U.S. patent application number 10/927203 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for portable navigation device with instant on configuration on navigational dispaly.
This patent application is currently assigned to GARMIN LTD., a Cayman Islands corporation. Invention is credited to Hanshew, Christopher J., Walters, Thomas H..
Application Number | 20050024277 10/927203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32986411 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050024277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanshew, Christopher J. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2005 |
Portable navigation device with instant on configuration on
navigational dispaly
Abstract
A multi-function, portable, electronic device includes a
housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in
communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a
display in communication with the processor and positioned on a
surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus
for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a
second function. One of the functions includes a navigational
component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached
to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal
acquisition position. A deployment indicator indicates the antenna
is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of
the navigational component is activated in response to the
deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal
acquisition position.
Inventors: |
Hanshew, Christopher J.;
(Lenexa, KS) ; Walters, Thomas H.; (Gardner,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Devon A. Rolf
GARMIN INTERNATIONL, INC.
1200 East 151st Street
Olathe
KS
66062
US
|
Assignee: |
GARMIN LTD., a Cayman Islands
corporation
|
Family ID: |
32986411 |
Appl. No.: |
10/927203 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10927203 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
10115611 |
Apr 2, 2002 |
|
|
|
6795770 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
343/702 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
343/702 |
International
Class: |
H01Q 001/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable global positioning device, comprising: personal
digital assistant (PDA) capabilities; a global positioning
satellite (GPS) receiver operative with the PDA capabilities; and
an antenna coupled to the GPS receiver, the antenna movable between
a first position and a second position.
2. The portable global positioning device of claim 1, including a
housing containing the PDA capabilities and the GPS receiver; and a
subhousing containing the antenna, the subhousing being pivotally
attached to the housing.
3. The portable global positioning device of claim 2, including a
hinge coupling the housing and the subhousing, where the hinge
allows the subhousing to move relative the housing between a stowed
position and an active position, where the active position includes
the subhousing being at least substantially perpendicular to a
major plane of the housing.
4. The portable global positioning device of claim 3, where the
hinge allows the subhousing to travel outwardly and upwardly from a
back wall of the housing.
5. The portable global positioning device of claim 3, where the
housing includes a recessed pocket in the back wall to receive the
subhousing in its stowed position.
6. The portable global positioning device of claim 5, where at
least a portion of the subhousing is substantially flush with the
back wall of the housing when in the stowed position.
7. The portable global positioning device of claim 1, including a
switch coupled to the antenna, where movement of the antenna from
the first position to the second position changes a setting of the
switch.
8. The portable global positioning device of claim 7, wherein
changes to the setting of the switch cause changes in an
operational state of the portable global positioning device.
9. The portable global positioning device of claim 8, wherein
changes in the operational state of the portable global positioning
device include changes to at least the GPS receiver operative with
the PDA capabilities.
10. A hand-held device comprising: a processor; a memory in
communication with the processor; a display in communication with
the processor and the memory; a personal digital assistant (PDA)
component in communication with the processor and the memory, the
PDA component operable to perform one or more PDA functions; a
navigation component in communication with the processor and the
memory, the navigation component operable to perform one or more
navigation functions; and an antenna in communication with the
navigation component, the antenna movable between a first position
and a second position.
11. The hand-held device of claim 10, including a housing
containing the PDA component and the navigation component; and a
subhousing containing the antenna, the subhousing being pivotally
attached to the housing.
12. The hand-held device of claim 11, including a hinge coupling
the housing and the subhousing, the hinge allowing the subhousing
to move between the first position and the second position, where
the second position includes the subhousing being at least
substantially perpendicular to a major plane of the housing.
13. The hand-held device of claim 12, where the hinge allows the
subhousing to travel outwardly and upwardly from a back wall of the
housing.
14. The hand-held device of claim 12, where the housing includes a
recessed pocket in the back wall to receive the subhousing in its
first position.
15. The hand-held device of claim 14, where at least a portion of
the subhousing is substantially flush with the back wall of the
housing when in the first position.
16. The hand-held device of claim 10, wherein the hand-held device
operates in a first state when the antenna is in a first
position.
17. The hand-held electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first
state includes launching one or more of a set of computer
executable instructions relating to the one or more PDA
functions.
18. The hand-held electronic device of claim 10, wherein the
hand-held device operates in a second state when the antenna is in
one or more second positions.
19. The hand-held electronic device of claim 18, wherein the second
state includes launching one or more of a set of computer
executable instructions relating to the one or more navigation
functions.
20. A personal digital assistant (PDA), comprising: a housing, the
housing including a processor, a memory, and a display in
communication with one another; a PDA component operable to perform
one or more PDA functions; a navigation component operable to
perform one or more navigation functions; a global positioning
system (GPS) antenna pivotally attached to the housing and moveable
between a first position and one or more second positions.
21. The PDA of claim 20, including a hinge coupling the GPS antenna
to the housing, where the hinge allows the GPS antenna to move
relative the housing between the first position and the one or more
second positions, where the one or more second positions include
the GPS antenna being at least substantially perpendicular to a
major plane of the housing.
22. The PDA of claim 21, where the hinge allows the GPS antenna to
travel outwardly and upwardly from a back wall of the housing.
23. The PDA of claim 21, where the housing includes a recessed
pocket in the back wall to receive the GPS antenna in its first
position.
24. The PDA of claim 23, where at least a portion of the GPS
antenna is substantially flush with the back wall of the housing
when in the first position.
25. The PDA of claim 20, wherein the navigation component are
operable when the GPS antenna is in one of the one or more second
positions.
26. The PDA of claim 20, wherein the housing includes a subhousing
containing the GPS antenna, the subhousing moveable between the
first position and one or more second positions.
