Navigation system with swivel sensor mount

• US 8,315,797 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Navigation Solutions, LLC (Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Navigation Solutions, LLC (Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Allen, David W., Spencer, Larry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sample, Jonathan L
• Application Number:
  US12/139,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20080312829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,618 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/444
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• 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 navigation system provides sensors and a user interface mounted in a single unit while allowing individual users to make adjustments to the user interface without affecting the functionality of the device. This is accomplished by mounting the orientation sensitive sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyros, etc) rigidly to a mounting bracket rigidly mounted to the vehicle (such as to the dashboard). The sensors are mounted within a ball rigidly mounted to the bracket and the ball is secured within a rotatable socket on the user interface enclosure. In this manner, the user interface enclosure can rotate on the ball, but the orientation of the sensors relative to the vehicle will remain the same.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a bracket for rigidly connecting to a vehicle;

a ball extending rigidly from the bracket;

at least one sensor rigidly mounted to the ball;

a housing having a socket rotatably connected to the ball; and

a display mounted to the housing.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor includes a gyro.

4. The system of claim 1 further including a processor within the housing, the at least one sensor connected to the processor.

5. The system of claim 4 further including a map database stored within the housing and accessible by the processor for navigation.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the display provides a user interface generated by the processor.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one sensor includes a gyro.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor includes a GPS receiver.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the ball is connected to the bracket by a lockable, pivotable joint.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor rotates together with the ball.

11. A system comprising:

a bracket assembly for connecting to a vehicle;

at least one sensor mounted to the bracket assembly;

a housing pivotably connected to the bracket assembly; and

a display mounted to the housing and configured to pivot together with the housing relative to the bracket assembly, wherein the at least one sensor is at least partially disposed within the housing.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer, such that the accelerometer maintains a constant orientation relative to the vehicle and the bracket assembly throughout a range of pivoting between the housing and the bracket assembly.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor includes a gyro.

14. The system of claim 12 further including a processor within the housing, the at least one sensor connected to the processor.

15. The system of claim 14 further including a map database stored within the housing and accessible by the processor for navigation.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the display provides a user interface generated by the processor.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one sensor is connected to the bracket by a lockable, pivotable joint.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one sensor includes a GPS receiver.

20. The system of claim 11 wherein a position of the at least one sensor is fixed relative to the bracket assembly.