GPS and cellphone unit having add-on modules

• US 5,786,789 A
• Filed: 11/14/1994
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Janky, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US08/339,990
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357, 342/419, 455/33.1, 455/90, 455/89
• US Class Current: 342/357.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

A GPS unit and a cellular telephone unit each have add-on modules for providing additional functionality. A battery powered hand-held GPS unit has a battery power module with a built-in cellular telephone. The controls on the GPS unit are used to control cellular telephone operations. The GPS controlled cellular telephone transmits position location information obtained by the GPS unit. Alternatively, a battery powered hand-held cellular telephone unit has a battery power module with a built-in GPS device. The controls on the cellular telephone portion are used to control GPS device operations. The cellular telephone portion is able to transmit position location information obtained by the GPS device. The GPS and a cellular telephone device can function with either a standard battery module, or with a battery module having a cellular telephone or a GPS device built into the battery module.

Claims

1. A hand-held communication device providing a position-locating function and a cellular telephone function, comprising:

a hand-held core module having means for entering information including control information, means for displaying information, and first means for providing a first function;

a removable add-on module containing a battery and removably fixed to said core module for providing power to said first means, said removable add-on module also having second means integral therewith for providing a second function;

wherein said first function and said second function includes a GES function and a cell phone function; and

means for removably coupling power from the battery as well as control and information signals between said core module and said removable add-on module, wherein said core module includes means for controlling the second function provided by the removable add-on module;

whereby the hand-held core module and the removable add-on module are fixed together to provide an integral hand-held communication device containing a battery and having a position-locating function and a cellular telephone function.

2. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the first means includes the GPS means and the second means includes the cell-phone means.

3. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the first means includes the cell-phone means and the second means includes the GPS means.

4. The communication device of claim 1 wherein means for entering information includes a keypad on said core module.

5. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the means for displaying information includes a display screen on said core module.

6. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the means for providing cell-phone functions includes a microphone and speaker.

7. A hand-held device having position-locating and cellular telephone capabilities comprising:

a hand-held position-locating unit,

a removable battery power module, removably fixed to said hand-held position-locating unit to form an integral hand-held device having position-locating and cellular telephone capabilities, wherein said battery power module includes a battery for providing power to said position-locating unit, wherein said battery power module includes a cellular telephone circuit integral therewith, and wherein the hand-held position-locating unit and the removable battery power module together form an integral hand-held unit; and

means for removably coupling power as well as control and information signals between said position-locating unit and said removable battery power module.

8. The device of claim 7 including control means, located on said position-locating portion of said hand-held position-locating unit and coupled to said cellular telephone circuit integral with said battery power module, for controlling said cellular telephone circuit.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said cellular telephone circuit includes means for transmitting position location information obtained by said position-locating unit.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein said position-locating unit includes a GPS unit.

11. A hand-held device having cellular telephone and position-locating capabilities comprising:

a hand-held cellular telephone unit;

a removable battery power module removably fixed to said cellular telephone unit to form an integral hand-held unit, wherein said battery power module includes means for providing power to said hand-held cellular telephone unit and wherein said battery power module includes a position-locating device integral therewith; and

means for removably coupling power as well as control and information signals between said cellular telephone unit and said battery power module.

12. The device of claim 11 including control means, located on said cellular telephone unit and coupled to said position-locating device integral with said battery power module, for controlling said position locating device.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said cellular telephone portion includes means for transmitting position location information obtained by said position-locating device integral with said battery power module.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the cellular telephone unit includes a microphone and speaker.