GoogleEarth GPSR Tracking

briefnotion · 05-31-2006, 10:10 AM

I need an alpha tester for a program I wrote. CommTest2 will track your position and velocity while driving. The attachments are photos.

CommTest2 Link at: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

(Yes, it looks cheese. It is new)

Description and snapshots ------

Features:
Read NMEA data from com port or text file.
Altitude and Screen position based on travel speed, (allows you to look ahead)
Controls designed to be used while driving. Quick keys and voice audio allows you to navigate munus while you navigate your car. (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)
Customizable Menu system allows you make configure and call other apps.

Here is a set of instructions to get things stated:

Installation:
After installation find the install folder and copy "CommTestMenus" to a familure place. These files contain menu templates and sample templates. "CommTestMenus" will be your settings directory, so remember where you put the folder

Start the program, Click Control, With the control panel, click the file menu then click settings. Assign the field "Settings Directory" to the path of CommTestMenus. e.g. "C:\Documents and Settings\Ronald\My Documents\Personal Settings\CommTestMenus"

To load a test NMEA file, click the NMEA Text File rado button then the button with the period.

Make whatever adjustments you need.

Running the program:

Click Connect.

The button with the H will bring up a hot key help screen. Memorize then close.

Buttons 1, 2, and 3 will adjust the zoom level.

S - Screen Release on lets you navigate between other windows freely.

M - Will mute the voice.

The munu programs can be navigated with the cursor keys and enter key.

Load a KML path made by directions in GoogleEarth to get turn by turn audio.

f1vlad · 05-31-2006, 10:19 AM

Looks really awesome. I'd be a tester, but I am still few weeks from finishing my built

briefnotion · 05-31-2006, 10:24 AM

Just download the program and tell me how well it works. Cant really talk now, suposed to be working. If you see an error, make a note of it.

If you have GoogleEarth Installed, but dont have a GPSR, you can download NMEA data from this forum link: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...light=nmea+log

briefnotion · 06-01-2006, 05:42 PM

Update: I have cleaned up some portions of the code and improved the way the kml is written out. The results are less cpu usage. If anybody would like or require, the update, reply. In the meantime, I will be searching for bugs.

RPM_VR4 · 06-01-2006, 08:48 PM

Great... now a 4th one LOL.

FYI: nemaGE and EarthBridge also do the same thing (in addition to GooPs which had the link that brought me here and is the one I use).

briefnotion · 06-03-2006, 06:23 PM

A new version (build 1002) of CommTest2 is now available. In addition to minor improvements CommTest2 will now read Magellan Track Logs like an NMEA file. In the Settings Panel, choose the NMEA radio button, press the load button [.], then change file type to "Magellan Track Log (.log)". Press OK then Connect.

I found a bunch of old Track files, stored in the Explorist of all places, and retraced a few old paths with GE. I hope you enjoy the program.

CommTest2 Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

briefnotion · 06-07-2006, 06:38 PM

I need to keep this thread alive. Tomorrow you should see a new build, 1004, available. The tracks will now show stop and start times. And so will the Magellan log files, if they were played back. Magellan log files will split automatically if CommTest2 detects a break a 90 minute break between points. The car icon will be placed with its associated altitude. String translations should be regional friendly now.

Here is a list of post b1004 features that I am considering implementing, depending on what I need while geocaching.

Auto Comm port Connect

Auto Comm port search. The Magellan assigns a different comm port to different usb ports. I dont want to reconfigure the pc when I get back into the car.

Point of interest placed at current location with a keystroke.

Audio alert when sat signal is lost.

A page to change/tweak running variables. Look ahead factor on/off, speed factor, radius, zoom preferences, and many others.

Adjustments to works with the Metric system or the English system.
____

http://briefnotion.250free.com/ Im thinking I should have called it Google Earth Navigator.

Forum: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gps/77830-googleearth-gpsr-tracking.html

briefnotion · 06-08-2006, 07:15 PM

The tracks will now show stop and start times. And so will the Magellan log files, if they were played back.
Magellan log files will split automatically if CommTest2 detects a break a 90 minute break between points.
The car icon will be placed with its associated altitude.
String translations should be regional friendly now. All variables are implicately defined and nmea text is translated into us-en format.
Sample Magellan log file can be downloaded.

CommTest2 Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

briefnotion · 06-09-2006, 05:18 PM

0.2.3.0 (June 9, 2006)
Did some work on correcting bugs, some still exist though. The "Car" Icon is now attached to the end of the path, whether the path is on the ground or in the air. The first time the CommTest2 runs, a configure screen will prompt for settings and write to directory names. A refresh network link hotkey was added '\'. Refresh will reload the network link, incase of error or deletion.

CommTest2 Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

RPM_VR4 · 06-10-2006, 11:16 PM

Keep up the good work!

briefnotion · 06-13-2006, 05:14 PM

Thanks RPM. I wanted to say Google Earth v4 beta is available. I'm already working on improving the compatibility between CommTest2 and Google Earth Version 4.

TonyBerry · 06-13-2006, 05:38 PM

Brief... where are those maps from? The highway numbers and such look damn close to Lafayette, LA. Are you local to me?

By the way, nice project. I've been hoping someone would find a way to integate car GPS on top of Google Earth.

briefnotion · 06-13-2006, 06:04 PM

Good eye there Tony. I am, in fact, working on BS at UL of L in Buss Admin, and thanks for the support.

TonyBerry · 06-14-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by briefnotion

Good eye there Tony. I am, in fact, working on BS at UL of L in Buss Admin, and thanks for the support.

Ah... I knew those roads looked familiar! Good ol' ULL. How long you have left? I cruise through campus every once in a while to get some eye candy, but I never attended school here. I hear the Business school is pretty highly rated.

What GPS puck are you using? One of the BU-series?

SLAZ · 06-15-2006, 08:17 AM

don't you need a constant internet connection for google earth to work in your car? If not let me know.