Integrated position and direction system with radio communication for updating data

An integrated position and direction system comprising:

• a) a display device;
• b) a satellite positioning system including a receiver adapted to receive position determining signals from satellites, said satellite positioning system adapted to determine position and heading;
• c) a digital compass coupled to said satellite positioning system, said digital compass adapted to determine direction;
• d) a radio communication module coupled to said satellite positioning system, said radio communication module adapted to receive data relating to nearby features;
• and
• e) a controller for controlling the operations of said integrated satellite positioning system and digital compass, said controller coupled to said satellite positioning system and coupled to said digital compass and coupled to said radio communication module, said controller coupled to said display device and operable to generate a display on said display device that indicates the position and orientation of said nearby features relative to said integrated position and direction system, said display oriented using one of said direction and said heading.

A method for updating data using an integrated position and direction system that includes a satellite positioning system, a digital compass, and a radio communication module, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining position using said satellite positioning system;
• b) communicating with a remote computing device using said radio communication module;
• c) sending said determined position to said remote computing device;
• d) receiving a response from said remote computing device, said response including data relating to features located near said determined position;
• and
• e) generating a display on said integrated position and direction system, said display oriented using one of said satellite positioning system and said digital compass, wherein said display is oriented using said heading when said integrated position and direction system is moving and is oriented using said direction when said integrated position and direction system is not moving, said display indicating the position and orientation of said features relative to said integrated position and direction system.