Mobile communicator system

• US 5,594,953 A
• Filed: 03/22/1995
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Amsc Subsidiary Corp. (PetIQ, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ross, David J., Williams, Kevin J., Isaacs, Blake L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H.
• Application Number:
  US08/408,526
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 455/89, 455/90, 455/345, 455/347, 455/348, 455/12.1, 455/54.1, 455/351, 340/990, 340/991, 361/680, 361/681, 361/752, 361/757, 361/814, 364/424.01, 364/449
• US Class Current: 455/575.7
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/18 Means for stabilising antennas on an unstable platform
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 Waterproofing of transmission device

Abstract

A mobile satellite system includes a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, and a fleet management system including a central controller. The mobile communication system includes a housing having a shock resistant material. The housing includes end bumpers of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by the housing. The end bumpers each include recessed handles on an upper surface of the mobile communicator system and ribbed protruded finger grips on a bottom surface of the mobile communication system. The mobile communication system also includes an input device for inputting data. The input device comprises a keyboard including a rubber/carbon membrane and mounted in the housing using a first seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between the input device and the housing. The mobile communication system also includes a central processing unit disposed in the housing that receives either data from the input device or sensor data received from the mobile sensing station. The central processing unit also outputs satellite data to the satellite interface system for transmission to the satellite. The mobile communication system further includes a display monitor comprised of tempered glass having the ability to withstand a

Claims

1. In a mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a fleet management system including a central controller receiving/transmitting the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office, the central controller at least one of mapping occurrences of predetermined conditions along a transport route responsive to the satellite message received from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system using a mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing said transport route, and receiving data in the satellite message received from the vehicle, the mobile communication system comprising:

a housing comprised of a shock resistant material, said housing including end bumpers comprised of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by said housing, the end bumpers each including recessed handles on an upper surface of the mobile communicator system and ribbed protruded finger grips on a bottom surface of the mobile communication system;

an input device for inputting data, said input device comprising a keyboard including a rubber/carbon membrane and mounted in said housing using a first seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between said input device and said housing;

a central processing unit, disposed in said housing, and receiving at least one of the data from said input device, and sensor data received from the mobile sensing station, the sensor data including predetermined condition data occurring along said transport route, positional data, time and date data corresponding to each occurrence of the predetermined condition data, and outputting satellite data to the satellite interface system for transmission to the satellite;

a display monitor comprised of tempered glass having the ability to withstand a predetermined impact, said display monitor mounted in said housing using a second seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between said display monitor and said housing.

2. A mobile communication system according to claim 1, further comprising protruding semi-arc portions disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system, the arc portions arranged in a semi-circular shape corresponding to the shape of a steering wheel in the vehicle, the arc portions configured to temporarily position the mobile communication system on the steering wheel for convenience of use.

3. A mobile communication system according to claim 1, further comprising cable organizer means, disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system, for organizing cables to be connected to the mobile communication system and to inhibit interference among the cables.

4. A mobile communication system according to claim 3, wherein said cable organizer means includes a recessed portion in a rectangular shape disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system having a depth substantially corresponding to a thickness of the cables, permitting the mobile communication system to rest levelly on a flat surface.

5. A mobile communication system according to claim 3, wherein said cable organizer means includes a recessed portion in a step-shape disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system, and having a depth substantially corresponding to a thickness of the cables, permitting the mobile communication system to rest levelly on a flat surface.

6. A mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the shock resistant material comprises a polycarbonate type material.

7. A mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seals comprise silicon foam and are attached to said housing using an adhesive.

8. A mobile communication system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one local sensor disposed on the mobile communication system and responsively connected to said central processing unit, said local sensor detecting occurrences of local conditions concerning the mobile communication system and collecting local sensor data representing the local conditions, the local sensor data indicating whether the mobile communication system has experienced adverse conditions.

9. A mobile communication system according to claim 8, wherein said central processing unit receives the local sensor data from said local sensor and determines whether the mobile communication system has experienced the adverse conditions, and if so, displays a warning on said display monitor.

10. A mobile communication system according to claim 8, wherein said central processing unit receives the local sensor data from said local sensor and determines whether the mobile communication system has experienced the adverse conditions, and if so, arranges for the local sensor data to be transmitted to the central controller of the fleet management system.

11. A mobile communication system according to claim 10, wherein said central processing unit arranges for the local sensor data to be transmitted to the central controller of the fleet management system via the satellite interface system, satellite antenna and satellite.

12. In a mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a fleet management system including a central controller receiving/transmitting the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office, the central controller at least one of mapping occurrences of predetermined conditions along a transport route responsive to the satellite message received from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system using a mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing said transport route, and receiving data in the satellite message received from the vehicle, the mobile communication system comprising:

a housing comprised of a shock resistant material, said housing including end bumpers comprised of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by said housing, the end bumpers each including recessed handles on an upper surface of the mobile communicator system and ribbed protruded finger grips on a bottom surface of the mobile communication system;

an input device for inputting data, said input device comprising a keyboard including a rubber/carbon membrane and mounted in said housing using a first seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between said input device and said housing;

a central processing unit, disposed in said housing, and receiving at least one of the data from said input device, and sensor data received from the mobile sensing station;

a display monitor comprised of tempered glass having the ability to withstand a predetermined impact, said display monitor mounted in said housing using a second seal to prevent fluid from entering between said display monitor and said housing.