US6182006B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Navigation system remote control unit with data caddy functionality
Assignee: Here Global BV
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Filing: 1999-06-01
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2019-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved remote control unit for an in-vehicle navigation system and methods for use thereof. The improved remote control unit includes a re-writable data storage memory and a data reception interface through which data from an external computing device can be transmitted to the remote control unit and stored in the re-writable data storage memory. The remote control unit also includes appropriate programming that provides for receiving data from an external computing device, storing the data in the re-writable data storage memory, and then transmitting the stored data from the re-writable data storage memory to the in-vehicle navigation system from a data transmission interface of the improved remote control unit. The improved remote control unit can also be used to transfer data from the in-vehicle navigation system to an external computing device. In one embodiment, the data reception interface is implemented by replacing the uni-directional infrared transmitter of a conventional remote control unit with a bi-directional infrared interface capable of both transmitting and receiving data.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Meek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/36; G01C21/3605; G01C21/362; G01C21/3688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An improved remote control unit for a navigation system, wherein the navigation system is installed in a vehicle and wherein said improved remote control unit comprises: a housing removable from said vehicle and having a size suitable for holding in a hand of a driver of said vehicle; an energy supply mounted in said housing; a user interface located on said housing by which the driver can manually input commands for control of said navigation system; a data transmission interface located on said housing by which data signals embodying the commands input by the driver are transmitted from said housing to a data input port on said navigation system wherein said data transmission interface is coupled to receive energy for operation thereof from said energy supply; a re-writable data storage memory located in said housing; a data reception interface located on said housing through which data from an external computing device other than the navigation system can be input into said re-writable memory; and programming stored within said housing providing for operating the data reception interface to receive data therefrom for temporary storage in said re-writable data storage memory and transmission therefrom via said data transmission interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An improved remote control unit for a navigation system, wherein the navigation system is installed in a vehicle and wherein said improved remote control unit comprises: a housing removable from said vehicle and having a size suitable for holding in a hand of a driver of said vehicle; an energy supply mounted in said housing; a user interface located on said housing by which the driver can manually input commands for control of said navigation system; a data transmission interface located on said housing by which data signals embodying the commands input by the driver are transmitted from said housing to a data input port on said navigation system wherein said data transmission interface is coupled to receive energy for operation thereof from said energy supply; a re-writable data storage memory located in said housing; a data reception interface located on said housing through which data from an external computing device other than the navigation system can be input into said re-writable memory; and programming stored within said housing providing for operating the data reception interface to receive data therefrom for temporary storage in said re-writable data storage memory and transmission therefrom via said data transmission interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said remote control unit is removably mountable in a bracket located in said vehicle adjacent to said navigation system installed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said data transmission interface of said remote control unit is a wireless interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said data transmission interface of said remote control unit is an infrared interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said data transmission interface and said data reception interface of said remote control unit are parts of a bi-directional interface of said remote control unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said bi-directional interface of said remote control unit is an infrared interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
A remote control unit for a navigation system, wherein said navigation system is installed in a vehicle, said remote control unit comprising: a housing removable from said vehicle and having a size suitable for holding in a hand of a driver of said vehicle; a user interface located on said housing by which the driver can manually input commands for control of said navigation system; a re-writable data storage memory located in said housing; a bi-directional signaling interface located on said housing by which data embodying said commands input by the driver are transmitted from said housing to a data input port on said navigation system and through which data from another computing device can be input into said re-writable data storage memory; and programming stored within said housing and providing for operating the bi-directional signaling interface to receive data therethrough for temporary storage in said re-writable data storage memory and transmission therefrom via said bi-directional signaling interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
158 words
A remote control unit for a navigation system, wherein said navigation system is installed in a vehicle, said remote control unit comprising: a housing removable from said vehicle and having a size suitable for holding in a hand of a driver of said vehicle; a user interface located on said housing by which the driver can manually input commands for control of said navigation system; a re-writable data storage memory located in said housing; a bi-directional signaling interface located on said housing by which data embodying said commands input by the driver are transmitted from said housing to a data input port on said navigation system and through which data from another computing device can be input into said re-writable data storage memory; and programming stored within said housing and providing for operating the bi-directional signaling interface to receive data therethrough for temporary storage in said re-writable data storage memory and transmission therefrom via said bi-directional signaling interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 7 further comprising: an energy supply mounted in said housing; and wherein said bi-directional signaling interface is coupled to receive energy for operation thereof from said energy supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said bi-directional interface is an infrared interface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of transferring data from an external computing device to an in-vehicle navigation system comprising: removing a remote control unit of said in-vehicle navigation system from a vehicle in which said in-vehicle navigation system is installed; coupling a data port of the remote control unit to an external computing device located outside the vehicle; transmitting data from the external computing device to the remote control unit; storing the transmitted data in a re-writable memory of the remote control unit; conveying the remote control unit back to the vehicle; and transmitting the data stored in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the in-vehicle navigation system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of transferring data from an external computing device to an in-vehicle navigation system comprising: removing a remote control unit of said in-vehicle navigation system from a vehicle in which said in-vehicle navigation system is installed; coupling a data port of the remote control unit to an external computing device located outside the vehicle; transmitting data from the external computing device to the remote control unit; storing the transmitted data in a re-writable memory of the remote control unit; conveying the remote control unit back to the vehicle; and transmitting the data stored in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the in-vehicle navigation system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said steps of transmitting data from the external computing device and transmitting data to the in-vehicle navigation system are performed using infrared signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said steps of transmitting data from the external computing device and transmitting data to the in-vehicle navigation system are performed through a bi-directional interface of said remote control unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: after the step of transmitting the data stored in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the in-vehicle navigation system, removing the remote control unit from the vehicle again; coupling the data port of the remote control unit to the external computing device located outside the vehicle again; transmitting data from the external computing device and the remote control unit again; and storing the data transmitted again in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit again including the step of writing over data previously stored in the re-writable memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: after the step of storing the data transmitted again in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit again, conveying the remote control unit back to the vehicle again; and transmitting the data stored again in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the in-vehicle navigation system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of: after the step of removing a remote control unit of said in-vehicle navigation system, carrying the remote control unit from the vehicle to the external computing device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the data transmitted from the external computing device to the remote control unit represents desired destinations.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of transferring data from an in-vehicle navigation system to an external computing device comprising: transmitting data from the in-vehicle navigation system to a remote control unit of said in-vehicle navigation system; storing the transmitted data in a re-writable memory of the remote control unit; removing the remote control unit from a vehicle in which said in-vehicle navigation system is installed; coupling a data port of the remote control unit to an external computing device located outside the vehicle; and transmitting the data stored in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the external computing device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of transferring data from an in-vehicle navigation system to an external computing device comprising: transmitting data from the in-vehicle navigation system to a remote control unit of said in-vehicle navigation system; storing the transmitted data in a re-writable memory of the remote control unit; removing the remote control unit from a vehicle in which said in-vehicle navigation system is installed; coupling a data port of the remote control unit to an external computing device located outside the vehicle; and transmitting the data stored in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the external computing device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising: after the step of transmitting the data stored in the re-writable memory of the remote control unit to the external computing device, conveying the remote control unit back to the vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the data transmitted from the in-vehicle navigation system to the remote control unit includes expense-related data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said steps of transmitting data from the in-vehicle navigation system and transmitting data to the external computing device are performed using infrared signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said steps of transmitting data from the in-vehicle navigation system and transmitting data to the external computing device are performed through a bi-directional interface of said remote control unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |