A User Friendly Location Referencing System

The authors have designed and developed a user friendly geographic location referencing system (the “System”). It is a hierarchical system specifically designed for use by the general public in connection with GPS and other electronic navigation devices. The System is capable of universal coverage, and produces at least one unique address for any location in the United States. The System is based upon a combination of referencing methods using existing political and geographic features, and the user interface includes features designed to reduce the input required to identify particular locations. In addition to the ability of the location referencing system to provide a universal reference for any location, the System includes unique methodologies to designate mnemonically associated identifiers for specific locations. These identifiers are coordinated with the universal location referencing aspects of the System in order to enhance the utility of the System for use by the general public. The System also includes methodologies designed to coordinate the use of the System with paper and electronic maps. Obiectives of the System The System has been designed for various types of commercial applications which can benefit from a user friendly consumer interface. For example, the intelligent transportation system industry has a need for standard location referencing which provides an interface that can be easily understood and used by the general public. Another example of the use of the System is in the emergency services sector. In the absence of electronic transmission of location information, it is important for police, fire, and medical providers to be able to obtain accurate location information, and the System is specifically designed to allow non-technical users of GPS and other electronic navigation devices to quickly and efficiently communicate their location information with less confusion and ambiguity than traditional location referencing systems. The System is designed to compliment and supplement GPS and other electronic hardware and software navigation systems of all types, including navigation databases and digitized maps that are currently being designed and marketed for use by the general public. The System design includes database capabilities which