WO2012122658A1

WO2012122658A1 - Adapter and method for exchanging data with the internet

Info

Publication number: WO2012122658A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/050166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Layes
Original assignee: Sparkyard, Inc.
Priority date: 2011-03-17
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2012-09-20

Abstract

An adapter and method for exchanging data, mainly GPS data, received by a data receiver, such as a GPS receiver, with a network server via a data-transmissible wireless device, such as a mobile phone. The adapter includes a connecting device, such as a USB bus, which connects to the data receiver. The adapter also includes an integrated circuit which verifies the connection with the data receiver and processes the data received by the data receiver. An exchange module allows for the transmittal and receipt of data to/from the server via the wireless device when the module is prompted by the integrated circuit. A power supply powers either the integrated circuit, exchange module, or the GPS receiver, and can supply sufficient power to the GPS receiver while still remaining integrated within the adapter. A casing houses all the components of the adapter.

Description

ADAPTER AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING DATA WITH THE INTERNET

Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to an adapter and method for exchanging data with servers on the Internet. More particularly, in a preferred use, the present invention relates to an adapter and method that allows a Global Positioning System (GPS) data receiver to exchange GPS data with servers on the Internet using a data-transmissible wireless device.

Background ot the Invention:

Known in the art are Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers being integrated into various devices such as cellular/radio/satellite phones, digital cameras, and other data-transmissible wireless devices.

However, despite the prevalence of integrated GPS receivers, non- integrated or "dedicated" GPS receivers are still required in many applications because integrated GPS receivers often do not provide the accuracy and durability required for many different applications. For example, some dedicated GPS receiver are handheld models, which are commonly used as navigational aids for hikers and for navigation-based games such as Geocaching. Other examples of dedicated receivers include: wearable GPS receivers commonly used by athletes for training purposes, deck-mounted GPS receivers found on many boats from kayaks to large pleasure and commercial vessels, etc. For these uses, integrated GPS receivers do not provide the desired positional precision, nor do they provide they durability required in the extreme environments where these dedicated GPS receivers can operate. Compared to their integrated counterparts, dedicated GPS receivers are generally more accurate, are constructed to withstand harsher environments, and possess more functions dedicated to navigation and positional data processing. Known in the art are certain devices for integrating with GPS receivers.

US patent application having publication no. US 2006/0214845 A1 , and naming Jendbro et al. as inventors, describes accessories for helping a GPS receiver to transmit raw GPS data to a host device such as a cellular phone. The accessories are meant to complement the host device.

US patent application having publication no. US 2009/02701 10 A1 , and naming Ardalan as inventor, relates to a portable wireless communication system for sending a receiving data. Ardalan describes a hand-held digital computer, a GPS receiver providing information to the computer, a RF transmitter, and a radio modem. The modem receives the GPS data from the computer, converts the GPS data into an RF signal, and tasks the RF transmitter to transmit the RF signal.

Also known in the art are devices and methods of exchanging GPS data with the internet.

US patent application having publication no. US 201 0/0100735 A1 , and naming Rajan et al. as inventors, relates to an apparatus and method for providing a portable broadband service. The method described consists of enabling a first connectivity between a wireless convergence platform such as a mobile phone and an Internet gateway. A second connectivity is established between the mobile phone and at least one device such as a camera or a GPS receiver. The phone can be used to obtain an application service through the Internet gateway, and the application service is then relayed through the second connectivity to the device.

US patent application having publication no. US 2001 /0034577 A1 , and naming Grounds et al. as inventors, relates to a vehicle mounted device configured to transmit vehicle position data to a network-based server using a wireless communication system. The device includes a first processing module (a GPS receiver), a second processing module (for storing the position data), and a wireless communications link (which can be a mobile phone). The first module receives positioning signals and processes the signals into vehicle position data representing date and time, and the position, velocity and direction of travel of the vehicle. The second module stores the signals and communicates the signals to a network-based server using a wireless communications system.

US patent 8,055,403 to Lowrey et al. relates to peripheral access devices and sensors for use with vehicle telematics devices and systems. The patent describes the transmittal of information about a vehicle's position to and from an internet-accessible website.

