Instrument for indicating altitude or direction
First Claim
1. A hand-held instrument for selectively indicating at least two different variables, such as altitude and direction, said instrument comprising:
- (a) a first sensor responsive to one of the variables to produce an analog signal corresponding thereto;
(b) a second sensor responsive to the other variable to produce an analog signal corresponding thereto;
(c) a microprocessor having an input and an output;
(d) means to convert the first sensor signal into a first digital value and to apply said value to the input of said microprocessor;
(e) means to convert the second sensor signal into a second digital value and to apply said value to the input of said microprocessor;
(f) a function selector switch coupled to said microprocessor to render it operative either in a first mode to process said first value to provide an output representing said first variable, or in a second mode to process said second value to provide an output representing said second variable; and
(g) an electronic display coupled to the output of the microprocessor to indicate said first and second values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held instrument adapted selectively to provide a sportsman, such as a mountain climber, with readily-readable indications of the existing altitude or direction. The instrument includes a magnetometer which yields an analog signal as a function of direction and a pressure sensor which yields an analog signal as a function of atmospheric pressure. These analog signals are converted into corresponding digital signals and applied to a microprocessor which acts to control an LCD display having two display modes--one providing a numerical readout of altitude, the other a 360 degree readout of direction. When the microprocessor is switched to the altitude mode, it then processes the signal derived from the pressure sensor to yield a digital output for operating the display to indicate the existing altitude. When the microprocessor is switched to the direction mode, it then processes the signal derived from the magnetometer to yield a digital output for operating the display to indicate the existing direction.
48 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A hand-held instrument for selectively indicating at least two different variables, such as altitude and direction, said instrument comprising:
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(a) a first sensor responsive to one of the variables to produce an analog signal corresponding thereto; (b) a second sensor responsive to the other variable to produce an analog signal corresponding thereto; (c) a microprocessor having an input and an output; (d) means to convert the first sensor signal into a first digital value and to apply said value to the input of said microprocessor; (e) means to convert the second sensor signal into a second digital value and to apply said value to the input of said microprocessor; (f) a function selector switch coupled to said microprocessor to render it operative either in a first mode to process said first value to provide an output representing said first variable, or in a second mode to process said second value to provide an output representing said second variable; and (g) an electronic display coupled to the output of the microprocessor to indicate said first and second values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification