JP3493394B2 - Electronic compass - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic compass using a GPS receiver by a general-purpose earth positioning system and a simple navigator. 2. Description of the Related Art For example, Muslims often need to know the direction of Mecca from their current location from a religious point of view.
At an arbitrary point on the ground, the direction of Mecca is calculated or shown from the latitude and longitude of the point and Mecca, and the reference direction is determined by a magnet, and the direction of Mecca can be known from the point, but it is complicated. Calculation is necessary. For Muslims, the land of Mecca itself is the object of worship and requires an accurate orientation. [0003] Products that use GPS positioning include car navigation, handy GPS receivers, and the like. However, car navigation is specific to a car, and the system itself is large and unsuitable for carrying. Further, the operation of the handy GPS receiver is complicated, and it is specified for high-level users such as wireless users and mountain climbers. In recent years, the focus on portability has increased
However, in order to have multi-functionality, the operation is complicated.
To know the required direction quickly and instantly when needed.
It has not been reached. Also, the equipment configuration becomes complicated, and parts
Cost and cost in the process
I have. [0004] In view of this point, the inventor of the present invention has made intensive studies and arrived at the present invention. The present invention has portability and has complicated features such as latitude and longitude. Data
Consciousness that nothingness rather than to, can be accurately know the orientation of the destination, the distance by a simple operation, and parts cost, adjusted on the process
Be those that provide electronic compass aimed at cost reduction well as cost, for example, Muslims and know the direction of Mecca, necessary to know the exact orientation for the destination
It can be used conveniently when there is . DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a specific embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing a flow of azimuth angle detection. An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 show a specific embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. The electronic compass of the present invention is roughly divided into a GPS receiver section and a main control section. In the GPS receiver section, three GPs and at least two GPs
Orbital information and time data from the S satellite are received and are calculated into the latitude and longitude data of the current location. The GPS receiver outputs the latitude and longitude data using a serial I / F. The input unit of the main control unit is only three points of the GPS data, a plurality of switches such as three , and the output of a geomagnetic sensor provided therein. The geomagnetic sensor uses a TMF element and electrically outputs an absolute azimuth based on magnetic north. The output section of the main control section
It is a simple structure with only two points, LCD display and BUZZER. Even if only one switch is provided,
Good . FIG. 3 shows the flow of azimuth angle detection. First, GP
By measuring the S receiver, the latitude and longitude data of the current location are obtained. The latitude and longitude data of the target position is obtained from the "EEPROM" of the main control unit. The "EEPROM" is electrically rewritable, so that correction of a target position and new setting can be easily performed. Next, from the output of the geomagnetic sensor, it detects how many azimuths the current heading is with respect to magnetic north. Then, the azimuth and distance from the current position to the target position are calculated from the latitude and longitude data of the current position and the target position. As the calculation formula, spherical trigonometry, Gauss formula, Huebeni's formula and the like are widely used. From the sum of the magnetic north angle and the angle to the target position, it is possible to know which direction the vehicle is heading to the target position accurately. A specific method of use will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a type in which an LCD or an EL is used for an orientation display unit. And FIG. 2 shows 24 LEs on the direction display section.
This type uses D. Power switch (1) ON
Starts the measurement of the latitude and longitude data of the current position by the GPS receiver by the general-purpose earth positioning system . Thus, after detecting the latitude and longitude data of the current position, the latitude and longitude data of the target position are stored in a memory "EEPROM" in the control unit.
Take out from. The target position when the power supply (1) is turned on is set to “A” switch : Mecca as a default. CPU is current position and target position: Latitude of Mecca,
Based on the longitude data, the azimuth and distance of the current position from Mecca are calculated. Further, from the output of the geomagnetic sensor, the CPU detects how many azimuths the direction in which the compass is currently pointing with respect to north. Further, the azimuth angle of the current position with respect to the north and the azimuth angle of the GPS receiver by the general-purpose earth positioning system to the target position are added to calculate an accurate azimuth angle from the current position to Mecca. Using this calculation result, an angle corresponding to the azimuth angle is taught on the azimuth display unit. At the same time, the distance to the Mecca, the latitude and longitude data of the current position are also displayed. The other Sui
When the switches "B, C" are pressed, the azimuth and distance with the pressed switch as the target position are recalculated and displayed again. or
The target position data of the switches "A, B, C" can be calibrated and changed. For example, if you keep pushing actually at the Mecca of position "A" switch for more than 3 seconds, EEPROM
Mecca latitude of the inner, longitude data, measuring generic earth at that time
It is rewritten to GPS receiver data by the position system . Thereby, when the Mecca data in the compass is viewed as the compass, higher accuracy and reliability can be obtained. With the above configuration, a highly accurate electronic compass with portability can be realized. As described above, the present invention is small and lightweight, has portability, and is conscious of complicated data such as latitude and longitude.
It is those for the purpose that it is possible to accurately know the direction and distance of the destination at no simple operation, this selection scan
The setting destination for one switch in the switch is open
Is one place, press any one of these switches
The direction to the place set corresponding to the switch.
Destination automatically displayed and set for this switch
Is actually in this switch at that destination and place
One switch that corresponds to this destination, for 3 seconds
Setting, correction change
It can be changed easily and with simple operation.
You can instantly know the more accurate bearing with a simple configuration
This is an excellent function and effect not found in the conventional electronic compass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an embodiment diagram in which an LCD or EL is used in an orientation display unit. FIG. 2 is an embodiment diagram in which 24 LEDs are used in an orientation display unit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration. FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing a flow of azimuth detection.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-157576 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-39329 (JP, A) JP-A-7-43670 (JP, Y2) Table 2000-512014 (JP, A) U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,477 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 17/32

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] GPS receiver by general-purpose earth positioning system
And the geomagnetism that measures the geomagnetism and detects the vector direction of the magnetic field
Has an air sensor , 360 degrees for 24 minutes by LCD, EL or LED element
Divide the angle by an arbitrary number, such as splitting, and indicate an arbitrary direction
A circular display unit is provided , and the position data of the current position
The direction of the current position with respect to magnetic north, detected by the PS receiver
The angle is detected by the terrestrial magnetism sensor , and a simple operation such as turning on the power turns the destination to the current location.
The direction to the specified place is automatically displayed on the circular display.
Electronic compass that can be used as a destination
An arbitrary number of selection switches for selecting a location are provided.
Only one setting destination for one switch
If any one of the switches is pressed , the switch
The direction to the place set according to the switch is automatically displayed on the display.
The destination set and indicated for the switch is actually
At the place where the switch corresponds to the destination
Switch by pressing and holding one switch for an arbitrary second.
An electronic compass that can be fixed and changed.