US6539306B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive mirror with integrated Loran components
Assignee: Gentex Corp
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Filing: 2001-06-15
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Granted: 2003-03-25
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Expires: 2021-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle includes a mirror assembly comprising components of a Loran positioning system. The mirror assembly may include an H-field antenna, receiver circuitry, a processor, memory, or a user interface. The Loran system communicates received data with various other vehicle systems over a data bus. Location data obtained from the Loran system is used to ascertain vehicle location, speed, and heading. Further, data from the Loran system is used to improve the accuracy and availability of GPS positioning data and to calibrate the vehicle compass and odometer. The accuracy of GPS position estimates is improved by combining data from both positioning systems. The GPS data is further improved by differential GPS (DGPS) data received by the Loran positioning system and communicated to the GPS positioning system. The availability of the GPS is improved since less than four channels of satellite signals are needed when combined with the Loran signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Turnbull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/36; G01C21/3626
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An automotive mirror apparatus comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; a Loran receiver circuit mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, wherein said Loran receiver circuit is in communication with at least one other vehicle system, and a Loran antenna in communication with said Loran receiver circuit, wherein said Loran antenna is an H-field antenna and is mounted at a vehicle location selected from the group consisting of: inside rearview mirror assembly, outside rearview mirror assembly, windshield, window glass, rear window, instrument panel, rear window deck, trunk, roof, CHMSL, overhead console, sunvisor, and headliner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An automotive mirror apparatus comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; a Loran receiver circuit mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, wherein said Loran receiver circuit is in communication with at least one other vehicle system, and a Loran antenna in communication with said Loran receiver circuit, wherein said Loran antenna is an H-field antenna and is mounted at a vehicle location selected from the group consisting of: inside rearview mirror assembly, outside rearview mirror assembly, windshield, window glass, rear window, instrument panel, rear window deck, trunk, roof, CHMSL, overhead console, sunvisor, and headliner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The automotive mirror apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said Loran receiver circuit is mounted in said mirror housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The automotive mirror apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said Loran receiver circuit is mounted in said mounting foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
An automotive mirror apparatus comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; and a Loran receiver circuit mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, wherein said Loran receiver circuit is in communication with at least one other vehicle system, wherein said at least one other vehicle system is selected from the group consisting of: a telematics system, a navigation system, a SPS system, an entertainment system, a compass, an electrochromic mirror circuit, an odometer, and headlamp controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An automotive mirror apparatus comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; and a Loran receiver circuit mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, wherein said Loran receiver circuit is in communication with at least one other vehicle system, wherein said at least one other vehicle system is selected from the group consisting of: a telematics system, a navigation system, a SPS system, an entertainment system, a compass, an electrochromic mirror circuit, an odometer, and headlamp controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
An interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; and a Loran positioning system having a component mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, said Loran positioning system generating Loran data and wherein information derived from said Loran data is communicated to a vehicle occupant, wherein said Loran positioning system is in communication with at least one vehicle system selected from the group consisting of: a telematics system, an SPS system, an entertainment system, a compass system, an odometer, an electrochromic mirror circuit, a moisture sensing system, and a headlamp controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
An interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; and a Loran positioning system having a component mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, said Loran positioning system generating Loran data and wherein information derived from said Loran data is communicated to a vehicle occupant, wherein said Loran positioning system is in communication with at least one vehicle system selected from the group consisting of: a telematics system, an SPS system, an entertainment system, a compass system, an odometer, an electrochromic mirror circuit, a moisture sensing system, and a headlamp controller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , wherein said component of said Loran positioning system is selected from the group consisting of a Loran antenna, a Loran receiver circuit, a processor, and a user interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 6 , wherein said Loran antenna is an H-field antenna.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 6 , wherein said Loran receiver circuit includes a correlator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , wherein said component of said Loran positioning system is mounted to said mirror housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , wherein said component of said Loran positioning system is mounted to said mounting foot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , further comprising an SPS system generating SPS data and wherein said Loran positioning system generates Loran data, wherein said SPS data is combined with said Loran data to yield an improved position estimate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , further comprising an SPS system generating SPS data and wherein said Loran positioning system generates differential correction data, wherein the accuracy of SPS position estimates are improved using said differential correction data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , further comprising a compass system generating heading data and wherein said Loran positioning system generates Loran location data, and wherein said compass system is calibrated as a function of said Loran location data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , wherein said inside rearview mirror assembly is in communication with a vehicle bus and wherein Loran data is communicated on said vehicle bus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , further comprising a telematics system in communication with said Loran positioning system and wherein said telematics system receives the Loran data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interior rearview mirror based automotive positioning system according to claim 5 , further comprising a navigation system in communication with said Loran positioning system and wherein said navigation system receives the Loran data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automotive mirror apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said Loran receiver communicates differential correction data to said at least one other vehicle system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
124 words
An automotive mirror apparatus comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; a Loran receiver circuit mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, wherein said Loran receiver circuit is in communication with at least one other vehicle system, and a Loran antenna in communication with said Loran receiver circuit, wherein said Loran antenna is mounted at a vehicle location selected from the group consisting of: inside rearview mirror assembly, outside rearview mirror assembly, windshield, window glass, rear window, instrument panel, rear window deck, trunk, roof, CHMSL, overhead console, sunvisor, and headliner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
An automotive mirror apparatus comprising: an inside rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mounting foot adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle in a location proximate to the front windshield of the vehicle, a mirror housing, and a stem coupling said mirror housing to said mounting foot; a Loran receiver circuit mounted to said rearview mirror assembly, wherein said Loran receiver circuit is in communication with at least one other vehicle system, and a Loran antenna in communication with said Loran receiver circuit, wherein said Loran antenna is mounted at a vehicle location selected from the group consisting of: inside rearview mirror assembly, outside rearview mirror assembly, windshield, window glass, rear window, instrument panel, rear window deck, trunk, roof, CHMSL, overhead console, sunvisor, and headliner.
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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) | 2006-03-24 | 2006-09-23 | 2007-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-24 | 2010-09-23 | 2011-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-24 | 2014-09-23 | 2015-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |