Navigation system

• US 4,796,190 A
• Filed: 06/04/1986
• Issued: 01/03/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elihu C. Cummings
• Original Assignee: Elihu C. Cummings
• Inventors: Cummings, Elihu C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US06/870,534
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 364/443, 364/444, 364/449, 364/200, 364/900, 364/424, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/22 Plotting boards

Abstract

An improved navigation system for a vehicle. The system includes a microprocessor and memory therefor and permits the pilot of an aircraft or other vehicle to display on a screen a navigation chart showing the position of the vehicle with respect to fixed environmental checkpoints. A compact laser disk comprises the memory. Environmental checkpoints and other navigation data displayed on the screen are stored on the compact disk. The system includes a procedure for inexpensively and quickly updating system memory. The system supersedes navigation chart manuals now utilized by pilots.

Claims

1. A navigation system for a vehicle, including

(a) a display screen:

(b) memory means for storing navigation chart information for a selected geographical area, including fixed environmental checkpoints in said area;

(c) means for storing information to update said navigation chart information stored in said memory means;

(d) means in communication with said update information storing means for transmitting an electromagnetic radiation signal carrying said update information;

(e) sensor means for detecting the touching of a fingertip to said display screen to generate signals representing certain environmental checkpoints and other chart information contained in said memory means for a portion of said selected geographical area;

(f) means in communication with said sensor means to recall from said memory means said chart information for said portion of said selected geographical area;

(g) means in communication with said recall means for generating signals corresponding to said chart information in said portion of said selected geographical area to display said information on said screen; and

,

(h) means for receiving said electromagnetic radiation signal and processing said signal to direct said update information to said memory means.

2. The navigation of claim 1 wherein said memory means comprises a compact laser disk.

3. A navigation system for a vehicle, including

(a) a display screen;

(b) memory means for storing navigation chart information for a selected geographical area, said information including fixed environmental checkpoints in said area;

(c) means for storing information to update said navigation chart information stored in said memory means;

(d) means in communication with said update information storing means to transmit an electromagnetic radiation signal carrying said update information;

(e) sensor means for generating signals representing certain environmental checkpoints and other chart information contained in said memory means for a portion of said selected geographical area;

(f) means in communication w1th sa1d sensor means to recall from said memory means said chart information for said portion of said selected geographical area;

(g) means in communication with said recall means for generating signals corresponding to said chart information in said portion of said selected geographical area to display said information on said screen;

(h) means for receiving said electromagnetic radiation signal and processing said signal to direct said update information to said memory means;

(i) a key access component concealable on the person and carrying identification information required by said system prior to the directing of said update information into said memory means; and

,

(j) means for reading said key access component to detect said identification information carried thereon;

said update information not being directed to said memory means until said reading means detects said required identification information on said key access component.

4. The navigation system of claim 3 wherein said memory means comprises a compact laser disk.