US3648034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Navigational apparatus
Assignee: TECHNOLOGY UK
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Filing: 1969-11-21
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1989-11-21
Abstract
Abstract Navigational apparatus for use in a mobile craft comprises measuring means for providing electrical representations of two coordinates of the two position of the mobile craft relative to a hyperbolic navigation system, a data store for holding representations of sets of constants, selection means for selecting one of the sets, and a computer for calculating given functions of the measured coordinates and the selected constants to produce useful approximate indications of the latitude and longitude of the mobile craft. The functions may be a pair of polynomials of the second degree, each having five constants, so that there will be 10 constants in each set.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham John Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/38; G06F7/48; G06F7/544; G06F7/548; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
339 words
Navigational apparatus comprising: measuring means for providing electrical representations of at least two coordinates Wxy and Wpq representing the position of the measuring means in a hyperbolic navigation system, data storage means for storing representations of sets of previously calculated numerical constants, each particular set being applicable to positions within an associated region within the range of the hyperbolic navigation system so that two predetermined algebraic polynomial functions theta , phi of the coordinates Wxy, Wpg and the constants of the set, of the second degree with respect to the coordinates Wxy, Wpq but substantially linearly dependent on the constants and not involving any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, will have numerical values approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpg provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used, electronic selection means for selecting from the data storage means the representations of a set of constants (a1 . . . an, b1 . . . bn) applicable to a region embracing the position of the measuring means, and computing means responsive to the representations of Wxy, Wpq provided by the measuring means and responsive to the representations of the constants a1 . . . an, b1 . . . bn selected from the data storage means for computing the numerical values of the algebraic polynomial functions theta (a1 . . . an, Wxy, Wpg) and phi (b1 . . . bn, Wxy, Wpq) which are of the second degree with respect to the coordinates Wxy, and Wpq but are substantially linearly dependent on the constants a1 . . . an and b1 . . . bn respectively and do not involve any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, so that the said numerical values will be approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpq provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
Navigational apparatus comprising: measuring means for providing electrical representations of at least two coordinates Wxy and Wpq representing the position of the measuring means in a hyperbolic navigation system, data storage means for storing representations of sets of previously calculated numerical constants, each particular set being applicable to positions within an associated region within the range of the hyperbolic navigation system so that two predetermined algebraic polynomial functions theta , phi of the coordinates Wxy, Wpg and the constants of the set, of the second degree with respect to the coordinates Wxy, Wpq but substantially linearly dependent on the constants and not involving any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, will have numerical values approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpg provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used, electronic selection means for selecting from the data storage means the representations of a set of constants (a1 . . . an, b1 . . . bn) applicable to a region embracing the position of the measuring means, and computing means responsive to the representations of Wxy, Wpq provided by the measuring means and responsive to the representations of the constants a1 . . . an, b1 . . . bn selected from the data storage means for computing the numerical values of the algebraic polynomial functions theta (a1 . . . an, Wxy, Wpg) and phi (b1 . . . bn, Wxy, Wpq) which are of the second degree with respect to the coordinates Wxy, and Wpq but are substantially linearly dependent on the constants a1 . . . an and b1 . . . bn respectively and do not involve any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, so that the said numerical values will be approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpq provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functions theta and phi are polynomials of the second degree with respect to increments Dxy, Dpq of the hyperbolic system coordinates, and the computing means is connected accordingly for calculating the said polynomials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic selection means comprises logical circuits connected to respond to the representations of the coordinates Wxy and Wpq provided by the measuring means, and switching circuit means, controlled by the logical circuits, for applying to the computer means signals from the data-storage means which represent a set of the said constants applicable to a region which includes the location represented by the said coordinates Wxy and Wpq.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computer means comprises display means for indicating the numerical values of the functions theta (a1 . . . an, Wxy, Wpq) and phi (b1 . . . bn, Wxy, Wpq) computed by the computing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said electronic selection means comprises logical circuits connected to respond to latitude-indicating and longitude-indicating outputs of the computer means, and switching circuit means, controlled by the logical circuits, for applying to the computer means signals from the data-storage means which represent a set of the said constants applicable to a region including the location indicated by the said latitude-indicating and longitude-indicating outputs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
318 words
Navigational apparatus comprising: measuring means for providing electrical representations of at least two coordinates Wxy and Wpq representing the position of the measuring means in a hyperbolic navigation system, data storage means for storing representations of sets of previously calculated numerical constants, each particular set being applicable to positions within an associated region within the range of the hyperbolic navigation system so that two predetermined algebraic polynomial functions, theta , phi of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq and the constants of the set, of the second degree with respect to the coordinates Wxy, Wpq but substantially linearly dependent on the constants and not involving any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, will have numerical values approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpq provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used. regional data input means for transmitting from the said data storage means the representations of a set of the said numerical constants, and computing means rEsponsive to the representations of Wxy, Wpq provided by the measuring means and to the representations of the set of constants transmitted by the regional data input means for computing the numerical values of the two predetermined algebraic polynomial functions theta (a1 . . . an, Wxy, Wpq) and phi (b1 . . . bn, Wxy, Wpq) which are of the second degree with respect to the two coordinates Wxy and Wpq but are substantially linearly dependent on the constants a1 . . . an and b1 . . . bn respectively and do not involve any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, so that the said numerical values will be approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpq provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
318 words
Navigational apparatus comprising: measuring means for providing electrical representations of at least two coordinates Wxy and Wpq representing the position of the measuring means in a hyperbolic navigation system, data storage means for storing representations of sets of previously calculated numerical constants, each particular set being applicable to positions within an associated region within the range of the hyperbolic navigation system so that two predetermined algebraic polynomial functions, theta , phi of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq and the constants of the set, of the second degree with respect to the coordinates Wxy, Wpq but substantially linearly dependent on the constants and not involving any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, will have numerical values approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpq provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used. regional data input means for transmitting from the said data storage means the representations of a set of the said numerical constants, and computing means rEsponsive to the representations of Wxy, Wpq provided by the measuring means and to the representations of the set of constants transmitted by the regional data input means for computing the numerical values of the two predetermined algebraic polynomial functions theta (a1 . . . an, Wxy, Wpq) and phi (b1 . . . bn, Wxy, Wpq) which are of the second degree with respect to the two coordinates Wxy and Wpq but are substantially linearly dependent on the constants a1 . . . an and b1 . . . bn respectively and do not involve any trigonometric functions of the coordinates Wxy, Wpq, so that the said numerical values will be approximately equal to the latitude and the longitude respectively of the position represented by the coordinates Wxy, Wpq provided that this position lies within the region associated with the set of constants used.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said regional data input means comprises a tape reader or card reader device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said regional data input means comprises a fixed data store having manually operable selection switches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the functions theta and phi are polynomials of the second degree with respect to increments Dxy, Dpq of the hyperbolic system coordinates, the computing means being operative to calculate said polynomials.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Navigational apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the computing means includes display means for indicating the numerical values of the functions theta and phi computed by the computing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3536901A
Cited
US3226719A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |