Communications: electrical – Vehicle position indication – Map display
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-13
2001-12-04
Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Vehicle position indication
Map display
C340S990000, C701S207000, C701S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326904
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to motive power systems involving computerized drive mechanisms and is more specifically directed to a computerized drive mechanism for driving an LED (light emitting diode) indicator on a map display so that multiple coordinate points may be indicated on the map.
2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art
Positioning systems are well known and cable-driven positioning systems are generally known in the art. For example, fixed sheet plotters fixedly position a sheet on a flat bed and a pen, used for writing or cutting, is held on a traveling rail which travels in both directions, i.e. back and forth along the X-axis such that the pen travels in both directions, and back and forth along the Y-axis on the sheet held and fixed on the flat bed, whereby images are formed on the sheet using the pen for writing or cutting.
Positioning systems and plotting systems are also used in navigational systems to track a vessel or vehicle or to create a permanent record of the movement of same. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,448 to Dunn et al., there is disclosed a navigational plotting system utilizing hyperbolic navigation coordinates to drive the plotter for the track of the vessel and when required to superimpose hyperbolic time difference lines either on a chart or on a plain charting surface. Navigational plotting systems are useful in plotting the track of the vessel or vehicle on a plotting surface so as to achieve a permanent record of the vehicle's progress. One use of such a system is illustrated in terms of commercial fishing. In commercial fishing, it is often times necessary to display the area that a vessel traverses over a pre-determined fishing ground so that the pilot of the vessel may more accurately control the vessel for complete coverage of the fishing ground.
Navigational plotting systems are also useful in air-sea search missions in terms of giving the navigator a clear picture of the area searched so that completeness of the search may be ascertained as well as the prevention of duplication of efforts. In addition, navigational plotters create a permanent record of the track of the vehicle so that proximity to navigational hazards may be readily ascertained; therefore, allowing the progress to a given point, harbor or place or refuge to be quickly ascertained and displayed.
Positioning systems also have important use in military applications for general mapping and cartography purposes. It is desirable to have a positioning system which can quickly indicate multiple targets or track the movement of troops or objects (e.g. vessels, aircraft, land vehicles) relative to conventional military maps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the map positioning system (e.g., the aforementioned cable-drive positioning system) comprises a rectangular or X-Y drive having a map support coupled thereto, wherein the map support has a front surface and a back surface with the front surface receiving a map. The drive mechanism drives an LED (light emitting diode) or other suitable indicator to a correct position relative to the back surface of the map support thereby illuminating an exact coordinate on the map. The map positioning system of the present invention is particularly suitable for military applications including military mapping and cartography purposes. Any suitable map may be positioned on the map support and multiple targets (i.e., locations or coordinates) may be quickly indicated on the map by use of the indicator which is driven by the computer controlled X-Y drive. The X-Y drive unit positions the indicator behind the map and shows an exact coordinate specified from a computer system via standard HPGL commands. The map support may include map guide lines or pins to ensure proper positioning of the map on the map support. Therefore by properly aligning the map on the map support surface via map guide lines or pins, the computer coordinates are easily matched to the map coordinates. Typical uses of the system of the present invention in a military setting include but are not limited to locating enemy fire, tracking friendly ship positions or tracking drone flight paths. However, other non-military applications are also contemplated by the present invention, e.g., navigational tracking.
The rectangular or X-Y drive comprises a pair of driving motors which have a capacity for moving a carrier in arbitrary motions over a defined area. Preferably, this device is computer controlled and the X-Y drive is driven responsively to intelligence from the computer. The driving motors function separately or unisonly through appropriate trains to drive the carrier over a planar area. Rotation of either motor alone will be seen to move the carrier diagonally. The desired positioning is normally attained by the simultaneous rotation of both motors. A protective cover may also be provided to secure the map in a proper position on the map support surface and to protect the map from any damage or contaminants. The construction of the map positioning system is such that it is designed to pass full vibration and shock testing in accordance to military specifications.
The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
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Parent Christopher A.
Richmond James A.
Voss James R.
Cantor & Colburn LLP
Swarthout Brent A.
United Innovations, Inc.
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