Compass calibration system and method

Abstract

An in-vehicle compass system and method that is calibrated based on a magnetic field model and/or a deviation analysis based on a location signal received from a positioning system.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A processor for use in a system comprising a compass and a receiver configured to communicate with a positioning system, the processor being configured to communicate with the compass and the receiver, the processor comprising:
 a first input for receiving a first signal associated with the compass;   a second input for receiving a second signal associated with the positioning system;   wherein the processor is configured to calculate a compass error factor based on a deviation analysis, and   wherein the deviation analysis is based on the first signal and the second signal.   
   
   
       23 . The processor of  claim 22 , wherein the first signal and the second signal are based on a vehicle movement. 
   
   
       24 . The processor of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 an output for providing a display signal for a display; and   wherein the processor applies the compass error factor to the system.   
   
   
       25 . The processor of  claim 22 , wherein the receiver is configured to communicate with an in-vehicle control system. 
   
   
       26 . The processor of  claim 25 , wherein the in-vehicle control system is configured to modify the deviation analysis. 
   
   
       27 . The processor of  claim 25 , wherein the receiver receives the second signal from the in-vehicle control system. 
   
   
       28 . The processor of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is configured to receive at least a second compass error factor. 
   
   
       29 . The processor of  claim 28 , further comprising a prioritization logic configured to determine a calculated compass error factor based on at least one of the compass error factor and the second compass error factor. 
   
   
       30 . An in-vehicle compass system, including a compass, a transceiver configured to communicate with a positioning system, and a processor configured to communicate with the compass and the transceiver, the in-vehicle compass system comprising:
 a control circuit configured to communicate with the processor;   a memory device configured to store an in-vehicle compass system configuration, at least one magnetic field model compass error factor and configured to communicate with the control circuit;   wherein the in-vehicle compass system configuration includes a magnetic field model utilization parameters and a deviation analysis utilization parameters;   wherein the control circuit utilizes a magnetic field model compass error factor based on the magnetic field model utilization parameters being triggered; and   wherein the control circuit utilizes a compass error factor from a deviation analysis based on the deviation analysis utilization parameters being triggered.   
   
   
       31 . The in-vehicle compass system of  claim 30 , wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an internet to download at least one magnetic field model compass error factor. 
   
   
       32 . The in-vehicle compass system of  claim 30 , wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an in-vehicle control system. 
   
   
       33 . The in-vehicle compass system of  claim 32 , wherein the in-vehicle control system is configured to modify at least one of the magnetic field model utilization parameters and the deviation analysis utilization parameters. 
   
   
       34 . The in-vehicle compass system of  claim 33 , wherein the in-vehicle control system to modify at least one of the magnetic field model utilization parameters and the deviation analysis utilization parameters. 
   
   
       35 . The in-vehicle compass system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuit utilizes the magnetic field model compass error factor based on a location signal derived from the positioning system. 
   
   
       36 . The in-vehicle compass system of  claim 35 , wherein the control circuit recalculates the magnetic field model compass error factor based on a location signal derived from the positioning system on a predetermined basis. 
   
   
       37 . A method for calibrating an electronic compass system, the method comprising:
 calculating a location based on a positioning system location signal;   calculating a deviation analysis based on the positioning system location signal and a compass signal;   calculating a compass error factor based on the deviation analysis; and   utilizing the compass error factor to adjust the electronic compass system.   
   
   
       38 . The method for calibrating an electronic compass system of  claim 37 , wherein a transceiver is configured to communicate with an in-vehicle control system. 
   
   
       39 . The method for calibrating an electronic compass system of  claim 37 , wherein an in-vehicle control system is configured to modify the deviation analysis. 
   
   
       40 . The method for calibrating an electronic compass system of  claim 37 , wherein the deviation analysis is based on a magnetic field model. 
   
   
       41 . The method for calibrating an electronic compass system of  claim 40 , wherein the magnetic field model is downloaded from an internet. 
   
   
       42 . A method for calibrating an electronic compass system, the method comprising:
 determining a longitude position and a latitude position;   determining a magnetic field strength utilizing a magnetic field model based on the longitude position and the latitude position;   determining a vehicle heading based on a positioning signal; and   determining a magnetic heading correction factor based on the magnetic field strength and the vehicle heading.