Patent ID: 7643960

Claim:
A method for measuring and storing values of sensor bias in acceleration values for a vehicle, the acceleration values obtained from a sensor over a plurality of time periods, the sensor having a specified range of expected variability of sensor bias values, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first value of sensor bias in acceleration values obtained from the sensor during operation of the vehicle in a first time period; (b) storing the measured first value of sensor bias for use in one or more subsequent time periods; (c) measuring a second value of sensor bias in acceleration values obtained from the sensor during operation of the vehicle in a second time period; (d) subtracting the measured second value of sensor bias from the stored first value of sensor bias, thereby generating a sensor bias difference; and (e) storing the measured second value of sensor bias, for reference in one or more subsequent time periods, if the sensor bias difference is within the specified range of expected variability of sensor bias values.