Abstract: A method that performs a series of interactive operations to calibrate a compass in a mobile device. The method requires a user to move the device to a variety of different orientations. In order to ensure that the device moves to a sufficient number and variety of orientations, the method instructs the user to rotate the device in a series of interactive operations. The interactive operations provide feedback to inform the user how well the user is performing the interactive operations. In some embodiments, the feedback is tactile (e.g., a vibration). In some embodiments the feedback is audible (e.g., a beep or buzz). In some embodiments, the feedback is visual (e.g., an image or images on a video display of the device). The feedback in some embodiments is continuous (e.g., a changing visual display) and in some embodiments is discrete (e.g., the device beeps after taking a good reading).

Abstract: Provided is an autonomous vehicle assistance device and method that may precisely determine a position of a vehicle based on input position error information. The autonomous vehicle assistance device includes a communicator configured to receive satellite navigation information, correction information transmitted from a base station, and position error information transmitted from a fixed body, and a vehicle position determiner configured to calculate first position information corresponding to the received satellite navigation information and correction information and to calculate a current position of a vehicle by correcting the first position information based on the position error information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a personal navigation apparatus comprising a personal navigation device (PND) for providing navigational guidance information. The PND may include a single-dimensional magnetic detector for sensing magnetic flux amplitudes of a magnetic field generated by a magnet. Alternatively, the PND may include a three-dimensional magnetic detector and a magnetic calibration module for determining an ambient magnetic field calibration value representing immediate surroundings of the PND.

Abstract: A running condition detection device includes a GPS receiving unit configured to receive a GPS signal and output a current position, a geomagnetic sensor configured to detect geomagnetism, a direction determination unit configured to obtain a current moving direction based on current positional data and last positional data from the GPS receiving unit, a first bend determination unit configured to compare current moving direction data obtained by the direction determination unit and reference direction data to determine passage of a street corner, a second bend determination unit configured to compare geomagnetic data detected by the geomagnetic sensor and reference geomagnetic data to determine passage of a street corner, and a determination prohibition unit which prohibits the first and second bend determination units from determining passage of a street corner during a given period of time when passage of a street corner is determined by one of the first bend determination unit and the second bend deter

Abstract: A steering system for a work vehicle towing a towed implement is described. A steering control unit is coupled to a location signal generation arrangement on the vehicle, a steering actuator, a memory for storing desired path data of the implement and a slope sensor for detecting a lateral inclination of the work vehicle or the implement. The steering control unit calculates a lateral offset compensation value to steer the work vehicle such that the implement is moved on the desired path and a slope offset compensation value based upon a signal from the tilt sensor to compensate for slope forces pulling the implement down a lateral slope. A steering signal is sent to the steering actuator based upon the lateral offset compensation value and the slope offset compensation value.

Abstract: A method of determining a GPS position fix is disclosed together with a corresponding GPS receiver and server for the same. The method comprising the steps of: (i) providing standard GPS ephemeris corresponding to that transmitted by a GPS satellite; (ii) providing supplemental GPS ephemeris including at least one parameter describing the fluctuation over time of at least one satellite orbit parameter of standard GPS ephemeris; (iii) measuring psuedoranges to GPS satellites; and (iv) determining a GPS position fix from both the standard and supplemental GPS ephemeris provided in steps (i) and (ii) respectively and the psuedoranges measured in step (iii).

Abstract: Method and apparatus of increasing location accuracy of an inertial navigational device is described. The inertial navigation device generates real-time data and transmits the real-time data to a second device so that the second device may obtain a location of the inertial navigational device. The inertial navigational device receives an update message from the second device, wherein the update message is created at the second device based on a comparison of the real-time data generated by the inertial navigational device against a magnetic field database and adjusts the depicted location of the inertial navigational device based on the update message in order to increase the location accuracy of the inertial navigational device.

Abstract: A system vitally determines a position of a train. The system includes a plurality of diverse sensors, such as tachometers and accelerometers, structured to repetitively sense at least change in position and acceleration of the train, a global positioning system sensor, which is diverse from each of the diverse sensors, structured to repetitively sense position of the train, and a track map including a plurality of track segments which may be occupied by the train. A processor cooperates with the diverse sensors, the global positioning system sensor and the track map. The processor includes a routine structured to provide measurement uncertainty for each of the diverse sensors and the global positioning system sensor. The routine cross-checks measurements for the diverse sensors, and cross-checks the global positioning system sensor against the track map. The routine provides the vitally determined position of the train and the uncertainty of the vitally determined position.

Abstract: To perform updating of maximum values and minimum values of measurement data with a simple procedure without incurring an increase in the computational load of an arithmetic processing element such as a microcomputer. When processing is started, a most recent maximum value stored in a nonvolatile storage element is written to a maximum value-use variable Xmax and a positive maximum value is written to a minimum value-use variable Xmin. Each time temperature data is acquired, a value of acquired data Xk and a most recent minimum value Xmin are compared and the smaller value is set as a new minimum value Xmin. Each time updating of this minimum value is repeated a predetermined number of times of processing Ns, the minimum value Xmin at that point in time and the maximum value Xmax are compared and the larger value is set as a new maximum value Xmax.

Abstract: A bearing display apparatus provided with a geomagnetic sensor for detecting earth-magnetism, a display unit, and a control unit for calculating a geographical bearing based on detection values of the geomagnetic sensor and making the display unit display the information of the calculated bearing. The control unit monitors for an event of changes in operation of electronic parts mounted in the bearing display apparatus and updates the display of the information of the bearing on the display unit in accordance with an occurrence of the event.