METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LOCATING POSITIONS

• US 20090055090A1
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan Scharman, Carolyn Chlebek, Georgia Duncan, Jeremy Gygi, Timothy Cowley
• Original Assignee: Alan Scharman, Carolyn Chlebek, Georgia Duncan, Jeremy Gygi, Timothy Cowley
• Inventors: Chlebek, Carolyn, Duncan, Georgia, Scharman, Alan, Cowley, Timothy, Gygi, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US11/841,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20090055090A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

The methods and systems provide computer-generated software downloadable into cellular phone devices or other devices. The software programs the cellular device to mark and then locate a location based on its longitudinal and latitudinal position and elevation. The software utilizes all of the cellular device'"'"'s capabilities to precisely identify locations using, but not limited to, GPS global positioning systems and Wi-Fi wireless fidelity data and information. The software informs the user of the marked location by displaying the position and pointing the user back to the marked location, in three dimensions, as needed, for example, to find the user'"'"'s vehicle parked in a parking garage.

Claims

1. A method for locating a position, comprising:

receiving a signal from a user of a device to mark the position;

determining coordinates for the position based on a location of the device at the time the signal to mark the position is received;

storing the coordinates in a memory of the device;

receiving a signal from a user of the device to locate the position;

determining directional information based on differences between stored coordinates for the position and coordinates of a location of the device at the time the signal to locate the position is received; and

providing the directional information to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a signal from the user identifying the position to be marked.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising periodically updating the directional information.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a signal to the user when the device approaches within a predetermined distance of the position.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a signal from the user to mark at least one additional position;

storing identifying information for each position marked.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving a signal from a user of the device to locate the position comprises receiving a signal from the user selecting one of the positions based on the identifying information for the one position.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein storing identifying information for each position marked comprises storing a sequence identifier for at least two of the positions.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein providing the directional information to the user comprises:

determining directional information for a next position in the sequence based on differences between stored coordinates for the next position and coordinates of a location of the device when the device approaches within a predetermined distance of the position; and

providing the directional information for the next position to the user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises instructions on computer-readable medium for controlling a processor of the device wherein the device is a hand held device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructions control the processor of one of a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player and a game player.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving a signal from the user to mark at least one additional position comprises:

obtaining a current location of the device;

storing coordinates for the current location when a coordinate difference between the current location of the device and a previously stored position is greater than a predetermined distance;

storing a sequential identifier for the stored current location; and

periodically returning to obtaining the current location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the directional information to the user comprises:

determining a next previously stored position based on the sequential identifier;

determining directional information for the next previously stored position in the sequence based on differences between stored coordinates for the next previously stored position and coordinates of a current location the device;

providing the directional information for the next previously stored position to the user; and

returning to determining a next previously stored position when the device approaches within a predetermined distance of the next previously stored position.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving seating information for the position, wherein:

the coordinates are further based on the seating information; and

the directional information conforms to a seating layout of which the position is one seat.

14. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a processor of a hand held device to:

receive a signal from a user of the hand held device to mark the position;

determine coordinates for the position based on a location of the hand held device at the time the signal to mark the position is received;

store the coordinates in a memory of the hand held device;

receive signal from a user of the hand held device to locate the position;

determine directional information based on differences between stored coordinates for the position and coordinates of a location of the hand held device at the time the signal to locate the position is received; and

provide the directional information to the user.

15. A hand held device enabling a user to locate a position, comprising:

a user interface for enabling the user submit commands to mark the position and locate the position;

a processor for storing coordinate information for the marked position and determining directional information based on coordinate differences between the coordinate information for the marked position and coordinate information for a current position of the hand held device; and

a display for presenting the directional information to the user.