DE102007031922A1 - Portable electronic instrument for tourists, with a compass and a computer, can be aligned on an object for information about it to be displayed - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable electronic navigation instrument (2), for tourists and the like, has a compass (6) which, after an input, shows the actual direction in relation to a reference axis (16). The actual position of the instrument is displayed and checked that the instrument is aligned on a given object and if correct, information about the object is displayed. The actual position is provided by a navigation satellite system or a radio network.

Description

The The invention relates to an electronic guide and a method for Operating the electronic tourist guide. The electronic tourist guide has a compass. Furthermore, the invention relates to a navigation device, the electronic tourist guide includes. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program, the Program statements that, when run on a computer, contain the Perform a procedure for operating the electronic tourist guide.

One Guide, regional as a guest or city-guide or city scavenger called, is a local and knowledgeable person, the other Person information about Geography, history and / or about conveys cultural, economic and / or social facts.

One navigation device can for a user of the navigation device depending on a starting place and Determine a route for a destination. Alternatively, the route outside of the navigation device be determined and over transmit an interface of the navigation device to the navigation device become. The navigation device then can the user by means of a graphical representation a display device of the navigation device and / or by means of a voice output of the navigation device along the determined route. Along the determined route are regularly given Objects. The predefined objects include, for example, an or several buildings and / or one or more sights and / or geographic objects, such as one or more mountains or one or more waters. Alternatively or in addition can the navigation device can only be used to display a current position of the user, in particular of the navigation device, to be determined and to signal the user graphically and / or acoustically.

The The object of the invention is based, an electronic Guide, a method of operating the electronic guide navigation device and to create a computer program that makes it a user of the electronic guide service just allow information to get to given objects.

The Task is solved by the characteristics of the independent Claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The Invention is characterized according to a first aspect of the invention by an electronic guide and a method of operating the electronic guide. The electronic guide has a compass. triggered by a given input of a user of the electronic guide service a current direction is determined in which a given reference axis the electronic guide currently showing. A current position of the electronic tourist guide will determined. It checks if outgoing from the ascertained current position of the electronic tourist guide in the determined current direction is a given object. There will be at least one piece of information regarding the given object output if the given object based on the determined current position of the electronic guide in the determined current Direction lies.

This allows easy for the user, by aligning the electronic guide and through the predetermined user input the information for the given To receive object. The default object includes, for example a building and / or a landmark and / or a natural one Object, for example a mountain and / or a body of water. The predetermined user input includes, for example, an operation of a predetermined operating element of the electronic guide.

In an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention becomes the current position by means of a navigation satellite system determined. this makes possible especially easy, the current position of the electronic guide to determine. The navigation satellite system includes, for example GPS.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of Invention, the current position is determined by means of a radio network. This makes possible, to determine the current position, even if no satellite signals the navigation satellite system are receivable and / or if the electronic Tour guides about none Satellite signal receiver features. The radio network is for example a mobile network and is based, for example on GSM and / or UMTS.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, a database is searched for checking whether starting from the current position of the electronic guide in the determined current direction, the predetermined object is stored in the predetermined objects, this associated position data and information. On the basis of the predetermined objects associated with the position data is checked whether at least one of the predetermined objects of the database, starting from the determined current position of the electronic Fremdenfüh rers lies in the current direction. This makes it particularly easy to check whether, based on the current position of the electronic guide in the determined current direction, the predetermined object is located. The database comprises, for example, one or more tables in which the predefined objects are assigned, for example, a unique identification number, at least position data which is representative of exactly where the corresponding predefined object is located, and at least one information relating to the corresponding predefined object. The position data may, for example, include georeference data, for example coordinates and / or latitudes and longitudes. The information may include, for example, a name of the corresponding predetermined object and / or detailed information regarding the given object.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of Invention is, if more of the predetermined objects starting from the ascertained current position of the electronic tourist guide in the determined current direction, the user a choice given by which the user of one of the corresponding predetermined Select objects can. This makes possible, the user information regarding to present the given object, even if several predefined objects starting from the current one Position of the electronic guide in the determined direction lie.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of Invention is when checking whether starting from the current position of the electronic tourist guide in the determined current direction is the given object, takes into account a given distance information. The default Distance information is representative for one Distance showing the given object from the current position the electronic guide should have. This makes possible, to avoid selecting multiple default objects, along the determined direction starting from the current one Position of the electronic tourist guide. The distance information For example, it can be coarse by a near field and / or a long range be characterized, but the distance information can also be through absolute indications of distances, for example 100 m or 1 km Distance, be specified. These can be different predetermined Default settings of the electronic guide, which is selected by the user be, or it can the absolute distances given by the user individually become.

The Invention is characterized according to a second aspect of the invention by a navigation device, the includes electronic tourist guides.

The Invention is characterized according to a third aspect of the invention by a computer program. The computer program includes program instructions that, when run on a computer, contain the Perform a procedure for operating the electronic tourist guide. This allows especially easy to perform the procedure on the electronic guide. The computer may comprise of an arithmetic unit of the electronic guide be.

In an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention is the computer program on a computer-readable storage medium educated. this makes possible especially simple, the program instructions of the computer program save.

embodiments The invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings.

It demonstrate:

1 a first embodiment of an electronic guide,

2 a second embodiment of the electronic guide,

3 a flowchart of a computer program for operating the electronic guide.

elements the same construction or function are figures across marked with the same reference numerals.

An electronic tourist guide 2 ( 1 ) comprises a display device 4 , It also includes the electronic tourist guide 2 a compass 6 for example, on the display device 4 is pictured. Alternatively, the compass 6 also not be displayed, while still on a through the compass 6 given direction information can be accessed. The electronic tourist guide 2 is preferably comprised by a navigation device. This means in this context that the navigation device, the functionality of the electronic guide 2 and thus as an electronic tourist guide 2 can be used. The navigation device may be a mobile navigation device or be arranged in a motor vehicle. The navigation device is suitable for planning a route, for guiding through the route and preferably as an electronic tourist guide 2 ,

The electronic tourist guide 2 includes a receiver 8th , The recipient 8th For example, it may be a satellite signal receiver configured to receive satellite signals from navigation satellites. A navigation satellite system comprising the navigation satellites may include, for example, GPS. Alternatively or additionally, the recipient 8th a radio receiver, in particular a mobile radio receiver, which is based for example on GMS or UMTS.

The electronic tourist guide 2 includes a control unit 10 , about which a user of the electronic tourist guide 2 at least one specified user input USER_IN ( 3 ). Alternatively, the display device 4 be designed as a touch screen and controls the Be dieneinheit 10 can then graphically on the display device 4 be displayed and on the display device 4 to be served. Preferably, the electronic tour guide 2 an acoustic output unit, preferably a loudspeaker 12 ,

It also includes the electronic tourist guide 2 preferably a predetermined reference axis 16 , for example, in the in 1 illustrated electronic tourist guides 2 lies in the plane of the drawing and points upward or, for example, is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in an alternative embodiment. Preferably, the electronic tour guide 2 designed so that the given reference axis 16 is clearly recognizable. For this, the reference axis 16 for example by means of an alignment mark 14 on the electronic tourist guide 2 and / or on the display device 4 being represented. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic tourist guide 2 , in particular the housing of the electronic guide 2 , be formed so that the predetermined reference axis 16 it's clear ( 2 ), for example by the electronic tourist guide 2 from the external shape as a remote control, for example for a television, is formed.

