System to navigate within images spatially referenced to a computed space

• US 7,827,507 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2003
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pixearth Corporation
• Inventors: Geise, Doran J., Croteau, Keith G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bashore, William L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zahr, Ashraf
• Application Number:
  US10/513,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20060037990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,738 Days
• Field of Search: 715848-852
• US Class Current: 715/850
• 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) displaying a geographic representation including within a plurality of geographic location coordinates;

b) selecting a first one of said plurality of geographic location coordinates within said geographic representation to establish a first geographic coordinate location in said geographic representation;

c) displaying a first image separate from said geographic representation which provides visual destination information viewed from said first geographic coordinate location established within said geographic representation, said visual destination information viewed from said first geographic coordinate location including a first plurality of destination location coordinates;

d) selecting one of said first plurality of destination location coordinates within said visual destination information viewed from said first geographic coordinate location to identify a first destination location;

e. matching said first one of said plurality of destination location coordinates with a second one of said plurality of geographic location coordinates to establish a second geographic coordinate location within said geographic representation, said second geographic coordinate location identifying within said geographic representation location of said first destination location selected within said visual destination information of said first image;

f. displaying a second image separate from said geographic representation which provides visual destination information viewed from said second geographic coordinate location established within said geographic representation, said visual destination information viewed from said second geographic coordinate location including a second plurality of destination location coordinates each selectable to identify a second destination location, said destination location coordinates matchable to a third one of said geographic location coordinates to establish a third geographic coordinate location within said geographic representation identifying within said geographic representation location of said second destination location selected within said visual destination information of said second image, thereby allowing serial navigation of a plurality of images in relation to said geographic representation.

2. 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 geographic representation.

3. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 2, further comprising the step of directionally biasing said first image in relation to said first geographic coordinate location within said geographic representation by aiming a direction indicator responsive to said first directionally controllable navigation prior to said step of displaying said first image.

4. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 3, further comprising the step of providing a second directionally controllable navigation indicator within said first image.

5. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 4, further comprising the step of identifying with visual indicia said second coordinate location within said geographic representation prior to said step of selecting one of said first plurality of destination coordinates within said visual destination information viewed from said first geographic coordinate location.

6. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 5, further comprising the step highlighting said second coordinate location identified within said geographic representation.

7. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 6, further comprising the step of directionally biasing said second image in relation to said second coordinate location by aiming a second direction indicator within said first image prior to said step of displaying said second image viewed from said second coordinate location.

8. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 2, wherein said step of generating a geographic representation including within a plurality of geographic location coordinates comprises the step of generating a planar geographic representation including within a first plurality of geographic location coordinates.

9. A method of operating a computer as described in claim 8, wherein said planar geographic representation comprises a geo-planar map.

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

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