GB2070273A - A map reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

A map reading device in which a restricted area of the map is viewed by means of an optical system which may act as a magnifier or produce a projected image on a screen. Means are provided to move the map or adjust the optical system such that the viewed area may be moved to any point on the map. The map may be printed or a film copy. Means are provided for easily changing the map.

Description

SPECIFICATION A map reading device This invention relates to a map reading device that contacts a map or chart of reduced size and a magnification system allowing part of the map to be read at a time. It is so arranged that the area of map that is read can be moved to any point on the complete map.

It is common practice for maps and charts to be folded, rolled or cut to form pages in a book. Such systems have limitations in that there are reading difficulties when the route goes off the edge of a page or around a fold.

The device may be constructed within a relativly small volume, 1 50 X 1 50 X 1 50mm being a typically convinent size. One face of the device is used for the viewing screen or surface. Within the device is a reduced size may which may be on film such as 35mm or microfiche or may be printed on any suitable material. The reduced size map which we shall call the film is arranged with an optical system so that a small part of it, say one tenth by one tenth is displayed on the screen. The optical system may operate by means of projecting light through the film to produce a real image on the back of the screen, the screen being of a type that can be viewed from the opposite side to that of the projection or the same side as the system selected requires.

Alternativly a magnification system may be placed in front of the film such that a small area of the film is viewed as if under a magnifying glass, the virtual image being produced behind the film. As a further alternative a system of mirrors may be used to project a real image from the film to the screen without the light passing through the film. In any of the optical systems the light source may be deriver from within the device or from outside.

magnifying glass, the virtual image being produced behind the film. As a further alternative a system of mirrors may beused to project a real image from the film to the screen without the light passing through the film. In any of the optical systems the light source may be deriver from within the device or from outside.

All the optical systems described are produced using well known methods and do not in themselves form part of the invention. The invention combines the optical system with a mechanical system and a film.

In order that the whole of the map may be viewed provision is made to move the film or to adjust the optics such that the viewed area may be moved up, down. to the left and to the right Movement of the film may be effected by manually pushing it, by manually operating control levers or knobs, or by elec lric motors or actuators controlled electric by switches or control devices.

A system containing electric drive motors may be controlled by a pre determined program to follow a pre selected route. Progress along the route may be made by means of a pre set clock or by manually advancing steps as progress is made along the route.

If the system requires an electric supply then this may be derived from internal batteries or from an external source.

The film is loaded into the device in such a manner that it is easy to replace.

Means may be provided for changing the magnification of the system.

1. A map reading or chart reading device comprising a reduced size map and a magnification system which allows part (or all) of the map to be viewed and provision may be made to move the map or adjust the optical system such that the viewed area may be moved across the total map area to any desired point.

2. A claim as in claim 1 where the device is constructed within a shape that is generrally a cuboid one of the faces being used to view the map.

3. A claim as in claims 1, 2 where the map is produced on 35 mm film, microfiche, or other suitable material that may or may not be light transmitting depending on the optical system employed.

4. A claim as in claims 1-3 where the map is moved manually by knobs or levers or directly.

5. A claim as in claims 1-3 where the map is moved by electric motors or other actuating devices, such system being controlled by manually operated switches or from a pre programed memory.

6. A claim as in claims 1-5 where light to operate the system is derived from an internal source or from any external source.

7. A claim as in claims 1-6 where any required electric power is derived from an internal source or from any external source.

8. A claim as in claims 1-7 where provision is made for each change of the map.

9. A claim as in claims 1-8 where the viewed image is a virtual image that appears behind the map and is produced by a lense system.

1 0. A claim as in claims 1-8 where light is passed through or reflected off the map to produce a real image on a screen the system operating by front or rear screen projection.

11. A claim as in claim 1-10 where the magnification may be altered.

1 2. A claim as in claims 1-11 where the viewed area is moved by adjusting the optical system.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A map reading device This invention relates to a map reading device that contacts a map or chart of reduced size and a magnification system allowing part of the map to be read at a time. It is so arranged that the area of map that is read can be moved to any point on the complete map. It is common practice for maps and charts to be folded, rolled or cut to form pages in a book. Such systems have limitations in that there are reading difficulties when the route goes off the edge of a page or around a fold. The device may be constructed within a relativly small volume, 1 50 X 1 50 X 1 50mm being a typically convinent size. One face of the device is used for the viewing screen or surface. Within the device is a reduced size may which may be on film such as 35mm or microfiche or may be printed on any suitable material. The reduced size map which we shall call the film is arranged with an optical system so that a small part of it, say one tenth by one tenth is displayed on the screen. The optical system may operate by means of projecting light through the film to produce a real image on the back of the screen, the screen being of a type that can be viewed from the opposite side to that of the projection or the same side as the system selected requires. Alternativly a magnification system may be placed in front of the film such that a small area of the film is viewed as if under a magnifying glass, the virtual image being produced behind the film. As a further alternative a system of mirrors may be used to project a real image from the film to the screen without the light passing through the film. In any of the optical systems the light source may be deriver from within the device or from outside. magnifying glass, the virtual image being produced behind the film. As a further alternative a system of mirrors may beused to project a real image from the film to the screen without the light passing through the film. In any of the optical systems the light source may be deriver from within the device or from outside. All the optical systems described are produced using well known methods and do not in themselves form part of the invention. The invention combines the optical system with a mechanical system and a film. In order that the whole of the map may be viewed provision is made to move the film or to adjust the optics such that the viewed area may be moved up, down. to the left and to the right Movement of the film may be effected by manually pushing it, by manually operating control levers or knobs, or by elec lric motors or actuators controlled electric by switches or control devices. A system containing electric drive motors may be controlled by a pre determined program to follow a pre selected route. Progress along the route may be made by means of a pre set clock or by manually advancing steps as progress is made along the route. If the system requires an electric supply then this may be derived from internal batteries or from an external source. The film is loaded into the device in such a manner that it is easy to replace. Means may be provided for changing the magnification of the system. CLAIMS

1. A map reading or chart reading device comprising a reduced size map and a magnification system which allows part (or all) of the map to be viewed and provision may be made to move the map or adjust the optical system such that the viewed area may be moved across the total map area to any desired point.

2. A claim as in claim 1 where the device is constructed within a shape that is generrally a cuboid one of the faces being used to view the map.

3. A claim as in claims 1, 2 where the map is produced on 35 mm film, microfiche, or other suitable material that may or may not be light transmitting depending on the optical system employed.

4. A claim as in claims 1-3 where the map is moved manually by knobs or levers or directly.

5. A claim as in claims 1-3 where the map is moved by electric motors or other actuating devices, such system being controlled by manually operated switches or from a pre programed memory.

6. A claim as in claims 1-5 where light to operate the system is derived from an internal source or from any external source.

7. A claim as in claims 1-6 where any required electric power is derived from an internal source or from any external source.

8. A claim as in claims 1-7 where provision is made for each change of the map.

9. A claim as in claims 1-8 where the viewed image is a virtual image that appears behind the map and is produced by a lense system.

1 0. A claim as in claims 1-8 where light is passed through or reflected off the map to produce a real image on a screen the system operating by front or rear screen projection.

11. A claim as in claim 1-10 where the magnification may be altered.

1 2. A claim as in claims 1-11 where the viewed area is moved by adjusting the optical system.