WO2001048440A1

WO2001048440A1 - Networked mapping device

Info

Publication number: WO2001048440A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/035643
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas J. Blackman; Gene V. Roe; Frank D. Defalco; William R. Michaelson
Original assignee: American Navigation Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-12-29
Filing date: 2000-12-29
Publication date: 2001-07-05
Also published as: AU3266701A

Abstract

Device and method for aiding in the navigation and tracking of users. The device (10) provides real-time location information of the user (64) in relation to other users (68) on a map image (78). The location information may be obtained from GPS signals received by the device and/or from a local navigation system (62) included in the device. The device can also communicate with wired or wireless communication systems, such as a cellular telephone network.

Description

NETWORKED MAPPING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to navigation and tracking and specifically to providing real-time position information on a map image.

Background of the Invention

Portable navigation systems are known which are in the form of hand-held devices and which report position in terms of latitude, longitude, and height. Mapping functions may be provided that display the path that a user has followed or provide a simple steering indication to facilitate taking a path towards a target location having a desired coordinate. More sophisticated systems may include map information upon which the user's coordinates are overlaid.

User navigation systems may incorporate LCD displays which are difficult to view in direct sunlight because of insufficient display contrast. In addition, map resolution may be limited because the displays are not dense enough, and storage of detailed map images requires a large data storage capacity. Moreover, GPS-based systems tend to be unreliable if the direct line of sight to the satellite is obstructed, for example, at locations between high- rises and in tunnels. Hand-held GPS mapping devices are used with increasing frequency to establish a user's location in a remote area. The users may also carry wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones, to make telephone calls or to call for help in an emergency. However, users, such as hikers, skiers, hunters and other users traveling as a group, may not be able to inform each other about their respective location in relation to that of other members of their group and may therefore not be able to directly contact each other even when they are in close proximity.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a GPS mapping device which can make users aware of the location of other users.

Summary of the Invention

The invention is directed to mobile GPS mapping devices with enhanced communication capabilities. According to one aspect of the invention, a navigation system includes a location receiver that provides location information of a user and a network system that directly communicates the location information between the user and at least one additional user. The navigation system also includes a display device to display to the user a location of the user and the at least one additional user.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of presenting location information includes deriving the location information of a user and of at least one additional user from signals received by a location receiver and communicating the derived location information of the user directly to at least one additional user. The location information of the user and the at least one additional user is then overlaid on a map image and the overlaid location information is displayed to at least one of the user and the at least one additional user.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The device may include a user interface adapted to receive user commands that control at least one of the navigation system and the network system. The location receiver may be a GPS receiver. Alternatively or in addition, the device may include a local navigation system, such as an inertial navigation system, a magnetic compass and/or an altimeter, that provides the location information of the user. The location may be displayed as a map image, wherein the map image may be stored in a memory device, which may be removable. The map image may be a topographical map image which may be downloaded from a central facility via the network system. At least one communication interface may be capable of communicating directly with at least one of the additional users and/or with a wired or wireless network, which may be a cellular telephone network.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following figures depict certain illustrative embodiments of the invention in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram representation of a networked GPS mapping device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication functions of the networked GPS mapping device according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 shows various functions enabled with the GPS mapping device of the invention.

Detailed Description of Certain Illustrated Embodiments

The invention is directed to a mobile networked GPS mapping device with enhanced navigation and communication capabilities. In particular, the mobile networked GPS mapping device described herein can communicate directly with other mobile networked GPS mapping devices without the intervention of a central communication facility.

Figure 1 shows a schematic functional block diagram of a networked GPS mapping device 10 which includes a navigation subsystem 20 and a network subsystem 40. The mapping device 10 may further include a user interface 12 accepting user commands entered, for example, via push buttons, a keyboard or through voice commands, a display 14 to display user prompts and/or mapping data, and an alarm 16. The display 14 may be a small LCD or equivalent display which can be viewed, for example, through an optical viewport to expand the image so as to appear to the user as a full-size computer display. The image may be controlled by a processor 26 embedded in the GPS mapping device 10.

