calibration. The logic also provides for calculating a new calibration based on the disruption. 
         [0006]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example wireless network according to this disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example UE according to this disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates calibration system with user equipment performing sensor calibration in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an activity setup with user equipment and a disruption device setting disruption values in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates an activity with user equipment and a disruption device in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process for managing sensor readings in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIGS. 1 through 6 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of this disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged device or system. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example wireless network  100  according to this disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network  100  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the wireless network  100  includes an eNodeB (eNB)  101 , an eNB  102 , and an eNB  103 . The eNB  101  communicates with the eNB  102  and the eNB  103 . The eNB  101  also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network  130 , such as the Internet, a proprietary IP network, or other data network. 
         [0017]    The eNB  102  provides wireless broadband access to the network  130  for a first plurality of user equipments (UEs) within a coverage area  120  of the eNB  102 . The first plurality of UEs includes a UE  111 , which may be located in a small business (SB); a UE  112 , which may be located in an enterprise (E); a UE  113 , which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); a UE  114 , which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE  115 , which may be located in a second residence (R); and a UE  116 , which may be a mobile device (M) like a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, or the like. The eNB  103  provides wireless broadband access to the network  130  for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area  125  of the eNB  103 . The second plurality of UEs includes the UE  115  and the UE  116 . In some embodiments, one or more of the eNBs  101 - 103  may communicate with each other and with the UEs  111 - 116  using 5G, LTE, LTE-A, WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication techniques. 
         [0018]    Depending on the network type, other well-known terms may be used instead of “eNodeB” or “eNB,” such as “base station” or “access point.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “eNodeB” and “eNB” are used in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Also, depending on the network type, other well-known terms may be used instead of “user equipment” or “UE,” such as “mobile station,” “subscriber station,” “remote terminal,” “wireless terminal,” or “user device.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “user equipment” and “UE” are used in this patent document to refer to remote wireless equipment that wirelessly accesses an eNB, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normally considered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine). 
         [0019]    Dotted lines show the approximate extents of the coverage areas  120  and  125 , which are shown as approximately circular for the purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with eNBs, such as the coverage areas  120  and  125 , may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending upon the configuration of the eNBs and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstructions. 
         [0020]    Although  FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a wireless network  100 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 1 . For example, the wireless network  100  could include any number of eNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Also, the eNB  101  could communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to the network  130 . Similarly, each eNB  102 - 103  could communicate directly with the network  130  and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to the network  130 . Further, the eNB  101 ,  102 , and/or  103  could provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example UE  116  according to this disclosure. The embodiment of the UE  116  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is for illustration only, and the UEs  111 - 115  of  FIG. 1  could have the same or similar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety of configurations, and  FIG. 2  does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation of a UE. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the UE  116  includes an antenna  205 , a radio frequency (RF) transceiver  210 , transmit (TX) processing circuitry  215 , a microphone  220 , and receive (RX) processing circuitry  225 . The UE  116  also includes a speaker  230 , a main processor  240 , an input/output (I/O) interface (IF)  245 , a keypad  250 , a display  255 , and a memory  260 . The memory  260  includes a basic operating system (OS) program  261  and one or more applications  262 . 
         [0023]    The RF transceiver  210  receives, from the antenna  205 , an incoming RF signal transmitted by an eNB of the network  100 . The RF transceiver  210  down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent to the RX processing circuitry  225 , which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry  225  transmits the processed baseband signal to the speaker  230  (such as for voice data) or to the main processor  240  for further processing (such as for web browsing data). 
         [0024]    The TX processing circuitry  215  receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone  220  or other outgoing baseband data (such as web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from the main processor  240 . The TX processing circuitry  215  encodes, multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceiver  210  receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuitry  215  and up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via the antenna  205 . 
         [0025]    The main processor  240  can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute the basic OS program  261  stored in the memory  260  in order to control the overall operation of the UE  116 . For example, the main processor  240  could control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver  210 , the RX processing circuitry  225 , and the TX processing circuitry  215  in accordance with well-known principles. In some embodiments, the main processor  240  includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller. 