Also known are the following US patents and patent applications related to communicating GPS data: 2003/0132861 ; 2003/0139150; 2004/0030493; 2007/0109181 ; 2007/0293183; 2009/0150063; 2009/0170525; 2009/0172202; 2009/0177677; 2009/0180451 ; 2009/0265101 ; 2010/0104187; 2010/0220250; 2010/03321 19; 201 1/0143785; 201 1/0257883; 6,007,372; 6,201 ,498; 6,915,210; 7,764,726; 7,769,393; 7,925,436; 8,027,784; and 8,070,523.

Known in the art are the substantial drawbacks associated with such devices and methods, as well as with dedicated GPS receivers when used alone, for example: a) they possess only a limited ability to exchange data with servers on the Internet; b) there has been limited commercial success in integrating cellular/radio/satellite phone technology or other similar data-transmissible wireless devices with sturdy and accurate dedicated GPS receivers, despite many attempts; c) the transmission of raw GPS data requires much bandwidth and can be expensive, especially in areas where limited bandwidth is available; d) even when these wireless devices are capable of data transmission, there is no feasible mechanism to allow the dedicated GPS receiver to utilize the wireless device to exchange data with servers on the Internet; and d) even though it is theoretically possible to connect some dedicated GPS receivers to smartphones and other wireless devices equipped with the USB On-The-Go™ interface, a lack of standard connectors, proprietary protocols and a lack of GPS drivers have hampered GPS receiver-to-smartphone integration.

Since many people that use dedicated GPS receivers also carry wireless devices, there is a need for an improved GPS adapter which can allow the dedicated GPS receiver to use the data-transmissible wireless device to exchange data such as tracks, routes, waypoints and/or any other data with servers on the Internet. Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved device which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the aforementioned prior art problems.

Summary of the Invention:

The object of the present invention is to provide a device and method, which by virtue of their design, components, and steps, satisfy some of the above- mentioned needs and are thus an improvement over other related devices and/or methods known in the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter for exchanging data received by a data receiver with a network server via a data-transmissible wireless device, the adapter comprising:

a connecting device for connecting to the data receiver;

an integrated circuit for authenticating the connection with the data receiver and for processing the data received by the data;

an exchange module for exchanging the data with the network server via the wireless device upon prompting by the integrated circuit;

a power supply powering at least one of the integrated circuit, the exchange module, and the data receiver; and

a casing for housing the connecting device, the exchange module, and the power supply, the casing comprising a removable cap for covering the connecting device. Preferably, the integrated circuit has an application code which can optimize the data exchanged with the network server by filtering irrelevant data and by compressing the data for exchange with the network. The integrated circuit can also store a plurality of drivers in its memory, each driver allowing for the adapter to communicate with a specific data receiver, thus allowing the integrated circuit to authenticate the connection with the data receiver. Preferably also, the drivers also convert the data to a neutral data format, thereby facilitating the exchange of data with multiple wireless devices and/or server programmes on the network. In another preferred embodiment, the power supply powers both the data receiver and the components of the adapter, and consists of a power cell, a boost converter IC for boosting the voltage of the power cell so as to power the data receiver, and a buck converter IC for lowering the voltage so as to power the components of the adapter.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for exchanging data received by a data receiver with a network server via a data- transmissible wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:

a) establishing a first data link between the data receiver and the wireless device;

b) establishing a second data link between the server and the wireless device;

c) converting the data received by the data receiver into a neutral format; and

d) transmitting the neutral format data from the data receiver to the wireless device via the first data link, and then from the wireless device to the server via the second data link.

Preferably, when establishing the first data link, the link is authenticated by querying either the data receiver or the wireless device, or both, so as to determine a protocol, such as a driver or characteristic, which can confirm whether communication between the specific data receiver and the specific wireless device is supported.

Preferably also, when converting the data in step c), the data is first received from the data receiver, is then filtered to eliminate any irrelevant data not needed for the exchange with the server and/or wireless device, and is then compressed before being exchanged with the server and/or wireless device. The server or other programmes on the network can render the data to produce user- friendly representations like images, tracking information, etc., which can then be re-uploaded into the data receiver, either in raw form or after being converted into a neutral format.

The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purposes of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings: Figure 1 is a view of an adapter with a removed cap, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the adapter of Figure 1 . Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a connector casing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the connector casing of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side view of a connector and an integrated circuit, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a top view of the connector and integrated circuit of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a block diagram of some internal components of an adapter cooperating with a data receiver, a wireless device, and servers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is another block diagram of some internal components of an adapter cooperating with a data receiver, a wireless device, and servers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a flowchart of a method for exchanging data, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention:

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, only some of the figures have been provided with certain reference numbers, and components and features of the present invention illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification purposes only. Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for exchanging data, such as GPS data, between a data receiver and a network via a wireless device, it may be used for other types of purposes and with other types of objects, and in other fields, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as "GPS", "location", "routes", "tracking", "maps" etc., used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and includes all other kinds of objects or fields with which the present invention could be used and may be useful. Indeed, it may be appreciated that the present system could, for example, be used for transmitting digital photographs, video, audio, etc. from a suitable device (i.e. digital camera, media player, etc.) to a network-based server for rendering thereby. Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions

"exchange", "transmit", "send", "query", "receive" and "prompt", as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compounds word thereof known in the art will be used interchangeably, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings may comprise various components, and although the preferred embodiments of the adapter and method as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the adapter and/or method and corresponding components according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained hereinafter and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Broadly described, the adapter and method according to the present invention, and as shown in the accompanying drawings, are, in a preferred use, an improved adapter and method which allow for data that is received by a data receiver to be exchanged quickly and efficiently with a network server (such as the Internet) via a data-transmissible wireless device, such as a mobile phone.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an adapter is provided for exchanging data received by a data receiver with a network server via a data- transmissible wireless device. In the present context, the term "adapter" is understood to mean any device, tool, mechanism, etc. for connecting pieces of equipment or allowing for their cooperation, and is thus not limited to the preferred illustrated embodiments. The adapter allows for the exchange of data. By "exchange", a skilled person understands that the adapter would permit both the transmission and receipt of data, either discretely or simultaneously, from/to the data receiver, the wireless device, and/or the network server for processing/rendering, as further explained below.

The data receiver can be any device capable of receiving data either by wire or wirelessly, which is capable of transmitting said data to the adapter, and of receiving data therefrom. In order to facilitate comprehension of the preferred embodiments, and without any limitation, the data receiver will often be referred to herein as a GPS receiver. It is of course understood that the use of a GPS receiver is a preferred embodiment, and does not limit the scope of the invention to such a receiver, or to GPS data more particularly.

The network server is understood to be any computer and/or computer programme for running one or more executable programs as a host for other devices such as, but not limited to, the GPS receiver and the wireless device. It is also understood that the server can be run from, or receive data from, the Internet. Thus, it is understood that the adapter facilitates the exchange of data received by the GPS receiver with the Internet, as further explained below.

The data-transmissible wireless device can be any communications device such as, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a radio phone, a mobile phone, a satellite phone, a "smart" phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pad device, a digital camera, etc. or any other device that can wirelessly or by wire receive data from the GPS receiver, network server, and/or the adapter and transmit said data to the same devices or elsewhere. Referring to Figure 1 , the adapter 1 0 is preferably a hand-held and easily portable physical device. The preferred purpose of the adapter 10 is to connect, preferably physically, to the GPS receiver and to process, transmit, and data therefrom, as further explained below.

