Johnson Controls Technology Company

Prince Corporation

Johnson Controls Gmbh

Gentex Corporation

Thomas R Olson

Steven L Geerlings

Gary Ray Gillingham

Jeffrey N Parks

David J Slater

Thomas S Wright

James R Geschke

Todd R Witkowski

Fred H Wahlquist

David A Blaker

Brian L Douthitt

Brian S Honeck

Emil J Ureel

Mark Michmerhuizen

Paul S Vanlente

Michael R Benson

Gregory B Colon

Sven Natus

A system for searching stored audio data is described. The system includes a memory configured to store audio data received from a radio receiver and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a search pattern, search the stored audio data for the search pattern, and provide audio data based on the search.

System and method for searching stored audio data based on a search pattern

An in-vehicle transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems is described. The transmitter includes a memory configured to store a plurality of wireless control code for the plurality of remote electronic systems. The plurality of wireless control code includes a first code to control the operation of a first remote electronic system and a second code different than the first code to control the operation of a second remote electronic system. The transmitter further includes a control circuit mounted to a vehicle interior element configured, in response to operator actuation of one switch, so that the transmitter provides a first wireless control signal having the first code and a second wireless control signal having the second code.

System and method for wireless control of multiple remote electronic systems

The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration route in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation x+y+Ax+By+C=0 for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (&#x2212;A/2, &#x2212;B/2).

Vehicle compass system with continuous automatic calibration

The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration routine in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation x+y+Ax+By+C=0 for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (&#x2212;A/2, &#x2212;B/2).

A vehicle compass system for compensating for magnetic disturbances caused by a moveable vehicle accessory includes a magnetic field sensor and a control circuit coupled to the moveable vehicle accessory and the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor is positioned at a distance from the moveable vehicle accessory and is configured to determine an orientation of the magnetic field sensor with respect to the Earth's magnetic field and to generate magnetic field data. The control circuit is configured to receive a position signal from the moveable vehicle accessory indicating whether the moveable vehicle accessory is changing position, to receive magnetic field data from the magnetic field sensor, to compare first magnetic field data generated prior to the change in position of the moveable vehicle accessory to second magnetic field data generated after the change in position of the moveable vehicle accessory and to generate a correction value based on the comparison of the first magnetic field data and the second magnetic field data. The correction value is used to correct for the magnetic disturbance caused by the moveable vehicle accessory.

System and method for compensating for magnetic disturbance of a compass by a moveable vehicle accessory

A method for correcting a vehicle compass measurement for an interfering magnetic field generated by a vehicle accessory, where the interfering magnetic field has an intensity sufficient to cause a compass measurement error, includes monitoring the operation of the vehicle accessory and detecting a characteristic of operation of the vehicle accessory. A measurement or timing signal is then generated based on the characteristic of operation. A magnetic field for direction is measured in response to the measurement signal and an offset or correction value is determined based at least one the measured magnetic field and the characteristic of operation of the vehicle accessory.

System and method for compensating for motor magnetic disturbance of a compass measurement

The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration routine in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation x+y+Ax+By+C=for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (&#x2212;A/2, &#x2212;B/2).

The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration routine in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation x+y+Ax+By+C=0 for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (&#x2212;A/, &#x2212;B/).

The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration routine in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation &plus;y &plus;Ax&plus;By&plus;C&equals;0 for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (&minus;A/2, &minus;B/2).

A system for identifying the position of a tire on a vehicle based on wireless messages received from the tire includes a receiver circuit, a signal strength circuit, a memory, and a processing circuit. The receiver circuit is configured to receive the wireless messages. The signal strength circuit is configured to determine the signal strengths of the wireless messages. The memory is configured to store a predetermined frequency distribution. The processing circuit is configured to provide a frequency distribution of the wireless messages based on the signal strengths and to compare the frequency distribution to the predetermined frequency distribution to determine the position of the tire on the vehicle.

Using signal strength to identify tire position

An electronic compass system for use in an adjustable fixture in a vehicle such as an automobile including a sensor for detecting a magnetic field and for providing electrical signals representative of the direction of the vehicle with respect to the magnetic field. Relative position sensors provide electronic compass orientation relative to the vehicle. A circuit coupled to said sensing means resolve the direction and relative position electrical signals into a number of data points from which the detected direction of the vehicle may be calculated. The circuit also provides heading output signals representing heading information corresponding to the detected direction. An indicator coupled to the circuit provides an indication of the vehicle heading in response to said heading output signals, where the circuit includes a processor responsive to the direction electrical signals for determining a relative field strength of the magnetic field, for varying the resolution at which the circuit resolves the direction electrical signals into heading information as a function of the detected strength of the magnetic field, and for recalibrating the heading signal in response to sensor orientation signals to maintain accuracy of the indicated heading information. The processing means varies the resolution by adjusting the number of data points into which said direction representative electrical signals can be resolved.

Method and apparatus to maintain compass heading with a moveable sensor mounting

The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration routine in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation x,&plus;y,&plus;Ax&plus;By&plus;C&equals;0 for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (&minus;A/2, &minus;B/2).

An electronic compass system of the present invention includes a sensor for detecting the earth's magnetic field and for providing electrical signals representing the direction of the vehicle, a heading indicator for indicating vehicle headings in response to received vehicle heading signals, and a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving the electrical signals and coupled to the heading indicator for supplying the vehicle heading signals to the heading indicator. The processor preferably includes a first compass controller for calculating vehicle headings in response to the received electrical signals using precalibration data to compensate for expected vehicular magnetism, a second compass controller for calculating vehicle headings in response to the received electrical signals using an automatic calibration routine to compensate for actual vehicular magnetism, and a control transferring mechanism for initially selecting the vehicle headings calculated by the first compass controller to be represented by the vehicle heading signal supplied to the heading indicator, and for selecting the vehicle headings calculated by the second compass controller after the automatic calibration routine has acquired sufficient data from the magnetic field sensor to calibrate the compass system. The heading indicator may include a display and/or an audio messaging device for generating audible vehicle heading messages. If such an audible messaging device is employed, the device may also be used to record and playback dictated memos.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Thomas R Olson