US005839088A
`5,839,088
`(11) Patent Number:
`United States Patent 15
`Hancocketal.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`
`[54] GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION REFERENCING
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: S. Lee Hancock, Newport Beach,
`ic,
`— Peter H. Dana, Georgetown,
`
`.
`.
`[73] Assignee: GO2 Software, Inc., Newport Beach,
`Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 701,586
`
`Aug. 22, 1996
`
`Filed:
`[22]
`Int. Cl é
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`
`GOIC 21/20; GO1s 5/02
`ve 701/213; 701/211; 701/201;
`
`342/457
`[58] Field of Search o..cccsccccscscsscseee 701/213, 201,
`701/211, 300; 342/357, 457; 340/988
`
`...
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`4,677,561
`4,974,170
`5,289,195
`5,296,861
`$5,311,434
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6/1987 Akamaet al.
`ssssssssessussusseen 364/449
`11/1990 Bouve et al.
`.. 364/518
`2/1994 Inoue........
`.. 342/457
`3/1994 Knight
`..
`w 342/357
`5/1994 Tama oo. ccececeseeesseeeeeeeenee 364/449
`
`
`
`.
`
`6/1994 Mueller et al. cesses 364/449
`5,323,322
`9/1994 Gildea et al.
`...
`. 342/357
`5,345,244
`
`5,355,140 10/1994 Slavinetal. ....
`_ 342/386
`eee varioes aees ak
`: ae
`3396,
`OSHIYUKL ......eeeseeserseeereeeeeeeees
`/35
`
`4/1995 Lima cececcsccccssssssssssssessssessessee 364/449
`5,406,491
`S/L995 Lad vececccssecssssesesssssssesssssssessee 342/357
`SAISS38
`
`5,422,814
`6/1995 Sprague et al.
`.
`. 364/449
`6/1995 Nobeetal. .....
`5.424.951
`| 364/443
`5,436,632
`7/1995 Sheynblat....
`. 342/357
`
`5,450,344
`9/1995 Woo etal. ..
`. 364/449
`5,452,217
`9/1995 Kishi et al.
`.
`. 364/449
`
`5,471,392
`11/1995 Yamashita ....ucessssssssssseseseee 364/443
`SATTASS 12/1995 Loomis sceccesessseesssveosvnvien 364/449
`1/1997 Sprague et al. 0. 701/213
`5,596,500
`Primary Examiner—Michael Zanelli
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lyon & Lyon LLP
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`:
`.
`:
`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 geographicalarea.
`
`18 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`102
`
`106
`
`GPS ANT.
`
`QUIPU' DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`
`STORAGE
`
`
`
` Google Exhibit 1052
`
`Google Exhibit 1052
`Google v. Mullen
`Google v. Mullen
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`
`
` EXPLODED VIEW
`
`
`
`
`ii
`
`9
`
`IN FIG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`p--—~-~4----4+-—~-—-}----}-~—--}-—
`
`
`
`Fig. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 17
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`5,839,088
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 17
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`5,839,088
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`5]
`
`f
`
`MANUAL
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`55
`
`57
`
`IDENTITY FEATURE CAPTURE POSITIONAL|53a
`
`AND NAME
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE DISTRICT[~9! 54
`
`NAME
`
`DISTRICT NAMES
`
`DISTRICT NAVIGATIONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`UNIQUE IN DISTRICT
`DISTRICT DATA FILE
`
`63
`
`CENTRAL
`
`REPOSITORY CLASSIFICATION |
`
`TES
`
`65
`
`71
`
`MAKE REQUEST
`
`
`73
`
`RECEIVE TRAVEL
`DATA
`
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`8]
`ion
`
`/5
`
`//
`
`LOCAL
`STORAGE
`
`[
`
`Fig. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`102
`
`100
`
`GPS ANT.
`
`
`
`
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`
`106
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`OUTPUT DEVICE
`
`pire[oe[ar 104
`
`108
`
`109
`
`105
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 17
`
`5,839,088
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`ARRDODDodo ODES :
`
`
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`per tao
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 7 of 17
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`5,839,088
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`AK,ANC,ANCHORAGE , 149W54,61N13
`AK,FBK,FAIRBANKS, 147W43,64N51
`AK,JUN JUNEAU, 134W24,58N18
`AL,ANN,ANNISTON ,085W50,33N39
`AL,BES,BESSEMER,086W58,33N24
`AL, BIR, BIRMINGHAM ,086W48,33N31
`AL,DEC,DECATUR,086W59,34N36
`AL,DOT,DOTHAN,085W24,31N13
`AL,FLO,FLORENCE,087W41 ,34N48
`AL,GAD,GADSDEN,086W01,34N01
`AL,HUN,HUNTSVILLE,086W35,34N44
`AL,MOB,MOBILE,088W03,30N41
`AL,MON, MONTGOMERY, 086W19,32N23
`AL,PHE,PHENIX CITY,085W00,32N28
`AL,PRI,PRICHARD,0&88W05,30N44
`AL,SEL,SELMA,087W01 ,32N25
`AL,TUS,TUSCALOOSA,087W34,33N12
`AR,EDO,EL DORADO,092W40,33N12
`AR, FAY, FAYETTEVILLE 096W10,36N04
`AR,FTS,FORT SMITH, 094W25,35N23
`AR,HOS,HOT SPRINGS NAT PA,093W03,34N31
`AR, JON, JONESBORO ,090W42,35N50
`AR,LRK,LITTLE ROCK,092W17,34N45
`AR,NLR,NORTH LITTLE ROCK,092W16,34N46
`AR,PIB,PINE BLUFF ,092W01,34N13
`AR,WME,WEST MEMPHIS,090W11,35NO09
`AZ,FLA,FLAGSTAFF,111W39,35N12
`AZ,GCN,GRAND CANYON,112W8,36N59
`AZ,GLD,GLENDALE, 112W11,33N32
`AZ,MES,MESA,111W50,33N25
`AZ,PHO,PHOENIX, 112W04,33N27
`AZ,SCO,SCOTTSDALE,111W56,33N29
`AZ,TEM,TEMPE,111W56,33N25
`AZ,TUC, TUCSON, 110W58,32N13
`AZ,YMA,YUMA,114W37,32N43
`CA,ALA,ALAMEDA, 122W15,37N46
`CA,ALH, ALHAMBRA, 118W06,34N08
`CA,ALT,ALTADENA, 1 18W08,34N114
`CA,ANA,ANAHEIM, 117W55,33N50
`CA,ANT ANTIOCH, 121W48,38NO01
`CA,ARA,ACADIA,118W12,34N08
`CA,ARD,ARDEN, 121W23,38N36
`CA,ARE, ARCADE, 118W01,34N08
`CA,AZU,AZUSA,117W52,34N08
`CA,BAK,BAKERSFIELD,119W01,35N23
`CA,BAP, BALDWIN PARK, 117W58,34N04
`CA,BBK, BURBANK, 118W19,34N11
`CA,BEF,BELLFLOWER, 118W09,33N53
`CA,BEG,BELL GARDENS, 118W10,33N58
`CA,BEL,BELL,118W11,33N59
`CA,BEV, BEVERLY HILLS,718W25,34N04
`
`Fig. 8A
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`CA,BMT,BELMONT,122W16,37N31
`CA, BRK,BERKELEY,122W16,37N52
`CA,BUP,BUENA PARK,117W60,32N52
`CA,BUR,BURLINGAME, 112W21,37N35
`CA,CAM,CAMPBELL,121W57,37N17
`CA,CAR,CARMICHAEL, 121W19,38N38
`CA,CAR,CARSON, 118W17,33N48
`CA,CAV,CASTRO VALLEY, 122W04,37N42
`CA,CHI,CHINO,117W41,34N01
`CA,CHV,CHULA VISTA, 117W05,32N39
`CA,CIH,CITRUS HEIGHTS, 121W17,38N42
`CA,CLA,CLAREMONT, 117W43,34N06
`CA,COL,COLTON, 117W19,34N04
`CA,CMP,COMPTON,118W13,33N54
`CA,COM,COSTA MESA, 117W55,33N38
`CA,CON, CONCORD, 122W02,37N59
`CA, COV,COVINA, 117W52,34N05
`CA,CRN,CORONA,117W34,33N53
`CA,CRO,CORONADO,117W10,32N41
`CA,CUC,CULVER CITY,118W25,34N01
`CA,CYP,CYPRESS, 118W02,33N50
`CA,DAC,DALY CITY ,122W28,37N42
`CA,DAV, DAVIS, 121W44,38N32
`CA,DOW,DOWNEY, 118W08,33N56
`CA,ECA,EL CAJON, 116W58,32N48
`CA,ECE,EL CERRITO,122W19,37N55
`CA,ELA,EAST LOS ANGELES, 118W09,34N01
`CA,EMT,EL MONTE, 122W00,37N59
`CA,ESC,ESCONDIDO,117W05,33N07
`CA,EUR,EUREKA,124W09,40N47
`CA,FAI,FAIRFIELD, 122W03,38N15
`CA,FLO,FLORENCE, 118W15,33N58
`CA,FON,FONTANA,117W26,34N06
`CA,FOV,FOUNTAIN VALLEY,117W58,33N42
`CA,FRE, FREMONT, 121W57,37N32
`CA,FRS,FRESNO,119W47,36N44
`CA,FUL,FULLERTON, 117W56,33N53
`CA,GAG,GARDEN GROVE,117W55,33N47
`CA,GAR,GARDENA,118W1818,33N53
`CA,GLD,GLENDALE,178W15,34N09
`CA,GLE,GLENDORA,117W52,34N08
`CA,HAH,HACIENDA HEIGHTS, 117W58,33N58
`CA,HAW, HAWTHORNE, 118W21,33N55
`CA,HAY, HAYWARD, 122W05,37N40
`CA,HIC,HILLCREST CENTER, 118W57,35N23
`CA,HOL,HOLLYWOOD, 118W21,34N06
`CA,HUB,HUNTINGTON BEACH,118W05,33N40
`CA,HUP HUNTINGTON PARK, 118W14,33N59
`CA,IMB, IMPERIAL BEACH,117W08,32N35
`CA, ING, INGLEWOOD, 118W21,33N58
`CA,LA_,LOS ANGELES,118W15,34N04
`
`Fig. 8B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`AK,ALASKA
`AL,ALABAMA
`AR,ARKANSAS
`AZ,ARIZONA
`CA,CALIFORNIA
`CO,COLORADO
`CT,CONNECTICUT
`DC,DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
`DE,DELAWARE
`FL,FLORIDA
`GA,GEORGIA
`HI,HAWAII
`IAIOWA
`(ID, IDAHO
`IL ILLINOIS
`IN, INDIANA
`KS,KANSAS
`KY, KENTUCKY
`LA,LOUISIANA
`MA,MASSACHUSETTS
`MD,MARYLAND
`ME,MAINE
`MI,MICHIGAN
