GB2503207A

GB2503207A - Apparatus for determining position and distance to objects

Info

Publication number: GB2503207A
Application number: GB1209635.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Adrian Habgood
Original assignee: INSTANTVIEW Ltd
Current assignee: INSTANTVIEW Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2012-05-30
Publication date: 2013-12-25
Also published as: GB201209635D0

Abstract

An apparatus which may be a hand portable device comprises a controller 18 configured to receive position data of the apparatus such as from a GPS/GNSS receiver 20 and distance data from a rangefinder 22 for the distance to an object from the apparatus. The received position data and distance data is transmitted to a remote apparatus 14 via a wireless link 58 Also included may be an image sensor for obtaining an image of the object. The apparatus may be used by an accident investigator to record the scene of an accident. The apparatus may also be used to make a record of physical assets or to provide accurate location of buildings or other features for display on a map.

Description

TITLE

Apparatus and methods for wireless communication

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus and methods for wireless communication. In particular, they relate to apparatus and methods in a hand portable device.

BACKGROUND

Apparatus, such as satellite navigation devices, usually include global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry for determining the position of the apparatus. Such apparatus may be useful for enabling a user to locate themselves on the Earth and may be used in a variety of applications. For example, search and rescue personnel may use such an apparatus to determine their position. However, such apparatus may not be able to provide any more assistance with the search and rescue effort.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an alternative apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a controller configured to receive position data of the apparatus, to receive distance data for the distance to an object from the apparatus, and to control transmission of the received position data and distance data to a remote apparatus via a wireless link.

The apparatus may further comprise positioning circuitry for determining the position of the apparatus and providing the position data to the controller.

The positioning circuitry may include global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry.

The apparatus may further comprise a rangefinder for determining the distance to the object from the apparatus, and for providing the distance data to the controller. The rangefinder may include a laser rangefinder.

The controller may be configured to receive one or more images of the object from an image sensor and to control transmission of the one or more images to the remote apparatus via the wireless link.

The apparatus may further comprise an image sensor for obtaining one or more images of the object and for providing the one or more images to the controller.

The apparatus may further comprise a weatherproof cover for housing at least the controller.

The apparatus may further comprise radio frequency circuitry for enabling transmission via the wireless link.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: receiving position data of an apparatus; receiving distance data for the distance to an object from the apparatus; and controlling transmission of the received position data and distance data to a remote apparatus via a wireless link.

The method may further comprise receiving one or more images of the object from an image sensor and controlling transmission of the one or more images to the remote apparatus via the wireless link.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by a processor, cause performance of the method described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program that, when performed by a processor, causes performance of the method described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a controller configured to receive position data of a remote apparatus via a wireless link, to receive distance data for the distance to an object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link, and to perform a function using the received position data and/or distance data.

The function may include processing the received position data using an augmentation system to increase the accuracy of the position. The augmentation system may be a differential global positioning system (DGPS).

The function may include determining a position of the object using the received distance.

The function may include determining a position of the remote apparatus and a position of the object on a map, and controlling a display to display the map including the position of the remote apparatus and the object.

The function may include controlling transmission of the position of the remote apparatus and the position of the object to one or more further remote apparatus via a wireless link.

The controller may be configured to receive one or more images of the object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link, and to control a display to display the one or more images.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: receiving position data of a remote apparatus via a wireless link; receiving distance data for the distance to an object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link; and performing a function using the received position data and/or distance data.

The function may include determining a position of the object using the received distance data.

The method may further comprise receiving one or more images of the object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link, and controlling a display to display the one or more images.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a system comprising apparatus as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system including a first apparatus and a second apparatus according to various embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to various embodiments of the invention; and Fig. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of another method according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a system 10 including a first apparatus 12, a second apparatus 14, and a third apparatus 16. The first apparatus 12, the second apparatus 14 and the third apparatus 16 may be located remote from one another. For example, the first apparatus 12, the second apparatus 14 and the third apparatus 16 may be located so that they are positioned metres apart, kilometres apart, hundreds of kilometres apart or thousands of kilometres apart.

Fig. 1 also illustrates an object 17 that is positioned a distance D from the first apparatus 12. The object 17 is separate to the first apparatus 12 (i.e. it is not a part of, or integral to the first apparatus 12) and may be living (for example, the object 17 may be a living human or a living animal), may be dead (for example, the object 17 may be a dead human) or may be non-living (for example, the object 17 may be a vehicle).

The first apparatus 12 may be any suitable electronic device and may be a hand portable electronic device for example. In some embodiments, the first apparatus 12 may be a module for an electronic device. As used here, module' refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user. The first apparatus 12 includes a controller 18, positioning circuitry 20, a rangefinder 22, an image sensor 24, a user input device 26, radio frequency circuitry 28 and a cover 29.

The implementation of the controller 18 can be in hardware alone (for example, a circuit, a processor and so on), have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

The controller 18 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 30 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium 32 (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such a processor 30.

The processor 30 is configured to read from and write to the memory 32. The processor 30 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 30 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 30.

The memory 32 stores a computer program 34 comprising computer program instructions that control the operation of the first apparatus 12 when loaded into the processor 30. The computer program instructions 34 provide the logic and routines that enables the first apparatus 12 to perform the method illustrated in Fig. 2. The processor 30 by reading the memory 32 is able to load and execute the computer program 34.

The computer program 34 may arrive at the first apparatus 12 via any suitable delivery mechanism 36. The delivery mechanism 36 may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 34. The delivery mechanism 36 may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 34. The first apparatus 12 may propagate or transmit the computer program 34 as a computer data signal.

Although the memory 32 is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/sem i-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

References to computer-readable storage medium', computer program product', tangibly embodied computer program' etc. or a controller', computer', processor' etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi-processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc. As used in this application, the term circuitry' refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memoryes) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile device, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and it applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

The positioning circuitry 20 may include any suitable circuitry for determining the position of the first apparatus 12. For example, the positioning circuitry 20 may include global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry, augmentation circuitry to improve accuracy of the GNSS circuitry, and/or circuitry for determining position using a wireless local area network (such as Wi-Fi) or using a cellular network location technology such as Uplink-Time Difference of Arrival, and/or circuitry for determining position by sensing motion of the first apparatus 12 (such as a compass for sensing direction and an accelerometer for sensing footsteps).

The controller 18 is configured to receive position data from the positioning circuitry 20. For example, the controller 18 may receive position data that includes the latitude, the longitude, the altitude, the positioning of the horizon, the elevation, the bearing of the first apparatus 12. Additionally, the position data may include the time at which the position data was determined.

In various embodiments, the controller 18 is configured to primarily use global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry to determine the position of the first apparatus 12. If the signal from the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry disappears or falls below a threshold strength (due to the first apparatus 12 being moved inside a building for example), the controller 18 may receive position data from the circuitry for determining position using a wireless local area network or cellular network, and/or from the circuitry for determining position by sensing motion of the first apparatus 12.

The rangefinder 22 may be any suitable device for measuring the distance D between the first apparatus 12 and the object 17. For example, the rangefinder 22 may be a rangefinder that uses electromagnetic waves (such as a laser rangefinder) or a rangefinder that uses acoustic waves to measure the distance. The controller 18 is configured to receive distance data for the distance D between the first apparatus 12 and the object 17.

The image sensor 24 may be any suitable sensor for obtaining an image of the object 17 and may be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) camera or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera.

The controller 18 is configured to receive images from the image sensor 24.

The image sensor 24 may be configured to zoom according to the distance between the first apparatus 12 and the object 17 in order to obtain a useful image of the object 17.

The user input device 26 may be any suitable user input device and may include a touch screen display, one or more keys and/or circuitry for voice recognition. The controller 18 is configured to receive a control signal from the user input device 26 in response to the user operating the user input device 26.

In various embodiments, a user may operate the user input device 26 to control the operation of the positioning circuitry 20, the rangefinder 22 and the image sensor 24. In other embodiments, the controller 18 may be configured to commence operation of the positioning circuitry 20, the rangefinder 22 and the image sensor 24 automatically in response to a change in the environment or movement of the first apparatus 12. For example, the positioning circuitry 20, the rangefinder 22 and the image sensor 24 may commence operation in response to a high amplitude acoustic wave being received at the first apparatus 12. By way of another example, the positioning circuitry 20, the rangefinder 22 and the image sensor 24 may commence operation in response to the air temperature at the first apparatus 12 exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature. In further embodiments, the controller 18 may be configured to commence operation of the positioning circuitry 20, the rangefinder 22 and the image sensor 24 in response to a control signal from the second apparatus 14 or in response to the image sensor24 registering motion of theobject l7ora pluralityof objects 17.

The radio frequency circuitry 28 is arranged to enable wireless communication with the second apparatus 14. In some embodiments, the radio frequency circuitry 28 may be arranged to additionally enable direct wireless communication with the third apparatus 14. The radio frequency circuitry 28 is configured to operate in one or more operational frequency bands and may be configured to operate at wireless local area network (WLAN) frequencies and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) frequencies and/or Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequencies for example.

