Positional camera and GPS data interchange device

Details Positional camera and GPS data interchange device Positional camera and GPS data interchange device

1999-10-21

2003-02-25

Garber, Wendy R. (Department: 2612)

Television

Camera, system and detail

Combined image signal generator and general image signal...

C348S135000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06525768

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a system for communicating data including global-positioning-encoded information. In particular, the present invention relates specifically to a device and system for communicating and retrieving position and position related data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Availability of up-to-date information is more important today than ever before and this will continue to be true for the foreseeable future. People want to be well informed, so much so that they travel with cellular phones, beepers, and even portable hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receivers.
GPS capable devices generally have a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from the GPS satellite network that allow for determination of the device's position. Such devices allow for precisely locating the device in terms of latitude and longitude using the GPS receiver. Some devices have map data stored in memory and a display for showing the device position with reference to the map data. Other devices have no underlying map data base for reference. Rather, they show only the geographic coordinates of the device's location. These coordinates may be referred to as waypoints. Most GPS receiver devices can store many waypoints. Some GPS receiver devices can plot and display a trail of waypoints and store this trail for future retrieval. Sophisticated devices may compute the device's heading, speed, and other information based on comparisons with previous GPS determined positions.
GPS receiver devices with map display capability may store the map information on computer diskettes, CD-ROM's, or other computer memory storage devices. The device location may then be displayed on a display terminal with reference to a map stored in the computer memory storage device. The available quantity of map data, however, can overwhelm the memory capability of easily portable computer devices. This problem is exacerbated when additional information is included and linked with the map data. In addition, information is more valuable when it is up to date and available at the time of consumption, and such devices do not incorporate a means for updating the stored information. By way of example, a CD ROM could never maintain an up-to-date list of every 5-star restaurant.
Some GPS receiver devices have the ability to communicate over a telecommunications network. These devices do not provide for automatic or semi-automatic dynamic exchange of on-line position dependent or related information. In addition, these devices cannot communicate with third parties in the absence of a uniform data format standard. For example, a cellular-phone-based system comprising GPS location information working in conjunction with proprietary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) telephone equipment is known. The device provides personal and medical information on an emergency basis to the proper authorities. Such a device does not allow third parties to communicate, tag, interrogate, limit, designate, modify or share this information amongst themselves for any other use.
To that end, the ability to receive digital data structures with GPS encoding, and storing this information for eventual use or broadcast to third parties, would be valuable. Today, the U.S. and several other countries have independent publishers busily GPS mapping everything down to the most minute detail. Most of these data bases are available on CD ROM storage. The problem is that no one data base can contain enough information to fulfill the unique requests of every particular and picky consumer. The costs associated with providing and maintaining such a large data base would be overwhelming and over-burdening. Additionally, most consumers do not like reading or compiling vast data bases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The system of the present invention utilizes Personal Communications Devices (PCDs), and traditional computer systems with GPS engines, routers, and other application programs to request, process, and transmit tagged GPS encoded information. The system, with related applications, can be accessed by device users, traditional computer users, web-site users (cyberspace), data publishers, public or private enterprises or individuals, by means of application programs. The tagged GPS encoded data files can be stored or sent via communication links using AM, FM, spread spectrum, microwave, laser or light beam in free or fiber optic, line-of-sight, reflected, satellite, secure or non-secure, or any type of communications between multiple points that the application or the state-of-the-art may allow. The system is a waypoint tag and interrogation system using various protocols to answer requests and provide GPS-encoded information. The applications use GPS devices, engines, routing and encoding for access to specific requester-designated data retrieval requests. The applications access fax machines, beepers, telephones and other communication linked devices. The system accesses computer and storage systems with various applications in order to provide this information from a plurality of providers. The system thereby eliminates or reduces the need for large storage devices and interchangeable storage modules.
One embodiment of the present invention includes a requesting device, a data provider (hardware and software), a user, tagger applications or GPS engine and router system with protocols for encoding, tagging, modifying, interrogating, arranging, limiting, displaying, sorting, mapping, segregating, sending, receiving and updating waypoint and the waypoints connected data structures with digital or graphic maps, digital voice files, linked digital web files properly encoded and tagged by way of specific devices, or by traditional computer and storage systems.
The application programs contain protocols for users, providers, taggers, list maintenance organizations, and others, and will use a dynamic identification system from applications containing GPS search engines, route planners, compilers, designators, publishers, and others to permit communication of information.
The PCD is a cellular-phone-sized electronic device, combining the capabilities of a GPS receiver, transceiver, digital beeper, cell phone and projection system into one compact unit. The PCD is capable of uploading emergency information (medical, police alert, etc.) via a one-push button that phones 911 or a security monitoring center similar to those used for house alarms. The alert continues to be broadcast until a response is made.
The PCD is also capable of downloading information via a request to a data provider, similar to a request for directory information from a phone company or other service. In this mode the PCD acts similar to calling a phone operator for information. However, in this instance, no human contact is required. The caller requests specific information (location of gas stations, names of restaurants, local banks, etc.) via a voice command (“Download e.g., Wells Fargo Banks”) or via digital commands using a keypad or other input device and the requested information is automatically downloaded to and stored in the memory of the user's PCD. This information can be accessed off-line via the screen on the PCD. It is all done digitally, eliminating having to write down information such as name, address, location map, GPS latitude and longitude encoding, direction and distance to location, hours of operation, or other items of information. The PCD can be plugged into an automobile input port or similar device, if available, and provide distances and directions to locations of interest. Similar information of a condensed nature can also be provided to the user via the screen of the PCD. The user is not required to be a subscriber to some proprietary system, instead the PCD can use any means to access any data base from any potential provider, whether GPS encoded or not.
In some areas the information would be sent and received by way of a Local Area Broadcast via radio frequency signals to each home, car or PCD

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