Solar timer using GPS technology

摘要

In a GPS-equipped device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer with a compatible operating system, a useful dynamic display of directional and timing information is provided based on GPS data obtained through conventional means processed according to computational modules or applications stored on the device. These displays include a solar timer, a compass dial and other date, time and location-based information. Underlying the displayable information is a database of information that is processed with input from an accurate compass employing a calculated reference line based on two time-separated GPS readings and a direction parameter.

主权项

1. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying information indicative of instructions for a dynamic compass application, the instructions causing one or more computers to perform operations comprising:
providing a target location; calculating a first location of a mobile device based on global positioning system (GPS) signals received at a mobile device; establishing the first location as a reference location in response to a user input on the mobile device; determining, by the mobile device, that the mobile device with the GPS receiver has been physically moved by the user a sufficient distance from the reference location to obtain a preselected accuracy for directional information to the target location; indicating, on a display of the mobile device, that the mobile device has moved the sufficient distance; accepting an input from a user signifying that the user has aimed the mobile device toward the reference location; computing a second location of the mobile device based on GPS signals received at the mobile device; generating a reference line between the reference location and the second location, the mobile device being aimed along the reference line at the reference location; determining an angle between the reference line and a target location; and displaying, on a display of the mobile device, the angle to the target location by which the user can turn the mobile device from aiming along the reference line at the reference location to correctly point to the target location.