The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 26, 1994
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1991
Rafi A Al-Attar, Troy, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for interpreting magnetic directions for an electronic compass system mounted on a moving vehicle such as an automobile. The directions of North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West and Northwest are each assigned predetermined degree ranges which are included in a look-up table used by a controller. The predetermined degree ranges associated with the directions of North, South, East and West are further each set at equal values, while the predetermined degree ranges of Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest are set equally at a value that is less than the values of the North, South, East and West directions. A flux-gate senses the Earth's magnetic field and generates an analog signal in accordance therewith. The analog signal is converted into a corresponding digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter. The controller receives the corresponding digital signal and converts the digital signal into a degree heading. The controller then compares the degree heading with the eight predetermined degree ranges included in the look-up table and generates a directional heading signal in accordance with the predetermined degree range within which the degree heading falls. A directional heading signal is then output to a visual display and displayed as one of the eight directional headings associated with the eight predetermined degree ranges. The invention thus simplifies the interpretation of heading information generated by an electronic compass system and reduces the chance of driver confusion by interpreting heading information more in accordance with the major geographic directions of North, South, East and West.