Inferring ambient atmospheric temperature
AssigneeInvenSense, Inc.
InventorWilliam Kerry Keal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a method of inferring ambient atmospheric temperature, an acoustic signal is emitted from a speaker. A first sample of the acoustic signal is captured with a first microphone spaced a first distance from the speaker. A second sample of the acoustic signal is captured with a second microphone spaced a second distance from the speaker. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and a difference between the first distance and the second distance is a known third distance. A time delay in the acoustic signal is determined between the first sample and the second sample. An ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which the acoustic signal traveled is inferred based on a relationship between the time delay and temperature for the acoustic signal over the third distance.
Claims27
A method of inferring ambient atmospheric temperature, said method comprising:
- capturing a first sample of an acoustic signal emitted from a speaker of a mobile electronic device with a first microphone of said mobile electronic device, said first microphone spaced a first distance from said speaker;
- capturing a second sample of said acoustic signal with a second microphone of said mobile electronic device spaced a second distance from said speaker, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, and wherein a difference between said first distance and said second distance is a known third distance;
- determining a time delay in said acoustic signal between said first sample and said second sample;
- and
- inferring an ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which said acoustic signal traveled based on a relationship between said time delay and temperature for said acoustic signal over said third distance.
A mobile electronic device comprising:
- a processor;
- at least one speaker;
- a first microphone spaced a first distance from said speaker;
- a second microphone spaced a second distance from said speaker, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, and wherein a difference between said first distance and said second distance is a known third distance;
- and
- wherein said processor is configured to:
- operate said first microphone to capture a first sample of an acoustic signal emitted from said speaker;
- operate said second microphone to capture a second sample of said acoustic signal;
- determine a time delay in said acoustic signal between said first sample and said second sample;
- and
- infer an ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which said acoustic signal traveled based on a relationship between said time delay and temperature for said acoustic signal over said third distance.
A mobile electronic device comprising:
- a host processor;
- at least one speaker;
- and
- a sensor processing unit comprising:
- a first microphone spaced a first distance from said speaker;
- and
- a second microphone spaced a second distance from said speaker, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, and wherein a difference between said first distance and said second distance is a known third distance;
- wherein said sensor processing unit is configured to:
- operate said first microphone to capture a first sample of an acoustic signal emitted from said speaker;
- operate said second microphone to capture a second sample of said acoustic signal;
- determine a time delay in said acoustic signal between said first sample and said second sample;
- and
- infer an ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which said acoustic signal traveled based on a relationship between said time delay and temperature for said acoustic signal over said third distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.