Chris J Baldwin

US Patent:

49299433, May 29, 1990

Filed:

Jul 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/214704

Inventors:

Chris J. Baldwin - Earlysville VA

Assignee:

Sperry Marine, Inc.

International Classification:

G08B 2300

US Classification:

340984

Abstract:

An array of light emitting diodes in a circular arrangment are illuminated to indicate the discrete magnitude of rate-of-turn and the direction of turn. The number of diodes illuminated is indicative of the discrete magnitude of turn and the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of illumination of the diodes is indicative of the turn direction. The current and preceding samples of the gray coded step data compass heading output are compared to detect incremental changes in heading. The incremental changes are counted over a predetermined time interval to provide a count signal representative of turn rate. Logic responsive to the count signal illuminates the appropriate number of light emitting diodes. Further logic responsive to the gray code heading data sequence provides a direction of turn signal to illuminate the light emitting diode in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.