Navigation device having a viewer for superimposing bearing, GPS position and indexed map information

• US 6,016,606 A
• Filed: 04/23/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Navitrak International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Navitrak International Corporation
• Inventors: Hill, David C., MacDonald, Richard A., Oliver, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US09/064,606
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1 SB, 33/1 SC, 33/1 SD, 33/1 CC, 33/351, 33/356, 40/362, 40/366, 40/367, 342/357, 345/4, 345/5, 345/6, 353/11, 353/12, 353/13, 353/14, 353/30, 353/39, 353/43, 359/798, 359/809, 359/810, 434/153, 701/213
• US Class Current: 33/1.0SD
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/38 Electronic maps specially adapted for navigation; Updating thereof

Abstract

A hand-holdable viewer having a viewing end and a viewing axis, along the latter of which a transparent display is disposed. The viewer includes a Global Positioning System receiver (GPS) and a microprocessor connected to the GPS. The viewer is also provided with a slide holder for receiving a map slide having a map image and a EEPROM containing information about the geographical extent of the map image. When a map slide is inserted into the slide holder, it is aligned with the display, and so one is superimposed on the other, when viewed through the viewing end. The microprocessor reads the EEPROM and checks the GPS to determine whether the current position of the device is within the geographical extent of the map image. If this is so, the current position appears on the display. The EEPROM may also contain information about waypoints and routes which have previously been downloaded from a personal computer, or the like.

Claims

1. A navigation device comprising:

a case having a viewing end and a viewing axis;

a microprocessor attached to said case;

a transparent electronic display electrically connected to said microprocessor and mounted to said case, said display being oriented substantially perpendicular to said viewing axis;

a global positioning system receiver (GPS) electrically connected to said microprocessor and arranged to provide a current position thereto;

a slide holder configured and dimensioned to receive and retain an object in a position which is substantially parallel to said display; and

at least one battery arranged to power at least said display and said microprocessor.

2. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a compass positioned along said viewing axis, said transparent electronic display being positioned between said viewing end and said compass, said compass indicating a magnetic bearing.

3. The navigation device of claim 2, wherein the magnetic bearing of said compass is visible from said viewing end, through said transparent electronic display, even when battery power is lost.

4. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein said current position is indicated in alphanumeric characters on said display.

5. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a map slide inserted into said slide holder, said map slide comprising:

a slide frame configured and dimensioned to be inserted into said slide holder;

a transparent map film mounted on said slide frame, said transparent map film comprising a map of a predetermined geographical area; and

an electronic memory attached to said slide frame, said electronic memory including at least first information reflective of an extent of said predetermined geographical area,

and wherein said microprocessor is connected to said electronic memory and is arranged to read said first information therefrom.

6. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein said current position is indicated on said display by alphanumeric characters, if said current position is not within said predetermined geographical area.

7. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein said current position is indicated on said display by a cursor, if said current position is within said predetermined geographical area.

8. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein said electronic memory also includes second information comprising waypoint and route information, and said microprocessor reads said second information from said electronic memory and writes said second information to said display.

9. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein said electronic memory is an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).

10. A map slide comprising:

a slide frame;

a transparent map film mounted on said slide frame, said transparent map film comprising a map of a predetermined geographical area; and

an electronic memory attached to said slide frame, said electronic memory including at least first information reflective of an extent of said predetermined geographical area.

11. The map slide of claim 10, wherein said electronic memory is an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).

12. The map slide of claim 10, wherein said electronic memory is an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

13. A navigation device comprising:

a case having a viewing end and a viewing axis;

a microprocessor attached to said case;

a transparent electronic display electrically connected to said microprocessor and mounted to said case, said display being oriented substantially perpendicular to said viewing axis;

a global positioning system receiver (GPS) electrically connected to said microprocessor and arranged to provide a current position thereto;

a slide holder configured and dimensioned to receive and retain an object in a position which is substantially parallel to said display;

a map slide inserted into said slide holder, said map slide comprising;

a slide frame;

a transparent map film mounted on said slide frame, said transparent map film comprising a map of a predetermined geographical area; and

an electronic memory attached to said slide frame, said electronic memory including at least first information reflective of an extent of said predetermined geographical area; and

at least one battery arranged to power at least said display and said microprocessor,

wherein said microprocessor is connected to said electronic memory and is arranged to read said first information therefrom.

14. The navigation device of claim 13, further comprising a compass positioned along said viewing axis, said transparent electronic display being positioned between said viewing end and said compass, said compass indicating a magnetic bearing.

15. The navigation device of claim 14, wherein the magnetic bearing of said compass is visible from said viewing end, through said transparent electronic display, even when battery power is lost.

16. The navigation device of claim 13, wherein said current position is indicated on said display by alphanumeric characters, if said current position is not within said predetermined geographical area.

17. The navigation device of claim 13, wherein said current position is indicated on said display by a cursor, if said current position is within said predetermined geographical area.

18. The navigation device of claim 13, wherein said electronic memory also includes second information comprising waypoint and route information, and said microprocessor reads said second information from said electronic memory and writes said second information to said display.

19. The navigation device of claim 13, wherein said electronic memory is an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).

20. The navigation device of claim 19, wherein said electronic memory is an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).