Systems, apparatus and methods for delivery of location-oriented information

Abstract

An augmented reality guiding system for delivery of location-oriented information, including a location server, a database coupled to the location server, and at least one mobile locating device. The database is configured to store target information relating to target points of interest. Each mobile locating device has a positioning module, an imaging module, a spatial orientation detection module, a display module, and at least one wireless communication module. Each mobile locating device is configured to receive target information relating to at least one target points of interest from the location server, and display the target information by visually augmenting at least one image on the display module.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An augmented reality guiding system, comprising:
 a) a location server;   b) a database coupled to the location server and configured to store information relating to target points of interest; and   c) at least one mobile locating device, each mobile locating device having:
 i) a positioning module configured to determine location information for that locating device, 
 ii) an imaging module configured to capture at least one image of a field of vision for that locating device, 
 iii) a spatial orientation detection module that outputs data to determine spatial information of that locating device, 
 iv) a display module configured to provide visual feedback, and 
 v) at least one communication module configured to communicate with the location server; 
   d) wherein each mobile locating device is configured to receive the information relating to at least one target points of interest from the location server, and based on that information, the location information and the spatial information, display the information relating to the target point of interest by visually augmenting the at least one captured image on the display module; and   e) wherein at least one of the target points of interest is a mobile object.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the information relating to target points of interest includes at least one of location information indicative of a location of each target point of interest, spatial orientation information indicative of spatial information relating to each target point of interest, permission information for determining whether the information is accessible or relevant, and grouping information about how each target point of interest is organized. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the mobile objects is another locating device. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each locating device is further configured so that, when a target point of interest is not within the field of vision, then the visually augmenting of the at least one captured image includes indicating a direction from the locating device to a location of the target point of interest. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the target points of interest is non-mobile. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each locating device has a data storage module, and is configured to store information relating to at least one of the target points of interest in the data storage module. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21  wherein each locating device is configured to allow target points of interest to be added and stored in at least one of a data storage module locally on the locating device and the location server. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21  wherein at least two of the imaging module, positioning module, spatial orientation detection module, input module, display module, and communication module are integrally coupled. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the positioning module and spatial orientation detection module are removably coupled to the locating device. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein at least one of the positioning module and spatial orientation module are configured to communicate with the input module, display module, and communication module using a wireless interface. 
     
     
         31 . A method for augmented-reality guidance on a locating device, comprising:
 a) determining location information of the locating device using a positioning module;   b) capturing at least one image of at least some of a field of vision for the locating device using an imaging module;   c) determining spatial information for the imaging module of the locating device;   d) identifying at least one target points of interest;   e) receiving target information relating to at least one target points of interest from a remotely located location server; and   f) based on the target information, the location information and spatial information, displaying the target information relating to the target point of interest by visually augmenting the at least one captured image on a display module; and   g) wherein at least one of the target points of interest is a mobile object.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the target information includes at least one of location information indicative of a location of each target point of interest, spatial orientation information indicative of spatial information relating to each target point of interest, permission information for determining whether the target information is accessible or relevant and grouping information about how each target point of interest is organized. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the mobile objects is another locating device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising determining when a target point of interest is not within the field of vision, and if so then visually augmenting the at least one captured image by indicating a direction from the locating device to a location of the target point of interest. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the target points of interest is non-mobile. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising storing target information relating to at least target point of interest locally on the locating device. 
     
     
         37 . A mobile locating device, comprising:
 a) a positioning module configured to determine location information for the locating device;   b) an imaging module configured to capture at least one image of at least some of a field of vision for the locating device;   c) a spatial orientation detection module that determines spatial information for the imaging module of the locating device;   d) a display module configured to provide visual feedback; and   e) at least one wireless communication module configured to communicate with a location server;   f) wherein the location server is in communication with a database configured to store target information relating to target points of interest; and   g) wherein the mobile locating device is configured to be able to receive target information from the location server; and based on the target information and the location information and spatial information, display the target information relating to the target point of interest by visually augmenting the at least one captured image on the display module; and   h) wherein at least one of the target points of interest is a mobile object.   
     
     
         38 . The mobile locating device of  claim 37 , wherein the target information includes at least one of location information indicative of a location of each target point of interest, spatial orientation information indicative of spatial information relating to each target point of interest, permission information for determining whether the information is accessible or relevant, and grouping information about how each target point of interest is organized. 
     
     
         39 . The mobile locating device of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the mobile objects is another mobile locating device. 
     
     
         40 . The mobile locating device of  claim 37 , further configured so that, when a target point of interest is not within the field of vision, then the visually augmenting of the at least one captured image includes indicating a direction from the mobile locating device to a location of the target point of interest.