float smoothDistance

int readSensorValue()
{
	//https://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/28995-Sharp-GP2Y0A21YK0F-IR-Datasheet.pdf
	//This is a function that reads raw data from an IR sensor.
	//Our controller gives values between 0-255, but the data is noisy and often has spikes/dips in readings.
}


float runningAverage(float newValue, float lastValue)
{
    float weight = 0.1; //Greater values give higher response rate, smaller values give smoother averages.
    lastValue = weight * newValue + ( weight - 1 ) * lastValue;
    return lastValue;
}


//main loop. Called forever like a while(true)
loop()
{
	smoothDistance = runningAverage( (float)readSensorValue(), distance);
	float noisyDistance = readSensorValue();

	//This will be more reliable based on true distance
	if ( smoothDistance < 10 )
	{
		//we are close to something
	}
	else if ( smoothDistance > 200 )
	{
		//we are far from something
	}

	//This will be more likely to get triggered due to spikes in data.
	if ( noisyDistance < 10 )
	{
		//we are close to something
	}
	else if ( noisyDistance > 200 )
	{
		//we are far from something
	}
}