`MN,MINNESOTA
`MO,MISSOUR!
`MS,MISSISSIPPi
`MT,MONTANA
`NC,NORTH CAROLINA
`ND,NORTH DAKOTA
`NE,NEBRASKA
`NH,NEW HAMPSHIRE
`NJ,NEW JERSEY
`NM,NEW MEXICO
`NV,NEVADA
`NY, NEW YORK
`OH,OHIO
`OK,OKLAHOMA
`OR,OREGON
`PA,PENNSYLVANIA
`RIJZRHODE ISLAND
`SC,SOUTH CAROLINA
`SD,SOUTH DAKOTA
`TN, TENNESSEE
`TX, TEXAS
`UT,UTAH
`VA, VIRGINIA
`VT, VERMONT
`WA,WASHINGTON
`WLWISCONSIN
`WV, WEST VIRGINIA
`WY, WYOMING
`
`Fig. 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`US.CA.NWB.MAC2, 117W52.360,33N39.549, MCDONALDS #2
`US.CA.NWB.BK2,117W52.425,33N39.647, BURGER KING #2
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO, 117W52.459,33N39.681,ARCO
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC2,117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL TACO #2
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN, 117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON
`US.CA.NWB.JACK1,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #1
`US.CA.NWB.MAC1,117W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #1
`US.CA.NWB.TACO,117W55.280,33N38.278,TACO BELL
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC1,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #1
`US.CA.NWB.MAC3, 117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #3
`US.CA.NWB.BK1,117W52.425,33N39.647, BURGER KING #1
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO,117W52.459,33N39.681,ARCO #1
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC3, 117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL TACO #3
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN1,117W52.557,33N39.701 ,CCHEVRON #2
`US.CA.NWB.JACK2,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #2
`US.CA.NWB.MAC4, 117W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.NWB.TACO1,117W55.280,33N38.278,TACO BELL #1
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC4, 117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #4
`US.CA.NWB.MAC5,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #5
`US.CA.NWB.BK3,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #3
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO2,117W53. 129,33N40.871,ARCO #2
`US.CA.NWB.DLTCS5,117W52.625,33N39.811,DEL TACO #5
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN3,117W52.247,33N39.642, CHEVRON #3
`US.CA.NWB.JACK3,117W53.74,33N38.25,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #3
`US.CA.NWB.MAC6,17W53.157,33N37.1,MCDONALDS #6
`US.CA.NWB.TACO2,117W54.872,33N38.657,TACO BELL #2
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC6,117W55.144,33N39.975,DEL TACO #6
`US.CA.NWB.MAC7,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #7
`US.CA.NWB.BK4,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #4
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO3,117W51.824,33N39.47,ARCO #3
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC7,117W52.851,33N39.487,DEL TACO #7
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN4,117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON #4
`US.CA.NWB.JACK4,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #4
`US.CA.NWB.MAC8,117W54.837,33N36.987, MCDONALDS #8
`US.CA.NWB.TACO3,117W55.28,33N38.278,TACO BELL #3
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC8,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #8
`
`US.CA.NWB.TEXCO,117W52.360,33N39.549,TEXACO
`US.CA.NWB.GULF,117W52.425,33N39.647,GULF OIL
`US.CA.NWB.ARBY,117W52.459,33N39.681 ARBY'S
`US.CA.NWB.DENNY, 117W52.513,33N39.679, DENNY'S
`US.CA.NWB.PZHUT,117W52.557,33N39.701,PIZZA HUT
`US.CA.NWB.PZINN, 117W54.800,33N37.895,PIZZA INN
`US.CA.NWB.PENNY,117W54.837,33N36.987,J.C. PENNY’S
`US.CA.NWB.KFC1,117W55.280,33N38.278, KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN
`US.CA.NWB.PZAPZA,117W55.354,33N38.204,LIL’ CAESAERS
`US.CA.NWB.SUB, 117W52.360,33N39.549, SUBWAY
`US.CA.NWB.WNDY,117W52.425,33N39.647,WENDY'S
`US.CA.NWB.WELLS,117W52.459,33N39.681,WELL'’S FARGO
`
`Fig. 10A
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 12 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`US.CA.NWB.STAR, 117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL STAR ATM
`US.CA.NWB.MAIL,117W52.557,33N39.701, MAILBOX
