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:
Oct. 26, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 13, 2000
Craig B. Parker, Olathe, KS (US);
Walter Rolston, Overland Park, KS (US);
Garmin Corporation, , TW;
Abstract
A course deviation indicator with a unique display utilizes at least one deviation bar, to indicate when a craft or vessel in which the course deviation indicator is utilized has deviated from a pre-established course. In one embodiment, the course deviation indicator has a lateral deviation bar, for indicating lateral deviation from a pre-established course, and a vertical deviation bar, for indicating vertical deviation from a pre-established course. A first, vertical, flag is associated with the vertical deviation bar, while a second, lateral flag is associated with the lateral deviation bar. When a determination is made that a particular deviation bar is providing inaccurate information, the appropriate flag is displayed, thereby indicating that the associated deviation bar is indeed providing inaccurate information. In one embodiment, the flags are displayed mechanically. In a second embodiment, the display is an LCD display, and flags are displayed by drawing the flags on the LCD display. Particularly, each flag is presented in the form of a bi-directional arrow. The vertical flag is oriented vertically on the display at a location proximate the outer end of the vertical deviation bar when the vertical deviation bar is in a centered position, and the lateral flag is presented laterally with respect to the display, and located proximate an outer end of the lateral deviation bar when the lateral deviation bar is in the centered position. The utilization of arrows as the flags, with no other identifying information, makes it particularly easy for a pilot or navigator of the craft or vessel in which the present invention is utilized to ascertain the nature of a deviation from a pre-established course.