Global positioning system log with low power consumption

• US 7,786,930 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avid Electronics Corp.
• Original Assignee: Avid Electronics Corp.
• Inventors: Chen, Tain-Rein, Nain, Yueh-Yao
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIU, HARRY K
• Application Number:
  US12/196,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20100045524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.06, 342/357.74
• US Class Current: 342/357.74
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption

Abstract

A global positioning system (GPS) log with low power consumption has an antenna, a GPS module, a power control module, a main control module, a power adjusting unit and a memory. The main control module is connected to the GPS module and the power control module to retrieve the computing results of the GPS module and controls the power control module to periodically provide power to the GPS module according to a predetermined and variable power providing period. The power adjusting unit is connected to the main control module, analyzes the computing results of the GPS module and assists the main control module to adjust the power providing period. Since the main control module automatically adjusts the power providing period, the GPS log does not deplete unnecessary power on the GPS module. Therefore, the power consumption of the GPS log is reduced and the GPS operates longer.

Claims

1. A global positioning system (GPS) log with low power consumption comprising:

an antenna;

a GPS module connected to the antenna to receive signals from satellites, computing speed and positions of the GPS log and determining intensity of the signals;

a power control module connected between a power source and the GPS module to provide power to the GPS module;

a main control module connected to the GPS module and the power control module to retrieve the computing results of the GPS module, predetermining a variable power providing period and controlling the power control module to periodically provide power to the GPS module according to the present power providing period;

a power adjusting unit connected to the main control module, analyzing the computing results of the GPS module and assisting the main control module to adjust the power providing period; and

a memory connected to the main control module to store the computing results of the GPS module.

2. The GPS log as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main control module increases the power providing period progressively when the power adjusting unit detects that the speed of the GPS log is zero.

3. The GPS log as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main control module increases the power providing period progressively when the power adjusting unit detects that the position of the GPS log does change.

4. The GPS log as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main control module increases the power providing period progressively when the power adjusting unit detects that signals from the satellites are weak.

5. The GPS log as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main control module decreases the power providing period progressively until the power providing period is equal to the predetermined power providing period when the power adjusting unit detects that the speed of the GPS log is not zero.

6. The GPS log as claimed in claim 3, wherein the main control module decreases the power providing period progressively until the power providing period is equal to the predetermined power providing period when the power adjusting unit detects that the position of the GPS log changes again.

7. The GPS log as claimed in claim 4, wherein the main control module decreases the power providing period progressively t until the power providing period is equal to the predetermined power providing period when the power adjusting unit detects that signals from the satellites are not weak.

8. The GPS log as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.

9. The GPS log as claimed in claim 2, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.

10. The GPS log as claimed in claim 3, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.

11. The GPS log as claimed in claim 4, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.

12. The GPS log as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.

13. The GPS log as claimed in claim 6, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.

14. The GPS log as claimed in claim 7, wherein the power adjusting unit is combined with the main control module in an integrated circuit.