GPS relative position detection system
First Claim
1. A method for determining and displaying a position of a target relative to a relative position determining first GPS device and being responsive to data communicated from an orbiting Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) determining a geographical location of the first GPS device by receiving and processing GPS signals from the orbiting GPS satellites;
b) correlating the geographical location of the first GPS device to be coincident with a point of origin on a visual display means;
c) receiving and processing telemetry data containing a geographical location of the target;
d) calculating a relative position of the target relative to the first GPS device so as to provide an approximate direction of travel and distance to the target from the first GPS device; and
e) graphically displaying on the visual display means of the first GPS device the relative position of the target with respect to
1) any physical orientation of the visual display means of the first GPS device which is in a generally horizontal plane relative to the earth, and
2) the point of origin on the visual display means of the fist GPS device, and wherein the relative direction of the target is displayed utilizing at least a direction indicating symbol to portray the relative position information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system of GPS devices which receive civilian GPS signals and provide an intuitive graphical interface for displaying the relative position of GPS devices in relation to each other, the relative position being accurate to several meters and defined as the distance to, direction of and height variance between GPS devices. A first GPS device with the person or object to be located transmits its GPS determined location to a second GPS device. This second GPS device includes a means for receiving the GPS determined position of the first GPS device, and also includes means for calculating the relative position of the first GPS device relative to the second GPS device based on a comparison of the received telemetry of the first GPS device and its own GPS determined position. The relative position of the first device is then graphically displayed on an interface of the second GPS device in a manner which eliminates the need for a map in order to travel to the location of the first GPS device. While providing an interface which displays a relative position of the first GPS device, this information remains accurate no matter how the orientation of the second GPS device changes with respect to a compass.
141 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for determining and displaying a position of a target relative to a relative position determining first GPS device and being responsive to data communicated from an orbiting Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) determining a geographical location of the first GPS device by receiving and processing GPS signals from the orbiting GPS satellites; b) correlating the geographical location of the first GPS device to be coincident with a point of origin on a visual display means; c) receiving and processing telemetry data containing a geographical location of the target; d) calculating a relative position of the target relative to the first GPS device so as to provide an approximate direction of travel and distance to the target from the first GPS device; and e) graphically displaying on the visual display means of the first GPS device the relative position of the target with respect to
1) any physical orientation of the visual display means of the first GPS device which is in a generally horizontal plane relative to the earth, and
2) the point of origin on the visual display means of the fist GPS device, and wherein the relative direction of the target is displayed utilizing at least a direction indicating symbol to portray the relative position information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification