Apparatus and method for I/O management in a mobile environment wherein access to data from a wireless signal is restricted based on a persistent unique hardware identification

• US 7,165,123 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George W. Hindman
• Original Assignee: Keystone Autonics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hindman, George William
• Primary Examiner(s): Peyton, Tammara
• Application Number:
  US09/956,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20020016870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,945 Days
• Field of Search: 710/2, 710/3, 710/5, 710/62, 710/64, 701/29, 701/207, 701/211, 701/216, 701/217, 701/220, 709/217
• US Class Current: 710/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/10 by using measurements of speed or acceleration G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a robust and configurable mobile computer architecture with navigation computational capabilities. The present invention further provides a bus network which allows for an efficient and durable Input/Output (I/O) management system. The I/O management system has configurable connections to allow for modular addition, expansion, or replacement of navigation, crash detection, and communication line replacement units (LRUs). Additional I/O device connections allow several modes of input into the computational system. The present invention is a single, self-contained unit and provides an accessible user interface to the computer system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for input/output management in a mobile computing environment comprising:

a computer system comprising;

a processor;

an input device;

an output display;

wherein the computer system responds to data received from the input device and outputs data to the output display;

a unit configured to receive a wireless signal and perform a function in the mobile environment in cooperation with the computer system, the unit having a persistent unique hardware identification used to restrict access to data received at the unit via the wireless signal;

a data bus coupled to the computer system and the unit for transferring unit data information;

a discrete line coupled to the computer system and the unit for transferring discrete information; and

wherein the unit communicates the persistent unique hardware identification to the computer system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is used to restrict unit functions to authorized users.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer system is operable to display the persistent unique hardware identification on the output display.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile environment is an automobile.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises a head unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal is a satellite signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus and discrete line comprise an integrated bus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said unit and said computer system are an integrated device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit and the computer system are an integrated device and the unit is configured to:

receive the wireless signal from a satellite.

10. A method of communicating data in a mobile environment comprising:

at a unit in the mobile environment with a persistent unique hardware identification;

receiving a wireless signal at the unit;

transferring unit data information across a data bus to a computer system in the mobile environment;

receiving a discrete signal across a discrete line;

at the computer system in the mobile environment;

receiving the unit data information from the unit across the data bus; and

generating an output display based on the unit data information;

wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is used to restrict access to data received at the unit via the wireless signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is used to restrict unit functions to authorized users.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is displayed on an output display.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the wireless signal is a satellite signal.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the unit and the computer system are integrated.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the unit is further configured to process the satellite signal to extract a set of data.

16. An apparatus for input/output management in a mobile computing environment comprising:

a computer system comprising;

a processor;

an input device;

an output display;

wherein the computer system responds to data received from the input device and outputs date to the output display;

a unit configured to receive a wireless signal and perform a function in the mobile environment in cooperation with the computer system, the unit having a persistent unique hardware identification used to restrict access to data received at the unit via the wireless signal;

a data bus coupled to the computer system and the unit for transferring unit data information; and

wherein the unit communicates the persistent unique hardware identification to the computer system.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is used to restrict unit functions to authorized users.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the computer system is operable to display the persistent unique hardware identification on the output display.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mobile environment is an automobile.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the computer system comprises a head unit.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wireless signal is a satellite signal.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said unit and said computer system are an integrated device.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the unit end the computer system are an integrated device and the unit is configured to:

receive a the wireless signal from a satellite.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a discrete line coupled to the computer system and the unit for transferring discrete information.

25. A method of communicating data in a mobile environment comprising:

at a unit in the mobile environment with a persistent unique hardware identification;

receiving a wireless signal at the unit;

transferring unit data information across a data bus to a computer system in the mobile environment; and

at the computer system in the mobile environment;

receiving the unit data information from the unit across the data bus; and

generating an output display based on the set-of unit data information;

wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is used to restrict access to data received at the unit via the wireless signal.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is used to restrict unit functions to authorized users.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the persistent unique hardware identification is displayed on an output display.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the wireless signal is a satellite signal.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the a unit and the computer system are integrated.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the unit communicates the unit data information to a computer system that comprises a head unit.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the unit is further configured to process the satellite signal to extract a set of data.