Self-calibrating magnetic field monitor
A self-calibrating magnetic field monitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field sensor repeatedly generates an electronic signal related to the magnetic field. In addition, a calibration module generates a relative baseline signal based on an average value of the electronic signals for a given time period. A comparator compares the electronic signal with the relative baseline signal and generating an output signal if a difference in the comparing is greater than or equal to a threshold.
1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring a magnetic field in an environment for magnetic field fluctuations, said method comprising:
repeatedly generating an electronic signal to represent said magnetic field;
generating a relative baseline signal based on an average value of said electronic signal for a time period;
automatically generating said relative baseline signal over each said time period to dynamically adjust for an environmentally caused change in said magnetic field;
performing a delayed comparison between said electronic signal and a previously generated relative baseline signal; and
generating said output signal if a difference in said comparing is greater than or equal to a threshold.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:
performing a secondary comparison between said electronic signal and a relative baseline signal generated over a second time period different from said time period; and
generating said output signal if a difference in said secondary comparison is greater than or equal to a threshold.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:
performing a block comparison between a recently generated relative baseline signal and a previously generated relative baseline signal; and
generating said output signal if a difference in said block comparison is greater than or equal to a second threshold.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:
utilizing a plurality of magnetic field sensors to generate spatial information selected from the group consisting of: motion, distance, speed, acceleration and orientation.