Method and apparatus for determining position using a handheld personal computer and a cradle

• US 6,587,891 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Janky, Greg, Peetz, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Rijue
• Application Number:
  US10/136,878
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 710/1, 710/2, 710/7, 710/20, 710/33, 710/62, 710/73, 710/101, 710/108, 710/106, 710/207, 710/212, 710/213, 710/15, 710/19, 710/38, 710/63, 710/64, 710/72
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining position using a handheld personal computer. A cradle is disclosed that that is adapted to couple to a handheld personal computer. In one embodiment, the cradle includes projecting members that capture the handheld personal computer and hold it securely in place. The cradle includes a position determining system that is adapted to determine position. Upon coupling the cradle to a handheld personal computer, the cradle is operable to determine position. Once position is determined, the determined position is displayed on the display of the handheld personal computer. The display can include a display of a moving map and an icon indicating the current position relative to the map. All required hardware and software for storing the map database and for determining position are included within the cradle.

Claims

1. A cradle for a handheld personal computer comprising:

a) a housing adapted to selectively couple to a handheld personal computer, said housing includes a cavity that is adapted to receive a handheld personal computer such that a handheld personal computer can be disposed within said cavity so as to securely couple the handheld personal computer to said housing;

b) a connection mechanism disposed in said housing and adapted to electrically couple to a handheld personal computer;

c) a position determination system disposed in said housing and adapted to determine position; and

d) a controller disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said connection mechanism and electrically coupled to said position determination system, said controller adapted to communicate with a handheld personal computer such that position can be determined and coupled to a handheld personal computer.

2. The cradle of claim 1 further comprising:

e) a communication device, said communication device disposed in said housing.

3. The cradle of claim 2 wherein said controller further comprises a microprocessor.

4. The cradle of claim 2 wherein said communication device is a digital communication device.

5. The cradle of claim 4 wherein said digital communication device is a pager.

6. The cradle of claim 2 wherein said communication device is a cellular telephone.

7. The cradle of claim 1 further comprising:

f) a data storage device disposed in said housing and coupled to said controller.

8. The cradle of claim 7 further comprising:

g) a software program that operates on said controller, said software program operable to control the operations of a handheld personal computer such that, upon coupling a handheld personal computer that includes a display to said cradle, said software program generates a visible display on the display of said handheld computer.

9. The cradle of claim 1 further comprising a function key disposed within said housing for receiving user input.

10. A cradle for handheld personal computer comprising:

a) a housing adapted to receive a handheld personal computer, said housing having a main body, a first projecting member projecting proximate one the end of said main body, and a second projecting member projecting proximate the other end of said housing, said first projecting member and said second projecting member adapted to flex with regard to said main body such that a handheld personal computer can be inserted between said first projecting member and said second projecting member, said housing comprises plastic that is selectively flexible so as to allow said first projecting member to flex relative to said main body and said second projecting member to flex relative to said main body;

b) a connection mechanism disposed in said housing such that said connection mechanism extends from said first projecting member, said connection mechanism disposed such that, upon the insertion of a handheld personal computer into said cradle, said connection mechanism is electrically coupled with said handheld personal computer;

c) a position determination system disposed in said housing for determining position; and

d) a controller for controlling the operations of said cradle, said controller coupled to said connection mechanism and coupled to said position determination system, said controller adapted to communicate with a handheld personal computer such that, upon the insertion of a handheld personal computer into said cradle, position determined by said position determination system is coupled to said handheld personal computer.

11. The cradle of claim 10 further comprising:

e) a communication device, said communication device disposed in said housing.

12. The cradle of claim 11 wherein said communication device is a digital communication device.

13. The cradle of claim 11 wherein said communication device is a cellular telephone.

14. The cradle of claim 12 wherein said digital communication device is a pager.

15. The cradle of claim 11 further comprising:

f) a data storage device disposed in said housing and coupled to said controller.

16. The cradle of claim 13 further comprising:

a plurality of function keys, said plurality of function keys adapted to receive user input for initiating the determination of position and adapted to receive user input for storing and recalling waypoints.

17. A method for determining position using a handheld personal computer comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a handheld computer that includes a display device into a cradle adapted to receive said handheld computer, said cradle adapted to electrically couple to said handheld computer, said cradle including a position determination system and a controller, said cradle further including a cavity that is adapted to receive a handheld personal computer such that a handheld personal computer can be disposed within said cavity so as to securely couple the handheld computer to said housing;

b) turning on said handheld computer;

c) determining position upon receiving operator input indicating that position is to be determined; and

d) generating a display on said display device that indicates the position determined in step c).

18. The method for determining position using a handheld personal computer of claim 17 wherein step d) further comprises the step of displaying a map on said display, and displaying an icon on said display, the position of said icon indicating the position of said cradle.