27. The PDA of claim 20, wherein movement of the GPS antenna
between the first position and the one or more second positions
changes in an operational state of the PDA.
28. The PDA of claim 27, wherein changes in the operational state
of the PDA include changes to at least the navigation component of
the PDA.
29. A method, comprising: installing personal digital assistant
(PDA) components operable to perform one or more PDA functions into
a housing; installing navigation components operable to perform one
or more navigation functions into the housing; and attaching a
global positioning system (GPS) antenna onto the housing, the GPS
antenna in communication with the navigation components and
moveable to a plurality of positions.
30. The method of claim 29, including installing a switch in the
housing, wherein the switch changes states when the GPS antenna
moves from a first position to a second position of the plurality
of positions.
31. The method of claim 30, including performing a predetermined
sequence of one or more PDA functions and one or more navigation
functions when the switch changes states.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein attaching the GPS antenna
includes placing the GPS antenna into a subhousing of the housing,
where the subhousing seats into a cavity defined by the housing so
as to be flush with a surface of the housing.
33. The method of claim 29, including installing a hinge mechanism
including a spring, where the hinge mechanism keeps the GPS antenna
in a selected position of the plurality of positions.
34. A method, comprising: forming a housing for personal digital
assistant (PDA) components; forming a subhousing for a global
positioning system (GPS) antenna; and coupling the subhousing to
the housing for the PDA components, where the subhousing moves
between a plurality of positions relative the housing for the PDA
components.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein forming the housing includes
forming a cavity in the housing to receive the subhousing when the
subhousing is in a first predetermined position of the plurality of
positions.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein coupling the subhousing to the
housing includes providing a hinge to couple subhousing to the
housing.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the hinge includes a cam to
position the subhousing in at least one preferred signal
acquisition position for the GPS antenna.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to navigational
devices, and in particular to navigational devices as part of a
combined multi-functional system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A natural progression in devices is to build more function
or even to combine more functions into one device. In the past ten
years, for example, mobile communications, personal data
assistants, and portable navigational devices have boomed.
Currently, millions use cellular phones on a daily basis. Cellular
phones have become so inexpensive that college students can readily
afford them. Cellular phones have been given added capability. Some
have been provided with paging capability, for example. Recently,
cellular phones have been provided with the ability to interface
with the internet. Current cell phones also have calendaring
capabilities built in and some are now being combined with personal
data assistants ("PDAs").
[0003] PDAs are now also exceedingly popular. The first PDA-type
devices merely held a listing of contacts and may have had a
calendar function. Now PDAs, in addition to holding contact data
and a calendar, hold e-mail. PDAs have now been provided with the
capability to respond to e-mail and are linked or synchronized with
a computer periodically so any e-mail answers can be ported over to
a computer for sending. Calendar changes are also synchronized.
[0004] Navigational devices represent yet another technology that
has boomed as of late and which is now becoming popular and
affordable. Previously, navigational devices were expensive and far
from portable or hand-held. Most navigational devices could only be
found on ships and airplanes. Now, navigational devices are popular
options in luxury cars and navigational devices have become popular
with outdoorsman of all types. Fisherman have them to mark out
there favorite fishing holes, for example. These devices have also
been combined with other devices, such as depth finders or fish
finders which are popular with anglers.
[0005] Recently, PDAs and navigational devices, such as global
positioning systems ("GPS"), have been combined. There are problems
with such combined devices. For example, current combination
devices which include a PDA and a GPS are confusing to use. One of
the more confusing aspects is switching between the software
applications needed for the GPS and the software applications
needed for the PDA.
[0006] Still another problem is that the GPS or navigational
devices generally use more power than other portable technologies
that can be included in a portable, electronic device. The hardware
needed to acquire signals from satellites is generally much more
needy of power than the power needed to keep a cellular phone or a
PDA operating. Thus, one of the problems associated with marrying a
GPS with another device is that the length between charges for the
other device may decline drastically. In other words, the more
power hungry GPS portion of a combination device will discharge the
batteries faster than a separate PDA, cellular phone or other
device.
[0007] There are also problems with maintaining a relatively small
size while still having the necessary capability to acquire the
satellite signals needed to determine position on the GPS portion
of the device. A GPS generally needs a fairly substantial antenna.
Incorporating the antenna into the housing of a combined GPS and
PDA may wreck havoc with the size of the device. As a result, all
combination models are provided with an external GPS antenna. Using
a patch antenna in such hand-held devices is advantageous since
these are more low profile. However, there is a problem with fixing
the antenna into a device since the antenna is generally most
effective orientated a specific way with the satellites rather than
oriented with respect to a housing or the case of the combined
device. For example, a patch antenna is most effective if it is
essentially parallel with the earth. Many of the housings are made
to be used in a hand-held mode. When holding the housing the
housing is generally horizontally orientated. If a hand-held unit
is to be mounted in an automobile, the mounting orientation is
limited to more horizontal orientations so that the antenna is
effective. A large problem with mounting a device with a fixed
antenna so that the antenna is effective at receiving GPS signals
generally makes the display almost impossible for the driver to
see. As a result, an antenna fixed with respect to the housing may
suffer in one use as compared to another. Providing a movable
antenna also presents the problems of keeping the antenna at a
position, especially in a vibrating environment such as driving
down a dusty washboard gravel road.
[0008] There is always a problem with carrying separate devices.
Each one needs a power cord, different batteries and other
different accessories. So there is always a need for combined
functions in one device. What is needed is a portable, hand-held
electronic device that is user friendly and generally easy to use.
For example, one that switches from one application to another with
ease or even automatically. What is also needed is a device that
includes a power savings mode so that the user is not continually
recharging the device rather than using it. There is still a
further need for a device that is small enough that it is handy to
use and store in a pocket or purse. There is also a need for a
device that minimizes the number of auxiliary accessories that must
be carried. Specifically, there is also a need for a device that
includes a GPS or other navigational device with other devices.
Such a device needs an antenna which is part of the device but
which is also positionable to more than one position. Also needed
is a device which can operate in a hand-held orientation or in a
car-mounted orientation. The device also needs to be neat and which
is free of wires routed externally about the housing. The device
also needs to be durable. There is also a need for a navigational
route planning device which rapidly and efficiently generates a
route plan, especially when a route was not completed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A portable electronic device includes a housing, a processor
located within the housing, a memory in communication with the
processor, and a display in communication with the processor. The
display is positioned on a surface of the housing. The portable
electronic device has a first component, and a second component.
One of the first and second components include a navigational
component. The navigational component further includes an antenna
attached to the housing. The antenna is a patch antenna having a
width of about 1 inch and a length of about 1 inch. The antenna is
movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition
position. The navigational component has a deployment indicator
which indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.
The navigational component also includes an operational component
which is activated in response to the deployment indicator
indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. In
some embodiments, the operational component includes a global
position information acquisition component which is enabled in
response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in
the signal acquisition position. The operational component includes
a set of instructions executable by the processor for processing
signals acquired by the antenna. The set of instructions is enabled
when the deployment indicator indicates the antenna is in the
signal acquisition position. The set of instructions is disabled in
response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna has
been moved from the signal acquisition position to the stowed
position. The display switches to the user interface associated
with the navigational component in response to the deployment
indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition
position. The navigational component is a positioning system which
uses at least three signals to triangulate a position, such as a
GPS.
[0010] Also disclosed is a navigation system which includes a mass
storage device adapted to store navigation data, a server adapted
to communicate with the mass storage, and the portable,
multi-function electronic device discussed in the previous
paragraph. The navigational device has an operational component
which is activated in response to the deployment indicator
indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. The
operational component includes a power savings mode which is
enabled in response to the deployment indicator indicating that the
antenna position has been changed to the stowed position from the
signal acquisition position. The power savings mode includes
halting a signal acquisition process. The operational component
includes a set of software instructions executed by the processor
or hardwired combinatorial logic.
[0011] Advantageously, the invention provides for a device having a
navigational component and one or more other functions, such as a
PDA function or a cellular phone function. The portable, hand-held
electronic device is user friendly since one function switches to
another essentially automatically. The portable, hand-held
electronics device includes a power savings mode so that the user
is not continually recharging the device rather than using it. The
device is small enough to be handy to use and stores in a pocket or
purse. The device includes a GPS or other navigational device with
other devices. The GPS antenna is low profile and is positionable
to more than one position so that the device can operate in a
hand-held orientation or in a car-mounted orientation. The device
is durable, and free of wires routed externally about the housing.
Routing the connector between the antenna and hardware within the
case provides for a neat, uncluttered design.
[0012] These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and
features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the
description which follows, and in part will become apparent to
those skilled in the art by reference to the following description
of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the
invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention
are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities,
procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a representative view of a Global Positioning
System (GPS);
[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a
hand-held, multi-function electronic device that includes a
navigation component device according to the teachings of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates side view of the embodiment of a
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 2A;
[0016] FIG. 2C illustrates end view of the embodiment of a
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 2A;
[0017] FIG. 2D illustrates a side view of the embodiment of a
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 2A. The
side view shown in FIG. 2D is the side opposite the side shown in
FIG. 2B;
[0018] FIG. 2E illustrates end view of the embodiment of a
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 2A. The
end view shown in FIG. 2E is the end opposite the end shown in FIG.
2C;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the hand-held,
multi-function electronic device shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and
illustrates the movable patch antenna in one open position;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of the hand-held,
multi-function electronic device shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and
illustrates the movable patch antenna in another open position;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a back view of the hand-held, multi-function
electronic device shown in FIGS. 2A-2C with the movable patch
antenna in a closed position;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing
and subhousing of the movable patch antenna associated with the
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown along line 6-6 in
FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing
and subhousing of the movable patch antenna associated with the
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown along line 7-7 in
FIG. 5;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a portion of the housing and
subhousing of the flip antenna associated with the hand-held,
multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cam surface
associated with the hinge between the housing and subhousing; FIG.
9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
[0026] FIG. 10A is a block diagram of one embodiment for the
electronic components within the hardware of FIGS. 2A-2C according
to the teachings of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 10B is a block diagram of one embodiment for the
electronic components within the hardware of FIGS. 2A-2C according
to the teachings of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a navigation system according
to the teachings of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In the following detailed description of the invention,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The
embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined
only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0030] The following description and figures use a reference
numeral convention where the first digit of the reference numeral
corresponds to the figure and the following two digits correspond
to like elements throughout the specification. For example, the
housing of a portable, hand-held, electronic device of the present
invention has a reference number of 218, 318, 418, 518 etc.,
corresponding to the housing X18 in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. where X
is the number of the figure in which the reference numeral
appears.
[0031] One type of navigational system includes Global Positioning
Systems (GPS). Such systems are known and have a variety of uses.
In general, GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation system
capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in
some instances direction information for an unlimited number of
users. Formally known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality
of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits.
Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their
location to any number of receiving units.
[0032] The GPS system is implemented when a device specially
equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning radio frequencies for
GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS
satellite, the device can determine the precise location of that
satellite via one of different conventional methods. The device
will continue scanning for signals until it has acquired at least
three different satellite signals. Implementing geometrical
triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to
determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the
satellites. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will
allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional
position by the same geometrical calculation. The positioning and
velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by
an unlimited number of users.
[0033] In fact, although GPS enabled devices are often used to
describe navigational devices, it will be readily appreciated that
satellites need not be used at all to determine a geographic
position of a receiving unit, since cellular towers or any
customized transmitting radio frequency towers can be deployed and
combined in groups of three or more. With such a configuration, any
standard geometric triangulation algorithm can be used to determine
the exact location of the receiving unit. In this way, personal
hand-held devices, cell phones, intelligent appliances, intelligent
apparel, and others can be readily located geographically, if
appropriately equipped to be a receiving unit.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows one representative view of a GPS denoted
generally by reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120
are in orbit about the Earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120
is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites
120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. A Device that includes a
GPS receiver 140 of the present invention is shown receiving spread
spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the various satellites
120.
[0035] The spread spectrum signals 160 continuously transmitted
from each satellite 120 utilize a highly accurate frequency
standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each
satellite 120, as part of its data signal transmission 160,
transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite
120. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art
that the Device that includes a GPS receiver 140 must acquire
spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three
satellites 120 for the Device that includes a GPS receiver 140 to
calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation.
Acquisition of an additional signal 160, resulting in signals 160
from a total of four satellites 120, permits Device that includes a
GPS receiver 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position.
[0036] Of course as previously presented and as is readily
appreciated by those skilled in the art, GPS satellites and GPS
receiving devices are not required by the tenets of the present
invention, since any receiving device capable or receiving the
location from at least three transmitting locations can perform
basic triangulation calculations to determine the relative position
of the receiving device with respect to the transmitting
locations.
[0037] For example, at least three cellular towers can each
transmit their location information to a receiving cellular phone,
or any other receiving device, and if the phones or devices are
equipped to perform the triangulation algorithm, then the location
of the cellular phone or device can be readily resolved. By further
way of example, an amusement park or entertainment facility can
deploy three or more transmitting radio frequency devices and
provide users with receiving units capable of performing a
triangulation algorithm to determine the receiving units location
within the amusement park or entertainment facility. In this way,
it is readily apparent that a receiving unit need not be
exclusively GPS enabled to benefit from the teachings of the
present invention.
[0038] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate views of one embodiment of an
electronic navigational device 210 according to the teachings of
the present invention. FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate the top surface of
the navigational device, a side view and an end view of the
navigational device 210. The navigational device 210 shown in FIGS.
2A-2E includes a personal digital assistant ("TDA") with integrated
GPS receiver according to the teachings of the present invention.
The GPS integrated PDA operates with an operating system ("OS")
such as, for example, the well-known Palm or Pocket PC operating
systems, or the lesser-used Linux OS. The GPS integrated PDA 210
can also include other devices contained in a housing 218, such as
an internal cellular transceiver. The GPS integrated PDA 210 also
includes an integrated GPS patch antenna 214. The patch antenna 214
is housed within a subhousing 240 which moves or flips with respect
to the housing 218 (the movement of the subhousing will be detailed
in FIGS. 3-9). The housing 218 is generally rectangular with a low
profile and has a front face 220 extending from a top end 222 to a
bottom end 224. Visible through front face 220 is a display screen
226, which is touch sensitive and responsive to a stylus 230 (shown
stored in the side view of FIG. 2B) or a finger touch. FIGS. 2A-2E
illustrate the stylus 230 nested within housing 218 for storage and
convenient access in a conventional manner. The embodiment shown in
FIG. 2A illustrates a number of control buttons, or input keys 228
positioned toward the bottom end 224. The invention, however, is
not so limited by the position of the control buttons. It should be
noted that the input keys 228 can be positioned toward the top end
222 or at any other suitable location. The end view of FIG. 2C
illustrates a map data cartridge bay slot 232 and headphone jack
234 provided at the top end 222 of the housing 218. Again, it
should be noted that a map data cartridge bay slot 232 and
headphone jack 234 could also be provided at the bottom end 224,
separately at opposite ends, or at any other suitable location.
[0039] FIG. 2D illustrates another side view of the embodiment of a
hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 2A. The
side view shown in FIG. 2D is the side opposite the side shown in
FIG. 2B. FIG. 2E illustrates another end view of the embodiment of
a hand-held, multi-function electronic device shown in FIG. 2A. The
end view shown in FIG. 2E is the end opposite the end shown in FIG.
2C.
[0040] It should be understood that the structure of GPS integrated
PDA 210 is shown as illustrative of one type of integrated PDA
navigation device. Other physical structures, such as a cellular
telephone and a vehicle-mounted unit are contemplated within the
scope of this invention.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back surface 350 of the
electronic navigational device 310 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. As shown
in FIG. 3, the subhousing 340 which includes the antenna 314, has
been moved or flipped to an open position where the subhousing 340
makes approximately a 110.degree. angle with respect to the back
surface 350 of the navigational device 310. The patch antenna 314
is contained within the subhousing 340. The subhousing 340 and
contained patch antenna 314 rotate upon a hinge 300 which will be
further detailed with respect to FIGS. 5 and 8. The hinge allows
the subhousing 340 to be open to one of many positions. However,
the hinge itself, includes a feature which allows the subhousing
340 to preferentially stop at one of two positions. In the first
position, shown in FIG. 3, the subhousing makes approximately a
110.degree. angle with respect to the back surface 350 of the
navigational device 310. This orientation is needed when the
navigational device 310 is to be mounted within a car. It should be
noted that the patch antenna 314, in order to be most effective,
has to essentially be parallel to the surface of the earth. When
the PDA or navigational device 310 that includes a PDA is mounted
in an automobile, the orientation shown in FIG. 3 results in the
patch antenna 314 housed within the subhousing 340 to be
essentially parallel to the surface of the earth to provide for
reception of radio signals from one of several satellites used in a
GPS system. The housing 318 includes a cavity or depression 352
which corresponds to the size of the subhousing 340. The cavity or
depression 352 also includes a latch 354 for catching a mating
feature 344 on the subhousing 340 when the subhousing 340 is stowed
within the housing 318. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a plunger 622 which
is discussed in further detail in the description of FIG. 6
below.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the back of a hand-held
multi-functional electronic device 410 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C,
with the movable subhousing 440 and enclosed patch antenna 414 in
another open position. As shown in FIG. 4, the subhousing 440 has
moved through approximately 180.degree. and is essentially flat
with respect to the back surface 450 of the navigational device or
multi-functional electronic device 410. Again, noting that the
patch antenna, in order to be most effective, has to essentially be
parallel with respect to the surface of the earth, this particular
orientation of the patch antenna 414 provides for effective
reception of radio signals from satellite antennas when the
navigational device is used in a hand-held mode. In other words,
when a user is holding a multi-functional electronic device that
includes a navigational device 410, the user generally holds the
PDA-shaped device in a orientation that is essentially flat or
parallel to the surface of the earth. Therefore, the subhousing
440, including the patch antenna 414, is flipped to a position
where both the housing 418 and the subhousing 440 are essentially
parallel to the surface of the earth. As mentioned previously, the
subhousing 440 is attached to the housing 418 with the hinge 400.
The hinge 400 has several preferred open positions which are shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4. The housing 418 includes a cavity or depression
452 which corresponds to the size of the subhousing 440. The cavity
or depression 452 also includes a latch 454 for catching a mating
feature 444 on the subhousing 440. It should be noted that having
two preferred open positions so that the patch antenna is always
substantially parallel with the surface of the earth or
perpendicular to the signals from the satellites provides for the
best possible reception of the signals from the satellite. By
having the subhousing capable of more than one orientation and
actually going to one of two preferred orientations, the patch
antenna 414 can be made somewhat smaller than a patch antenna
having a fixed orientation with respect to a housing. In this
particular application, the patch antenna is approximately 20 mm
and fits within the housing 440.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a back view of a hand-held multi-functional
electronic device 510 with the movable subhousing 540 in a closed
position. A hinge 500 allows the subhousing 540 to move with
respect to the housing 518. In the closed position, the latch
opening and the latch are engaged (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as
elements 344, 354 and 444, 454). The latch and the latch opening
are engaged with a snap fit between housing 518 and the subhousing
540. The housing 518 also includes an access depression 560. The
access depression 560 allows the user to slip a finger below the
surface of the subhousing 540 and grab one edge of the subhousing
so that it can be easily moved from the closed position shown in
FIG. 5 to an open position such as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It
should be noted that the closed position may also be referred to as
a stowed position.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing
618 and subhousing 640 associated with a hand-held,
multi-functional electronic device 610 shown along line 6-6 in FIG.
5. FIG. 6 shows the housing 618 and the back surface 650 of the
housing 618. In addition, the depression 652 of the back surface
650 of the housing 618 is also shown. The subhousing 640 is shown
in its closed or stowed position. Within the housing 618 is a
printed circuit board 610 and a detect switch 620. The detect
switch 620 includes a plunger 622 and a main body 624. The plunger
622 moves with respect to the main body 624 of the detect switch
620. Plunger 622 travels a relatively long distance in the presence
of a load force and is used to detect the position of the
subhousing 640. In other words, the detect switch 620 is used to
detect the position of the subhousing 640 and specifically to
detect whether or not the subhousing 640 is in its stowed or closed
position. The plunger 622 moves with respect to the main housing
624 of the detect switch to either open or close an electrical
contact and, therefore, produce an output that indicates that the
subhousing 640, which includes the patch antenna 614, is in the
stowed or closed position. It should be noted that in addition to
using a mechanical detect switch 620, one could also use other
types of detect systems such as an optical switch. It should also
be noted that the detect switch need not be positioned within the
depression 652 of the back side surface 650 of the housing 618. The
detect switch could be in any of a number of physical
locations.
[0045] Generally, when a user moves the subhousing or patch antenna
614 from one of the open positions to a closed or stowed position,
it indicates that the user is no longer interested in using the
navigational component of the multi-functional hand-held electronic
device 610. As a result, moving the subhousing 640 from an open
position to a stowed position, either opens or closes the detect
switch 620. When the switch is opened or closed, it produces a
signal or lack of a signal to indicate that the subhousing 640 and
the patch antenna 614 enclosed therein is no longer being used. In
response to the detect switch 620 detecting that the subhousing 640
is in a stowed position, several items occur in response to the
signal from the detect switch 620. Among the items that occur as a
result of the detect switch indicating a stowed position of the
subhousing 640, is that the portable electronic, hand-held device
610 implements a power-savings mode. Using the patch antenna 614
generally requires a high percentage of the power of one of the
portable, hand-held, multi-functional electronic devices 610. As a
result of placing the subhousing 640 in a stowed position, the
patch antenna will no longer be effective and the user also
indicates that it will no longer be used, therefore, the power
needed to retrieve signals from the patch antenna is either
lessened or shut off completely. This allows for more power to be
distributed to the uses for the multi-functional, hand-held
electronic device 610. For example, rather than using power to
acquire signals or "powering" the antenna 614, power can then be
used to run the other functions of the device 610.
[0046] When the detect switch 620 indicates that the subhousing 640
containing the patch antenna 614 is in a closed or stowed position,
the software for running the navigational component of the
hand-held, portable, multi-functional electronic device 610 is also
shut down. For example, a navigational component will include a
software component which is used to instruct the processor aboard
the multi-functional device 610 so that navigational functions,
such as gathering signals, determining a location and preparing a
route plan will no longer be conducted while the patch antenna 614
is in the stowed position. For example, if the device is a Palm
Pilot or PDA, the software interface and the software used to run
the Palin Pilot is automatically switched in response to the patch
antenna 614 within the subhousing 640 being moved from an open
position to a stowed position. Similarly, when the patch antenna
614 within the subhousing 640, is moved from the stowed position to
an open position, the software component of the navigational
component of the electronic device 610 will be enabled. The
software necessary to run the navigational component will be
enabled.
