        HELP for GPSS (Global Positioning System Software) 

Click on the big logo to remove this Help screen; again to remove big logo.

GPSS should run on any modern PC under Microsoft Windows.  
It should have a colour VGA screen, preferably configured for 256 colours, 
and have a sound system such as SoundBlaster.  
The PC could be a notebook capable of being operated on the back seat of your car. 

DO NOT LOCATE THE PC IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR UNLESS 
IT IS FOR USE ONLY BY THE PASSENGER !  
DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS ! 

The speech output enables the driver to keep `his eyes on the road'.
The map display is for passengers, or for use when the car is parked.

A GPS receiver, with a 4800 baud RS232 NMEA interface will also be needed,  
if you want to use this software `for real'. These cost a few hundred pounds
(getting cheaper, as are PCs), and the GPS service is provided free by the
United States Government. This service is expected to remain for at least 10 
years. GPS position (uncorrected) is normally accurate to typically 100 metres.

GPS Suppliers in the UK include: 
  Garmin UK on 01794 519944. 
  JRC from Japanese Radio Company Ltd on 0171 353 7960.
  Magellan on 0131 6651186, Positioning Resources on 01224 581502 & TANDY Shops. 
  Motorola from Macro Group on 01628 666873/668071.
  Navstar on 01604 585588. E-Mail navstar@telecom.com.
  Rockwell from Rockwell Telecomms on 01344 486444. Adrian Ellis.
  Scorpio Navigation Services on 0181 951 4446.
  Silva UK on 01784 471721. 
  Trimble Navigation on 01256 760150. 

The GPS receiver connects to COM1 or COM2 (specified in GPSS.CFG).
If the software cannot open the specified port it will try the other.

You can still run the software, even if you don't have a GPS receiver.
The program will start by trying to open COM1 for input (specified in
file GPSS.CFG). If it cannot open COM1 it will try COM2. 
It expects to receive NMEA format GPS data on this serial port.
If no data is received it will switch to `simulation mode' using a
journey `that I did earlier'. It will switch to `GPS mode' if data is
received, and switch back to `simulation mode' if data transmissions stop. 
GPSS uses the $GPGLL (lat/lon) and $GPVTG (course and speed) NMEA sentences.
You can use `Windows Terminal' to check out the GPS receiver if GPSS does
not appear to be responding (4800 baud, 8 data, 1 stop, no parity).

Movement of the mouse will pause update of the GPS (or simulated) data
for 10 seconds, giving you the opportunity to display UK Grid and Latitude
and Longitude co-ordinates of the mouse pointer on the available maps.
The GPS data is used to automatically select the smallest area (most detailed)
background map under the symbol (green for real GPS and yellow for simulated).

Destinations are chosen by clicking on the destination list or map (left button).
Voice instructions are then given to guide you to the destination every 20 seconds.
Your position is also described relative to major towns every minute.
clicking on a destination gives a similar verbal description of the position.

You can add your own destinations to the list by (carefully!) editing the
file GPSS.LOC. e.g. your home, office or favourite holiday spot !
Only the first 100 entries are used. You can obtain the grid reference
(e.g. SU 93300 67300) by using this software when you visit, or simply
reading it off an Ordnance Survey map such as a Landranger 1:50,000.
File GPSS.WAW holds the data used to describe position relative to places.

The right button can be used to apply a GPS correction of up to 500 metres.
A fixed correction is available in GPSS.CFG, but neither should be needed.

If this software was distributed on CD-ROM, and you cannot yet afford one of
the new multi-media notebooks, then you only need to copy all GPSS files across
onto your portable PC hard disk into a suitable directory (e.g. GPSS) and
execute GPSS.EXE under Windows. I have run it on an old 286, but a 486 is better!



This GPSS software is the copyright of Robin Lovelock, Sunninghill Systems. 
The concepts demonstrated in this software are the Intellectual Property of 
Robin Lovelock.  It is provided for test and demonstration use only. It is 
not to be decompiled. It is not to be sold, but may be freely copied and 
distributed in the unmodified form supplied. Minor changes may be made to 
files such as GPSS.LOC (holding destination locations) for your own use.
Sound files (.WAV) may be added or changed to give the speech a `different
personality' or add destination sounds (e.g. "Windsor Castle"). Any such
modified versions of the software may be demonstrated to friends but not in
the context of business development - then please use the unmodified version.

The 1:50,000 Landranger Colour Raster Product is supplied as part of a 
Collaborative Venture between Ordnance Survey and MR Data Graphics. 
An additional service of supplying in Greyscale is available.
For further information contact - MR Data Graphics - Help Line 01642 750515.

Digital mapping such as that found in this software is available from Bartholomew.
Bartholomew also market a range of raster images, including both `road atlas'
and `atlas' styles for many areas of the World. For more information contact
Dave Benson on 0181 307 4065 (tel) or 0181 307 4813 (fax).

The West London map was based upon AA digital map data supplied by Kingswood.
For more information on the full range of Kingswood products and services contact
Christopher Greenwood or Claire Price on 0181 994 5404 (tel) or 0181 747 8047 (fax).

Digital Mapping such as that from the United States Defence Mapping Agency 
is available from Chadwick Healey. Telephone 01223 215512. 




Robin Lovelock regrets that he can take no responsibility for problems arising 
from use of the GPS software, including road accidents or getting lost ! 

This software is not intended for use outside the UK mainland, in the air, or on
the water - including the high seas.

No support is available for this free software, but we welcome suggestions 
by post, on your experiences with GPS, or how the software could be improved 
 
   Sunninghill Systems, 
   22, Armitage Court, 
   Sunninghill, Berks. 
   SL5 9TA. 
   attention: GPSS Manager.
   
We regret that we may not be able to respond to all such correspondence. 

I would like to thank all those who have assisted in the provision of sample
map data, the loan of hardware for `road testing', or simply provided advice.

Enjoy the software, but PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY. 

                                                                    Robin Lovelock  
                                                                    May 1995.  
