The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 12, 1998
Raymond P Wilson, Redwood Christchurch, NZ;
Trimble Navigation Limited, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A position identification system, that employs satellite navigational or similar positioning technology is provided. The position identification system eliminates the need for estimating the location of a desired position and iteratively adjusting the placement of a range pole. In one embodiment, the position identification system includes an antenna/receiver for receiving position signals from a positioning system; an orientation device that is configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis; a pointing element that operates in conjunction with the orientation device to identify a desired position; and a processor that is coupled to the antenna/receiver to receive the position signals. The processor computes a current position of the position identification system based upon the position signals and directs the orientation device based upon the current position and the desired position. Using the positioning system, a pointing device is used to identify the desired location to the user of the positioning system. The positioning system receives a first position corresponding to the desired location. A second position is determined corresponding to the device's current location. Then, when the pointing element is be oriented such that the pointing element is substantially aligned with the first position, the desired location may be identified by activating the pointing element.