GPS MAPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE BY HUNTERS, CAMPERS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

A tracking and mapping system for outdoor use includes a first GPS locator located either at a base station or on a hunting accessory such as an arrow. The system also includes a second GPS locator for identifying a user's location, and an electronic display unit for communicating with a global positioning satellite and displaying a map showing icons representing locations of the first and second GPS locators. The second OPS locator may be embedded in the electronic display unit, which may be a mobile wireless handheld device, a tablet or other portable computer having wireless connectivity. The electronic display unit maps the present location of each of the GPS locators in relation to a direction such as north, south, east or west. Optionally, separate GPS locators may be placed at a base station and in an arrow. A method of using the tracking and mapping system is also described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that only structures considered necessary for clarifying the described embodiments of the present invention are described herein. Other conventional structures, and those of ancillary and auxiliary components of the system, will be known and understood by those in the art.

Referring now toFIG. 1of the drawings, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a tracking and mapping system20for outdoor use in conjunction with a GPS satellite100, where the system20includes a first GPS locator22located on a hunting accessory such as an arrow24. Where an arrow24us used as part of the system, the first GPS locator22may be attached to the arrow shaft25, to the arrowhead26, or to the nock28.

As shown inFIG. 2C, the first GPS locator22may include both a conventional GPS receiver50and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter52that is operable to relay the coordinates of the first OPS locator22to an electronic display unit320The transmitter52could communicate using an existing protocol (e.g., WiFi. Short Message Service (SMS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)) or a custom protocol, via satellite or terrestrial radio links. The first GPS locator22could communicate directly with the electronic display unit32or indirectly, using an intermediary base station which could be located at a tent, a trailer, a hunting blind, an observation stand or a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or camper van.

The system20is designed to work in conjunction with existing GPS satellites100.

The present invention also provides methods of using the system20in an outdoor environment to keep track of an outdoor accessory using a GPS homing signal, The system20is described first herein, and the methods are described subsequently.

The system20also includes a second GPS locator30(FIG. 2) for identifying a present location of a user (not shown), and an electronic display unit32for communicating with a global positioning satellite100and for displaying a map34showing icons36,38representing relative locations of the first and second GPS locators22,30.

Preferably, the second GPS locator30is embedded in the electronic display unit32. The electronic display unit32may be a mobile wireless handheld device such as a smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a portable computer having wireless connectivity.

Optionally, if the first GPS locator22is mounted on a hunting arrow24, the system20may include a third GPS locator222, a fourth GPS locator322and/or a fifth OPS locator422for placement at a base station, where the base station may be an observation stand224(FIG. 3) or a portable shelter, which may be a tent324(FIG. 4) or camper424(FIG. 5).

It is necessary to electronically synchronize the first GPS locator22with the electronic display unit32, in order to enable the electronic display unit32to display a symbol or icon36representing the first GPS locator22on the map34. Such synchronization is accomplished using a specialized software application which has been installed on the electronic display unit32, and a screen showing such synchronization is shown inFIG. 2A. Synchronizing the first GPS locator22with the electronic display unit32. may involve entry of a serial number for the first GPS locator22into a first data field40and assigning a user-selected device name to the first OPS locator22, such as, e.g., “arrow-1”.

After the electronic display unit32has been synchronized with the first GPS locator22, the electronic display unit32is operable to map a present location of each of the GPS locators22,30in relation to a direction such as north, south, east or west, and optionally in relation to topographical features such as, for example, roads, railroad tracks35or bodies of water such as lakes, streams or ponds37. Other data may be displayed on the map34, such as distance between the first OPS locator22and the electronic display unit32.

Optionally, separate GPS locators may be placed at one or more base stations224,324,424and in an arrow24,124.

The electronic display unit32. may be operable to show icons36,38representing the present location of each of the first and second GPS locators22,30on the map34in relation to at least one direction selected from north, south, east and west, in order to help a user who can independently determine these directions, orient him or herself in relation to the map34. The user may be able to figure out which directions are north, south, east and west using a compass, or from looking at the position of the sun.

Optionally, the electronic display unit32may be operable to show icons38,39representing both a present location of the first OPS locator22and a former location thereof at an earlier time, in order to help display a direction of recent movement of the second GPS locator30on the map34relative to the location of the first GPS locator22.

The electronic display unit32may be programmed to show a uniquely colored icon, or another graphically distinctive visual symbol or icon for each of the GPS locators22,30,222,322,422used by the system20. Optionally, the specific symbol used for each GPS locator in the system20may be pre-selected by the user from a menu.

