Gps navigation system

• US 20070150190A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Riddiford, Martin
• Application Number:
  US10/598,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20070150190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence

Abstract

A dock for a portable navigation device comprises a RF connector designed to automatically interface with a RF connector in the device in order to feed GPS RF signals from an external aerial to the device when the device is correctly mounted on the dock. RF signals from an external aerial are conventionally routed along a co-axial cable that is plugged directly into the navigation device. This means that a user has to first dock the device and then hook up the RF cable. But with the present invention, a user merely has to dock the navigation device onto the platform for an automatic connection to any external aerial connected to the dock to be made. There is no need to laboriously plug in a RF cable directly into the navigation device.

Claims

1. A GPS navigation system comprising a dock in combination with a portable GPS navigation device, in which the device is programmable with map data and a navigation application that enables a route to be planned between two user-defined places, wherein the dock comprises:

(a) a RF connector designed to automatically interface with a RF connector in the device in order to feed RF signals from an external aerial to the device when the device is correctly mounted on the dock;

(b) a suction mount that enables the dock to be removably connected to a car windscreen.

2. The GPS navigation system of claim 1 wherein the RF signals are GPS signals.

3. The GPS navigation system of claim 1 in which the dock comprises a platform that is rotatably mounted on an arm, the device being removably attached to the platform.

4. The GPS navigation system of claim 3 in which the arm is pivotally mounted so that the platform can be moved vertically and horizontally.

5. The GPS navigation system of claim 1 comprising a lip about which the device is designed to rotate when being mounted onto the dock, the lip being shaped to guide the device into correct alignment and engagement with the dock.

6. The GPS navigation system of claim 1 when mounted on a vehicle dashboard or windscreen.