[0047] In addition to enabling the software, the microprocessor
will remember selected preferences of the user. For example, the
user may use a specific graphical user interface more often than
other graphical user interfaces available for the software
component of the navigational component of the multi-functional
electronic device 610. It should be noted that some of the
operating systems for the multi-functional electronic devices 610
are only capable of running one software application at a time. It
is contemplated that other operating systems for these
multi-functional devices 610 may be developed so that the software
that is not primarily being used at the time on the
multi-functional device may run in the background rather than being
totally turned off or not run. The feature of automatically
switching to the software application that is most likely to be
used makes for very simple operation. In the past it has been
difficult for users to switch between one application and another.
With the detect switch 620 giving a signal of which particular
function is most likely to be used, the software applications can
be switched automatically by the multi-functional, hand-held,
portable, electronic device 610 so that the user does not have to
be involved with switching the software functions and selecting new
graphical user interfaces.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing
718 and subhousing 714 which includes the patch antenna 714
associated with the hand-held, multi-functional electronic device
710. FIG. 7 is a cross section along line 7-7 in FIG. 5. FIG. 7
provides further detail of the hinge 700. The hinge mechanism 700
includes a spring 710 and a first spring loaded detent 720 and a
second spring loaded detent 722. Associated with each spring loaded
detent 720, 722, is a cam follower 730, 732. The hinge 700 also
includes a first end piece 740 and a second end piece 742 which
engages openings within the housing 718.
[0049] FIG. 8 shows further detail of one side of the hinge 800
which corresponds to a blown-up portion shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8
will be used to further detail the hinge mechanism 800. One side of
the hinge 800 will be discussed. Specifically, the side of hinge
shown in FIG. 8 will be discussed, and it should be noted that the
other side of the hinge 800 is similar. Rather than discuss both
sides of the hinge 800, one side is discussed for the sake of
clarity. The spring loaded detent 820 includes a first end 824 and
a second end 826. The second end includes a shoulder 827, as well
as a cam 828. The second end 826, shoulder 827, and cam 828 engage
the cam follower 830. The cam follower 830, in turn, engages the
end 840 of the hinge 800, which engages the housing 818. The spring
810 fits over the first end 824 of the spring loaded detent 820.
The spring is positioned to produce a force at both ends of the
hinge. The force acts through the spring loaded detent 820, the cam
follower 830, and the end piece 840 so as to produce a force at the
opening 840 in the housing 818. Therefore, the spring produces a
compressive force which forces the end of the hinge 840 into the
opening 842. The spring produces a friction force at the end 840
that rotates within the opening 840 of the housing. This is very
advantageous to have the hinge 800 be spring loaded using the
spring 810. This spring loading provides a compressive force
between the hinge 800 and specifically the end 840, and the housing
818, and specifically the opening 840 within the housing. This is
particularly significant when the portable hand-held device is
being used in an environment that has vibration. One such
environment that may be prone to having vibration is within a car.
Older cars may vibrate or even newer cars may pass over terrain
that imparts vibration to the interior surface of the car. One such
terrain might be a washboard surface on a gravel road or chuck
holes in the road or any number of road irregularities. The spring
810 of the hinge 800 produces a force to keep the hinge 800 at a
specific location. The springs 810 impart a force so that there is
friction between the end 840 and the opening 840 within the housing
818. The friction produces a force which resists movement of the
subhousing 840 with respect to the housing 818, especially in
environments that might have vibration. The hinge 800, and
specifically the spring loaded detent 820, includes a cam surface
828. The cam surface 828 includes a couple of lobes with detents
therein.
[0050] Yet another feature of the hinge 800 is the fact that it
includes a hollow opening within the hinge. The hollow opening is
sized so that a connector between the patch antenna 614 and the
inside of the housing 618 can pass through the opening within the
hinge. This provides for a much cleaner design which is less prone
to failure since the connector or cable needed to connect the
antenna 614 with the hardware within the housing 618 is not
exposed. Not only is the design cleaner, but it also provides for a
more reliable and robust design since the user is not able, or less
able, to inadvertently damage this connector. In this particular
instance, the connector is a coaxial cable shown as element 630 in
FIG. 6.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cam surface 927 of
the spring-loaded detent 920, which is associated with the hinge
between the housing and the subhousing. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional
view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8. The cam surface 927 includes a first
detent 910 and a second detent 920. The first detent 910 is
positioned so that the subhousing as it is rotated with respect to
the housing will stop in a first position, which is approximately
110.degree. from the backside surface of the multi-functional
device. FIG. 3 shows the subhousing in such a position with respect
to the housing. The second detent 920 will tend to position the
subhousing 940 at a position which is essentially 180.degree. from
the stowed position, as shown in FIG. 4. The detents 910, 920 are
helpful in that they provide for preferred open positions of the
subhousing with respect to the housing. The detents 910 and 920 are
selected so that the patch antenna within the subhousing will be in
a preferred orientation in a certain unit so that it will maximize
reception of signals from various satellites associated with a GPS
system. Although only two detents 910, 920 are shown, it should be
noted that more detents could be used if there were other positions
of the subhousing with respect to the housing that may be
preferred.