`US.CA.NWB.GMC,117W54.800,33N37.895,GENERAL MOTORS DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.FORD, 117W52.837,33N36.987,FORD DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.MBZ,117W55.280,33N38.278, MERCEDES BENZ DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.LEXUS, 117W55.354,33N38.204, LEXUS DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.S711,117W52.360,33N39.549,7-11
`US.CA.NWB.CIRK,117W52.425,33N39.647,CIRCLE K STORE
`US.CA.NWB.BOFA,117W52.459,33N39.681,BANK OF AMERICA
`US.CA.NWB.ANW,117W52.513,33N39.679,A AND W RESTAURANT
`
`US.CA.SAN.MAC2,117W52.360,33N49.549, MCDONALDS #2
`US.CA.SAN,.BK2,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #2
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO,117W52.459,33N49.6381,ARCO
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC2,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #2
`US.CA.SAN.CHVRN, 117W52.557,33N49.701, CHEVRON
`US.CA.SAN.JACK1,117W54.800,33N47.895 JACK-IN-THE-BOX #1
`US.CA.SAN.MAC1,117W54.837,33N46.987, MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.SAN. TACO, 117W55.280,33N48.278, TACO BELL
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC1,117W55.280,33N48.204,DEL TACO #1
`US.CA.SAN.MAC3, 117W52.360,33N49.549, MCDONALDS #3
`US.CA.SAN,BK1,117W52.425,33N49.647, BURGER KING #1
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO1,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #1
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC3,117W52.513,33N49.679, DEL TACO #3
`US.CA.SAN.CHVRN1,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #2
`US.CA.SAN.JACK2,117W54.800,33N47.895, JACK-IN-THE-BOX #2
`US.CA.SAN.MAC4,117W54.837,33N46.987, MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.SAN.TACO1,117W55.280,33N48.278, TACO BELL #1
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC4,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #4
`US.CA.SAN.MAC5,117W52.360,33N49.549, MCDONALDS #5
`US.CA.SAN.BK3, 117W52.425,33N49.647, BURGER KING #3
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO2,117W52.459,33N49.681 ,ARCO #2
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC5, 117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #5
`US.CA.SAN.CHVRN3,117W52.557,33N49.701 ,CHEVRON #3
`US.CA.SAN.JACK3, 117W54.800,33N47.895 JACK-IN-THE-BOX #3
`US.CA.SAN.MAC6,117W54.837,33N46.987, MCDONALDS #6
`US.CA.SAN.TACO2,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #2
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC6,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #6
`US.CA.SAN.MAC7, 117W52.360,33N49.549, MCDONALDS #7
`US.CA.SAN.BK4,117W52.425,33N49.647, BURGER KING #4
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO3, 117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #3
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC7,117W52.513,33N49.647,DEL TACO #7
`US.CA.SAN.CHVRN4,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #4
`US.CA.SAN.JACK4,117W54.800,33N47.895, JACK-IN-THE-BOX #4
`US.CA.SAN.MAC8,117W54.837,33N46.987 MCDONALDS #8
`US.CA.SAN.TACO3, 117W55.280,33N48.278, TACO BELL #3
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC8,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #8
`
`US.CA.YSM.WWNA,119W39.23,37N32.20 WAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.TLME,119W21.54,37N52.32, TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`
`Fig. 10B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`US.CA.YSM.HFDM, 119W31.56,37N44.84, HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.HCHY,119W47.37,37N56.78, HETCH HETCY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.BDGP,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.MRPG,119W36.13,37N30.77,MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.SENT, 119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.NENT,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.WENT, 119W46.21,37N40.64,WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.EENT,119W15.57,37N54.38, EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.WWLF,119W38.73,37N52.35, WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.GCRP, 119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.YSMF,119W37.12,37N45.34, YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSM.GGG1,119W39.23,37N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG2, 