         [0026]    The main processor  240  is also capable of executing other processes and programs resident in the memory  260 . The main processor  240  can move data into or out of the memory  260  as required by an executing process. In some embodiments, the main processor  240  is configured to execute the applications  262  based on the OS program  261  or in response to signals received from eNBs or an operator. The main processor  240  is also coupled to the I/O interface  245 , which provides the UE  116  with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I/O interface  245  is the communication path between these accessories and the main processor  240 . 
         [0027]    The main processor  240  is also coupled to the keypad  250  and the display unit  255 . The operator of the UE  116  can use the keypad  250  to enter data into the UE  116 . The display  255  may be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of rendering text and/or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites. 
         [0028]    The memory  260  is coupled to the main processor  240 . Part of the memory  260  could include a random access memory (RAM), and another part of the memory  260  could include a Flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM). 
         [0029]    The sensors  270  are also coupled to the main processor  240 . The sensors  270  can detect events or changes in quantities and provide a corresponding output. For example, sensors  270  can include gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, location sensors, and the like. In some embodiments, the sensors  270  are configured with calibrations  271 . The calibrations  271  allow for a baseline to measure changes against and can be adjusted. The sensors  270  can also obtain readings  272 . The readings can be changes between a measurement and the baseline calibration. The readings  272  can be stored in memory  260  as well as other storage devices. 
         [0030]    Although  FIG. 2  illustrates one example of UE  116 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 2 . For example, various components in  FIG. 2  could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. As a particular example, the main processor  240  could be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Also, while  FIG. 2  illustrates the UE  116  configured as a mobile telephone or smartphone, UEs could be configured to operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices. 
         [0031]    One or more embodiments of this disclosure provide establishing a base line value for a sensor, such as magnetometer, under induced adverse conditions and detecting movement of a UE sensor in and out of field of negative influence caused by induced condition 
         [0032]    In an example embodiment, a magnetometer on a UE is used to detect the proximity of a normal magnet. In another example embodiment, the UE uses this data to count and report an action and/or action, such as, for example, but not limited to, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, lap running, running, walking, jumping, swimming, and the like. 
         [0033]    In one example, a UE calibrates a sensor to establish a baseline measurement under disruptive conditions. Disruptive conditions can be when the sensors are having unexpected readings. Next, a user brings a normal magnet and performs configuration activity such as establishing one or more disruption values to store for reference. The disruption values may be referred to as threshold configuration values. The disruption values can be a range of values. 
         [0034]    Next, the user can wear the magnet and UE. The user places the magnet and UE in appropriate places based on activity (which can be identified for establishing the disruption values). For example, for sit-ups, a magnet can be placed on the floor near the left leg and a UE in pocket of shorts of a user. 
         [0035]    Next, the user can perform the activity, such as the sit-up. As the user performs the activity, the UE and magnet move nearer and further and the sensor has readings similar to the disruption values (or threshold values). The UE can keep track of a count of the repetitions of the disruption values being reached. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates calibration system  300  with user equipment performing sensor calibration in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiment of the calibration system  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is for illustration only. However, calibration systems come in a wide variety of configurations, and  FIG. 3  does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation of a calibration system. 
         [0037]    Calibration system  300  comprises a disruption device  302  and user equipment (UE)  304 . In an example embodiment, disruption device  302  may be any type of device that affects the readings of sensors of UE  304 . For example, disruption device  302  may be a magnet, metal, device producing an electric or magnetic field, and the like. Under scenarios where the disruption device  302  is not present, the sensors of UE  304  may read normal readings. For example, a magnetometer may read variations in measuring the Earth&#39;s magnetic field. A disruption device  302  in this example could be a magnet. The magnet could cause the magnetometer to have readings different from previous operating conditions. 
         [0038]    In an example embodiment, calibration system  300  shows UE  304   a  nearest to disruption device  302  causing a maximum level of disruption to the readings of the sensor of UE  304   a . UE  304   b  is at an intermediate range from disruption device  302  causing a moderate level of disruption to the readings of the sensor of UE  304   b . UE  304   c  can be at the furthest range while still having a reading of disruption. 
         [0039]    In an example embodiment, UE  304  can use the minimum and maximum readings to calibrate the sensors of UE  304  with the disruption device  302 . Additionally, the UE  304  can set specific disruption values for later reference. For example, the sensor value of UE  304   b  can be set as a disruption value. This disruption value can later be compared to a current sensor value of the UE  304 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates an activity setup  400  with user equipment and a disruption device setting disruption values in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiment of the activity setup  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is for illustration only. However, activity setups come in a wide variety of configurations, and  FIG. 4  does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation of an activity setup. 
