Apparatus and method for a mobile navigation computer

• US 20060200587A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George W. Hindman
• Original Assignee: George W. Hindman
• Inventors: Hindman, George William
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/10 by using measurements of speed or acceleration G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a robust and configurable mobile computer architecture with navigation computational capabilities. The present invention further provides a bus network which allows for an efficient and durable Input/Output (I/O) management system. The I/O management system has configurable connections to allow for modular addition, expansion, or replacement of navigation, crash detection, and communication line replacement units (LRUs). Additional I/O device connections allow several modes of input into the computational system. The present invention is a single, self-contained unit and provides an accessible user interface to the computer system.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. An apparatus for input/output management in a mobile computing environment comprising:

a computer system comprising;

a processor;

an input device;

an output device; and

wherein the computer system responds to data received from the input device and outputs data to the output device;

a unit configured to receive a wireless signal perform a function in the mobile environment in cooperation with the computer system;

a data bus coupled to the processor and the unit for transferring unit data information; and

a discrete line coupled to the processor and the unit for transferring discrete information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the data bus and discrete line comprise an integrated bus.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the unit is incorporated into the computer system.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless signal is a satellite signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer system is a head unit.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer system receives a unique hardware identification from the unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the computer system displays the unique hardware identification number.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the data bus carries address information.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the data bus carries control information.

26. A method of communicating data in a mobile environment comprising:

at a unit in the mobile environment;

receiving information via a wireless signal at the unit;

communicating a set of data based on the wireless signal across a data bus to a computer system in the mobile environment; and

receiving a discrete signal from the computer system across a discrete line; and

at the computer system in the mobile environment;

sending the discrete signal to the unit across the discrete line;

receiving the set of data from the unit across the data bus; and

generating an output based on the set of data.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the wireless signal is a satellite signal.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising communicating a unique hardware identification from the unit to the computer system.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the unit comprises a satellite receiver and the computer system comprises a head unit.

30. A device comprising:

a chipset in a mobile environment to handle input/output management;

a discrete line coupled to the chipset to connect the chipset to a unit in a mobile environment;

a data bus coupled to the chipset to connect the chipset to the unit in the mobile environment;

wherein the discrete line is configured to carry discrete information between the chipset and the unit; and

wherein the data bus is configured to carry data information between the chipset and the unit.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the chipset is configured to receive data information over the data bus from the unit.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the chipset is configured to send discrete information over the discrete line to the unit.

33. The device of claim 30, wherein the data bus and discrete line are integrated.

34. The device of claim 30, wherein the unit is configured to receive a wireless signal and perform a function in the mobile environment.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the unit is configured to:

receive discrete information from the chipset over the discrete line;

receive a set of data via a wireless communication signal; and

send the set of data to the chipset via the data bus.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the wireless communication signal is a satellite signal.