Education and demonstration – Geography – Map or terrain model
Patent
1987-10-02
1990-01-30
Picard, Leo P.
Education and demonstration
Geography
Map or terrain model
434131, 434145, 434146, G09B 2910, G09B 2708
Patent
active
048970387
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a cartographic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A cartographic device is known from DE-OS 26 46 534 with which a mark is moved across a map spread out flat so as to indicate a location. The mark is formed by the intersection of two crossing wires clamped between threaded nuts which in turn are longitudinally displaceable by threaded rods supported at opposite edges of the map casing. The threaded rods are rotated by stepping motors which are pulse controlled. It is not specified how this pulse control might be realized. The adjustment of the mark by way of threaded rods is inconvenient with the known map device as they permit only rather slow adjusting movements. The structural expenditure becomes quite large because the design of the mark in the form of two crossing wires requires four threaded rods including four stepping motors.
Another cartographic device, namely an illuminated globe is known from DE-AS 23 37 640. This luminous globe comprises a point radiator in its inside to generate a light spot on the wall of the globe. The point radiator is pivotable about an axis in the equatorial plane by a mechanical device to be actuated from outside the globe. Adjustment of the pivot position of the point radiator and rotation of the globe can move the light spot to a desired geographic location, scale rings permitting the light spot to be moved to the respective place on the globe, starting from the known latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of a geographic location. Such a place indicator, however, is not very efficient because pivoting of the point radiator and rotating of the globe by means of the graduated rings based on the coordinate values read from a table for a location which is looked for, hardly can be accomplished more quickly than the direct search of the place on the globe surface by means of these coordinate values. The adjusting mechanism of the point radiator works with a string drive means having a somewhat complicated guidance of the string so as to avoid slip in the transmission of movement. And yet slip is inevitable and readjustment of the scale ring is required from time to time.
It is the object of the invention to provide a cartographic device by means of which a desired geographic place can be found quickly and reliably.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cartographic device according to the invention comprises a microcomputer in which the local parameters are stored of a great number of geographic places. In the case of a road map, for instance, such local parameters are street names, sights, theaters or movie theaters, and the like, in the case of a globe they are towns, lakes, rivers, mountains, and the like. The input of the geographic place looked for into the microcomputer conveniently is done by typing in the name of the respective geographic place on an input keyboard. If programmed accordingly, it may be possible that only a certain number of letters of the respective geographic name must be typed in as are needed for unambiguous identification. It is likewise feasible to accept an input as sufficient if some individual letters are erroneous, provided the remaining correct letters suffice for precise identification. Such programs, as well as the structure of the microcomputer are conventional and need not be explained in any greater detail here.
On receipt of an input the microcomputer, for example, controls stepping motors of a drive and control mechanism by pulses in correspondence with the memorized local parameters belonging to the input so as to lead a place indicator, like a light spot to the desired geographic location.
It would be possible to return the place indicator to its starting, reference, or zero position prior to each new input and to move from the same to the geographic place in accordance with the new input. However, a more elegant and quicker solution is one including a calculator unit associated with the microcomputer to allow for the local parameters of the starting point of the place indicator in reactivating the drive
REFERENCES:
patent: 3096593 (1963-07-01), Visser
patent: 4532514 (1985-07-01), Hatano et al.
Collins, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, "Optical Display Device", 3/1962.
Frohlich Ingrid
Pachler Andreas
Harrison Jessica J.
Picard Leo P.
LandOfFree
Cartographic device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cartographic device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cartographic device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1921234