Abstract: Utilizing hardware in a mobile device, any object in sight or beyond, stationary or moving, can be identified. The steps include measuring the compass bearing that the mobile device is pointing and the device tilt. The intersection of the bearing line and a distance, as calculated by degrees of the tilt, indicates which object is selected. Using a data connection, the mobile device requests information about objects at the intersection. The data store responds with information about objects at the location and that information may be displayed or saved. Where a topographical map is displayed beneath the object, a GPS location is determined. The distance between the mobile device and the GPS location is based on the map scale, mobile device screen and GPS location of the mobile device. Tracking moving objects for identification is accomplished by maintaining the intersection on the object as it traverses the map.

Abstract: A mobile device utilizing on-board sensors capturing a rotation vector, the GPS position and an accelerometer is used as a pointing device. Pointing a mobile device in the direction of an object and tilt the device to signify distance, objects can be selected by establishing the GPS coordinates of the object. Tilt of the phone relative to any maximum range defined, will proportionally define the intended range by the tilt angle as proportional representation in distance. Compass direction is supplemented by the tilt angle to calculate the true direction (A compass works when it is level with the ground, the tilt causes significant deviation). With the direction and distance and utilizing the GPS position reading in the mobile device, a second GPS coordinate can be calculated. This GPS coordinate is then matched to objects located in that location. The details of the object selected are displayed on the mobile device.