U.S. patent application number 09/197968 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for vehicle navigation system with removable positioning receiver.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.. Invention is credited to KRAPFL, CLIFFORD, LEARMAN, STEPHEN JAMES.
Application Number | 20010038346 09/197968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22731470 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010038346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEARMAN, STEPHEN JAMES ; et
al. |
November 8, 2001 |
VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH REMOVABLE POSITIONING RECEIVER
Abstract
A navigation system includes a portable receiver unit that can
be carried about by hand and used by an individual to determine
position information through a global positioning system. The
portable receiver is supported within a housing that is selectively
received by and removable from a docking station that is
permanently mounted within a vehicle. The housing supports a first
display that provides an indication of position information to an
individual utilizing the portable receiver unit. A second display
is provided within the vehicle to provide an indication of vehicle
position information whenever the housing is received within the
docking station in the vehicle. An electronic controller associated
with the vehicle preferably controls the activation states of the
first and second displays when the receiver housing is received
within the docking station.
Inventors: |
LEARMAN, STEPHEN JAMES;
(SALINE, MI) ; KRAPFL, CLIFFORD; (GROSSE POINTE
PARK, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS & KUSHMAN, P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
|
Assignee: |
Lear Automotive Dearborn,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
22731470 |
Appl. No.: |
09/197968 |
Filed: |
November 23, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/988 ;
340/461; 701/33.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/26 20130101;
G01C 21/3688 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/988 ;
340/461; 701/35; 701/213 |
International
Class: |
G08G 001/123 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A navigation system for use with a vehicle, comprising: a
housing; a receiver supported within the housing that receives
signals that are indicative of a position of the receiver; a
display supported by the housing for displaying information
regarding the position of the receiver relative to previously
determined reference points; and a docking station supported within
the vehicle that selectively receives the housing so that the
receiver is usable within the vehicle and is selectively removable
from the vehicle to be used remote from the vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second display
supported in the vehicle and an electronic controller associated
with the vehicle wherein the electronic controller activates the
second display to display information regarding the location of the
vehicle when the housing is received in the docking station.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second display is activated
and the display supported on the housing is deactivated when the
housing is received in the docking station.
4. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one switch
that is manipulatable to select between available activation states
of the display on the housing and the second display,
respectively.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the second display is supported
on an instrument panel within the vehicle.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the second display is projected
onto a windshield of the vehicle.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a close communication
module supported by the housing.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an electronic
controller supported on the vehicle and a first electronic coupling
supported on the housing and a second electronic coupling
associated with the docking station and wherein the first and
second electronic couplings facilitate communication between the
close communication module and the electronic controller.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a battery supported
within the housing and wherein the battery is charged when the
housing is received within the docking station.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second display
supported within the vehicle and wherein the second display is
activated and the display supported on the housing is deactivated
while the battery is charged.
11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second display
supported within the vehicle that is activated by the electronic
controller upon an interconnection between the first and second
electronic couplings.
12. A vehicle navigation system, comprising: a docking station
supported within the vehicle; a housing that is selectively
received by and removable from the docking station; a receiver
supported within the housing that receives signals that are
indicative of a position of the receiver; a first display supported
on the housing that displays information indicative of the position
of the receiver relative to established reference points; and a
second display supported within the vehicle that displays
information indicative of the location of the vehicle relative to
the established reference points when the housing is received by
the docking station.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a first electronic
coupling supported on the housing and a second electronic coupling
supported within the docking station so that the first and second
electronic couplings are coupled together upon receipt of the
housing by the docking station.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a close
communication module supported by the housing and an electronic
controller supported on the vehicle and wherein the close
communication module and the electronic controller communicate
through the coupling of the first and second electronic
couplings.
15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a battery supported
by the housing that provides power to the receiver when the housing
is selectively removed from the docking station and wherein the
battery receives charging power through the coupling between the
first and second electronic couplings.