The radio frequency circuitry 28 may include a transmitter and/or a transceiver and one or more antennas. The controller 18 is configured to control the radio frequency circuitry 28 to transmit electromagnetic waves to the second apparatus 14. The controller 18 may also be configured to receive a signal from the radio frequency circuitry 28 corresponding to an electromagnetic wave received at the radio frequency circuitry 28.

The cover 29 is arranged to house at least the controller 18 and in some embodiments, may house all of the components of the first apparatus 12. The cover 29 may comprise waterproof materials (such as plastics and/or metals) and may be structured to prevent the flow of liquid to the inside of the cover 29. For example, gaps in the cover 29 may have a waterproof seal to prevent the flow of liquid there through. The cover 29 may have a robust structure and comprise robust materials that result in the first apparatus 12 being relatively difficult to damage. For example, the cover 29 may comprise a metal (such as titanium) and/or alkali-aluminosilicate sheet glass (such as gorilla glass) and may include interior padding for cushioning the components of the first apparatus 12 from impact.

The second apparatus 14 may be any suitable electronic device and may be a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer or a tablet computer for example.

The second apparatus 14 includes a controller 38, radio frequency circuitry 40 and a display 42.

The controller 38 and the radio frequency circuitry 40 are similar to the controller 18 and the radio frequency circuitry 28 of the first apparatus 12. For example, the controller 38 may comprise a processor 44 and a memory 46 storing a computer program 48. The processor 44 is configured to access the memory 46 to run the computer program 48 and cause the second apparatus 14 to perform the method illustrated in fig. 3. The computer program 48 may be stored on a delivery mechanism 50.

The radio frequency circuitry 40 is arranged to receive electromagnetic waves and provide a corresponding signal to the controller 38. The controller 38 may be arranged to control the radio frequency circuitry 40 to transmit electromagnetic waves.

The display 42 may be any suitable display and may be a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP) or a thin film transistor (TEl) liquid crystal display for example. The controller 38 is configured to control the display 42 to display images.

The third apparatus 16 may be any electronic device that is configured to wirelessly communicate with the second apparatus 14. In some embodiments, the third apparatus 16 may be configured to communicate directly with the first apparatus 12. The third apparatus 16 may have a structure and functionality that are similar to (or identical to) the first apparatus 12. In other embodiments, the third apparatus 16 may have a structure and functionality that are similar to (or identical to) the second apparatus 14.

The operation of the system 10 is described in the following paragraphs with reference to figs. 1, 2and 3.

Turning to fig. 2, at block 52 the controller 18 receives position data from the positioning circuitry 20. The position data may include the latitude, the longitude, the altitude, the position of the horizon, the bearing and the elevation of the first apparatus 12 at a time ti. The position data may also include the time ti.

At block 54, the controller 18 receives distance data from the rangefinder 22.

The distance data includes the distance to the object 17 from the first apparatus 12 at the time ti.

At block 56, the controller 18 controls the radio frequency circuitry 28 to transmit the position data received at block 52, and the distance data received at block 54 to the second apparatus 14 via a wireless link 58. The wireless link 58 may include any suitable communications network and may include the internet or a cellular network for example.

At block 60, the controller 18 receives one or more images of the object 17 from the image sensor 24, where one of the images of the object 17 was captured at the time ti. The controller 18 then controls transmission of the one or more images of the object 17 to the second apparatus 14 via the wireless link 58.

Turning to fig. 3, at block 62, the controller 38 of the second apparatus 14 receives the position data and the distance data from the first apparatus 12 via the wireless link 58.

At block 64, the controller 38 performs a function using the received position data and/or the received distance data. The function may include one or more actions of the controller 38 and various examples of such actions are mentioned below.

The function may include processing the received position data using augmentation systems such as differential global positioning system (DGPS) or wide area augmentation system (WAAS) to increase the accuracy of the position of the first apparatus 12. Using augmentation systems to integrate external information into the calculation process, the controller 38 may determine the position of the first apparatus 12 with an accuracy of three to ten centimetres.

The function may include determining a position of the object 17 using the received distance. For example, the controller 38 may use the received position of the first apparatus 12 to determine that the position of the object 17 lies within a circle around the first apparatus 12 having a radius equal to the received distance. By way of another example, the controller 38 may use the received position of the first apparatus 12 and data relating to the bearing of the rangefinder 22 when measuring the distance to the object lJto determine the location of the object 17. By way of a further example, the controller 38 may use position and distance data obtained at different times by the first apparatus 12 in order to triangulate the position of the object 17.

