Portable device with integrated radio receiver

• US 9,584,963 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2013
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Yu, Ching-Tun, Huang, Tung-Che, Strik, Marino, van den Elzen, Jan Johannes Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US14/427,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20150230049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4022 using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network G06F13/4009 takes precedence
• 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: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

A radio receiver 516 for receiving travel information, such as traffic events or the like, and optionally parts 520, 522 of an antenna therefor, are located within a housing 512 of a portable device having location determining capability, such as a PND 510. A common port 514 is used for connection both to data and power, for example in a home environment, and also to receive signals from the antenna, for example in a vehicle environment, with a switch 518 being provided within the device for switching between the two.

Claims

1. A mobile device having location determining means and a processor, located within a housing, and having a port for connection to a data cable for communicating data and a radio receiver for receiving travel information, the device further comprising a switch arranged in use to control the device to either communicate data via a data cable connected to the port or to receive travel information from a radio antenna connected to the port, wherein the device is configured to receive power from an external source via a combined radio antenna and power cable connected to the port.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to receive power from an external source via a combined data and power cable connected to the port.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device also includes part of an radio antenna located within the housing.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the radio receiver comprises an RDS-TMC receiver.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the port comprises a USB connection.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the switch comprises an automatic switch.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the switch comprises a FET switch.

8. A device according to claim 1, in which the port comprises a number of port-side connectors or pins for connecting with a number of corresponding cable-side connectors or pins, and at least one of the pins comprises a selector pin and is arranged in use to communicate a selection signal for controlling the switch.

9. A device according to claim 1, in which the device comprises a first common mode filter, as part of the antenna to reduce interference from the device.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the first common mode filter is located within the housing.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a low noise amplifier (LNA), as part of the antenna.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the low noise amplifier is located within the housing.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a second common mode filter, within the housing, to reduce any interference from the data communication.

14. A system for receiving radio signals representative of travel information, the system comprising:

a mobile device having location determining means and a processor, located within a housing, and having a port for connection to a data cable for communicating data and a radio receiver for receiving travel information; and

an antenna cable assembly, including a radio antenna, connectable to the port, the device further comprising a switch arranged in use to control the device to either communicate data via a data cable connected to the port or to receive travel information from the antenna cable assembly when connected to the port, wherein the antenna cable assembly comprises a power adapter arranged in use to connect to a power source for supplying power to the device from an external source when the antenna cable assembly is connected to the port.

15. A system according to claim 14, comprising a low noise amplifier, as part of the antenna.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the low noise amplifier is located within the housing of the device or within the antenna cable assembly.

17. A system according to claim 14, wherein the system includes a first common mode filter, as part of the antenna, to reduce interference from the device.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the first common mode filter is located within the housing of the device or within the antenna cable assembly.