Interactive position guidance apparatus and method for guiding a user to reach a predetermined target position

A position guidance method, comprising the steps of:

• prestoring target position information and destination prediction information;
• receiving input position information;
• determining a target position based upon the prestored target position information;
• determining a current position based upon the received input position information;
• determining a predicted destination position based upon the received input position information and the prestored destination prediction information;
• and
• displaying the determined target position, current position, and predicted destination position to a user to thereby enable the user to thereafter minimize any target and predicted destination position difference.

An interactive position guidance apparatus for aiding a parachute jumper in reaching a predetermined target position comprising:

• first means for prestoring target position information of the predetermined target position and for prestoring jump profile information;
• second means for receiving input position information at predetermined time intervals;
• third means for determining, after each predetermined time interval, the current position of the parachute jumper based upon the received input position information and for determining, after each predetermined time interval, the predicted destination of the parachute jumper based upon the received input position information and the prestored jump profile information;
• display means for displaying the predetermined target position, the current position, and the predicted destination of the parachute jumper, wherein display of the current position and predicted destination of the parachute jumper is updated after each predetermined time interval;
• and
• calculation means for calculating, after each predetermined time interval, a difference between the predetermined target position and the predicted destination of the parachute jumper, wherein the display means further displays instruction information to minimize the calculated difference between the predetermined target position and the predicted destination of the parachute jumper.