119W21.54,37N52.32, TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`US.CA.YSM.GGG3,119W31.56,37N44.84, HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.GGG4,119W47.37,37N56.78, HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.GG65,119W39.72,37N40.25, BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.GGG6,119W36.13,37N30.77,MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG7,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG8, 119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGGS9, 119W46.21,37N40.64,WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG10,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG11,119W38.73,37N52.35, WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.GGG12,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.GGG13,119W37.12,37N45.34, YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSM.G1,118W39.23,37N32.20, VAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.G2,119W21.54,37N52.32,TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`US.CA.YSM.G3,119W31.56,37N44.84, HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.G4,119W47.37,37N56.78, HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.G5,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.G6,119W36.13,37N30.77, MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.G7,119W37.96,37N30.12,SQOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G8,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G9,119W46.21,37N40.64,WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G10,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G11,119W38.73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.G12,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.G13,119W37.12,37N45.34, YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSB.HFDM, 119W31.56,37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSB.YSMF ,119W37.12,37N45.34, YOSEMITE FALLS
`US.CA.YSB.GGG1,119W34.23,37N44.73, AHWAHNEE HOTEL
`US.CA.YSB.GCRP, 119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`
`Fig. 10C
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 14 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`AD,ANDORRA
`AE,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
`AF, AFGHANISTAN
`AG,ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
`ALANGUILLA
`AL,ALBANIA
`AM,ARMENIA
`AN,NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
`AO,ANGOLA
`AQ, ANTARCTICA
`AR,ARGENTINA
`AS,AMERICAN SAMOA
`AT,AUSTRIA
`AU,AUSTRALIA
`AW,ARUBA
`AZ,AZERBAIJAN
`BA,BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
`BB,BARBADOS
`BD,BANGLADESH
`BE,BELGIUM
`BF,BURKINA FASO
`BG,BULGARIA
`BH,BAHRAIN
`BILBURUNDI
`BJ,BENIN
`BM,BERMUDA
`BN,BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
`BO,BOLIVIA
`BR,BRAZIL
`BS,BAHAMAS
`BT,BHUTAN
`BV,BOUVET ISLAND
`BW, BOTSWANA
`BY,BELARUS
`BZ,BELIZE
`CA,CANADA
`CC,COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
`CF,CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
`CG,CONGO
`CH,SWITZERLAND
`CI,COTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST)
`CK,COOK ISLANDS
`CL,CHILE
`CM,CAMEROON
`CN,CHINA
`CO,COLOMBIA
`CR,COSTA RICA
`CS,CZECHOSLOVAKIA (FORMER)
`CU,CUBA
`CV,CAPE VERDE
`CX,CHRISTMAS ISLAND
`
`Fig. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 15 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`Go2 ADDRESS:[US TX AUS 55.63.17.62
`
`[DEGREES:MINUTES:SECONDS}
`LATITUDE:|30:13:43.5N
`
`LONGITUDE:|97:33:50.0W
`
`
`
`PROPRIETARY
`Go2LOCATION:|Cd
`
`cy
`
`STATE
`
`COUNTRY:
`
`Showing You the Way
`
`Fig. 12a
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 16 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`File Help
`
`Go2 ADDRESS|| CA.NWB.MAC1
`
`[DEGREES:MINUTES:SECONDS]
`33:36:59.22N
`
`LATITUDE}
`
`LONGITUDE:|
`
`117:54:50.22W
`
`COUNTRY; US UNITED STATES
`
`PROPRIETY
`Go2 LOCATION:| MAC1 = McDONALDS#1
`
`ciTy:[NWBNEWPORTBEACH_|oo Showing You the Way
`STATE:|CACALIFORNIA se
`
`Fig. 12b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 17, 1998
`
`Sheet 17 of 17
`
`5,839,088
`
`File Help
`
`Go2 ADDRESS:| MAC2
`
`[DEGREES:MINUTES:SECONDS}
`LATITUDE:|33:39:32.94N
`
`LONGITUDE:|117:52:21.60W
`
`
`
`PROPRIETARY
`Go2 LOCATION:|MAC1 = McDONALDS #2
`
`
`
`CITY:[NWB NEWPORT BEACH Showing You the Way
`
`.
