GPS explorer

• US 20040036649A1
• Filed: 04/28/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1993
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: William Michael Frederick Taylor
• Original Assignee: William Michael Frederick Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, William Michael Frederick
• Application Number:
  US10/425,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20040036649A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.06
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/39 the satellite radio beacon positioning system transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations

Abstract

This is a portable information system which uses Global Positioning System (GPS) data as a key to automatically retrieve audiovisual data from a database. On a journey the system can automatically identify and describe places of specific interest to the user, landmarks and the history of nearby buildings, or locate hotels, hospitals, shops and products within a radius of the present position. Audible menus and voice command give hands-free and eyes-free control while driving, flying, sailing or walking.

Claims

1. A portable information system comprising:

a database;

means for determining position data relating to a user, employing a satellite positioning system receiver;

means for automatically retrieving information from the database using a data retrieval key, derived from the user'"'"'s position, including any combination of the following;

location

orientation

direction of travel

direction of view

speed

altitude

date

time;

means for the user to select data of interest to him/her; and

means for outputting retrieved data.

2. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising means for retrieving radio, television, cellular telephone, satellite telephone or any other form of broadcast or broadcast data and adding this data to the database.

3. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising means for the user to select different modes of data retrieval or presentation to meet ergonomic constraints of different modes of travel.

4. A portable information system according to claim 1 wherein the means for determining the user'"'"'s orientation is also arranged to include any one of:

heading, direction of movement, speed, acceleration or deceleration, rate of climb or descent, pitch angle or rate, roll angle or rate, or any like parameters.

5. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising optical, magnetic, radio or other means of inputting data for identifying location, products, persons, vehicles, systems, temperatures or any environmental variables.

6. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising means for determining direction of view which means is also arranged to include compass bearing, azimuth or range.

7. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising a telephone or telephone interface with means to enable a telephone call to be made using telephone numbers from any database or broadcast, without the user needing to dial the number.

8. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising means for the user to control the device by selecting from audible options, contained within audio data or audio menus.

9. A portable information system according to claim 1 which is provided with a display screen.

10. A portable information system according to claim 1 which is controlled by spoken audio command.

11. A portable information system according to claim 1 which is controlled by keyboard or by any form of joystick or switch.

12. A portable information system according to claim 1 with more than one channel for simultaneous use by a group of users.

13. A portable information system according to claim 1 further comprising means to present the user with an audio and/or visual simulation or partial simulation, of an alternative audio and/or visual three dimensional environment based on the user'"'"'s location in space and time, orientation and direction of view in the real world.

14. A portable entertainment system having a portable information system according to claim 1.

15. A portable information system comprising:

a database;

means for determining position data relating to a user, employing a GPS receiver;

means for automatically retrieving audio and/or visual information from a database using a data retrieval key, derived from the user'"'"'s position, including any combination of the following;

location

orientation

direction of travel

direction of view

speed

altitude

date

time;

means for the user to select data of interest to him/her; and

means for outputting retrieved data.