DE20111501U1 - Device for determining the position of objects - Google Patents

Description

Device for determining the position of objects

The present invention relates to a device for determining the position of an object, which comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, a distance measuring module and a compass module.

The exact determination of the position of distant objects in nature can be necessary and useful for many reasons. For example, when birdwatching, it often happens that bird watchers want to determine the exact position of birds they have observed that are far away from them, for example in inaccessible terrain. Furthermore, it is desirable to determine the current coordinates of moving objects such as birds, game or cars.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device which makes it possible to determine the position of distant objects precisely without the observer having to be located directly at the location of the object. In addition, the data obtained should be stored and processed.

The invention is based on the finding that this object is achieved by the interaction of a device for determining position with a rangefinder and a compass.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for determining the position of objects, which is characterized in that it comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) module for determining the exact position of the device, a rangefinder for determining the distance between the device and the object, a compass for determining the direction between the object and the device and a computing unit for calculating the position of the object from the data obtained from the GPS module, rangefinder and compass.

The mode of operation of the device can be described as follows:

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The GPS module determines the exact position and altitude of the device and therefore also of the person carrying the device at regular intervals or continuously. However, if you want to determine the direction of travel, the device must be constantly moving in order to be able to determine the direction from the waypoints taken every second. However, if the compass function of the GPS is combined with that of a compass, preferably an electronic compass, the cardinal direction can also be determined when the device is stationary. The GPS module sends the location received from the Global Positioning System satellite to the compass, and any possible deviation is automatically corrected for the location. This means that the course is determined precisely even when the device is stationary. The advantage of the combination of the compass module and the GPS module is that the compass determines the direction exactly, which is corrected by the information received via the GPS module. This makes it possible to determine the location in a way that is very energy-efficient, since a constant flow of information via the GPS module is not necessary.

Once the exact position of the observer has been determined using the GPS module, the direction is determined using the compass, preferably an electronic compass, between the object and the observer. The object is then precisely targeted using the rangefinder, preferably a laser rangefinder. Once the exact bearing has been determined, the direction between the observed object and the observer is determined using the compass. As explained above, the direction is corrected using the information received from the GPS module.

The distance between the observer and the object is also determined using a rangefinder, preferably a laser rangefinder. After determining the distance between the object and the observer, this distance is correlated with the exact location of the observer and the direction between the object and the observer, thus determining the exact location of the object. The location data can be saved and shown on a display. It is also possible to enter the location data into a map and then display it on the display. It is possible to illuminate the display.

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A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the data can be transmitted or recorded externally via antenna or cable.

It is therefore conceivable that an external rangefinder, e.g. a telescope or rifle, determines the distance between the object and the observer and/or takes the bearing between the object and the observer and then passes this information on to the device. Furthermore, the device can have a device that allows the device to be fixed to a telescope or rifle.

Another advantageous development of the invention provides that the device contains further measuring devices in addition to the GPS module, distance module and compass module. These measuring devices are preferably a weather warning device, which consists of a barometer module and interacts with the GPS module, the measured pressure being compared with the reference pressure obtained by the GPS module, a hygrometer, a thermometer and/or a clock, whereby a change in the weather, the measured humidity, temperature and/or time can be displayed on the device.

In a further advantageous development, the device according to the invention also comprises an emergency call system which, for example, transmits an emergency call frequency (SOS frequency) when a button on the device is pressed.

Furthermore, a carrying strap can be attached to the device.

In the following, an embodiment is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

They represent:

Figure 1: A plan view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2: An exploded view of the device according to the invention

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The device (1) comprises a GPS module (6), a distance measuring module (13), a compass module (14), a barometer module (15), a hygrometer module (16), a thermometer module (17) and a clock (18). The external power supply or data input and output is via connection (2) and enables power supply without battery operation. Furthermore, data such as information about the area or distances from an external rangefinder can be fed in via the input or the measured data can be output externally. The display window (3) is made of glass or a transparent plastic and has a display underneath (19), e.g. a light-emitting display (LED). The individual functions can be shown on the display (19). The control panel (4) is used to choose between the individual display options and functions. The on/off button is also located there. The battery compartment

(5) enables power supply in open terrain. The GPS module

(6) allows the reception of location data and other data that can be received via GPS. The upper part of the housing (8) is made of (foam) rubber-coated hard plastic, with grip zones (7) attached to both sides of the housing. The spirit level (9) is used to align the device horizontally in the open field. A carrying strap (10) is provided at the lower end of the device. Inside the device there is the circuit board (11) for the power supply for the display (19), the control panel (4), the measuring device for distance (13), direction (14), air pressure (15), humidity (16), temperature (17) and time (18) as well as the GPS receiver (6) and a microchip (20) for data storage and processing. The device is completed by a base part (12) made of plastic.

Claims (11)

1. Device for determining the position of objects, characterized in that it comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) module ( 6 ) for determining the exact position of the device, a rangefinder ( 13 ) for determining the distance between the device and the object, a compass ( 14 ) for determining the direction between the object and the device and a computing unit ( 20 ) for calculating the position of the object from the data obtained from the GPS module, rangefinder and compass. 2. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined direction between observer and object is corrected according to the location with the aid of the GPS module ( 6 ). 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the location of the observer is determined by means of a GPS module ( 6 ). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance measuring device ( 13 ) is a laser distance measuring device. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compass ( 14 ) is an electronic compass. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a display ( 19 ). 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coordinates of the position of the object are indicated on the display ( 19 ). 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the specific object is visible on the display ( 19 ) when entered in a map. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a connection ( 2 ) for external data transmission or for receiving external data. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics of the device are protected by a shockproof, waterproof casing. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a carrying strap ( 10 ) that can be worn over the shoulder.