`
`;
`
`DOWN
`DOWN
`COUNTRY:|US UNITED STATES
`
`STATE
`
`Fig. 12c
`
`

`

`5,839,088
`
`1
`GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION REFERENCING
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The field of this invention is geographic location refer-
`encing systems.
`A geographic location system has an addressing scheme
`that allows a location to be uniquely addressed. Several
`systems are well known and currently in use, such as
`geodetic latitude and longitude, Universal Transverse Mer-
`cator (UTM), Military Grid Reference System (MGRS),
`World Geographic Reference System (GEOREF),
`Maidenhead, Trimble Grid, Trimble Atlas, and Thomas
`Brothers Detail.
`‘These known systems can generally be
`divided into two categories: global and local. The global
`systems, such as geodetic latitude and longitude, UTM,
`MGRS, GEOREF, Maidenhead, and Trimble Grid, use a
`schemethat subdivides the globe into areas of increasing
`resolution, until a particular location is properly identified.
`Thus each location address is referenced to the global
`system, allowing for the easy comparison of two location
`addresses. However, the addresses tend to be complicated,
`cumbersome,and unrelated to the real world, increasing the
`complexity of these systems.
`The local systems, such as Thomas Brothers paper map-
`ping systems, provide a technique that assigns location
`addresses based on association with a geographic region or
`physical map pages, with every location identified with only
`one region. This type of local system is easier to use for local
`location information in connection with a physical map, but
`is difficult to use with respect to a more global or clectronic
`systems,as there is no simple way to convert a local address
`into a global address, and the local address is not recognized
`in the global systems.
`Location technology has been significantly impacted by
`the wide availability of Global Positioning Systems (GPS),
`which are operated by the United States Department of
`Defense to provide worldwide navigation, position location,
`and precision timing services. GPS comprises a global
`networkofsatellites that interact with a controller coupled
`to a GPS receiver, allowing the controller to precisely
`determine its location. This locationis typically output from
`the GPSreceiver as latitude and longitude numbers, which
`are cumbersome for users to understand and use. A GPS
`receiver is sometimes coupled with additional capability that
`allows the raw latitude/longitude numbers to be converted
`into a more useful and usable format. See, ¢.g., Sprague et
`al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,814; Inoue, U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,195;
`and Yamashita, U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,392. However, even with
`these enhancements, a problem with these systemsis that
`theyare still difficult to use by persons whoare unskilled in
`the use of location referencing systems. Another problem is
`that these systems are unwieldy becausetheystill retain their
`global character. Thus, what
`is needed is a referencing
`system that can be used with a minimum amountof reading,
`scrolling, and searching, and with a limited number of
`keystrokes for data entry. Also needed is a user-friendly,
`truly local addressing system that is easily convertible to a
`known global system for wide-range concerns.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to creating and using a
`location referencing address method associated with an
`established geographic information system. The location
`referencing address method has an arbitrary local referenc-
`ing system that retains a known relationship with a global
`referencing system.
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`invention, a
`In a first, separate aspect of the present
`universal location address is defined by subdividing a geo-
`graphic location into several independentdistricts, each with
`a name and a reference point. The reference point has a
`knownlocational address within a global referencing sys-
`tem. A coordinate system is placed on the district relative to
`the reference point, yielding a position indicator for loca-
`tions within the district. Combining the district name and the
`position indicator defines the local location.
`In a second, separate aspect of the invention, the forego-
`ing aspect may be further enhanced by the creation of
`proprietary locational addresses. A proprietary address is a
`name, which will be unique within the district, that distinctly
`identifies a location with the district. A proprietary address
`is created by selecting a name, capturing positional infor-
`mation about the location associated with the name, check-
`ing that the name is unique in the district and storing the
`name with its associated locational information and feature
`data. Once stored, the name and the associated information
`may be selectively disseminated to users of locational sys-
`tems.
`
`In a third separate aspect of the invention, a locational
`system first accepts regional or positional information to
`determine a general location address, including a district
`name. ‘The locational system then accepts specific addresses,
`each having less than a complete locational address. The
`locational system creates a complete locational address by
`combining the known general positional information with
`the abbreviated specific locational address to determine the
`precise and complete locational address, gencrally by pre-
`fixing the known general positional
`information to the
`specific locational address.
`In a fourth separate aspect of the invention,a navigational
`system incorporating the foregoing aspects is defined.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows two overlapping districts, each with a
`reference point and a grid system.
