Boots – shoes – and leggings
Patent
1991-09-26
1997-07-08
Louis-Jacques, Jacques
Boots, shoes, and leggings
3644493, 3644492, 3644495, 364457, 340995, 340990, 340988, 73178R, G06G 778
Patent
active
056468563
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to navigation systems, and is particularly applicable to navigation systems for land vehicles. Navigation systems for use in shipping, air and space travel are well known and their benefit is indisputable. More recently, navigation systems for overland travel have met with increasing interest and homing systems for travel on motorways and city road systems have been proposed.
An electronic traffic pilot for motorists is described in an article in the German magazine "Funknavigation", issue No. 4 of 1983, entitled EVA-Ortungs-und Navigations system fur Landfahrzeuge, by Ernst P. Neukirchner, Otmar Pilsak, and Dietmar Schlogl. The basic system includes a driver communication system in which the starting point and the desired destination are entered, and direction recommendations issued; a route search system, which computes the optimum route, based on the starting point and destination entered, by accessing a digital illustration of the road system; a locating system which continuously updates the actual position during the journey and a navigation system, which makes a comparison of the set route and the actual route and, in the event of any disparity, causes the route search system to determine a new optimum route from the actual position. This last feature makes the homing always optimal, regardless of whether or not the directional recommendations are followed.
The known system requires a very large data handling capability and is hence complex and expensive to produce. Using this system the driver simply has to enter his desired destination and the navigation system will guide him there, for example using commands output in synthetic language. Thus, this system requires the minimum of activity on the part of the driver. However, a simpler system would be desirable from the standpoint of cost and large-scale production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle navigation system, especially for a motor vehicle, which is simpler and less complex than the prior art systems.
The present invention provides a vehicle navigation system including means for storing data representing a route to be followed; means for detecting an actual position of and the actual path travelled by the vehicle; comparison means for comparing the actual position of the vehicle to the route to be followed; and means responsive to said comparison means for giving direction commands to the vehicle operator; and particularly manually operable means for inputting data representing a desired route. By obeying the direction commands the operator is able to steer the vehicle along the selected route. Thus, the present invention provides a navigation system which does not require a route search algorithm or an extended database and is hence less complex and less expensive to produce.
The present invention is applicable to navigation systems in general and the term "vehicle" used herein is intended to include ships and aircraft as well as land vehicles.
The invention has considerable advantages for a driver of a vehicle since, once the selected route has been stored in the system, the driver does not have to memorize the route or refer to a map. His or her mind is free to concentrate on driving the vehicle.
In contrast to the known vehicle navigation system the driver inputs his or her own desired route which determines the selected available route, rather than relying on a route entirely determined by the system itself from the starting point and destination. For many drivers this is in any case preferable.
The means for giving direction commands to the vehicle operator may simply comprise a visual display, mounted on a car dashboard for example, showing the selected route and also indicating the actual position of the vehicle. The driver can then see at a glance whereabouts the vehicle is on the selected route and determine which direction should be followed next. The system may additionally include means for commanding the
REFERENCES:
patent: 4570227 (1986-02-01), Tachi et al.
patent: 4882696 (1989-11-01), Nimura et al.
patent: 4888699 (1989-12-01), Knoll et al.
patent: 4926336 (1990-05-01), Yamada
patent: 4937751 (1990-06-01), Nimura et al.
patent: 4989151 (1991-01-01), Nuimura
patent: 5043902 (1991-08-01), Yokoyama et al.
patent: 5046011 (1991-09-01), Kakihara et al.
patent: 5059965 (1991-10-01), Geiser
patent: 5103400 (1992-04-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 5115399 (1992-05-01), Nimura et al.
patent: 5121326 (1992-06-01), Moroto et al.
Louis-Jacques Jacques
Striker Michael J.
LandOfFree
Vehicle navigation system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle navigation system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle navigation system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2412406