[0052] FIGS. 2A-2C, and 3-9 are provided as illustrative examples
of hardware components for a portable, hand-held, multifunction
device that includes a navigational device according to the
teachings of the present invention. It should be appreciated that
other suitable designs for a hardware device would also be within
the scope of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 10A is a block diagram of one embodiment for the
electronic components within the hardware of FIGS. 2A-2C, such as
within housing 1018 and utilized by the electronic navigational
device. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the electronic
components include a processor 1010 which is connected to input,
such as keypad 1020 via line 1025. Processor 1010 communicates with
memory 1030 via line 1035. Processor 1010 also comununicates with
display screen 1040 via line 1045. An antenna/receiver 1050, such
as a GPS antenna/receiver is connected to processor 1010 via line
1055. The electronic components further include I/O ports 1070
connected to processor 1010 via line 1075.
[0054] FIG. 10B is a block diagram of one embodiment for the
electronic components within the hardware of FIGS. 2A-2C and
utilized by the GPS integrated multi-functional, electronic 1010
according to the teachings of the present invention. The electronic
components shown in FIG. 10B include a processor 1036 which is
connected to the GPS antenna 1014 through GPS receiver 1038 via
line 1041. The processor 1036 interacts with an operating system
(such as PalmOS; Pocket PC, an others) that runs selected software
depending on the intended use of the multi-functional, electronic
1010. Processor 1036 is coupled with memory 1042 such as RAM via
line 1044, and power source 1046 for powering the electronic
components of PDA 1010. The processor 1036 communicates with touch
sensitive display screen 1026 via data line 1048.
[0055] The electronic components further include two other input
sources that are connected to the processor 1036. Control buttons
1028 are connected to processor 1036 via line 1051 and a map data
cartridge 1033 inserted into cartridge bay 1032 is connected via
line 1052. A conventional serial I/O port 1054 is connected to the
processor 1036 via line 1056. Cellular antenna 1016 is connected to
cellular transceiver 1058, which is connected to the processor 1036
via line 1066. Processor 1036 is connected to the speaker/headphone
jack 1034 via line 1062. The PDA 1010 may also include an infrared
port (not shown) coupled to the processor 1036 that may be used to
beam information from one PDA to another.
[0056] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,
the electronic components shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are powered by
a power source in a conventional manner. As will be understood by
one of ordinary skill in the art, different configurations of the
components shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are considered within the
scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the
components shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are in communication with one
another via wireless connections and the like. Thus, the scope of
the navigation device of the present invention includes a portable
electronic navigational aid device.
[0057] According to the teachings of the present invention, the
electronic components embodied in FIGS. 10A and 10B are adapted to
provide an electronic navigational aid device with efficient route
path generation and communication. That is, according to the
teachings of the present invention a processor 1010 is provided
with the electronic navigational aid device. A memory 1030 is in
communication with the processor. The memory 1030 includes
cartographic data, a current device location, and a generated route
to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data
include data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A
display 1040 is in communication with the processor 1010 and is
capable of displaying the cartographic data to a user. The
electronic navigational aid device processes a user's travel along
the generated route using a set of processing algorithms and
cartographic data stored in memory to operate on signals (e.g., GPS
signals, received from the antenna/receiver 1050 or any wireless
signals) as the same will be known and understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the device further includes a
display 1040 in communication with the processor 1010 and the
memory 1030. The display 1040 is adapted to display maps and routes
associated with a navigational device.
[0059] It will be readily appreciated that the various electrical
components shown in FIG. 10A and 10B need not be physically
connected to one another since wireless communication among the
various depicted components is permissible and intended to fall
within the scope of the present invention.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation
system according to the teachings of the present invention. The
navigation system includes a server 1102. According to one
embodiment, the server 1102 includes a processor 1104 operably
coupled to memory 1106, and further includes a transmitter 1108 and
a receiver 1110 to send and receive communication signals. The
transmitter 1108 and receiver 1110 are selected or designed
according to the communication requirements and the communication
technology used in the communication design for the navigation
system. The functions of the transmitter 1108 and the receiver 1110
can be combined into a single transceiver.
[0061] The navigation system further includes a mass data storage
1112 coupled to the server 1102 via communication link 1114. The
mass data storage 1112 contains a store of navigation data. One of
ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and
comprehending this disclosure, that the mass data storage 1112 can
be separate device from the server 1102 or can be incorporated into
the server 1102.
[0062] The navigation system further includes a navigation device
1116 adapted to communicate with the server 1102 through the
communication channel 1118. According to one embodiment, the
navigation device 1116 includes a processor and memory, as
previously shown and described with respect to the block diagrams
of FIGS. 10A and 10B. Furthermore, the navigation device 1116
includes a transmitter 1120 and receiver 1122 to send and receive
communication signals through the communication channel 1118. The
transmitter 1120 and receiver 1122 are selected or designed
according to the communication requirements and the communication
technology used in the communication design for the navigation
system. The functions of the transmitter 1120 and receiver 1122 can
be combined into a single transceiver.
[0063] Software stored in the server memory 1106 provides
instructions for the processor 1104 and allows the server 1102 to
provide services to the navigation device 1116. One service
provided by the server 1102 involves processing requests from the
navigation device 1116 and transmitting navigation data from the
mass data storage 1112 to the navigation device 1116. According to
one embodiment, another service provided by the server 1102
includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms
for a desired application, and sending the results of these
calculations to the navigation device 1116.
[0064] The communication channel 1118 is the propagating medium or
path that connects the navigation device 1116 and the server 1102.
According to one embodiment, both the server 1102 and the
navigation device 1116 include a transmitter for transmitting data
through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data
that has been transmitted through the communication channel.
[0065] The communication channel 1118 is not limited to a
particular communication technology. Additionally, the
communication channel 1118 is not limited to a single communication
technology, that is, the channel 1118 can include several
communication links that use a variety of technology. For example,
according to various embodiments, the communication channel is
adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or
electromagnetic communications. As such, the communication channel
includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the
following: electrical circuits, electrical conductors such as wires
and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio-frequency
(RF) waveguides, the atmosphere, and empty space. Furthermore,
according to various embodiments, the communication channel
includes intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers,
transmitters, and receivers, for example.
