Vehicle navigation system with removable positioning receiver

• US 6,417,786 B2
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Krapfl, Clifford, Learman, Stephen James
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/197,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/461, 342/357, 342/457, 701/35, 701/213, 701/207, 307/9.1, 455/345-348, 361/679, 361/728, 361/807
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens

Abstract

A navigation system includes a portable receiver unit that can be carried about by hand and used by an individual to determine position information through a global positioning system. The portable receiver is supported within a housing that is selectively received by and removable from a docking station that is permanently mounted within a vehicle. The housing supports a first display that provides an indication of position information to an individual utilizing the portable receiver unit. A second display is provided within the vehicle to provide an indication of vehicle position information whenever the housing is received within the docking station in the vehicle. An electronic controller associated with the vehicle preferably controls the activation states of the first and second displays when the receiver housing is received within the docking station.

Claims

1. A navigation system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

a housing;

a receiver supported within the housing that receives signals that are indicative of a position of the receiver;

a display supported by the housing for displaying information regarding the position of the receiver relative to previously determined reference points;

a docking station supported within the vehicle that selectively receives the housing so that the receiver is usable within the vehicle and is selectively removable from the vehicle to be used remote from the vehicle;

a second display supported in the vehicle and an electronic controller associated with the vehicle wherein the electronic controller activates the second display to display information regarding location of the vehicle when the housing is received in the docking station; and

at least one switch remotely located from the housing, wherein the switch is manipulatable to select which displays will display the information regarding location of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second display is activated and the display supported on the housing is deactivated when the housing is received in the docking station.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second display is supported on an instrument panel within the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second display is projected onto a windshield of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a close communication module supported by the housing.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an electronic controller supported on the vehicle and a first electronic coupling supported on the housing and a second electronic coupling associated with the docking station and wherein the first and second electronic couplings facilitate communication between the close communication module and the electronic controller.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a battery supported within the housing and wherein the battery is charged when the housing is received within the docking station.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a second display supported within the vehicle and wherein the second display is activated and the display supported on the housing is deactivated while the battery is charged.

9. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second display supported within the vehicle that is activated by the electronic controller upon an interconnection between the first and second electronic couplings.

10. A vehicle navigation system, comprising:

a docking station supported within the vehicle;

a housing that is selectively received by and removable from the docking station;

a receiver support within housing that receives signals that are indicative of a position of the receiver;

a first display supported on the housing that displays information indicative of the position of the receiver relative to established reference points;

a second display supported within the vehicle that displays information indicative of the location of the vehicle relative to the established reference points when the housing is received by the docking station; and

at least one switch remotely located from the housing wherein the switch is manipulatable to select between available activation states of the first display and the second display, respectively.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a first electronic coupling supported on the housing and a second electronic coupling supported within the docking station so that the first and second electronic couplings are coupled together upon receipt of the housing by the docking station.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a close communication module supported by the housing and an electronic controller supported on the vehicle and wherein the close communication module and the electronic controller communicate through the coupling of the first and second electronic couplings.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a battery supported by the housing that provides power to the receiver when the housing is selectively removed from the docking station and wherein the battery receives charging power through the coupling between the first and second electronic couplings.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising an electronic controller supported on the vehicle and a manually operable switch for generating a signal that is utilized by the electronic controller to control an activation state of the first and second displays, respectively.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the docking station is supported on an overhead console on a headliner within the vehicle.