Computer aided map location system

• US 5,848,373 A
• Filed: 07/18/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Delorme Publishing Company Incorporated (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: DeLorme, David M., Gray, Keith A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US08/896,712
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/208, 701/210, 701/212, 701/216, 701/217, 701/300, 340/998, 340/990, 340/995, 342/357, 342/457
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) provides correlation and coordination of spatially related data between a computer (PDA/PC/EC) and a set of printed maps typically printed on paper depicting surface features at desired levels of detail. A first set of constant scale printed maps substantially coincides with or is overprinted with equal area grid quadrangles of a first scale grid. The first scale grid quadrangles are identified by a first set of unique names. The PDA/PC/EC has a computer display or other computer output, a first database, and display subsystem. The first database includes the first set of unique names of the grid quadrangles of the first scale grid. The boundary lines of the respective first scale grid quadrangles are identified in the first database by latitude and longitude location. The display subsystem causes the display of a selected grid quadrangle or gridname on the PDA/PC/EC display in response to a user query. The displayed grid quadrangle or gridname is correlated with a grid quadrangle of a printed map from the first set of printed maps. The PDA/PC/EC may have access to a second database or multiple databases of latitude and longitude locatable objects (loc/objects) for display on selected grid quadrangles. Alternatively or in addition the PDA/PC/EC may incorporate a user location system such as a GPS location system for displaying the location and route of the CAMLS user on the display. Multiple level scales of grids and corresponding multiple sets of maps at the different scales are available. Communications links are provided between CAMLS computers and CAMLS users in various combinations.

Claims

1. A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) for assisting a user in map reading and map use comprising:

at least one printed map corresponding to a selected geographical area, said printed map depicting surface features at a particular level of detail, said printed map comprising grid lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of a selected geographical coordinate system, said grid lines defining boundary lines of printed map grid quadrangles identified by printed map grid quadrangle names;

a first computer means having a display, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display selected display grid quadrangles identified by first display grid quadrangle names corresponding to said printed map grid quadrangle names;

at least one database of selected geographical-coordinate-locatable objects (loc/objects) storable on a memory device and readable by said first computer means, said selected loc/objects identified by geographical coordinate location in said selected geographical coordinate system, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display locations of one or more of said selected loc/objects in said display grid quadrangles corresponding to map locations of said selected loc/objects in said printed map grid quadrangles of said printed map;

a second computer means having an output programmed to indicate second grid quadrangles names for user correlation with corresponding printed map grid quadrangles.

2. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second computer means includes a second display, said second computer means being programmed to display on said second display selected grid quadrangles identified by said second display grid quadrangle names for user correlation with corresponding printed map grid quadrangles;

and a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

3. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second computer means is located at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means having at least one database of loc/objects, and said CAMLS includes a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

4. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 1 further comprising locating means couplable to said first computer means, to said second computer means, or to both.

5. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locating means is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

6. A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) comprising:

a first set of printed maps corresponding to selected geographical areas, said first set of printed maps depicting surface features at a particular level of detail, said first set of printed maps substantially coinciding in geographic area with grid quadrangles of a first set of printed map grid quadrangles of substantially equal area and substantially constant scale, said first set of printed map grid quadrangles having boundary lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of a selected geographical coordinate system and forming a first-level printed map grid, said first set of printed map grid quadrangles being identified by first printed map grid quadrangle names;

said first set of printed maps being subdivided into a second set of printed map grid quadrangles of substantially equal area and constant scale by a second level grid, wherein each grid quadrangle of said second set of printed map grid quadrangles covers a smaller geographical area than said grid quadrangles of said first set of printed map grid quadrangles, said second set of printed map grid quadrangles being defined by boundary lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of said selected geographical coordinate system and being identified by second printed map grid quadrangle names;

first computer means having a display, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display selected display grid quadrangles corresponding to said first set of printed map grid quadrangles and to said second set of printed map grid quadrangles identified by display grid quadrangle names;

at least one database of selected geographical-coordinate-locatable objects (loc/objects) storable on a memory device and readable by said computer means, said selected loc/objects identified by geographical coordinate location, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display locations of one or more of said selected loc/objects in said display grid quadrangles corresponding to map locations of said selected loc/objects in said first set of printed map grid quadrangles and said second set of printed map grid quadrangles;

a second computer means at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means being programmed in a manner similar to said first computer means;

and a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

7. A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) comprising:

a first set of substantially constant-scale printed maps at a first scale depicting surface features over a specified geographical area, over a specified geographical area, said first set of substantially constant-scale printed maps substantially coinciding with substantially equal-area first printed map grid quadrangles of a first scale grid, said first printed map grid quadrangles being identified by a first set of printed map grid quadrangle names;

a first computer means having a display, a first database, and a display subsystem performing functions of a database manager, said first database comprising said first set of printed map grid quadrangle names;

said first scale grid comprising grid lines defining boundary lines of said first set of grid quadrangles, said boundary lines of said first scale grid being substantially parallel to lines of latitude and longitude across said specified geographic area and being identified in said first database by latitude and longitude location;

said display subsystem being constructed to cause the drawing and display of selected printed map grid quadrangles of said first scale grid as a first set of display grid quadrangles identified by a first set of display grid quadrangle names, said display grid quadrangles being correlated with printed maps from said first set of printed maps substantially coinciding in geographic area with said selected printed map grid quadrangles;

said first computer means comprising a user location system for generating signals corresponding to the latitude and longitude of a location of a CAMLS user, and wherein said display subsystem is constructed for displaying on said first computer means display said location of said CAMLS user on selected display grid quadrangles displayed on said display for correlation of locations with said printed maps of said first set of printed maps coinciding in geographic area with said selected printed map grid quadrangles;

said first set of printed maps comprising a second scale grid formed on said first set of printed maps subdividing each of said printed map grid quadrangles of said first scale grid into a plurality of substantially equal area second scale second printed map grid quadrangles identified by a second set of printed map grid quadrangle names, said second scale grid comprising grid lines defining boundary lines of said second set of printed map grid quadrangles, said boundary lines of said second scale printed map grid quadrangles being substantially parallel to lines of latitude and longitude across said specified geographic area; and

said first database comprising said second set of printed map grid quadrangle names, said boundaries of said second printed map grid quadrangles being identified by latitude and longitude in said first database, said display subsystem being constructed for drawing and displaying on said display of said first computer means boundary lines of selected grid quadrangles of said second scale grid identified by unique name and for displaying the location of a CAMLS user on the second printed map grid quadrangles for correlation of locations with printed maps of said first set of printed maps with greater localization;

a second set of substantially constant scale maps at said second scale depicting surface features in greater detail than in said first set of printed maps over said specified geographical area, said second set of printed maps substantially coinciding in geographic area with grid quadrangles of said second scale grid for correlating said location and a route of said CAMLS user displayed on a second display grid quadrangle with locations on a coinciding printed map of said second set of printed maps; and

a second database storable on a memory device and readable by said first computer means comprising latitude and longitude locatable objects (loc/objects) identified by latitude and longitude location in said specified geographical area, said display subsystem causing selected loc/objects to be displayed in displayed grid quadrangles of said first scale grid or said second scale grid for correlation with locations on said printed map of said first set of printed maps or said second set of printed maps coinciding in geographic area with said specified printed map grid quadrangles;

a second computer means;

and a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

8. A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) for assisting a user in reading and using a printed map comprising:

at least one printed map corresponding to a selected geographical area, said printed map depicting surface features at a desired level of detail, said printed map comprising grid lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of a selected geographical coordinate system, said grid lines defining boundary lines of printed map grid quadrangles identified by printed map grid quadrangle names;

a first computer means having an output, said first computer means being programmed to identify selected grid quadrangles by selected grid quadrangle names at said output for correlation by a system user with said printed map grid quadrangles;

and at least one database storable on a memory device and readable by said first computer means, said database including selected geographical coordinate locatable objects (loc/objects) identified by geographical coordinate location, said first computer means being programmed to transmit grid quadrangle names of grid quadrangle locations of one or more specific selected loc/objects in response to user queries for user correlation with said printed map grid quadrangles;

a second computer means at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means comprising at least one database of information about loc/objects;

and a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

9. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second computer means is located at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means comprising a loc/object information service bureau;

and said CAMLS includes a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

10. A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) for assisting a user in map reading and map use comprising:

a first computer means having a display, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display selected display grid quadrangles identified by first display grid quadrangle names;

at least one database of selected geographical-coordinate-locatable objects (loc/objects) storable on a memory device and readable by said first computer means, said selected loc/objects identified by geographical coordinate location in said selected geographical coordinate system, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display locations of one or more of said selected loc/objects in said display grid quadrangles;

a second computer means having an output programmed to indicate second grid quadrangles names for user correlation with corresponding first display grid quadrangle names.

11. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 10 further comprising at least one printed map corresponding to a selected geographical area, said printed map depicting surface features at a particular level of detail, said printed map comprising grid lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of a selected geographical coordinate system, said grid lines defining boundary lines of printed map grid quadrangles identified by printed map grid quadrangle names corresponding to said first display grid quadrangle names.

12. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

13. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second computer means is located at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means having at least one database of loc/objects, and said CAMLS includes a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

14. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 13 wherein said data communications link permits a CAMLS user to obtain information regarding said loc/objects and waypoints and to relate positions of said loc/objects and said waypoints to said display grid quadrangles.

15. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 10 further comprising locating means couplable to said first computer means, to said second computer means, or to both.

16. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 15 wherein said locating means is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

17. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

18. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 17 wherein said second computer means is located at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means having at least one database of loc/objects, and said CAMLS includes a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

19. The CAMLS as claimed in claim 17 further comprising at least one printed map corresponding to a selected geographical area, said printed map depicting surface features at a particular level of detail, said printed map comprising grid lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of a selected geographical coordinate system, said grid lines defining boundary lines of printed map grid quadrangles identified by printed map grid quadrangle names corresponding to said first display grid quadrangle names.