System to navigate within images spatially referenced to a computed space

• US 20060037990A1
• Filed: 05/05/2003
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pixearth Corporation
• Inventors: Geise, Doran J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,827,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 228/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A system for navigating images spatially referenced to a plurality of location coordinates from at least one coordinate location within a computed space provides travel with a non-linear itinerary. Specifically, serial navigation of a plurality of geographic images spatially referenced to location coordinates of a geo-planar space from a selected coordinate location within each prior geographic image.

Claims

1. A method of operating a computer, comprising the steps of:

a. generating a computed navigation space having selectable location coordinates;

b. activating a first coordinate location within said computed navigation space;

c. generating a first image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said first coordinate location;

d. activating a second coordinate location from said selectable location coordinates within said at least one image; and

e. generating a second image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said second coordinate location.

123. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a first directionally controllable navigation indicator within said computed navigation space.

124. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 123, further comprising the step of directionally biasing said first image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said first coordinate location by aiming a direction indicator responsive to said first directionally controllable navigation indicator positioned at said first coordinate location toward selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space prior to said step of generating said first image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said first coordinate location.

125. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 124, further comprising the step of providing a second directionally controllable navigation indicator within said first image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said first coordinate location.

126. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 125, further comprising the step of identifying location of said second coordinate location within said computed navigation space prior to said step of activating a second coordinate location from said selectable location coordinates within said first image by positioning said second directionally controllable navigation indicator within said at least one image.

127. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 126, further comprising the step highlighting said second coordinate location identified within said computed navigation space prior to said step of activating a second coordinate location from said selectable location coordinates within said at least one image.

128. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 127, further comprising the step of directionally biasing said second image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said first coordinate location by aiming a direction indicator responsive to said second directionally controllable navigation indicator positioned at said second coordinate location toward selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space prior to said step of generating said second image spatially referenced to said selectable location coordinates within said computed navigation space from said second coordinate location.

129. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 123, further comprising the step of generating a planar representation of said computed navigation space in which to provide said first directionally controllable navigation indicator.

130. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 129, wherein said step of identifying said second coordinate location within said computed navigation space prior to said step of activating a second coordinate location from said selectable location coordinates within said first image comprises identifying said second coordinate location within said planar representation of said computed navigation space.

131. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 130, wherein said planar representation of said computed navigation space comprises a geo-planar representation of said computed navigation space.

132. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 131, wherein said geo-planar representation of said computed navigation space comprises a geo-planar map.

133. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 1, wherein said at first image is selected from the group consisting of a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics within said computed navigation space sensorially perceivable to the human eye, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics of the earth within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics of a city within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics of thoroughfares within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable geography within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable geography within said computed navigation space sensorially perceivable to the human eye, and a fractional representation of a computed tomography.

134. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 1, wherein said second image is selected from the group consisting of a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics within said computed navigation space sensorially perceivable to the human eye, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics of the earth within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics of a city within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable characteristics of thoroughfares within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable geography within said computed navigation space, a fractional representation of digitally recordable geography within said computed navigation space sensorially perceivable to the human eye, and a fractional representation of a computed tomography.

2-122. -122. (canceled)