`FIG. 2 showsa single cell of FIG. 1 with hierarchical
`gridding to increase the addressing resolution.
`FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of a preferred embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`FIG. 4 shows howproprictary locational names are com-
`piled and distributed.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram of a navigational system incorporating
`one or more aspects of the subject invention.
`FIGS. 6 and 7 show the use of PLAs and ULAs in a
`specific geographical context.
`FIGS. 8a—8b, 9, 10a—-10c, 11 are examplesofspecific files
`used in one implementation of the subject invention.
`FIGS. 12a-12c are examples of screen outputs used in
`one implementation of the subject invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A preferred embodimentof the present invention allows a
`pointof interest (POD) within an arbitrary geographic area to
`be uniquely identified with a locational address, and the
`locational address to be related to other known global
`referencing systems. The locational address may take two
`forms:
`first, as a universal locational address (ULA); or
`second, as a proprietary locational address (PLA). Each of
`these forms is discussed below.
`
`Every location in a geographic area will have at least one
`ULA.To determine the ULA of a point, a geographic arca
`
`

`

`5,839,088
`
`3
`is divided into several districts. The districts may be of
`differing size and shape, and may contain a particular
`identifying feature. For example, the geographic area of the
`United States may be subdivided into numerous districts,
`which maybestrategically located, sized, and named with
`referenceto cities or other geographicorpolitical features in
`order
`to associate the districts with such features.
`Advantageously, such districts are chosen relative to cities
`andit is therefore convenient to nameeachdistrict according
`to the city about which the district is located. In fact, each
`city may have a reference point, allowing local locations to
`be addressed relative to the local city. Sparsely populated
`areas may havelargerdistricts, and densely populated areas
`may have smallerdistricts. The districts may also be quasi-
`rectangular, following latitude and longitude lines. In more
`denscly populated arcas,
`it
`is possible that a particular
`location will be within the boundaries of two or more
`districts. In addition, user-defined districts, reference points,
`and grid sizes are possible. For example, a search and rescue
`operation may establish a reference point and grid size
`convenient for a particular search area, or a group of hikers
`may choose a reference point and grid size appropriate for
`a particular outing.
`Afier
`the districis have been selected and named, a
`reference point is chosen for each district, and a grid system
`placed relative to the reference point. Advantageously, the
`grid system is referenced north. Referring to FIG. 1, a first
`district 1 and a seconddistrict 3 are defined relative to major
`cities 4 and 6 respectively. In this example, major city 4 in
`the first district 1 will be named CITYONEandthe major
`city 6 in the seconddistrict 3 will be named CITYTWO. For
`convenience,
`the first district 1 will be named CTY1,
`referring to the major city within that district’s borders, and
`the second district will be named CTY2, referring to the
`majorcity within that district’s borders. Reference point 5 is
`selected as the reference point for CTY1, and reference point
`7 is selected as the reference point for CTY2. The reference
`point will not necessarily be located proximate to the feature
`used as the namefor the district. Each reference point 5 and
`7 has a known address within a global referencing system
`such as World Geodetic Systems (WGS). Association with a
`global system offers at least three important functions: first,
`local addresses may be easily converted to global addresses
`and vice-versa; second, inter-district relationships are estab-
`lished; and third, easy integration with known navigational
`systems is provided. Thus, an easy to use district-level
`addressing systemretains the advantages of a global system
`without attaching complexity.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1, the grid system about each
`reference point 5 and 7 creates cells 9 in each district. Each
`of these cells 9 is identified with a cell code, which advan-
`tageously is a two character number. For example, a target
`POI location 19, which is in cell 11, can nowbe identified
`by referring to its district and cell code, e.g., CTY2-11. Of
`course, such a reference lacks the resolution to identify a
`particular feature, such as a house, but may be enough
`resolution to locate a lake or park. The issue of increased
`resolution is discussed below.
`
`Also, it is likely that there will be an overlap area 13 that
`is formedat the intersection of districts. Within this overlap
`area 13, any POI can beidentified by reference to anydistrict
`within which it is located. Thus, a target location 8 in the
`overlap area 13 can be identified by either association with
`the CTY1 or CTY2 districts, or any other district within
`whichit is located. In the preferred embodiment, a locational
`system can provide a locational address relative to any
`reference point or district by simply toggling between ref-
`erence points.