The exemplary processor 26 of FIG. 1 is shown as a part of the navigation subsystem 20, but may be located in another section of the GPS mapping device 10. The navigation subsystem 20 may further include a GPS receiver 22 which can receive position information about the user's location from one or more orbiting satellites, a magnetic compass 24, an inertial navigation system 32 responding to the user's movements and/or an altimeter 30. The navigation subsystem 20 may further include a memory 28, for example, a random access memory, a non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM, or removable memory cards, for storing geo-referenced map data and other system settings.

The processor 26 can use the position information received from the GPS receiver 22 to create an image showing the user's position on the display 14 overlaid on a map.

Various display and alarm settings may be controlled by the embedded processor 26 in response to the received position data and/or to the user commands. The user interface 12 may allow the user to pan and zoom the displayed map image, to calculate a distance to a particular point of interest and/or to other users, and to set up and configure the device 10. The magnetic compass 24, the inertial navigation system 32, and/or the altimeter 30 built into the navigation subsystem 20 form a self-contained navigation system and may be used for navigation when a direct line-of-sight to a GPS satellite is obstructed, for example, inside a tunnel. The navigation subsystem 20 interfaces with a network subsystem 40 which includes various communication interfaces adapted to connect the GPS mapping device to a network. For example, a modem 42 may be provided to connect the network subsystem 40 of the GPS mapping device 10 to analog land- line and/or wireless telephone lines 44 for transmission of voice and/or data signals. The modem 42 may be used to connect to the Internet or to other networks using voice-grade communications, such as land-line or the cellular telephone systems. A cellular telephone may be incorporated as an integral part into the networked GPS mapping device.

A wired connection 50 using, for example, a serial port or a USB port, may also be provided. In this way, the GPS mapping device 10 can be synchronized with a laptop or desk top computer, for example, for editing map data. The network subsystem 40 may further include a wireless digital network connection 46 for transmitting data either via radio frequency or infrared signals to, for example, a local area network (LAN). The network subsystem 40 may also include a digital RF network connection 48 which may operate with a Bluetooth™ chip set operating in a globally available 2.4 GHz ISM band, ensuring communication compatibility worldwide. The Bluetooth™ technology facilitates real-time voice and data transmissions and allows devices in close proximity to communicate directly with each other. Connections are instant and maintained even when devices are not within line of sight. The range of each Bluetooth™ radio transmitter may extend several hundred meters. The Bluetooth™ technology supports both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections, so that several "piconets" can be established and linked together.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a user 64 or a group of users 64, 66, 68 may each carry a networked GPS mapping devices 10 receiving signals from one or more GPS satellites 60 . Based on the received signals, the GPS mapping device 10 computes position coordinates (X,, Y_], Z.) indicating the location of the user 64, for example, on a map displayed by the display 14. As mentioned above, the GPS mapping device 10 may also include a cellular telephone allowing the user 64 to make telephone calls by connecting to a cellular telephone network schematically indicated by a stationery antenna 62. The position coordinates (X,, Y„ Z-) may correspond to the user's longitude, latitude and height . Systems using GPS satellites to locate wireless phones and other wireless devices, either for emergency purposes or for commercial location-based services, are known in the art and described, for example, in U.S. Patent 5,945,944.

The users 64, 66, 68 who may belong to a group of users participating, for example, in an outdoor activity, may want to stay together as a group. However, a user may become disoriented due to inclement weather and poor visibility and may not be able to connect with the other group members, in spite of their close proximity to each other. A cellular telephone which includes a GPS system, may enable a disoriented user to report his/her location and situation to an emergency service, but may not be able to locate and visualize on the display 14 of his/her GPS mapping device 10 the location of the other group members.