16. The system of claim 12, further comprising an electronic
controller supported on the vehicle and a manually operable switch
for generating a signal that is utilized by the electronic
controller to control an activation state of the first and second
displays, respectively.
17. The system of claim 12, wherein the docking station is
supported on an overhead console on a headliner within the vehicle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to vehicle navigation
systems and more particularly to a system that includes a receiver
that is selectively removable from the vehicle.
[0002] Navigation systems are becoming increasingly popular in
passenger vehicles. Typical systems include a global positioning
system receiver that is mounted permanently within the vehicle. The
receiver typically communicates with a satellite-based global
positioning system and receives position information, which is
converted into some form of display for the vehicle operator
indicating the position of the vehicle relative to previously
determined reference points or other known landmarks on a given map
database.
[0003] In most situations, the global position information is
utilized as a navigation or route-guidance system to assist a
driver of a vehicle in arriving at a chosen destination. Other
functions are commonly available such as providing maps regarding
areas surrounding a vehicle location.
[0004] While vehicle navigation systems are becoming increasingly
popular, they are not without limitation. Those skilled in the art
are always striving to make improvements. One shortcoming of
currently available systems is that the receiver is only useful to
a person occupying the vehicle. This invention provides a
substantial improvement by incorporating a portable receiver into
the vehicle that is selectively removable and usable by a person,
even when they are outside of the vehicle. A system designed
according to this invention is especially useful in situations, for
example, where an individual drives their vehicle to a particular
location and then leaves the vehicle on a hike. The selectively
removable receiver incorporated with this invention not only guides
the individual to the location while in the vehicle but also serves
as a navigation guide during the hike, for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In general terms, this invention is a navigation system that
is useful in association with a vehicle. A housing supports a
receiver that is adapted for communication with a remote satellite
or other global positioning system arrangement. The housing also
supports a display, which is useful for communicating information
to an individual utilizing the system. A docking station is
supported within a vehicle that selectively receives the housing so
that the receiver can be selectively used within or outside of the
vehicle.
[0006] In the preferred embodiment, a second display is supported
within the vehicle. Whenever the housing is received within the
docking station in the vehicle, the second display preferably is
activated for displaying the information available through the
receiver. An electronic controller preferably is provided on the
vehicle for handling close communications with the receiver when
the housing is received within the docking station.
[0007] The various features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments. The
drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly
described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and schematic illustration of a
system designed according to this invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and schematic illustration of
another embodiment of a system designed according to this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a navigation system 20 for use in
association with a vehicle. A portable receiver unit 22 includes a
housing 24 that is selectively received within a docking station
26, which is permanently supported within the vehicle. The housing
24 is selectively removable from the docking station 26 so that the
receiver unit 22 can be carried about by an individual while
walking or riding a bike, for example.
[0011] The receiver unit 22 includes conventional electronics that
allow the receiver unit 22 to be used in association with a
satellite-based global positioning system (not illustrated), for
example. The receiver unit 22 receives information from the global
positioning system, which indicates the position or location of the
receiver unit 22 relative to known landmarks from a map
database.
[0012] The receiver unit 22 of this invention differs from prior
global positioning receivers in several respects. The housing 24
preferably supports a close communications module 28. A first
electronic coupling 30 also is supported on the housing 24. A
second electronic coupling 32 preferably is supported within the
docking station 26 on the vehicle. When the housing 24 is received
within the docking station 26, a connection between the first and
second electronic couplings 30 and 32 allows for communication
between the close communications module 28 and an electronic
controller 34 supported on the vehicle through a communications
link schematically illustrated at 36.
[0013] The electronic controller 34 preferably communicates with
the receiver unit 22 through the close communications module 28 for
a variety of purposes. One reason why communications between the
electronic controller 34 and the close communications module 28 is
desired is to control the display of information available through
the positioning receiver unit 22. The housing 24 preferably
supports a first display screen 40 that provides a display
regarding the location of the receiver unit 22. Since the housing
24 preferably is portable (i.e., it is easily carried about by an
individual while walking) the display 40 necessarily will be
limited in size and available features. Further, the capabilities
of the display 40 necessarily will be limited by the power
available through a battery within the portable receiver unit
22.