Preferably, a computer program ( 3 ) to operate the electronic tourist guide 2 on a storage medium of the electronic guide 2 saved. Alternatively, the computer program can also be stored on a mobile data carrier as a storage medium. The computer program includes computer readable program instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform the steps outlined below. The computer is for example an arithmetic unit of the electronic guide 2 , The computer program serves to provide a user at least one piece of information INF with respect to a given object OBJ from a predefined set of predefined objects OBJ, to which the user with the electronic guide leads 2 shows. If the electronic guide 2 is integrated in the navigation device, the computer program is used to the navigation device as an electronic guide 2 to use.

The given set of objects OBJ can as default objects OBJ for example, buildings, monuments, Mountains, waters, Places and / or Parks include. The information INF about the given objects OBJ can for example names, age information, size information and / or geographical, cultural, historical, political and / or economic Information about INF include the predetermined objects OBJ.

The computer program is preferably started in a step S1, for example when starting the electronic guide 2 , If necessary, variables are initialized in step S1.

In a step S2, it is checked whether the predetermined user input USER_IN takes place. The default user input USER_IN is representative of the user wanting to have information about the given object OBJ based on his current position, in particular a current position POS of the electronic guide 2 , located in the direction in which the given reference axis 16 the electronic guide 2 shows. If the condition of step S2 is satisfied, the processing is continued in a step S3. If the condition of step S2 is not fulfilled, then step S2 is executed again. In other words, it is regularly checked whether the USER_IN user input occurs and only continues with the computer program when the user input USER_IN is performed. The user input USER_IN, for example, by a simple operation of one of the controls of the control unit and / or carried out by a voice command.

In step S3, the current position POS of the electronic guide 2 determined, preferably by means of the receiver 8th , This can be done by the receiver 8th Receive satellite signals of a navigation satellite system and determine, for example, depending on a transit time difference of satellite signals from multiple satellites of the navigation satellite system, the current position POS. Alternatively or additionally, the recipient 8th Send a position request via mobile phone to a server of a mobile network. The server knows then a mobile phone number of the electronic tourist guide 2 and then send an invisible SMS to the electronic guide 2 which automatically determines the location of the electronic guide 2 causes. Based on this location determination, the server can then send another SMS to the electronic tour guide 2 send, which is representative of the current position POS of the electronic tourist guide 2 is.

In a step S4, a current direction DIR_AV is determined, in which the predetermined reference axis 16 the electronic guide 2 currently shows, preferably by means of the compass 6 ,

In a step S5, it is checked whether, based on the determined current position POS of the electronic guide 2 in the determined current direction DIR_AV into which the given reference axis 16 the electronic guide 2 indicates one of the predetermined objects OBJ is located. For this purpose, a database is preferably searched in which many predetermined objects OBJ are stored. The predetermined objects OBJ are each assigned at least position data and the information INF in the database. The position data is representative of a position of the predetermined object OBJ. For example, the position data include georeference data, in particular coordinates and / or latitude and longitude, which represent the position of the predetermined object OBJ. For this purpose, it is first determined which ge reference data and / or coordinates are based on the current position POS in the determined current direction DIR_AV. Thereafter, it is checked whether one of the predetermined objects OBJ, which are stored in the database, corresponding position data are assigned. If the condition of step S5 is satisfied, the processing is continued in step S6. If the condition of step S5 is not fulfilled, the processing is continued again in step S2 and the user can then be informed that there is no information INF with respect to the predetermined object OBJ.

The database can, for example, on the storage medium of the electronic guide 2 be stored. Alternatively, the electronic tour guide 2 establish a connection to a server and the database can be stored on the server that the electronic tourist guide 2 can access the database of the server. Access to the data of the database can be simplified if a unique identifier is assigned to each given object OBJ in the database.

In a step S6, the information INF is output with respect to the predetermined object OBJ, for example via the display device 4 and / or over the speaker 12 ,

In a step S7, the computer program can be terminated. Preferably However, the computer program is always processed again, when the specified user input USER_IN occurs.