According to one aspect of the invention, data including voice communication and position coordinates (X„ Y„ Z,) can be transmitted directly via radio transmission links 65, 67, 69 between different users 64, 66, 68 using the network interface 48 in the GPS mapping devices 10. For example, the GPS mapping device 10 of user 64 can process the transmitted position coordinates (X₂, Y_2l, Z₂) and (X₃, Y₃„ Z₃) of users 66 and 68, respectively, to indicate to the user 64 on his/her display 12 the location of the other users 66, 68 relative to the coordinates(X*, Y,, Z,) of user 64. Alternatively, the relative position coordinates can also be transmitted via, for example, cellular channels via the cellular network 62. Even in the absence of reliable GPS position information, the users 64, 66, 68 may still be able to establish their respective position using the inertial navigation system 32, the magnetic compass 24 and the altimeter 30 built into the GPS mapping device 10, and communicate the position to the other users 64, 66, 68. In other words, the display 14 of a user's GPS mapping device would not only display the location of the user 64 carrying the mapping device 10, but also the locations of other group members 66, 68 carrying a compatible device.

This arrangement has the advantage that group members can keep track of each other even if the connection to a cellular telephone network cannot be established due to the remote location of the group. In most situations, a member of the group will be able to respond much more quickly to an emergency than an outside rescue team called in through a cellular phone call. The mapping device 10, however, can still operate as a cellular telephone to make outside telephone calls for voice and/or data transmissions, if a transmission channel can be established.

User commands inputted via the user interface 12 may also include a desired course and/or a desired destination. The alarm 16 can then be activated when a user deviates form the set course, indicate for example if a user is off course, too high, or if group members are too far separated.

In another practice, the position (X„ Y„ Z,) of the users 64, 66, 68 may also be overlaid on a map, such as a topographical map, showing the absolute or relative elevation of the various users. The map or display 14 may be stored in the memory 28 and/or may be updated via interfaces 44, 46, 48, 50 of the network subsystem 40.

Fig. 3 illustrates various operating features of the GPS mapping system 10. The GPS mapping system 10 can display the location of the system 10 on a map, feature 72; the map information may be downloaded, feature 74. Several devices may communicate directly with each other or via a central network node and display the relative location of other group members, possibly overlaid on a map, feature 76. GPS position data and/or altimeter readings may be displayed as a 3-dimensional image or overlaid on a topographical map, feature 78. Two or more mapping devices may communicate with each other to provide relative position data for triangulation, feature 82. The GPS mapping system 10 may also include a panic button to call for help in the event of an emergency and report the location of the respective mapping device to a stationary network or to other members of the group, feature 80. In addition, the GPS mapping device 10, may include an off-course alarm in response to various unusual conditions, such as a deviation from a desired course or altitude, feature 84. The mapping device 10 may also include standard voice/data communication, feature 86, to make cellular telephone calls and/or transmit digital data. Navigation through obstructed areas which do not have a line of sight to a GPS satellite, is enabled by a built-in self-contained navigation system which includes an inertial navigation system 32, an altimeter 30 and a magnetic compass 24.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device comprising: a navigation system having a location receiver that provides location information of a user, a network system that directly communicates the location information between the user and at least one additional user, and a display device to display to the user a location of the user and of the at least one additional user based on the communicated location information.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface adapted to receive user commands that control at least one of the navigation system and the network system.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the location receiver is a GPS receiver.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a local navigation system that provides the location information of the user.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the local navigation comprises at least one of an inertial navigation system, a magnetic compass and an altimeter.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the network system comprises at least one communication interface capable of communicating directly with at least one of the additional users.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the network system comprises at least one communication interface capable of communicating with a wireless or wired network.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the wireless network is a cellular telephone network.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the location is displayed on a map image.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the map image is received from a central facility via the network system.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the map image is stored in a removable memory device.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the map image is a topographical map image.

13. A method of presenting location information, comprising: deriving the location information of a user and of at least one additional user from signals received by a location receiver; communicating the derived location information of the user directly to at least one additional user; overlaying the location information of the user and the at least one additional user on a map image; and displaying the overlaid location information to at least one of the user and the at least one additional user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the location receiver is a GPS receiver.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the map image is downloaded from a central facility via the network system.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the map image is stored in a removable memory device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the map image is a topographical map image.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the location information is derived from a local navigation system of at least the user.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the local navigation system includes at least one of an inertial navigation system, a magnetic compass and an altimeter.