Kathleen Scanlan Scott

US Patent:

20070168126, Jul 19, 2007

Filed:

Jan 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/333832

Inventors:

Don Wence - Cary NC, US
Kathleen Scott - Kamuela HI, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701220000, 701200000, 701211000

Abstract:

Using a combination of inertial sensors (accelerometers ) and, perhaps, a digital compass, a device can record movement in all directions relative to an origin (), or initial position. Once the device has captured the information, it can calculate heading and distance from the current position back to the origin (). Other navigational equipment relies on signals from global positioning system (GPS) satellites and, thus, will not function properly in urban canyons or inside buildings of any sort. This device can determine direction and distance under nearly any circumstances and has a small footprint that will allow the embedding of it into nearly any consumer electronic device (). The consumer electronic device can then display a directional arrow (), or the distance to the origin () alongside other relevant information. One obvious use of the invention is to find your parked vehicle () (also known as a “vehicle locator”).