Azimuth processing device, azimuth processing method, azimuth processing program, direction finding device, tilt offset correcting method, azimuth measuring method, compass sensor unit, and portable electronic device

Abstract

An azimuth processing device is designed for outputting azimuth data based on measurement data sequentially output from a compass sensor. In the device, an accumulation section selectively accumulates substantially new pieces of the measurement data. An offset data updating section updates offset data of the compass sensor based on plural pieces of the measurement data accumulated by said accumulation section. An azimuth data output section outputs the azimuth data based on substantially newest measurement data and the offset data.

1 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a compass sensor that sequentially outputs measurement data;   a display unit having a screen; and   a controller that accumulates the measurement data and updates offset data of the compass sensor based on the accumulated measurement data, wherein   the controller displays on the screen an indication that guides a user of the portable electronic device to conduct an operation to move the portable electronic device, the operation allowing the compass sensor to output measurement data necessary for updating the offset data.   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller indicates on the screen that the operation is successful in case that the operation conducted by the user is determined to be successful. 
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller indicates on the screen that the operation has failed in case that the operation conducted by the user is determined to fail. 
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller displays on the screen a menu that enables the user to conduct another operation to move the portable electronic device after the user conducted the operation. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller displays on the screen the indication that guides the user to conduct the operation, when the controller accumulates the measurement data outputted from the compass sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller displays on the screen the indication including a target object that moves on the screen in response to the operation to move the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller displays on the screen the indication that includes at least one of a message and an illustration. 
     
     
         8 . The portable electronic device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a speaker, wherein the controller controls the speaker to output sound effective to guide the user to conduct the operation while the controller displays on the screen the indication to conduct the operation to move the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a compass sensor sequentially outputting measurement data;   an exterior package having a screen;   an offset data updating section that accumulates the measurement data so as to update offset data of said compass sensor based on the accumulated measurement data;   an operation guidance control section that indicates a guidance on the screen to operate said compass sensor to change its positions during the accumulation of the measurement data; and   an azimuth data output section that outputs azimuth data based on substantially newest measurement data and the updated offset data.   
     
     
         10 . A method of calibrating a portable electronic device having a compass sensor that sequentially outputs measurement data, and a display unit having a screen, the method comprising:
 displaying on the screen an indication that guides a user of the portable electronic device to conduct an operation to move the portable electronic device, the operation allowing the compass sensor to output measurement data necessary for updating offset data of the compass sensor;   accumulating the measurement data sequentially outputted from the compass sensor while the user conducts the operation to move the portable electronic device; and   updating the offset data of the compass sensor based on the accumulated measurement data.   
     
     
         11 . A machine readable storage medium for use in a portable electronic device having a processor, a compass sensor that sequentially outputs measurement data, and a display unit having a screen, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor to perform calibration comprising:
 displaying on the screen an indication that guides a user of the portable electronic device to conduct an operation to move the portable electronic device, the operation allowing the compass sensor to output measurement data necessary for updating offset data of the compass sensor;   accumulating the measurement data sequentially outputted from the compass sensor while the user conducts the operation to move the portable electronic device; and updating the offset data of the compass sensor based on the accumulated measurement data.