GPS-based steering needle instrument
First Claim
1. A GPS steering indicator for visually displaying heading angle error in a moving conveyance using a GPS navigation unit, wherein said GPS navigation unit has memory means storing a predefined GPS track, and wherein said GPS navigation unit provides GPS data for said moving conveyance with said GPS data including said moving conveyance'"'"'s position, ground track heading, ground velocity, and cross track error with respect to said predefined GPS track, comprising:
- a. a display;
b. an indicator needle, movable across said display;
c. communication means, for receiving said data from said GPS navigation unit;
d. computation means for determining a heading angle error using said GPS data; and
e. indicator needle deflecting means for deflecting said indicator needle in proportion to the value of said heading angle error determined by said computation means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A a flight instrument enabling a pilot to intercept and precisely follow a predefined GPS track. The instrument—known as a GPS steering indicator—provides a visual display which is similar in appearance to other aircraft instruments (and therefore instantly recognizable to nearly all pilots). However, the instrument is preferably differentiated somewhat in its visual appearance to convey to the pilot the fact that it displays steering commands rather than cross track error. An indicator needle deflects to instruct the pilot which way to turn and how much to turn in order to intercept and fly along a predefined GPS track. By centering the indicator needle, the pilot maintains the desired instantaneous track.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A GPS steering indicator for visually displaying heading angle error in a moving conveyance using a GPS navigation unit, wherein said GPS navigation unit has memory means storing a predefined GPS track, and wherein said GPS navigation unit provides GPS data for said moving conveyance with said GPS data including said moving conveyance'"'"'s position, ground track heading, ground velocity, and cross track error with respect to said predefined GPS track, comprising:
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a. a display; b. an indicator needle, movable across said display; c. communication means, for receiving said data from said GPS navigation unit; d. computation means for determining a heading angle error using said GPS data; and e. indicator needle deflecting means for deflecting said indicator needle in proportion to the value of said heading angle error determined by said computation means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 31)
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15. A GPS steering indicator for visually displaying heading angle error in a moving conveyance using a GPS navigation unit, wherein said GPS navigation unit has memory means storing a predefined GPS track, and wherein said GPS navigation unit provides GPS data for said moving conveyance with said GPS data including said moving conveyance'"'"'s position, ground track heading, ground velocity, and cross track error with respect to said predefined GPS track, comprising:
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a. a display; b. an indicator needle, movable across said display; c. communication means, for receiving said data from said GPS navigation unit; d. computation means for, i. using said predefined GPS track in order to determine a linearized segment that is proximal to said conveyance'"'"'s position, ii. determining a linearized segment heading, iii. determining a currently desired track heading, iv. determining a heading angle error by determining the difference between said currently desired track heading and said ground track heading; and e. indicator needle deflecting means for deflecting said indicator needle in proportion to the value of said heading angle error determined by said computation means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32)
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21. A GPS steering indicator for visually displaying heading angle error in a moving conveyance using a GPS navigation unit, wherein said GPS navigation unit has memory means storing a predefined GPS track, and wherein said GPS navigation unit provides GPS data for said moving conveyance with said GPS data including said moving conveyance'"'"'s position, ground track heading, ground velocity, and cross track error with respect to said predefined GPS track, comprising:
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a. a display; b. an indicator needle, movable across said display; c. communication means, for receiving said data from said GPS navigation unit; d. computation means for, i. determining a computed intersection track for steering said moving conveyance onto said GPS track, ii. determining a heading for said computed intersection track proximate said moving conveyance, iii. determining a heading angle error by determining the difference between said ground track heading and said heading for said computed intersection track proximate said moving conveyance; and e. indicator needle deflecting means for deflecting said indicator needle in proportion to the value of said heading angle error determined by said computation means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33)
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Specification