Patent ID: 7797129

Claim:
A method for processing a set of time-spaced input data values to provide an estimation of a selected running percentile of said set of input data values, said method comprising: a) setting a first estimated value stored in a register of an electronic median simulator device at a start value; b) receiving an input data value in said electronic median simulator device; c) in response to the receipt of said input data value, comparing said input data value to said first estimated value with a comparator of said electronic median simulator device; and d) if said input data value is greater than said first estimated value then increasing said first estimated value to a second estimated value by applying a first adjustment function to said first estimated value with a value-adjusting hardware component of said electronic median simulator device, otherwise if said input data value is less than said first estimated value then decreasing said first estimated value to a second estimated value by applying a second adjustment function to said first estimated value with said value-adjusting hardware component of said electronic median simulator device, wherein the first and second adjustment functions implement predefined adjustments that are independent of the magnitude of the difference between said input data value and said first estimated value.