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SamsungGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 4/10

Samsung patents method to fix phone compass using motion data

This patent describes a way for an electronic device to automatically correct its built-in compass. It uses a motion sensor to detect how the user is moving the device, which helps the system pick the right data to fix the compass reading.

Why it mattersThis improves the accuracy of maps and navigation apps by ensuring the compass stays aligned even when the device is moved.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device may include: a geomagnetic sensor; a motion sensor for sensing a signal associated with a motion of a user; and a processor operatively connected, directly or indirectly, to the geomagnetic sensor and the motion sensor, wherein the processor determines whether to perform calibration of the geomagnetic sensor based on a signal measured by the geomagnetic sensor; in response to the determination to perform the calibration, identifies the motion of the user based on motion data obtained from the motion sensor; based on the identified motion of the user, determines a parameter including a range of data to be used for calibrating the geomagnetic sensor among data obtained from the geomagnetic sensor; and calibrates the geomagnetic sensor based on data extracted based on the parameter. Other various embodiments are possible.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device comprising: a geomagnetic sensor; memory configured to store a plurality of instructions; a motion sensor; and at least one processor operatively connected to the geomagnetic sensor and the motion sensor, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: obtain a plurality of geomagnetic signals from the geomagnetic sensor; determine to perform calibration of the geomagnetic sensor when a magnitude of a geomagnetic signal among the plurality of geomagnetic signals exceeds a preset value; based on determining to perform the calibration, identify a motion of a user based on motion data obtained using the motion sensor; based on the identified motion of the user, determine a range of magnitude to be used for calibrating the geomagnetic sensor; extract geomagnetic data corresponding to geomagnetic signal having a magnitude within the determined range of magnitude among the geomagnetic signals; and calibrate the geomagnetic sensor based on the extracted geomagnetic data.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Electronic device for calibrating geomagnetic sensor, and method of operating electronic device
Patent number
US12742642B2
Application number
18460082
Filed
Sep 1, 2023
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
13

Classified under

G01C 17/38 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.