The function may include determining a position of the first apparatus 12 and a position of the object 17 on a map, and then controlling the display 42 to display the map including the position of the first apparatus 12 and the object 17. For example, the controller 38 may determine the longitude, latitude and altitude of the first apparatus 12 and the object 17, plot the positions on a map using the determined longitude, latitude and altitude and then control display of the map on the display 42.

The function may include controlling transmission of the position of the first apparatus 12 and the position of the object 17 to the third apparatus 16 (or a plurality of such apparatus) via a wireless link 66. For example, the controller 38 may control the radio frequency circuitry 40 to transmit the position and distance data to the third apparatus 16. The third apparatus 16 may then display the received position and distance data on a map for the user of the third apparatus 16 to view.

At block 68, the controller 38 receives one or more images from the first apparatus 12 via the wireless link 58. The controller 38 then controls the display 42 to display the one or more images.

The system 10 may be used in a variety of different applications and a number of examples are described in the following paragraphs.

1. An accident investigator attends a motor, rail or air accident. The first apparatus 12 (which is a hand portable device in this embodiment) is aimed at an object 17 (which may be any point of interest at the accident). The first apparatus 12 obtains a position data from the positioning circuitry 20 which includes information in several dimensions, namely, latitude, longitude, altitude, horizon, bearing, elevation and time. The range finder 22 determines the distance between the first apparatus 12 and the object 17. The first apparatus 12 takes an image of the accident scene using the image sensor 24 and the radio frequency circuitry 28 transmits the position data, the distance data and the image to the second apparatus 14 (which is a central server in this embodiment).

Post processing of the position data occurs in near real time at the second apparatus 14 (using DGPS for example) to provide a more accurate position of the first apparatus 12 (within 3 to 10 cm). The controller 38 processes the post processed position data and uses the horizon, elevation, bearing and distance to the object 17 to plot the position of the object 17 at the accident on a map. A remote viewer sees the image taken by the accident investigator in the field along with an accurate location of the object 17 and the first apparatus 12 on the display 42.

The accident investigator may take further images of various points of interest at the accident and the second apparatus 14 may triangulate the points of interest at the accident scene to facilitate measurement of the accident scene.

The images may be time stamped (e.g. using the time data in the position data) to provide an audit trail of evidence. Also, the images may be stitched together to provide a virtual walk around evaluation of the accident scene.

2. An unscheduled event occurs at an oil terminal, a chemical manufacturing plant or a warehouse, be it a fire, an explosion or a chemical leak. The area may be quarantined and only specialist teams are allowed entry to identify the cause of the incident and to deal with neutralising the effect.

The operator(s) attending the incident aim the first apparatus 12 at various objects (which may be any points of interest) at the scene. The first apparatus 12 obtains a position data in several dimensions, namely, latitude, longitude, altitude, horizon, bearing, elevation and time. The rangefinder 22 determines the distance between the first apparatus 12 and the points of interest at the scene. The operator takes an image of the accident scene and the radio frequency circuitry 28 transmits the position data, the distance information and the image to the second apparatus.

Post processing of the position data occurs in near real time at the controller 38 to provide a more accurate position of the first apparatus 12 (e.g. within 3 to 10 cm). The second apparatus 14 processes the post processed position data and uses the horizon, elevation, and distance to the object 17 to plot the position of the object 17 at the unscheduled event on a map. A remote viewer outside the quarantine zone sees the images taken by the operator in the field along with the location of the object 17 and the first apparatus 12. Further images aimed at points of interest at the scene allow triangulation of the source of the fire, chemical leak or broken valve and this location can be transmitted from the second apparatus 14 to other apparatus used by other members of the team (such as the third apparatus 16) to pin point resources toward fixing the problem, particularly if visibility is poor.

Should the source of the problem be indoors or away from GNSS coverage, then the use of a motion detector circuitry in the positioning circuitry 20 may extrapolate the distance between the last accurate GNSS receipt of positioning data and steps made by the operator of the first apparatus 12 (forward, backward, left, right, up and down), to determine the position of the first apparatus 12 (and hence the operator) and the source of the incident.

Alternatively, the use of cellular network location technology such as Uplink-Time Difference of Arrival may determine the position of the first apparatus 12 (and hence the operator) and the source of the incident.