Methods

1. Homing Signal Method

The present invention also encompasses a method of keeping track of a homing signal from a first GPS locator22with an electronic display unit32equipped with a second GPS locator30in an outdoor environment, where the first GPS locator22has been operatively installed on an outdoor accessory which is either a hunting arrow24, a portable shelter324, an observation stand such as a tree stand224, a ladder stand (not shown) or in a vehicle such as a camper422(FIG. 5), van or recreational vehicle.

The homing signal method includes a first step of electronically synchronizing the first GPS locator22with the electronic display unit32, so that the electronic display unit32is able to communicate with the first GPS locator22via a radio link to receive location data from the GPS satellite100, and to receive signals from the satellite which indicate a current location of the first GPS locator22.

The homing signal method also includes another step of spacing the first and second GPS locators22,30apart from one another, which involves putting at least one of the GPS locators22,30in motion.

The horning signal method also includes another step of viewing a map34on the electronic display unit32which has been electronically synchronized with the first GPS locator22, where the map shows symbols36,38representative of both the first GPS locator22and the second GPS locator30embedded in the electronic display unit32.

The homing signal method also includes another step of using the map34as a guide to move the second GPS locator30towards a location of the first GPS locator22.

In one embodiment of the invention, the homing signal method may involve mapping a signal from a stationary base station224,324,424and another signal from the mobile electronic display unit32to track a user's present mobile location relative to the base station224,324,424. This may be useful in helping a hiker or outdoorsman find his or her way back to the base station224,324,424.

2. Arrow Tracking Method

The present invention also encompasses a method of tracking an arrow24equipped with a first GPS locator22, using an electronic display unit32. equipped with a second GPS locator30. The arrow tracking method includes a first step of electronically synchronizing the first GPS locator22, operatively installed on a. hunting arrow24, with the electronic display unit.32so that the electronic display unit32is able to communicate with the first GPS locator22via a radio link to receive location data from the GPS satellite100, and to receive signals which indicate a location of the first GPS locator22.

The arrow tracking method also includes another step of loading the arrow24equipped with the first GPS locator22on a bow and shooting the arrow24towards a target (not shown), which may be a game animal.

The arrow tracking method also includes another step of viewing a map34on the electronic display unit32which has been electronically synchronized with the first GPS locator22, where the map shows symbols36,38representative of both the first GPS locator22and a second GPS locator30embedded in the electronic display unit32. The electronic display unit32is operable to receive signals from a global positioning satellite100and to display the map34showing symbols36,38representative of a present location of each of the first and second GPS locators22,30, respectively.

The arrow tracking method also includes another step of using the map34as a guide to move the second GPS locator30toward a location of the first GPS locator22, which is likely to help the user track the game animal. If the user has wounded the target game animal with the arrow24, it will be understood that the animal will eventually stop moving, and the user will be able to locate the animal using the signals from the first GPS locator22. If the user also has another, additional GPS locator at a base station such as a portable shelter324(FIG. 4), then the system20hereof can assist the user in re-locating the base station324after locating the game animal.

3. User Location Mapping Method

The present invention also encompasses a method of mapping a location of a user in relation to a equipped with a first (IFS locator22, using an electronic display unit32equipped with a second GPS locator30. The arrow tracking method includes a first step of electronically synchronizing the first GPS locator22, operatively installed on a base station224,324or424with the electronic display unit32so that the electronic display unit32is able to communicate with the first GPS locator22via a radio link to receive location data from the GPS satellite100, and to receive signals which indicate a location of the first GPS locator22.

The user location mapping method also includes another step of moving the user and the electronic display unit32away from the base station224,324,424. This may involve walking on a hiking trail or across open land.

The user location mapping method also includes another step of viewing a map34on the electronic display unit32which has been electronically synchronized with the first GPS locator22, where the map shows symbols36,38representative of both the first OPS locator22and a second GPS locator30embedded in the electronic display unit32, The electronic display unit32is operable to receive signals from a global positioning satellite100as well as to communicate with the base station224,324,424, and to display the map34showing symbols36,38representative of a present location of each of the first and second GPS locators22,30, respectively.

The user location mapping method also includes another step of using the map34as a guide to move the second GPS locator30toward a location of the first GPS locator22, which is likely to help the user move back to the base station224,324,424.

Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to a number of specific illustrative embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the illustrative embodiment could be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.