Integrated connection assembly for global positioning system (GPS) receiver and personal digital assistance (PDA) device and cellular phone

• US 7,151,950 B1
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pharos Science & Applications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pharos Science & Applications Incorporated
• Inventors: Wang, Anchyun, Oyang, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Gary, Erika A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AFSHAR, KAMRAN
• Application Number:
  US10/962,345
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 4555561-5562, 455/557, 455/559, 455/569.2, 455/575, 455571-572, 455/550.1, 455/41.2, 455/90.3, 455345-349, 701/1, 701/10, 340/825.52, 349/502
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence

Abstract

A complete and versatile solution that offers a comprehensive suite of integral products for electrical coupling and electronic communication and data-transfer between GPS receivers and portable electronic devices such as PDA device, cellular phones, notebook or laptop computers, etc., that utilizes various interfacing devices and technologies including USB ports, Compact/Flash cards, PC cards, and BlueTooth enabled wireless capacities, etc.

Claims

1. An integrated connection assembly for a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a personal digital assistance (PDA) device or cellular phone that has a Compact/Flash card slot, comprising:

a. an integral adaptor having an upper section and a lower section;

b. said upper section of said integral adaptor having a flat extended backing panel and two oppositely disposed wrapped-around side guards for receiving and retaining said GPS receiver;

c. said lower section of said integral adaptor having internal integrated circuitry components for carrying out electronic communication and data-transfer with said PDA device or cellular phone, and an external profile of a Compact/Flash card for insertion into said Compact/Flash card slot of said PDA device or cellular phone;

d. a terminal connector integrally formed at the junction of said upper and lower sections of said integral adaptor for connection with a terminal port of said GPS receiver; and

e. said terminal connector connected to said internal integrated circuitry components of said integral adaptor for establishing electrical continuity and electronic communication and data-transfer between said GPS receiver and said PDA device or cellular phone through said integral adaptor.

2. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said terminal port of said GPS receiver is a female slot and said terminal connector of said integral adaptor is a complementary male connector.

3. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said GPS receiver is powered by said PDA device or cellular phone when it is connected said PDA or cellular phone by said integral adaptor.

4. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a cable link assembly which comprises:

a. a power adapter having an external power connector adapted to be connected to an external power source for obtaining electrical power, and an internal transformer and charger for converting said external electrical power to a direct current power suitable for said PDA device or cellular phone;

b. a PDA or cellular phone connector for connecting to said PDA device or cellular phone; and

c. a cable link for electrically and electronically interconnecting and coupling said power adapter and said PDA or cellular phone connector to provide said direct current power to said PDA device or cellular phone.

5. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein said external power connector of said power adapter is a plug designed to be connected to a vehicle power socket for obtaining power from a vehicle power source.

6. An integrated connection assembly for a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a portable electronic device that is BlueTooth enabled, comprising:

a. an integral docking station having a housing and internal integrated circuitry components for carrying out wireless electronic communication and data-transfer based on BlueTooth technology with said BlueTooth enabled portable electronic device;

b. said housing of said docking station also having a top surface with a recess for receiving and retaining said GPS receiver;

c. an electrical power source for providing electrical power to said internal integrated circuitry components of said docking station;

d. said docking station further having a terminal connector integrally formed with said housing and located adjacent to said recess at said top surface of said housing for connection with a terminal port of said GPS receiver; and

e. said terminal connector connected to said internal integrated circuitry components of said docking station for powering said GPS receiver and establishing electronic communication and data-transfer between said GPS receiver and said BlueTooth enabled portable electronic device through said docking station.

7. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said terminal port of said GPS receiver is a female slot and said terminal connector of said docking station is a complementary male connector.

8. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said BlueTooth enabled portable electronic device is a personal digital assistance (PDA) device.

9. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said BlueTooth enabled portable electronic device is a cellular phone.

10. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said BlueTooth enabled portable electronic device is a notebook computer.

11. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said BlueTooth enabled portable electronic device is a laptop computer.

12. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said electrical power source of said docking station is provided by at least one internal battery.

13. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a cable link assembly which comprises:

a. a power adapter having an external power connector adapted to be connected to an external power source for obtaining electrical power, and an internal transformer and charger for converting said external electrical power to a direct current power suitable for said integral docking station, said GPS receiver, and said portable electronic device;

b. a filter unit having internal filter circuitry for preventing interferences between said GPS receiver through said docking station and said portable electronic device;

c. a docking station connector for connecting to said docking station;

d. a portable electronic device connector for connecting to said portable electronic device; and

e. a cable link for electrically and electronically interconnecting and coupling said power adapter, said filter unit, said docking station connecter and said portable electronic device connector to provide said direct current power to said GPS receiver through said docking station and to said portable electronic device.

14. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein said external power connector of said power adapter is a plug designed to be connected to a vehicle power socket for obtaining power from a vehicle power source.

15. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein said filter unit is connected between said docking station connecter and said portable electronic device connecter.

16. An integrated connection assembly for a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a portable computer having an interface device, comprising:

a. a GPS receiver connector for connecting to said GPS receiver;

b. an interface connector for connecting to said interface device of said portable computer;

c. a filter unit having internal filter circuitry for preventing interferences between said GPS receiver and said portable computer; and

d. a cable link for electrically and electronically interconnecting and coupling said GPS receiver connector, said interface connecter and said filter unit, to establish electrical continuity and electronic communication between said GPS receiver and said portable computer, wherein at least portion of the cable link between said GPS receiver connector and said interface connector is cable of providing data-transfer therebetween.

17. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein said portable computer is a notebook computer.

18. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein said portable computer is a laptop computer.

19. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein said interface device is an USB port.

20. The integrated connection assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein said interface device comprises a PC card slot and said interface connecter comprises a PC card.