Patent ID: 7729853

Claim:
An integrated guidance system comprising: a position determination system adapted for determining a current position; a differential global position determination system adapted for using a differential correction process to correct errors, wherein a differential correction may be stored in an electronic file and accessed later or said differential correction may be applied in real time; a lightbar device adapted for providing a visual representation of a deviation of said current position from a desired path to guide movement along said desired path; a data input device for scrolling, selecting, and editing operations, including configuring said position determining system with a menu, and wherein said data input device comprises a first button, a second button, and a third button; a display device for displaying text, said menu and graphics, said text, said menu, and said graphics adapted to be viewable under various light conditions, wherein an operator is able to vary the contrast and brightness of said text, said menu, and said graphics by using buttons to interact with a user interface of said integrated guidance system, and wherein said first button, said second button, and said third button facilitate interacting with a plurality of available functions displayed on said display device, and wherein said display device is configured for presenting a perspective view graphic to assist in guidance along with first text that describes said desired path and second text that describes deviation from said desired path; a processor adapted for facilitating user interaction by integrating operation of said position determination system, said lightbar device, said data input device, and said display device; and a housing enclosing said position determination system, said lightbar device, said data input device, said display device and said processor, wherein said housing has a first wing-shaped portion and a second wing-shaped portion configured to protect a cable connector extending from said housing, wherein said light bar and said display device are positioned on a front of said housing, and wherein said first button, said second button, and said third button of said data input device are positioned on a top surface of said housing for convenient access by an operator of said integrated guidance system, wherein said top surface of said housing is substantially orthogonally adjacent to said front of said housing, and wherein said first button is larger than said second button and said third button to reduce the need for visual assistance by said operator to distinguish said first button, said second button, and said third button.