초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for defining grid and proprietary addresses of selected locations within a geographical area is described, characterized in that the grid addresses are defined in relation to a grid and can be easily converted to global coordinates defined in relation to a known global referen

A method and apparatus for defining grid and proprietary addresses of selected locations within a geographical area is described, characterized in that the grid addresses are defined in relation to a grid and can be easily converted to global coordinates defined in relation to a known global referencing system, and the proprietary addresses are unique to the geographical area.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A navigational apparatus comprising:a GPS receiver for providing global coordinates of a first selected location within a geographical area defined in accordance with a known global referencing system;an input device for providing an address of a second selected location

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A navigational apparatus comprising:a GPS receiver for providing global coordinates of a first selected location within a geographical area defined in accordance with a known global referencing system;an input device for providing an address of a second selected location within the geographical area comprising a proprietary address, and an address of a third selected location within the geographical area, said address of said third selected location including a hierarchial arrangement of codes;a storage device for storing information which identifies a grid and a cell code of the grid;a processor coupled to the GPS receiver, the input device, and the storage device, and configured to (1) use the information stored in the storage device to determine a pre-defined grid which corresponds to the geographical area, the grid having a plurality of grid cells, with each of the grid cells having a cell code and subdivided into a plurality of sub-cells, and with each of the sub-cells having a sub-cell code and addressed by a hierarchial arrangement of codes, the grid further having a reference point corresponding to a fourth selected location within the geographical area, global coordinates of the fourth selected location defined in accordance with the known global referencing system, and at least one grid parameter defining cell and sub-cell size and orientation; (2) determine a hierarchial arrangement of codes corresponding to the proprietary address by searching through a pre-determined file containing proprietary addresses reserved for the grid; (3) determine global coordinates of the second selected location by modifying the global coordinates of the fourth selected location in accordance with the hierarchial arrangement of codes corresponding to the proprietary address and at least one grid parameter; (4) determine global coordinates of the third selected location by modifying the global coordinates of the fourth selected location in accordance with the information stored in the storage device, the sub-cell code corresponding to the third selected location, and at least one parameter; (5) compare the global coordinates of the first and second selected locations to determine a first value; and (6) compare the global coordinates of the first and third selected locations to determine a second value; andan output device coupled to the processor for outputting the first and second values.