Tru-Path

(RELEASED)

Row, row, row your boat gently up / down the stream???

Purpose (RECALL): This blog post is created to help readers a) better understand electronic compass [smartphone or rangefinder] residual azimuth deviation errors b) quantify the errors, c) model the errors, d) compensate [correct] the errors, and e) influence the app vendors to apply the correction method within the affected smartphone app. Basically, we need to know (accurately) whether to go up / down the stream (path) we are traveling on.

Goal: The goal of this blog post is to notify readers that the AugView Compass smartphone app has been released on both the Google Play Store and on the Apple Store.

A link to the AugView Compass app (Google Play Store) is as follows:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.augview.augviewcompass&hl=es_419

Justification (RECALL):  Over the past several years, hundreds and thousands of smartphone users have complained (internet users’ forums) about their inability to successfully use the compass apps – and rightly so.  “Experts” have offered many “fixes” to resolve the issue; yet smartphone compass apps (all) have remained notoriously inaccurate – and for good reason.  Residual (after calibration) azimuth deviation errors really do exist – resulting from local environmental magnetic/electromagnetic influences.

Hypothesis (RECALL): After recognizing a problem (error), if the error can be predicted, the error can be corrected (compensated).

Problem Statement (RECALL): How can electronic compass azimuth errors be predicted (quantified / modeled) and then be compensated (corrected) in real world situations?

Solution Characteristics (RECALL):  In order for electronic compass azimuth errors to be compensated (corrected), the following statements should be true.

• The error must be quantified – throughout the entire 360-degree range of measurement – in a manner that adds minimum cost to the user in terms of a) out-of-pocket expense, b) time and effort, and c) investment in education and/or training.  This means that descriptive data must be collected to quantify the error.
• Manufacturer’s recommended compass calibration procedures must be factored in (and applied) to account for the “hard iron” and “soft iron” effects attributed by the materials and component(s) arrangements within the electronic compass itself.  The electronic compass azimuth error to be compensated is the residual (after calibration) error resulting from environmental magnetic/electromagnetic influences – external to the electronic compass itself.
• The data collected about the compass azimuth deviation error must be “modeled” in such a way that the predicted error can be “added back” (subtracted) from the original erroneous azimuth readings to compensate (correct) the error(s) – in a repeatable and reliable manner over the entire 360-degree range of measurement – within the local environment, over a wide geographic area.

Solution Defined: The new smartphone AugView Compass app (released on both the Google Play Store and on the Apple Store) exhibits all the positive solution characteristics stated above.  The new compass app actually fixes the problem stated above – electronic compass azimuth error.

Background:

For some time, this blog has strived to a) prove the existence of residual (after calibration) compass azimuth deviation errors and b) prove the existence of a practical approach (solution) for correcting (compensating) those errors.  Throughout the existence of this blog, the author has referred to this solution as the Tru-Path Compass app.  Now, with the release of the app, the name of the compass app has been changed to AugView Compass.  The new name a) reflects the use of augmented reality technology for ease-of-use and b) is directly related to the software developer – AugView of Auckland, New Zealand.

AugView Compass “Map” Screen

AugView Compass “Live View” Screen

User Value Proposition (Conclusions)

Conclusion: The manufacturer’s recommended calibration procedures should be followed.

Conclusion: The AugView Compass app a) augments the manufacturer’s recommended calibration procedures and b) compensates residual (after calibration) compass azimuth deviation errors caused by local environmental magnetic/electromagnetic influences.