Self-positioning GPS antenna
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining a GPS antenna element at a predetermined orientation, comprising:
- an antenna holder configured to support the GPS antenna element;
a pivotal connector coupling said holder to a base structure configured to pivot said antenna holder with respect to a pivot axis, said pivot axis disposed adjacent to the antenna element; and
wherein the force of gravity applied to said holder causes the holder and the GPS antenna element supported thereby to be maintained at a predetermined non-zero angle orientation with respect to the force of gravity when the base structure to which the holder is coupled changes its orientation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is described for maintaining a GPS antenna element at a predetermined orientation. The apparatus includes a holder configured to support the GPS antenna element. The holder is pivotally coupled to a base structure and is configured to pivot with respect to a pivot axis. When the force of gravity is applied to the holder, it causes the GPS antenna element supported by the holder to be maintained at the predetermined orientation even when the base structure to which the holder is coupled changes its orientation. In one embodiment, an extra weight is provided on one side of the holder such that the force of gravity applied to the extra weight will cause the antenna element supported by the holder to be maintained at a predetermined angular orientation.
14 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining a GPS antenna element at a predetermined orientation, comprising:
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an antenna holder configured to support the GPS antenna element;
a pivotal connector coupling said holder to a base structure configured to pivot said antenna holder with respect to a pivot axis, said pivot axis disposed adjacent to the antenna element; and
wherein the force of gravity applied to said holder causes the holder and the GPS antenna element supported thereby to be maintained at a predetermined non-zero angle orientation with respect to the force of gravity when the base structure to which the holder is coupled changes its orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A self-positioning antenna comprising:
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an antenna element;
a holder configured to support said antenna element, said holder pivotally attachable to a base structure and configured to pivot with respect to a pivot axis, said pivot axis disposed adjacent to said antenna element; and
wherein the force of gravity applied to said holder enables the holder and said antenna element supported thereby to automatically readjust its orientation as the base structure to which the holder is attached changes its orientation such that one of the flat surfaces of the antenna element is maintained at a non-zero angle orientation with respect to the force of gravity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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a base structure;
a GPS antenna element;
a GPS receiver coupled to said GPS antenna element to receive GPS signals detected by the antenna element and compute geographic location based on the GPS signals received;
a holder configured to support said GPS antenna element, said holder pivotally coupled to said base structure of said portable device and configured to pivot with respect to a pivot axis, said pivot axis disposed adjacent to the GPS antenna element; and
wherein the force of gravity applied to said holder causes the holder and the GPS antenna element supported thereby to be maintained at a non-zero angle orientation with respect to the force of gravity when said base structure to which the holder is coupled changes its orientation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus comprising:
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means for supporting a flat antenna element;
means for coupling said means for supporting the antenna element to a base structure to pivot with respect to a pivot axis, said pivot axis disposed adjacent to the antenna element; and
wherein the force of gravity applied to said means for supporting the antenna element causes said means for supporting the antenna element and the antenna element supported thereby to automatically readjust its orientation as the base structure changes its orientation such that one of the flat surfaces of the antenna element is maintained at a non-zero angle orientation with respect to the force of gravity. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification