Handheld GPS device

• US 7,382,314 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Inventors: Su, Che-Ying, Tang, Ching-Chung, Liao, Kuo-Chu
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mull; Fred H.
• Application Number:
  US11/643,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20070247364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.15, 342/357.06, 342/374, 455/277.1
• US Class Current: 342/357.76
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1207 for fastening a rigid aerial element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching

Abstract

A handheld GPS device has a device body. A base band processor is installed in the device body. Three antennas with high directivity are respectively installed perpendicular to three surfaces of the device body for receiving GPS signals. A control device is coupled to the base band processor and the antennas with high directivity. At least two switches are respectively coupled to the control device and each of the three switches corresponds to one of the three antennas with high directivity. One of the switches enables the control device to permit the base band processor receiving GPS signal from the corresponding antenna with high directivity when the frame triggers one of the switches.

Claims

1. A handheld GPS device, comprising:

a base band processor;

a plurality of antennas with high directivity for receiving GPS signals;

a control device, coupled to the base band processor and the antennas with high directivity; and

at least two switches, coupled to the control device, wherein one of the switches enables the control device to permit the base band processor receiving GPS signal from one of the antennas with high directivity when a frame triggers one of the switches.

2. The handheld GPS device of claim 1, wherein the switches are electronic switches.

3. The handheld GPS device of claim 1, wherein the switches are mechanical switches.

4. The handheld GPS device of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency processor respectively coupled to the base band processor and the control device.

5. A handheld GPS device, comprising:

a device body, having three holes;

a base band processor, installed in the device body;

three antennas with high directivity, respectively installed perpendicular to three surfaces of the device body for receiving GPS signals;

a control device, coupled to the base band processor and the antennas with high directivity; and

three switches, respectively disposed within three holes of the device body and respectively coupled to the control device and each of three switches correspond to one of three antennas with high directivity, wherein one of the switches being triggered via the corresponding hole enables the control device to permit the base band processor receiving GPS signal from the corresponding antenna with high directivity.

6. The handheld GPS device of claim 5, wherein the three switches are mechanical switches.

7. The handheld GPS device of claim 5, wherein the three holes are located on the three surfaces of the device body.

8. The handheld GPS device of claim 5, wherein the three switches are electronic switches.

9. The handheld GPS device of claim 5, further comprising a radio frequency processor respectively coupled to the base band processor and the control device.

10. The handheld GPS device of claim 5, further comprising a frame for supporting the handheld GPS device, wherein one of the three switches being triggered enables the control device to permit the base band processor receiving GPS signal from the corresponding antenna with high directivity when the handheld GPS device is put on the frame.