[0066] In one embodiment, for example, the communication channel
1118 includes telephone and computer networks. Furthermore, in
various embodiments, the communication channel 1116 is capable of
accommodating wireless communication such as radio frequency,
microwave frequency and infrared communication, and the like.
Additionally, according to various embodiments, the communication
channel 1116 accommodates satellite communication.
[0067] The communication signals transmitted through the
communication channel 1118 include such signals as may be required
or desired for a given communication technology. For example, the
signals can be adapted to be used in cellular communication
technology, such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency
division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access
(CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), and the
like. Both digital and analog signals can be transmitted through
the communication channel 1118. According to various embodiments,
these signals are modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as
can be desirable for the communication technology.
[0068] The mass data storage includes sufficient memory for the
desired navigation application. Examples of mass data storage
include magnetic data storage media such as hard drives, optical
data storage media such as CD ROMs, charge storing data storage
media such as Flash memory, and molecular memory. Moreover, as one
skilled in the art will readily appreciate the mass storage need
not be a single device as a plurality of storage devices can be
logically associated to form a distributed mass storage device of
the present invention.
[0069] According to one embodiment of the navigation system, the
1102 server includes a remote server accessed by the navigation
device 1116 through a wireless channel. According to other
embodiments of the navigation system, the server 1102 includes a
network server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area
network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN) and server
farms.
[0070] According to another embodiment of the navigation system,
the server 1102 includes a personal computer such as a desktop or
laptop computer. In one embodiment, the communication channel 1118
is a cable connected between the personal computer and the
navigation device. According to one embodiment, the communication
channel 1118 is a wireless connection between the personal computer
and the navigation device 1116.
[0071] FIG. 11 presents yet another embodiment for a collective set
of electronic components adapted to the present invention. As one
of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this
disclosure, the navigation system of FIG. 11 is adapted to the
present invention in a manner distinguishable from that described
and explained in detail in connection with FIGS. 10A and 10B.
[0072] The mass storage device 1112 connected to the server can
include volumes more cartographic and route data than that which is
able to be maintained on the navigational device 1116 itself. In
this embodiment, the server 1102 processes the majority of a user's
travel along the route using a set of processing algorithms and the
cartographic and route data stored in memory 1112 and can operate
on signals, e.g. GPS signals, originally received by the
navigational device 1116. Similar to the navigational device of
FIG. 10, the navigation device 1116 in system 1100 is outfitted
with a display 1124 and GPS capabilities 1126.
[0073] It should be noted that the electronic components of device
1000 shown in FIG. 10 and components of the system 1100 shown in
FIG. 11 can be embodied as computer hardware circuitry or as a
computer-readable program, or a combination of both. In another
embodiment, system 1100 is implemented in an application service
provider (ASP) system.
[0074] More specifically, in the computer-readable program
embodiment, the programs can be structured in an object-orientation
using an object-oriented language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, and
others, and the programs can be structured in a
procedural-orientation using a procedural language such as C,
PASCAL, and others. The software components communicate in any of a
number of means that are well-known to those skilled in the art,
such as application program interfaces (A.P.I.) or interprocess
communication techniques such as remote procedure call (R.P.C.),
common object request broker architecture (CORBA), Component Object
Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), Distributed
System Object Model (DSOM) and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).
[0075] Of course it is readily appreciated by those skilled in the
art that any programming methodology, programming language,
programming interface, operating system, or computing environment,
now known or hereafter developed can be readily deployed, without
departing from the tenets of the present invention and all such
implementation specific embodiments are intended to fall within the
broad scope of the present invention.
CONCLUSION
[0076] In summary, disclosed is a multi-function, hand-held
portable electronic device including a housing, a processor located
within the housing, a memory in communication with the processor,
and a display in communication with the processor. The display is
positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device
includes a display in communication with the processor and
positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device
includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an
apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions
includes a navigational component. The navigational component
includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a
stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A deployment
indicator indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition
position. An operational component of the navigational component is
activated in response to the deployment indicator indicating the
antenna is in the signal acquisition position.
[0077] The multi-function, portable, hand-held device is also part
of a navigational system. The navigation system includes a mass
storage device adapted to store navigation data, a server adapted
to communicate with the mass storage, and a portable,
multi-function electronic device.
[0078] The invention provides for a single device having a
navigational component and one or more other functions, such as a
PDA function or a cellular phone function. The portable, hand-held
electronic device is user friendly since one function switches to
another essentially automatically. The portable, hand-held
electronics device includes a power savings mode so that the user
is not continually recharging the device rather than using it. The
device is small enough that it is handy to use and stores in a
pocket or purse. The device includes a GPS or other navigational
device with other devices. The GPS antenna is low profile and is
positionable to more than one position so that the device can
operate in a hand-held orientation or in a car-mounted orientation.
The device is durable, and free of wires routed externally about
the housing. Routing the connector between the antenna and hardware
within the case provides for a neat, uncluttered design.
[0079] The above systems, devices and methods have been described,
by way of example and not by way of limitation, with respect to
reducing memory capacity requirements, increasing processor
throughput, and improving overall ease of user interaction with a
navigation device. That is, the systems, devices, functional data,
and methods provide for generating a projected route in connection
with a navigational device which is more efficient and accurate
than current systems, devices, and methods, without requiring more
expensive system resources. The systems, devices, functional data,
and methods of the present invention offer an improved generated
projected route which provide more understandable, accurate and
timely capabilities in a navigation device while utilizing less
resources.
[0080] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the
same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown.
This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations
of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above
description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will
be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above
description. The scope of the invention includes any other
applications in which the above systems, devices, functional data,
and methods are used. The scope of the invention should be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *