METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTEERING

• US 20190028843A1
• Filed: 09/26/2018
• Published: 01/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Middle Chart, LLC
• Original Assignee: Middle Chart, LLC
• Inventors: Santarone, Michael S., Duff, Jason E., Wodrich, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,433,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/36 with north-seeking action by magnetic means, e.g. gyromagnetic compasses
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/367 Details, e.g. road map scale, orientation, zooming, illumination, level of detail, scrolling of road map or positioning of current position marker
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0284 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0216 Human interface functionality, e.g. monitoring system providing help to the user in the selection of tests or in its configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for indicating a direction based upon unique automated generation of a vector. Systems for determining a direction of interest are based upon orientation of an apparatus. In combination with a geospatial position, the direction of interest may be referenced in the provision of content via a user interface. Content in the user interface is based upon the direction of interest and may include one or more of: creating models including virtual design and operation of a facility; instruction for travel; and capturing actual build details and performance of a facility modeled.

Claims

1. ) A method of orienteering with a smart device, the method comprising the steps of:

a) supporting a receiver capable of receiving logical communications with a support

b) maintaining the support at a set position relative to a ground plane, wirelessly receiving a first data set from a first set of multiple reference transmitters into the receiver with the receiver located at a first geospatial position;

c) with a smart device, determining coordinates of the first geospatial position based upon the first data set; and

d) generating a direction of interest relative to the first geospatial position based upon the first data set received wirelessly from the multiple reference transmitters into the receiver, with the receiver located at a first geospatial position.

2. ) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating a direction of interest based upon the data received wirelessly from the multiple reference transmitters comprises the steps of:

a) continuing to maintain the support at a set position relative to a ground plane moving the receiver from the first geospatial position to a second geospatial position;

b) receiving a second data set from the multiple reference transmitters with the receiver located at the second geospatial position;

c) determining coordinates of the second geospatial position based upon the second data set;

d) generating a vector comprising a direction based upon the first geospatial position and the second geospatial position;

e) generating a direction of interest based upon the vector.

3. ) The method of claim 2 wherein direction of interest is the same as direction of the vector.

4. ) method of claim 2 wherein direction of interest is at an angle to the direction of the vector

a) perpendicular to the vector

5. ) The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the step of calculating a distance from one of the first geospatial position and the second geospatial position and along a linear path based upon the direction of interest

6. ) The method of claim 5 wherein the distance comprises the length of the vector.

7. ) The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

a) selecting a virtual model of a structure based upon one of the first geospatial position and the second geospatial position;

b) accessing a first virtual position within the virtual model

i) project along a second vector comprising a direction congruent with the direction of interest

ii) length of second vector is based upon a distance in direction of interest to a first physical item

(1) machine

(2) architectural structure (or feature)

iii) user specify distance based upon drop down menu of features intersecting second vector

8. ) A method of orienteering with a smart device, the method comprising the steps of:

a) supporting a first receiver and a second receiver with a support, the first receiver and the second receiver each capable of receiving logical communications

b) maintaining the support at a set position relative to a ground plane, wirelessly receiving a first data set from a first set of multiple reference transmitters into the first receiver with the first receiver located at a first geospatial position;

c) maintaining the support at a set position relative to a ground plane, wirelessly receiving a second data set from a second set of multiple reference transmitters into the second receiver with the second receiver located at a second geospatial position;

d) with a smart device, determining coordinates of the first geospatial position based upon the first data set;

e) with a smart device, determining coordinates of the second geospatial position based upon the second data set; and

f) generating a direction of interest relative to one of the first geospatial position and the second geospatial position based upon the first data set received wirelessly from the multiple reference transmitters into the first receiver, with the first receiver located at a first geospatial position and further based upon the second data set received wirelessly from the multiple reference transmitters into the second receiver, with the second receiver located at a second geospatial position.

9. ) The method of claim 8 further comprising fixedly attaching the first receiver and the second receiver to the smart device.

10. ) The method of claim 8 further comprising removably attaching the first receiver and the second receiver to the smart device.

11. ) A method of determining a geospatial point and direction of interest, the method comprising the steps of:

a) supporting a smart device with an agent, the smart device comprising a wireless transceiver capable of receiving logical communications;

b) establishing a ground plane position for the agent;

c) generating a first set of coordinates descriptive of a first geospatial position of the transceiver while the smart device is supported by the agent at the ground plane position;

d) transitioning the transceiver to a second geospatial position while the smart device is supported by the agent at the ground plane position;

e) generating a second set of coordinates descriptive of the second geospatial position; and

f) generating a ray comprising a direction intersecting the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates.

12. ) The method of claim 11 wherein the ray comprises a vector and the method further comprises the step of generating a length of the vector with a direction intersecting the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates.

13. ) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of determining a first set of coordinates comprises the further steps of:

g) receiving into the transceiver a first set of respective wireless communications from multiple reference position transmitters while the transceiver is located at the first geospatial position; and

h) based upon the first set of respective wireless communications, generating a first position relative to the multiple reference position transmitters.

14. ) The method of claim 13 wherein the step of determining a second set of coordinates comprises the further steps of:

i) receiving into the transceiver a second set of respective wireless communications from the multiple reference position transmitters while the transceiver is located at the second geospatial position; and

j) based upon the second set of respective wireless communications, generating a second position relative to the multiple reference position transmitters.

15. ) The method of claim 14 wherein the step of generating a vector comprising a direction intersecting the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates comprises the further steps of:

k) originating the vector at the first geospatial position and extending the vector to intersect the second geospatial position.

16. ) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

l) generating a length of the vector to a termination point.

17. ) The method claim 16 further comprising the steps of transitioning the agent to a second ground plane position and determining a direction of travel of the agent based upon the first ground plane position and the second ground plane position.

18. ) The method claim 16 further comprising the steps of transitioning the agent to a second ground plane position for the agent and repeating steps a) through l).

19. ) The method of claim 16 wherein at least one of the step of generating the first set of coordinates and generating the second set of coordinates comprises a triangulation routine.

20. ) The method of claim 16 wherein at least one of the step of generating the first set of coordinates and generating the second set of coordinates comprises a trilateration routine.