         [0041]    Activity setup  400  comprises a user  402 , disruption device  302 , and user equipment (UE)  304 . During activity setup  400 , user  402  can wear or attach UE  304  at any position or location. User  402  can set a first disruption level at one position. For example, if there are two desirable positions and disruption levels, and those levels are “sit” and “stand”, then user  402  can set a first disruption level while standing. User  402  can set a second disruption level while sitting. In an example embodiment, there can be a difference in sensor readings, between the two positions, as they relate to disruption device  302 . For example, a sitting position may result in a greater value of disruption while a standing position may result in a lesser value. 
         [0042]    In another example embodiment, UE  304  can indicate or inform user  402  of a specific position to place UE  304  and disruption device  302 . Additionally, the UE  304  can indicate the positions of user  402  as well. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  illustrates an activity  500  with user equipment and a disruption device in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiment of the activity  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is for illustration only. However, activities come in a wide variety of configurations, and  FIG. 5  does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation of an activity. 
         [0044]    In an embodiment, activity  500  comprises a user  402 , disruption device  302 , and user equipment (UE)  304 . In one example, for activity  500 , user  402  can “sit” and “stand”. User  402  can perform this activity multiple times. For each position  502 , the sensors of UE  304  may have readings that fall within a disruption value range. When the readings fall within the disruption value, the UE  304  can count that instance. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process  600  for managing sensor readings in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The controller here may represent the main processor  240  and the memory element may be the memory  260  in  FIG. 2 . The embodiment of the process  600  shown in  FIG. 6  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the process  600  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0046]    At operation  602 , a controller instructs a user to move a magnet into a specified pre-determined zone. The magnet is an example of a disruption device. The pre-determined zone may be specific for the type of activity that the user it going to perform. 
         [0047]    At operation  604 , the controller controls the sensors to capture a maximum value. The maximum value can be the maximum value of the disruption in the readings caused by the disruption device, such as the magnet. The maximum value can be the value when the magnet is nearest to the UE. In another example, the maximum value can be a value of a specific distance between the disruption device and the UE. 
         [0048]    At operation  606 , a controller instructs a user to move a magnet outside a specified pre-determined zone. At operation  608 , the controller controls the sensors to capture a minimum value. The minimum value can be the minimum value of the disruption in the readings caused by the disruption device, such as the magnet. The minimum value can be the value when the magnet is furthest from the UE. In another example, the minimum value can be a value of a specific distance between the disruption device and the UE. 
         [0049]    At operation  610 , the controller determines whether a calibration value has been established. The calibration value can be a table of values that correlates to a distance from the UE and strength of the disruption in the sensor readings. If the calibration value has not been established, the process  600  moves to operation  602 . If the calibration value has been established, the controller, at operation  612 , stores the calibration value. The calibration value can be stored in memory or other types of storage. 
         [0050]    At operation  614 , the controller controls a display and/or audio device to instruct the user to wear the host device appropriately. The host device may be a UE or other type of device with sensors. The term “appropriately” can be defined as a specific location. For example, the controller can instruct the user to wear the host device in a pocket, on the ground, on a belt, and the like. For example, if the use is going to perform sit-ups, then the magnet can be placed on the ground while the UE is place on an arm or chest, or vice versa. At operation  616 , the controller controls a display and/or audio device to instruct the user to place the disruption device appropriately. 
         [0051]    At operation  618 , the controller controls a display and/or audio device to instruct the user to perform the activity. At operation  620 , the controller measures the current readings of the sensors of the host device. At operation  622 , the controller captures the activity by comparing the current readings to the calibrated values. At operation  624 , the controller determines whether the user is done with the activity. The user may input into the device that the user is finished, the controller may ask the user whether the user is finished, and/or a period of time may elapse that indicates that the user is finished. If the user is not finished, the process  600  moves to operation  620 . If the user is finished, the controller, at operation  626 , computes a result of the activity. 
         [0052]    The result of the activity may be a count of repetitions and/or a summary of all activities. At operation  628 , the controller controls a display to display the results. 
         [0053]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.