GPS with radar detector

• US 7,928,891 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IP Power Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Edward Zheng
• Inventors: Zheng, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory; Bernarr E
• Application Number:
  US12/284,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20090072118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 342 13- 20, 342/89, 342/175, 34235701-35717, 342/176, 342/195, 342/350, 342/352, 342/357.21, 342/357.22, 342/357.25, 701200-225, 701/1, 701/70, 701 93- 98, 439296-298, 439/374, 359/838, 359871-883, 248682-688, 248/200, 248/274.1, 24828811-29751, 248/466, 248/489, 248/495, 248/496, 455/73, 455/550.1, 455/561, 4555751-5759, 455/7, 455/11.1, 455/12.1, 455 131- 134, 362/459, 362/487, 362/494
• US Class Current: 342/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted

Abstract

A GPS system includes a frame having a window, a GPS navigator supported by the frame, wherein a display of the GPS navigator is facing opposite to the window of the frame, a radar detector received in the frame to align with the window thereof, and an attaching element attaching the GPS system to an interior side surface of a vehicle such that the display of the GPS navigator is rearwardly facing towards the driver while the radar detector is forwardly sending out detecting signal through the window of the frame. The GPS system integrates the two important driving assistant equipments together, occupies minimal mounting space, and utilize only one car power outlet.

Claims

1. A GPS apparatus for a vehicle having a mounting surface, comprising:

a frame having a window provided at a first side of said frame;

a GPS navigator supported by said frame at a second opposed side thereof, wherein a display of the GPS navigator is facing opposite to said window of said frame;

a radar detector received in said frame to align with said window thereof for detecting a radar signal; and

a supporting arm detachably attaching said frame to said mounting surface of said vehicle, such that said display of said GPS navigator is rearwardly facing towards a driver while said radar detector is adapted for forwardly detecting said radar signal through said window of said frame.

2. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power supply element which is electrically coupling with both said GPS navigator and said radar detector and is adapted for electrically connecting with a power outlet of said vehicle, so as to supply electrical energy to said GPS navigator and said radar detector at the same time.

3. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said frame has a horizontal bottom portion receiving said radar detector therein and defining said window at a front end of said horizontal bottom portion, and a vertical portion upwardly extending from said horizontal bottom portion to support said GPS navigator at said vertical portion in a vertically standing manner so as to ensure said display of said GPS navigator facing towards said driver.

4. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 3, further comprising a first connector seat provided at a bottom side of said horizontal bottom portion of said frame at a position below said radar detector, and a second connector seat provided at a front side of said vertical portion of said frame at a position above said radar detector, wherein said supporting arm has a suction end adapted for securely mounting at said mounting surface of said vehicle and an opposed detachable attaching end selectively coupling with one of said first and second connectors to prevent said window of said frame from being blocked by said supporting arm, such that when said detachable attaching end of said supporting arm is coupled with said first connector seat, said suction end of said supporting arm is adapted for mounting at a dashboard as said mounting surface of said vehicle, and when said detachable attaching end of said supporting arm is coupled with said second connector seat, said suction end of said supporting arm is adapted for mounting at a windshield as said mounting surface of said vehicle.

5. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said suction end of said supporting arm comprises a suction cup adapted for detachably mounting at said mounting surface of said vehicle by means of suction.

6. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 5, wherein said GPS navigator is detachably mounted at said frame such that said GPS navigator forms a portable navigator when said GPS navigator is detached from said frame.

7. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 6, wherein said GPS navigator is communicatively linked to said radar detector through said frame such that said GPS navigator not only displays GPS signal on said display but also outputs radar signal detected by said radar detector.

8. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 7, wherein said frame comprises a power connector protruded therefrom to electrically couple with a terminal of said GPS navigator when said GPS navigator is supported at said frame so as to not only supply power to said GPS navigator but also communicate said GPS navigator with said radar detector.

9. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein said GPS navigator further comprises a rechargeable battery not only self-supplies power to said GSP navigator but also supplies power to said radar device when said power supply element is disconnected with said power outlet of said vehicle.

10. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said frame comprises a power connector protruded therefrom to electrically couple with a terminal of said GPS navigator when said GPS navigator is supported at said frame so as to not only supply power to said GPS navigator but also communicate said GPS navigator with said radar detector.

11. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said GPS navigator further comprises a rechargeable battery not only self-supplies power to said GSP navigator but also supplies power to said radar device when said power supply element is disconnected with said power outlet of said vehicle.

12. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said GPS navigator is detachably mounted at said frame such that said GPS navigator forms a portable navigator when said GPS navigator is detached from said frame.

13. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said GPS navigator is communicatively linked to said radar detector through said frame such that said GPS navigator not only displays GPS signal on said display but also outputs radar signal detected by said radar detector.

14. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said GPS navigator further comprises a rechargeable battery not only self-supplies power to said GPS navigator but also supplies power to said radar device when said power supply element is disconnected with said power outlet of said vehicle.

15. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame has a horizontal bottom portion receiving said radar detector therein and defining said window at a front end of said horizontal bottom portion, and a vertical portion upwardly extending from said horizontal bottom portion to support said GPS navigator at said vertical portion in a vertically standing manner so as to ensure said display of said GPS navigator facing towards said driver.

16. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 15, further comprising a first connector seat provided at a bottom side of said horizontal bottom portion of said frame at a position below said radar detector, and a second connector seat provided at a front side of said vertical portion of said frame at a position above said radar detector, wherein said supporting arm has a suction end adapted for securely mounting at said mounting surface of said vehicle and an opposed detachable attaching end selectively coupling with one of said first and second connectors to prevent said window of said frame from being blocked by said supporting arm, such that when said detachable attaching end of said supporting arm is coupled with said first connector seat, said suction end of said supporting arm is adapted for mounting at a dashboard as said mounting surface of said vehicle, and when said detachable attaching end of said supporting arm is coupled with said second connector seat, said suction end of said supporting arm is adapted for mounting at a windshield as said mounting surface of said vehicle.

17. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 16, wherein said suction end of said supporting arm comprises a suction cup adapted for detachably mounting at said mounting surface of said vehicle by means of suction.

18. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said GPS navigator is detachably mounted at said frame such that said GPS navigator forms a portable navigator when said GPS navigator is detached from said frame.

19. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said GPS navigator is communicatively linked to said radar detector through said frame such that said GPS navigator not only displays GPS signal on said display but also outputs radar signal detected by said radar detector.

20. The GPS apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a power connector protruded therefrom to electrically couple with a terminal of said GPS navigator when said GPS navigator is supported at said frame so as to not only supply power to said GPS navigator but also communicate said GPS navigator with said radar detector.