If it is determined in step S5 that, starting from the current position POS, several of the predefined objects OBJ are located in the determined current direction DIR_AV, then a selection of the predefined objects can be displayed to the user in step S6, for example. For example, the selection may be displayed to the user based on the names of the corresponding pre-given objects OBJ given by the corresponding information INF. Alternatively or additionally, a distance information representative of a distance of the corresponding predetermined object OBJ from the current position POS of the electronic guide can be taken into account 2 , and based on the predetermined distance information can then be made automatically a selection of the determined predetermined objects OBJ.

The distance information may be from the electronic tour guide 2 be determined and presented to the user for ease of selection. For example, the user may be asked to have information INF about the given object OBJ at a distance of 50 m or at a distance of 20 km. Alternatively, the user may be given the opportunity to specify the distance information in the course of the given user input USER_IN or another user input. For example, the user may roughly specify the distance information, for example, near or far, or the user may enter the absolute distance that the predetermined object OBJ from the current position POS of the electronic guide 2 should have. The distance information is then considered in step S5. In particular, one of the predefined objects OBJ is selected from the database only if it is in the current direction DIR_AV starting from the current position POS and the distance to the current position POS of the electronic guide is predetermined by the distance information 2 Has.

2

electronic guide

4

display device

6

compass

8th

receiver

10

operating unit

12

speaker

14

alignment mark

16

reference axis

BEGIN

program start

n

condition not fulfilled

y

condition Fulfills

USER_IN

user input

POS

current position

OBJ

given object

INF

information

END

end of program

DIR_AV

current direction

S1-S7

steps one to seven

Claims (10)

Method for operating an electronic tourist guide ( 2 ) with a compass ( 6 ), in which, - triggered by a predetermined input (USER_IN) of a user of the electronic guide ( 2 ) a current direction (DIR_AV) is determined in which a given reference axis ( 16 ) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) currently shows, - a current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ), - it is checked whether, based on the ascertained current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) in the determined current direction (DIR_AV) is a predetermined object (OBJ), - at least one information (INF) is output with respect to the predetermined object (OBJ), if the predetermined object (OBJ) based on the determined current position (POS) the electronic guide ( 2 ) lies in the determined current direction (DIR_AV). The method of claim 1, wherein the current position (POS) is determined by means of a navigation satellite system. The method of claim 1, wherein the current position (POS) is determined by means of a radio network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, for checking whether starting from the current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) in the determined current direction (DIR_AV) is the predetermined object (OBJ), a database is searched in which predetermined objects (OBJ), this associated position data and information (INF) are stored, and based on the given objects (OBJ) zugeord Neten position data is checked whether at least one of the predetermined objects (OBJ) of the database based on the determined current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) lies in the determined current direction (DIR_AV). Method according to Claim 4, in which, if a plurality of the predetermined objects (OBJ) are based on the ascertained current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) in the determined current direction (DIR_AV), the user is given a choice by which the user can select one of the corresponding predetermined objects (OBJ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when checking whether starting from the current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) in the determined current direction (DIR_AV) is the predetermined object (OBJ), a predetermined distance information is taken into account, which is representative of a distance that the predetermined object (OBJ) from the current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) should have. Electronic tourist guide ( 2 ) with a compass ( 6 ) which is designed to - triggered by a given input (USER_IN) of a user of the electronic guide ( 2 ) to determine a current direction (DIR_AV) into which a given reference axis ( 16 ) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) currently shows, - a current position (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ), - check whether, based on the current location (POS) of the electronic guide ( 2 ) in the determined current direction (DIR_AV) is a predetermined object (OBJ), - output at least one piece of information (INF) with respect to the predetermined object (OBJ), if the predetermined object (OBJ) based on the current position (POS) of the electronic Tourist guide ( 2 ) lies in the determined current direction (DIR_AV). Navigation device containing the electronic tour guide ( 2 ) according to claim 7. Computer program comprising program instructions, the in their execution on a computer, the method according to one of claims 1 to 6 perform. Computer program according to claim 9, which is based on a computer-readable storage medium is formed.