Portable electronic compass

• US 5,157,841 A
• Filed: 02/01/1991
• Issued: 10/27/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Dinsmore
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Dinsmore
• Inventors: Dinsmore, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FULTON, CHRISTOPHER W
• Application Number:
  US07/649,547
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 33/361, 33/356, 33/362, 33/355 R, 33/357, 33/363 R
• US Class Current: 33/361
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/28 Electromagnetic compasses with north seeking magnetic elements and having electric pick-offs G01C17/26

Abstract

The invention is a motion sensitive, battery operated compass utilizing Hall effect digital switches to sense the orientation of the compass in relation to the earth'"'"'s magnetic field. A vibration sensing circuit serves to turn the compass on when it is in motion, and to turn the compass off when it is at rest. A chopper circuit is provided to interrupt the power supply at a predetermined frequency to conserve battery power. The Hall effect switches are mounted in a known relationship to a rotating magnet allowing selection and decoding of the sensor outputs to provide signals for the operation of an alpha numberic display.

Claims

1. A compass comprising:

a. a plurality of Hall effect sensors;

b. a magnet pivotably mounted in fixed proximity to said sensors;

c. a signal generating circuit means for detecting the electrical current flowing through said sensors;

d. display means for, converting said generated signals into a visible display corresponding to the orientation of said magnet in relation to said sensor;

e. a motion-sensing switch for activating said circuit means only when said compass is in motion;

f. an oscillating power supply for supplying cyclical power impulses to said circuit means, said Hall effect sensors and said display means.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said motion sensing switch further comprises:

a. a piezo-electric motion sensing device;

b. means for detecting the output of said piezoelectric motion sensing device;

c. means for amplifying the output of said piezoelectric motion sensing device; and

d. means for connecting said amplified output of said piezo-electric motion sensing device to said signal generating circuit means.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said oscillating power supply further comprises:

a. a programmable a stable multi-vibrator, and

b. output transistor means for amplifying the output of said a stable multi-vibrator.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said output comprises an on-cycle to off-cycle ratio of approximately one percent.