METHOD OF MANAGING MULTIPLE VEHICLE ANTENNAS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of managing multiple vehicle antennas, comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting and receiving signals through a primary antenna system having a housing, one or more antennas, and a monitoring circuit located on a vehicle;
(b) detecting when the performance of the primary antenna system has been degraded below a selected level in which transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals through the primary antenna system is impeded;
(c) ending the transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals of signals through the primary antenna system; and
(d) beginning the transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals of signals through a secondary antenna system having a separate housing and one or more antennas located within the vehicle.
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Abstract
A system and method of managing multiple vehicle antennas. Wireless signals to and from the vehicle are communicated via a primary antenna system having one or more antennas mounted in a housing on the vehicle. Operation of the primary antenna system is monitored so that, if the primary antenna system is broken or otherwise stops working properly, the system switches to a secondary antenna system housed in a separate location on the vehicle.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing multiple vehicle antennas, comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting and receiving signals through a primary antenna system having a housing, one or more antennas, and a monitoring circuit located on a vehicle; (b) detecting when the performance of the primary antenna system has been degraded below a selected level in which transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals through the primary antenna system is impeded; (c) ending the transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals of signals through the primary antenna system; and (d) beginning the transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals of signals through a secondary antenna system having a separate housing and one or more antennas located within the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of managing multiple vehicle antennas, comprising the steps of:
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(a) installing a telematics unit in a vehicle, wherein the telematics unit is capable of transmitting and receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, cellular signals, or both; (b) linking an antenna switch module to the telematics unit, wherein the module receives the GPS signals or cellular signals from the telematics unit or a primary antenna system; (c) communicating the GPS signals or cellular signals between the antenna switch module and the primary antenna system having a housing, one or more antennas, and a monitoring circuit located on the vehicle; and (d) communicating the GPS signals or cellular signals between the antenna switch module and a secondary antenna system having a separate housing and one or more antennas located within the vehicle when the antenna switch module detects when the performance of the primary antenna system has been degraded below a selected level in which the primary antenna system is unable to transmit the GPS signals or cellular signals. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A multiple antenna system for a vehicle, comprising:
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(a) a telematics unit installed on a vehicle for transmitting and receiving signals; (b) a primary antenna system for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the telematics unit during normal vehicle operation; (c) a diagnostic conductor located with the primary antenna system for indicating whether the primary antenna system has been degraded below a certain level; (d) a secondary antenna system for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the telematics unit when the primary antenna system has been degraded below a selected level; and (e) an RF switch connected in circuit to direct the transmission and reception of signals away from the primary antenna system and to the secondary antenna system when the when the performance of the primary antenna system has been degraded below a selected level in which transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving signals through the primary antenna system is impeded. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification