Process for picking up navigation data

• US 4,731,526 A
• Filed: 12/18/1985
• Issued: 03/15/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Walz, Thomas, Konig, Winfried, Knoll, Peter, Rapps, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US06/821,560
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/472, 235/494
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A process for determining navigation data from a map wherein a line code lattice is superposed on the map and scanned by a sensor. The crossing line codes in the lattice differ one from the other.

Claims

1. Process for determining navigation data from a map, particularly for use in vehicles, comprising the steps of applying on the map a line code lattice including crossing line codes formed, respectively, by a sequence of at least two parallel lines differing in width and/or in spacing;

and scanning the line code lattice by a sensor.

2. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sequence of lines extending in one direction differs from that extending in the transverse direction.

3. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said line code lattice consists of interleaved segments of said parallel lines.

4. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said codes differ in color.

5. Process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coding consists of a wide line and a narrow line.

6. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the line code lattice is in a color which is not visible to the human eye.

7. Process in accordance with claim 6, wherein fluorescing or phosphorescing substances are used in the line code lattice.

8. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the line code lattice is made of a substance absorbing or reflecting infrared light.

9. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the line code lattice is imprinted on the map.

10. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the line code lattice is mounted on a transparent carrier which is then placed on the map.

11. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the line code lattice is in the form of elevations and/or embossings.

12. Process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the line code lattice is mounted on a transparent conductive electrode.

13. Process in accordance with claim 12, wherein the line code lattice is formed as a resistor.

14. Process in accordance with claim 11, wherein the line code lattice is imprinted on the map.

15. Process in accordance with claim 10, wherein said transparent carrier is a foil.

16. Process in accordance with claim 10, wherein said transparent carrier is glass.

17. Process in accordance with claim 10, wherein said transparent carrier is plexiglass.