Electronic compass apparatus and method
US6826843B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C17/26
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining the orientation of Earth's magnetic poles. A magnet is pivotally coupled to a support and is free to orient itself with Earth's magnetic pole. A detector is fixed relative to the support and outputs a signal indicative of the magnet orientation. A display displays an indication of the relative orientation of Earth's magnetic pole consistent with the output signal. Plural detectors can be employed to increase resolution of the apparatus. The detectors can be optical detectors. A shutter is fixed to the magnet and the detectors sense the shutter position. The shutter has a patterned formed thereon with transmissive portions and opaque portions. Shutter blinds are added to limit the dispersion of light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.