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`4
`As discussed above, a district name and cell code may not
`give sufficient resolution to locate specific locations. To
`increase resolution, a hierarchical grid is applied to eachcell
`9 of FIG. 1. For example, cell 11 is shownin FIG. 2 with a
`sub-grid applied, producing sub-cells 15. Each of these
`sub-cells can be identified with a sub-grid code. Moreover,
`the sub-cells can be further subdivided to increase resolu-
`tion. Here, sub-cell 17 is further subdivided. As can be seen
`in the figure, the target location 19 is within the sub-sub cell
`18. Thus, to more definitively identify the target location 19,
`a ULAitsformed fromthe highest resolution sub-cell defined
`and eachofits parentcells. ‘The locational address is formed
`by appending to the district name each sub-cell code in
`hierarchical progression, moving from lower resolution to
`more resolution. In the example here, the target location 19
`would have a locational address of CT'Y2-11-17-18. Based
`
`on the size of the district, if this does not give the necessary
`resolution to properly locate the target location 19,
`then
`additional
`levels of gridding hierarchy can be added.
`Although, in this example, cach cell was randomly named
`with a unique numerical code, it should be appreciated that
`a consistent Cartesian coordinate system can also be used,
`with each cell defined by an (X, Y) coordinate pair. Those
`skilled in the art will recognize several other alternative
`ways to define a grid system.
`Advantageously, a city will be named with a specific
`abbreviated name for purposes of navigating to and around
`that city. That abbreviated name mayalso serve as the name
`of the defined district located about that city. Depending on
`the size of the city and various geographic, political, and
`other features relating to the city or region, the district for
`that particular city will be pre-defined with a particular grid
`size, although the system mayallowaltering the grid size for
`particular purposes.If, in the preceding example, the defined
`grid size for CTY2 is approximately 30 by 30 nautical miles,
`identifying two hierarchial grids produces a resolution of
`about 500 meters, which is sufficient for locating structures
`in open areas or large targets such as lakes or parks. By
`adding a third and fourth hierarchical grid, a resolution of
`about 5 meters is achieved, and by adding a fifth hierarchical
`grid, a resolution of about 0.5 meters is achieved. By
`adjusting the numberof grids, then, the resolution of the
`resulting locational address is changed to meet the require-
`ments of the particular area or user. Advantageously, each
`level of the hierarchial address is separated by a decimal
`point. Thus an address may appear as “DIS-
`TRICT.12.34.56.78”. Those skilled in the art will recognize
`several alternatives to this approach.
`The second way a point of interest may be designated in
`the subject invention is with a proprietary locational address
`(PLA). Referring to FIG. 4, the first step in using a PLA is
`to identify the feature and select a name 51. APLAis a name
`chosento identify a physical structure or location. The name
`can be chosen by the operator of a locational service, as in
`the case of naming national monuments, or the name can be
`chosen by individual or corporate users of the locational
`service. Individuals may even want to identify their homes
`using their own names. Thus, a Ms. Mary Smith may name
`her house MARY.SMITH.HOUSE,
`for example. Thus,
`when Ms. Smith wants to direct someoneusing a locational
`service to her house, she identifics her location using
`MARY.SMITH.HOUSE,rather than a street address or other
`locational referencing system. A corporation,
`too, may
`desire to allow customers to locate it using a common name
`rather than a less personal addressing system. For example,
`a nationwide enterprise such as MacDonalds™ with many
`locations may choose a PLA that
`is associated with its
`
`

`

`5,839,088
`
`5
`tradename or product or otherwise allows users to easily
`remember and associate the establishment’s PLA. Abbre-
`viations are useful as it keeps user input to a minimum,
`increasing safety, reliability, and convenience. Since the
`nation-wide enterprise may have manylocations in a single
`metropolitan areas, each may be identified by appending to
`the enterprise’s PLA a unique identifier to identify specific
`branch offices or affiliates. Wildcard searching is also
`provided, allowing several locations of the known nation-
`wide enterprise to be found for a particular geographic area.
`The capture of positional information for a certain name
`will now be described. Referring to FIG. 4, as indicated by
`identifying numeral 55, positional
`information could be
`entered manually, by, for example, inputting the ULA or
`coordinates of the location from a known mapping system.
`Alternatively, as indicated by identifying numeral 57, the
`positional information may be read electronically using a
`system such as the GPS. Referring again to FIG. 4, the name
`51 and positional information 53 are associated. The district
`in whichthe locationis identified is determined by compar-
`ing the positional information 53 to stored district locational
`information 54. Once the district is identified, the name is
`checked against other reserved namesinthe district to assure
`the selected name is unique. If the name is unique,
`il is
`placed in a district data file 63. As can be seen from the
`discussion above, uniqueness of the name need only be
`checked at the district level. Consequently, the same name
`can be present in different districts. The name must be
`unique at
`the district
`level as the district name usually
`becomes