Navigation system data entry card having imprinted pictorial and bar code navigation information

• US 5,864,125 A
• Filed: 01/08/1997
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laszlo Szabo
• Original Assignee: Laszlo Szabo
• Inventors: Szabo, Laszlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gross, Anita Pellman
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A.
• Application Number:
  US08/765,404
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/488, 235/494, 235/384, 283/23, 283/34, 283/108
• US Class Current: 235/384
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3623 using a camera or code reader, e.g. for optical or magnetic codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position

Abstract

Universal data input card which loads the data of a destination point and the route into the navigation device. The card can be produced completely by printing and can be published in any printed product. On the card is a picture field (3) to locate a photo and text field (4) for locating text information, miniature map segments (2) which contain the route information and a bar-code (1) which provides the coordinates of the destination points. The card of the selected destination point is simply inserted into a card input slot (7) of a GPS device which is built together with an optoelectronic card reader. The device then navigates the driver to the destination point by means of the information shown on a display (6) which can be accompanied by additional voice information. The purpose of introducing the system which operates with a printed card is to spread GPS technology into everyday use for the public.

Claims

1. A data input card for navigation devices to facilitate approaching a predetermined destination point, said card having a top surface, said top surface being divided into at least two distinct fields, the first of said fields being arranged on a predetermined portion of said top surface and comprising a bar code with bars having a predetermined orientation relative to said first field, said bar code representing data related at least to the geographical coordinates of said destination point, and the second of said fields being provided with printed information perceptible to the human eye and relating to one of said destination point and a physical establishment at said destination point.

2. The data input card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top surface is provided with a third field that comprises a plurality of printed map segments of identical size and orientation perceptible to the human eye, said map segments comprising respective maps with differing scales and comprising said destination point and at least a traffic route leading to said destination point.

3. The data input card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said destination point is located in the center of each of said map segments.

4. The data input card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said card has a rectangular form with two short sides and two long sides, said third field with said map segments is arranged along one of the short sides, said map segments are squares with sides extending parallel to the sides of said card, said first field is in the form of a narrow strip extending parallel to said short side and located near said third field, and the orientation of the bars is parallel to said long sides.

5. The data input card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printed information on said second field is a picture.

6. The data input card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom surface comprises further printed information associated with one of said destination point and a physical establishment located at said destination point.

7. The data input card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said map segments comprise further destinations marked distinctively from said printed information associated with said destination point.

8. A navigation system for approaching a predetermined destination point operating by using a data input card and having a navigation device for determining the current location, comprising a data input card including at least the data of the geographical coordinates of said destination point in a printed form;

a card receiving device having a data input unit for detecting and reading said printed data on the card received;

a central processing unit connected to said data input unit to receive said geographical coordinate data of said destination point and to compare said coordinate data with said data of the current location provided by said navigation device, said central processing unit providing information how said destination point can be approached; and

a display for displaying predetermined information provided by said central processor unit.

9. The navigation system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said data input card comprises map segments relating to respective predetermined surrounding areas of said destination point, said map segments comprising at least such a portion of the road system that enables reaching said destination point, said data input unit comprises a scanner for reading said map segments, and said central processor unit is provided with a program that enables reaching said destination point along said read out data of the road system.

10. The navigation system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said data input unit comprises a bar code reader.

11. The navigation system as claimed in claim 8, also including a speech synthesizer for generating speech determining the suggested traffic route.