[0014] The system 20 designed according to this invention
preferably includes a second display 42, which is shown on an
instrument panel 43 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. In the preferred
embodiment, once the housing 24 is received within the docking
station 26 and the electronic couplings 30 and 32 are
interconnected, the electronic controller 34 activates the second
display 42. Once activated, the second display 42 provides the
global positioning information to the driver of the vehicle, for
example. Since the display 42 preferably is permanently supported
on the vehicle, there is greater capability for multi-colored
displays, larger display area and a greater variety of features
that can be provided to the vehicle operator.
[0015] In the most preferred embodiment, the receiver unit 22
provides a display on the first display screen 40 whenever the
receiver unit is activated and the housing 24 is not received
within the docking station 26. Upon placing the receiver unit 22
within the docking station 26, the electronic controller 34 and the
close communication module 28 preferably communicate such that the
display 40 is deactivated. At that point, all display preferably is
provided through the second display 42.
[0016] Deactivating the first display 40 when the receiver unit 22
is received within the docking station 26 in the vehicle is
preferred for at least two reasons. First, power can be conserved
by not providing a duplicate display. Secondly, the second display
42 not only has greater capability but preferably is positioned
within the vehicle to provide easier access to a vehicle operator
or passenger, which enhances the efficiency, usefulness and safety
of the overall system while driving.
[0017] Additionally, in the most preferred embodiment the
electronic couplings 30 and 32 provide for supplying power to the
portable receiver unit 22 while the housing 24 is received within
the docking station 26. Power available through the vehicle
preferably is provided to the receiver unit 22 so that a battery
supported within the housing 24 is charged for longer use upon the
next removal of the housing 24. Additionally, all power for
operating the receiver unit 22 preferably is provided by the
vehicle power supply whenever the housing 24 is appropriately
received within the docking station 26.
[0018] The preferred embodiment also includes a manually operable
switch 44, which is illustrated supported on a steering wheel 46.
The switch 44 preferably allows the vehicle operator to choose
between operation modes for the first and second displays 40 and
42. In some situations, for example, it may be useful for a driver
of the vehicle to utilize the display on the second display 42
while a passenger, who is assisting the driver in navigating the
vehicle, utilizes the first display 40 even while the housing 24 is
received within the docking station 26.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this
invention. The system 20' includes a docking station 60 that is
part of an overhead console supported on a headliner 62 within the
vehicle. The communication link schematically illustrated at 36'
preferably includes a direct, hard wire connection, which can run
through the A pillars 64 of the vehicle. The communication link 36'
enables communication between the electronic controller 34 and the
receiver unit 22 when it is received in the docking station 60 for
the reasons described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0020] Another difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 2
and that of FIG. 1 is that the second display 42' is an image
projected directly onto the windshield 70 of the vehicle. By
projecting the image of information available through the
positioning receiver unit 22 onto the windshield 70, a driver and
passenger of a vehicle can both readily interpret and utilize the
available information.
[0021] Given this description, those skilled in the art will be
able to choose from among commercially available microprocessors
and to develop any customized circuitry or software necessary to
realize the receiver unit 22, the electronic controller 34 and the
display systems necessary to accomplish the displays.
[0022] Of course, variations of the two disclosed embodiments are
within the scope of this invention. For example, two second
displays may be provided or the vehicle operator may be given the
option of having the second display be on the instrument panel or
projected onto the windshield, for example. The activation of the
various displays within the vehicle preferably is at the discretion
of the driver and can be accomplished through manipulation of the
switch 44.
[0023] Other variations may become apparent to those skilled in the
art that do not necessarily depart from the purview and spirit of
this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this
invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
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