GPS device and method for displaying raster images

• US 20060161349A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bushnell Incorporated (Vista Outdoor Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bushnell Incorporated (Vista Outdoor Inc.)
• Inventors: Cross, John, DeCastro, John, Ball, Richard, Lalik, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/037,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161349A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications

Abstract

A GPS device adapted and operable to download and store, receive, or otherwise obtain and display any of a variety of different types of geo-referenced raster images, such as, for example, aerial photographs, and to integrate those images into a scheme of information which is relevant to navigation and travel generally.

Claims

1. A GPS device for obtaining and displaying a raster image, the GPS device comprising:

a GPS unit including a receiver and an antenna for receiving signals from each of a plurality of sources and, based on the received signals, determining the geographic location of the GPS device;

an obtainment mechanism for obtaining the raster image so that it may be displayed on the GPS device;

an input interface for allowing a user to enter input for controlling the display of the raster image; and

an output display for displaying the raster image.

2. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the raster image is selected from the group consisting of:

aerial photographs, perspective photographs, topographical maps, satellite images, weather images, and Doppler radar images.

3. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the raster image is created by capturing an emission of energy selected from the group consisting of:

radio, visual, infrared, ultraviolet, electromagnetic, thermal, and sound.

4. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the raster image is created by capturing a reflection of energy selected from the group consisting of:

radio, visual, infrared, ultraviolet, electromagnetic, thermal, and sound.

5. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the raster image is geo-referenced.

6. The GPS device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the raster image is geo-referenced by associating geographic location coordinates with each pixel of the raster image.

7. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input interface and output display allow for displaying geo-referenced information in association with the raster image.

8. The GPS device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the geo-referenced information is selected from the group consisting of:

waypoints, trails, paths, and symbols.

9. The GPS device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the geo-referenced information is overlaid over the displayed raster image.

10. The GPS device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the input interface and the output display allow for toggling between the raster image and a second image, wherein the geo-referenced information remains continuously displayed for both the raster image and the second image.

11. The GPS device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the raster image and the second image are automatically similarly scaled and oriented when displayed.

12. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the obtainment mechanism includes an input port for receiving the raster image from a remote source via a network.

13. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the obtainment mechanism includes a transceiver for receiving the raster image from a remote source via a wireless connection.

14. The GPS device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the obtainment mechanism includes a plurality of exchangeable memory devices, with each of the exchangeable memory devices being capable of storing a plurality of raster images and of being removably coupled with the GPS device.

15. A GPS device for obtaining and displaying a geo-referenced raster image of an aerial photograph, the GPS device comprising:

a GPS unit including a receiver and an antenna for receiving signals from each of a plurality of sources and, based on the received signals, determining the geographic location of the GPS device;

an obtainment mechanism for obtaining the raster image of the aerial photograph so that it may be displayed on the GPS device, wherein the obtainment mechanism includes a transceiver for receiving the raster image from a remote source via a wireless connection;

an input interface for allowing a user to enter input for controlling display of the raster image of the aerial photograph and allowing for displaying geo-referenced information over the raster image of the aerial photograph; and

an output display for displaying the raster image of the aerial photograph and the geo-referenced information,

wherein the raster image is geo-referenced prior to display by associating geographic location coordinates with each pixel of the raster image.

16. The GPS device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the raster image is selected from the group consisting of:

aerial photographs, perspective photographs, topographical maps, satellite images, weather images, and Doppler radar images.

17. The GPS device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the raster image is created by capturing an emission of energy selected from the group consisting of:

radio, visual, infrared, ultraviolet, electromagnetic, thermal, and sound.

18. The GPS device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the raster image is created by capturing a reflection of energy selected from the group consisting of:

radio, visual, infrared, ultraviolet, electromagnetic, thermal, and sound.

19. The GPS device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the geo-referenced information is selected from the group consisting of waypoints, trails, paths, and symbols.

20. The GPS device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the input interface and the output display allow for toggling between the raster image and a second image and the geo-referenced information remains continuously displayed for both the raster image and the second image.

21. The GPS device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the raster image and the second image are automatically similarly scaled and oriented when displayed.