Patent ID: 6473979
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
An electronic compass adapted for providing users with an audible indication of direction, comprising:a housing assembly including a speaker for providing a user with information concerning the orientation of the housing assembly relative to the earth's magnetic field; means for determining the orientation of the housing assembly relative the earth's magnetic field and generating orientation data, the means employing a Hall Effect detector for determining the orientation of the housing assembly relative to the Earth's magnetic field and an optical polarity detecting device working in conjunction with the Hall Effect detector, the Hall Effect detector further performing calibrations for the optical polarity detecting device wherein the data derived from the Hall Effect detector and optical polarity device are compared prior to further processing by a means for translating; the means for translating translates the orientation data relating to the position of the housing assembly relative to the earth's magnetic field into an auditory signal which is transmitted to a speaker assembly for translation into an audible signal providing a user with audible instructions regarding the orientation of the housing assembly; and wherein the optical polarity detection device includes eight optical detecting modules surrounding a polarity device, the optical detecting modules detect by transmitting light to and receiving light from the polarity device.