3. A team member is parted from others, perhaps falling off a ship, falling from a mountain climb or separated in an avalanche. An operator can aim the first apparatus 12 at the parted team member to determine their position as described above. The images and location of the parted team member can be viewed by a command centre (which includes the second apparatus 14) and the location of the parted team member can be provided to a rescue team in a lifeboat or helicopter. The system 10 is advantageous in that time saved rescuing the parted team member may improve their chances of survival.

4. A company may be required to make a record of its physical assets as part of a maintenance programme, for example waterway locks, bridges and berths. A number of these assets 17 may be in close proximity to each other and some may be difficult to access due to their elevation. An operator can aim the first apparatus 12 at the physical asset to determine its position as described above. The images and location of the physical asset 17 can be recorded and held in a database. The system 10 is advantageous in that accurate locations and records are held of the assets.

5. A company or local government body may be required to provide an accurate location of building or car park entrances, bus stops or roadside features and furniture. A number of these objects 17 may be in close proximity to each other. An operator can aim the first apparatus 12 at the object to determine its position as described above. The images with accurate location of the object 17 can be recorded and held in a database that can be accessed by members of the public or customers and be viewed on a map. The system is advantageous in that users of devices that benefit from augmentation systems to improve accuracy will be able to identify objects 17 such as doorways, bus stops, car park entrances, lanes at busy junctions to within centimetres, reducing confusion associated with map/direction software (such as Google Maps for example) presently.

The blocks illustrated in the Figs. 2 and 3 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer programs 34 and 48. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the first apparatus 12 may be configured to additionally have at least some of the functionality of the second apparatus 14 and in such embodiments, the system 10 may not include the second apparatus 14.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus comprising: a controller configured to receive position data of the apparatus, to receive distance data for the distance to an object from the apparatus, and to control transmission of the received position data and distance data to a remote apparatus via a wireless link.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising positioning circuitry for determining the position of the apparatus and providing the position data to the controller.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the positioning circuitry includes global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a rangefinder for determining the distance to the object from the apparatus, and for providing the distance data to the controller.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rangefinder includes a laser rangefinder.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more images of the object from an image sensor and to control transmission of the one or more images to the remote apparatus via the wireless link.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an image sensor for obtaining one or more images of the object and for providing the one or more images to the controller.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a weatherproof cover for housing at least the controller.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising radio frequency circuitry for enabling transmission via the wireless link.
10. A method comprising: receiving position data of an apparatus; receiving distance data for the distance to an object from the apparatus; and controlling transmission of the received position data and distance data to a remote apparatus via a wireless link.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising receiving one or more images of the object from an image sensor and controlling transmission of the one or more images to the remote apparatus via the wireless link.
12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by a processor, cause performance of the method of claim lOorli.
13. A computer program that, when performed by a processor, causes performance of the method of claim 10 or 11.
14. An apparatus comprising: a controller configured to receive position data of a remote apparatus via a wireless link, to receive distance data for the distance to an object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link, and to perform a function using the received position data and/or distance data.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the function includes processing the received position data using an augmentation system to increase the accuracy of the position.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the augmentation system is a differential global positioning system (DGPS).
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14,15 or 16, wherein the function includes determining a position of the object using the received distance.
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the function includes determining a position of the remote apparatus and a position of the object on a map, and controlling a display to display the map including the position of the remote apparatus and the object.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the function includes controlling transmission of the position of the remote apparatus and the position of the object to one or more further remote apparatus via a wireless link.
20. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more images of the object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link, and to control a display to display the one or more images.
21. A method comprising: receiving position data of a remote apparatus via a wireless link; receiving distance data for the distance to an object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link; and performing a function using the received position data and/or distance data.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the function includes processing the received position data using an augmentation system to increase the accuracy of the position.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the augmentation system is a differential global positioning system (DGF'S).
24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the function includes determining a position of the object using the received distance data.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the function includes determining a position of the remote apparatus and a position of the object on a map, and controlling a display to display the map including the position of the remote apparatus and the object.
26. A method as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the function includes controlling transmission of the position of the remote apparatus and the position of the object to one or more further remote apparatus via a wireless link.
27. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26, further comprising receiving one or more images of the object from the remote apparatus via the wireless link, and controlling a display to display the one or more images.
28. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by a processor, cause performance of the method of any of claims 21 to 27.
29. A computer program that, when performed by a processor, causes performance of the method of any of claims 21 to 27.
30. A system comprising an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 and an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20.
31. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying figures.
32. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying figures.
33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.