GB2342755A

GB2342755A - Location signing

Info

Publication number: GB2342755A
Application number: GB9806389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barrie Peter Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-25
Filing date: 1998-03-25
Publication date: 2000-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-25
Also published as: GB9806389D0; GB2342755B

Abstract

A system of signs to enable an observer to establish location in a particular area is based upon a co-ordinate grid with a significant landmark at the centre of the grid. Thus, every sign in the system will carry an icon representing the landmark and a spotmark with either its grid reference (Drawing 2, not shown) or the relevant numbered gridlines (Drawing 3, not shown). The system is diagrammatic so that there is no regular one-to-one mapping of distances, thus the spotmarks are numbered in sequence from the central landmark; conventional arrows may indicate routeing directions, but obviate the need for compass points to be shown.

Description

A SIGNING SYSTEM In order to assist the navigation of relatively unfamiliar areas there is provided for observers a set of signs composed from elements ; an icon, a grid of cross-wires (and parts thereof, implied and actual), and any or all of a set of spot-marks, such that:a landmark element is depicted by an icon at the centre of cross-wires from which mapped areas of appropriate dimensions are denoted by spot-marks at the grid intersections of further cross-wires and which intersections are sequentially numbered up and down from the centred icon with corresponding sequential numbering side to side from the said icon, to give a series of references of the style S3W1 or N2E3 for each mapped area covered by the grid... which styling representing areas sited respectively South-West and North-East relative to the landmark... such that signs including such elements represent unique area codes and their relative position in the whole grid but not a regular one-to-one mapping of distances, whilst individual sub-sets of signs may additionally indicate route direction by the positioning of the elements (icon, spot-mark (s) and relevant cross-wires) in relation to conventional arrow symbols, whereas that sub-set of signs which includes appropriate numerals on cross-wires may obviate obligatory reference to compass points on the signs.

DRAWING ONE shows the arrangement of the elements in a grid and indicates that the entirety of the grid is extensible numerically to any mapped areas useful and relevant to an observer.

DRAWING TWO shows an arrangement of the icon, one spot mark and one set of cross-wires in a sign to indicate a coded area designated S3W5. The sign positions the spot mark below and to the left of the icon to represent graphically the position of the mapped area relative to the landmark i. e. South West. The unique designation S3W5 within the grid of sequentially numbered cross wires represents a mapped area where uniquely, signs with the designation S3W5 would be displayed.

DRAWING THREE shows an arrangement which includes the elements in conjunction with a traditional arrow symbol to provide a sign which indicates route direction. A plain spot mark is sited at the intersection of cross-wires which have been given individual numerical values.

The relative positions of the cross-wires and the icon indicate that the mapped area represented by the spot-mark is South West of the landmark and correlates to the fifth numbered cross-wire intersection South and the third numbered West in the grid, to represent the coded area S3W5. The arrow symbol indicates a route heading away from the landmark in a North-westerly direction.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Any sign being part of a system composed from elements ; an icon, a grid of cross-wires (and parts thereof, implied and actual), and any or all of a set of spot-marks, such that:a landmark element is depicted by an icon at the centre of cross-wires from which mapped areas of appropriate dimensions are denoted by spot-marks at the grid intersections of further cross-wires and which intersections are sequentially numbered up and down from the centred icon with corresponding sequential numbering side to side from the said icon, to give a series of references of the style S3W1 or N2E3 for each mapped area covered by the grid... which styling representing areas sited respectively South-West and North-East relative to the landmark... such that signs including such elements represent unique area codes and their relative position in the whole grid but not a regular one-to-one mapping of distances.
2. Any sign being part of a system composed from elements as claim 1 wherein signs indicate route direction by the positioning of the elements (icon, spot-mark (s) and relevant cross-wires) in relation to conventional arrow symbols.
3. Any sign being part of a system composed from elements as claim or 2 containing signs which include appropriate numerals on cross-wires to obviate reference to compass points on the signs.
4. Any area code or post code being part of a system composed from elements including; an icon, a grid of cross-wires (and parts thereof, implied and actual), and any or all of a set of spot-marks, such that :a landmark element is depicted by an icon at the centre of cross-wires from which mapped areas of appropriate dimensions are denoted by spot-marks at the grid intersections of further cross-wires and which intersections are sequentially numbered up and down from the centred icon with corresponding sequential numbering side to side from the said icon, to give a series of references of the style S3W1 or N2E3 for each mapped area covered by the grid... which styling representing areas sited respectively South-West and North-East relative to the landmark... such that references including such elements represent unique area codes and their relative position in the whole grid but not a regular one-to-one mapping of distances.