Pointing systems for addressing objects

Abstract

Addressing systems are arranged to provide users information relating to objects of interest. Users point a hand-held device of the invention toward an object to address it. The device determines which objects are being addressed by making position and attitude measurements and a search of a database containing preprogrammed information relating to those objects being addressed. Information relating to objects determined to be those presently being addressed is presented at a user interface. Devices include a point reference, a direction reference, a position determining support, attitude determining support, a computer processor and database, and at least one user interface. Methods of systems include the steps of addressing an object, determining position and attitude, searching a database, and presenting information to a user.

1 ) Apparatus for addressing objects comprising: a directional reference; a point reference; a position determining means; an attitude determining means; a computer processor; and a user interface, 
 said position determining means arranged to determine position of the point reference and convey position information to said computer processor;    said attitude determining means arranged to determine attitude of the directional reference and convey attitude information to said computer processor; and    said user interface is in electronic communication with said computer processor.    
     
     
         2 ) Apparatus of  claim 1 , said further comprising a database having stored therein information relating to objects addressable by the apparatus.  
     
     
         3 ) Apparatus of  claim 2 , said stored information includes a geometric descriptor for each object.  
     
     
         4 ) Apparatus of  claim 3 , said stored information including a one-to-one correspondence between a geometric descriptor and an object being addressed.  
     
     
         5 ) Apparatus of  claim 3 , said geometric descriptor being a spatial definition of a geometric body having finite extent operable for forming a mathematical intersection with an address indicator.  
     
     
         6 ) Apparatus of  claim 5 , said address indicator is a vector reflecting the address state of said apparatus, and further is a line segment of infinite extent having said point reference as its origin and said direction reference colinear therewith.  
     
     
         7 ) Apparatus of  claim 5 , said geometric descriptor is a body having extent which approximates the space occupied by an object associated of which it is associated.  
     
     
         8 ) Apparatus of  claim 5 , said address indicator has finite extent defined by parameters in the group including: position, attitude, range, and solid angle.  
     
     
         9 ) Apparatus of  claim 5 , said address indicator is defined by parameters in the group including: latitude, longitude, altitude, compass heading, pitch, roll, solid angle, range, range gate, and time.  
     
     
         10 ) Apparatus of  claim 6 , said address indicator is defined in part by the position of said point reference as determined by said position determining means and the attitude of said direction reference as determined by said attitude determining means.  
     
     
         11 ) Apparatus of  claim 4 , said database including a plurality of records, each record comprises a plurality of data fields.  
     
     
         12 ) Apparatus of  claim 11 , said records each comprise at least a geometric descriptor and an association with an addressable object.  
     
     
         13 ) Apparatus of  claim 12 , said records further comprise information elements containing multimedia data relating to the object.  
     
     
         14 ) An apparatus of  claim 3 , said user interface is a display screen operable for forming images and graphical representations.  
     
     
         15 ) Apparatus of  claim 3 , said user interface further includes an audio transducer or speaker.  
     
     
         16 ) Apparatus of  claim 3 , said user interface includes means for displaying images of addressable objects.  
     
     
         17 ) Apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising information elements stored in the database, each information element comprising stored information relating to an addressable object.