Portable navigation device with instant on configuration on navigational display

• US 7,099,775 B1
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Hanshew, Christopher J., Haigh, Richard J., Walters, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/389,467
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 701207-213, 701214-215, 701/25, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/550.1, 455/461, 455/419, 455/575.5, 455/575.1, 455/575.7, 455/557, 455/418, 455/90.1, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/575.2, 455/575.3, 455/575.4, 455/575.6, 455/575.8, 455/575.9, 455 95- 99, 343/702, 343/713, 343/757, 343/901, 343/906, 343/863, 342/359, 342/572, 342/383, 379/90.1, 379/93.01, 379/102.2, 379/428.01, 379/428.02, 379/428.03, 379/428.04, 379/433.01, 379/433.04, 379/433.06, 379/433.11, 379/433.12, 379/433.13, 379/433.07, 345/905, 340/995.1
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A multi-function, portable, electronic device includes a housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a display in communication with the processor and positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A deployment indicator indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.

Claims

1. A personal digital assistant (PDA), comprising:

a housing, the housing including a processor, a memory, and a display in communication with one another, wherein the housing further includes a cavity;

a PDA component operable to perform one or more PDA functions;

a navigation component operable to perform one or more navigation functions;

a global positioning system (GPS) antenna integrally and pivotally attached to the housing and moveable between a first position, in which the antenna substantially fits within the cavity of the housing, and one or more second positions; and

a Hall Effect switch associated with the housing and the antenna to control switching between the first and the second component and which is actuable by the position of the antenna.

2. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the navigation component is actuated by the Hall effect switch when the antenna is located in the one or more second positions.

3. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the PDA component is actuated by the Hall Effect switch when the antenna is located in the first position.

4. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the PDA further includes a wireless voice network communication capability.

5. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the pivotally attached antenna further includes a cam member, and wherein the cam member causes the GPS antenna to tend toward one or more particular positions including the first position and the one or more second positions.

6. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the Hall Effect switch, actuable by the position of the antenna, is further operable to provide one or more pre-configurable user interfaces to the display.