The adapter 10 therefore includes a connecting device 12 which connects to the data receiver, thereby establishing a data link. The connecting device 12 can be any known serial port, bus, etc. that conforms to industry standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), RS-232, IEEE1394, and/or Ethernet. The connecting device 12 can also use known proprietary connectors or wireless protocols (i.e. Bluetooth®, ANT, 802.1 1 ). The connecting device 12 can also be a signal transmitter/receiver for transmitting and receiving wireless data signals to/from the GPS receiver, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. In another alternative embodiment, the connecting device 12 can be a cable or other wire for connecting to the GPS receiver. In a preferred illustrated embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the connecting device 12 is a USB port to be inserted into a corresponding female port and/or socket of the GPS receiver. It is of course understood that the connecting device 12 can be any female component receiving a male bus of the GPS receiver, as apparent to a skilled person.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the adapter 10 also has an integrated circuit 20 (or simply "circuit 20") which authenticates the connection with the GPS receiver, and which processes the data received by the GPS receiver. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a preferred schematic embodiment of the circuit 20. The integrated circuit 20 can be any chip, IC, electronic circuit, microcontroller, etc. capable of storing in memory certain information and of processing data, as explained below. Preferably, the circuit 20 is a microcontroller consisting of a processor core, a USB controller, a set of input/output channels, and memory for storing both application code and a plurality of firmware drivers capable of communicating with multiple GPS receivers and data-transmissible wireless devices, as explained below. By "authenticating", it is understood that the circuit 20 verifies whether data communication between the adapter 10 and the GPS receiver and/or the wireless device is possible, and establishes a secure data connection enabling the exchange of data, as explained below. According to a preferred embodiment, and referring to Figure 7, the circuit 20 stores in its memory multiple drivers 22. The drivers 22 can be any software, executable code, and/or algorithm for interfacing the circuit 20 with a particular hardware device such as a specific model of GPS receiver 50 or wireless device 60, for example. The drivers 22 can be firmware drivers, which are usually proprietary and specific to the GPS receiver 50 or wireless device 60 in question. There exist many different GPS receiver models 50 and wireless devices 60 on the market, and thus many different drivers 22 can be stored in the circuit 20 so as to permit the adapter 1 0 to function with a significant number of these GPS receivers 50 and wireless devices 60. It is also understood that other drivers 22 can also be used. For example, the circuit 20 can store in its memory executable code and/or drivers 22 for interfacing with the connecting device 12, and or the exchange module 30 described in more detail below. Furthermore, the circuit 20 can store protocol stacks 26 such as HTTP stack, SSL/TLS stack, TCP/IP stack, USB stack, etc. for communicating with various devices and/or programs, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

As but one example of the use of drivers 22, when the GPS receiver 50 is connected to the adapter 10 via the connecting device 12, the adapter 10 (via the circuit 20) queries the GPS receiver 50 over the connecting device 12 for certain information such as the make and model of the GPS receiver 50, and for other optional information and/or metadata so as to determine a protocol that can be used to further communicate with the GPS receiver 50. The optional additional information is generally specific to a particular class, make or model of GPS receiver 50 and may include references to, or identifiers for, data formats, protocol formats, etc. The adapter 1 0 then, using the identifying information collected from the GPS receiver 50, searches through its library of supported devices to determine if communication with the particular GPS receiver 50 is supported. If not, the adapter 10 shuts down. Otherwise, the adapter 10 uses the executable code, or driver 22, referenced in its library of supported devices to establish further communication with the GPS receiver 50. Thus, the drivers 22 allow the circuit 20 to verify if data exchange with a particular GPS receiver 50 and/or wireless device 60 will be supported. If so, a data link is created. It is therefore now understood how the circuit 20 authenticates the connection with the GPS receiver 50 and/or the wireless device 60.

According to another preferred embodiment, the drivers 22 can be used to convert the data received from the GPS receiver 50 into a neutral data format. One example of how this can be done involves using an open-source library called Protocol Buffers, which serializes the data to a neutral format suitable for sending on the data link. The neutral data format can be defined using a schema language specific to the Protocol Buffers. The same library can be used to de-serialize the data received from the servers 70, as described below. Other techniques for serializing the data can be used, such as XML, JSON and Thrift. Some of these serialization techniques provide a way to formally define the data format; others are so-called "schema-less" and leave it to the application code 24 to determine the structure of the data. It is to be understood that a specific schema is not required to define the neutral format and that schema-less techniques (i.e. JSON) are within the scope of the invention to define the neutral data format. Typically, the adapter 10 receives the data from the GPS receiver 50 in a proprietary data format specific to the model of GPS receiver being used 50. The above-described data conversion allows the circuit 20 and/or adapter 10 to receive data from the GPS receiver 50 in a neutral data format. Alternatively, the drivers 22 and/or circuit 20 can apply the same serialization of data received from the servers 70 so as to convert the same into a proprietary format appropriate for the GPS receiver 50 and/or wireless device 60 being used. The expression "neutral data format" designates data that may be recognized by any wireless device 60 and/or network server 70 programme such that no conversion to device-specific data need be performed before transmitting/receiving said neutral data to/from said devices. According to another preferred embodiment, the circuit 20 stores in its memory application code 24 (or simple "code 24"). The code 24 is preferably any language, text, algorithm, etc. capable of performing the functions described herein. The code 24 can perform a number of operations which optimize the exchange of data with the wireless device 60 and/or the network server 70. One of these operations can be filtering. It is understood in the art that GPS receivers 50 can receive mountains of data over a given period. Much of this data may be irrelevant for a given use or application. Rather than transmitting all such irrelevant data to the wireless device 60 and/or the network servers 70, the filtering performed by the code 24 removes the irrelevant data and transmits only that data required for a particular operation. One example of such filtering involves using the code 24 to apply an algorithm against the data received from the GPS receiver 50 so as to search for specific criteria and/or subsets of the data, such as time, location, altitude, velocity, and user-defined groupings and selections. Any other data that does not meet these filtering criteria will not be selected for transmittal to the wireless device 60 and/or the servers 70.

Another such optimization techniques performed by the code 24 is compression of the data. Even after filtering, the data may be quite voluminous. In areas having low bandwidths, such as rural or remote locations for example where GPS receivers 50 are often used, the exchange of such voluminous data can thus be unacceptably long and/or expensive, depending on data transfer costs. Compression therefore allows for the relevant data to be reduced in size, therefore facilitating and optimizing its exchange. Of course, compression can be applied before filtering and/or any other optimization technique, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. As the data has been abstracted or converted to a neutral formal, both compression and filtering can be performed without regard to the system peculiarities and characteristics of the GPS receiver 50 being used.

Having now described the optimization techniques of filtering and compression, a specific example will further illustrate the importance of such optimization. Consider an adapter 10 in use with a Garmin® GPS receiver 50 (incidentally, Garmin® has about 70% of the market in handheld GPS receivers 50). When a USB host such as the adapter 10 requests that the GPS receiver 50 send the tracklog (i.e. the collection of time, latitude, longitude and altitude tuples) over the connecting device 12 (i.e. a USB connection), all tracklog information in the GPS receiver's 50 memory will by default be sent over the USB connection. There is rarely any provision to request only a portion of the tracklog from the GPS receiver 50. As the tracklog could contain thousands of tuples spanning many days, much of this data would be irrelevant for a user interested in communicating to the server 70 only the most recent several hours of data in the GPS receiver 50 tracklog. Without pre-filtering only the relevant data from the GPS receiver 50, much data would be sent needlessly over a potentially slow and costly wireless network. In addition, without data compression, the exchange of data would be further slowed, and potentially even more costly.

Still referring to Figure 7, the adapter 10 includes an exchange module 30 for exchanging the data with the network server 70 via the wireless device 60. The exchange module 30 can be any device, emitter, communicator, transmitter, etc. which can receive and transmit data, preferably wirelessly, from the adapter 10 (and/or circuit 20) to the servers 70 via the wireless device 60. In a preferred embodiment, the exchange module 30 can exchange data with the GPS receiver 50 itself. Known devices such as a Bluetooth®-compatible radio module and/or transceiver, can be used as the exchange module and are thus within the scope of the present invention. In such a preferred embodiment, the circuit 20 could contain firmware to communicate across a Bluetooth® communications channel using established protocols, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Because many wireless devices 60 are capable of Bluetooth® communication using a Personal Area Network (PAN) profile (commonly referred to as Bluetooth® "tethering"), PAN is a preferred protocol used by the exchange module 30 for communicating with smartphones or other like wireless device 60.

Preferably, the exchange module 30 includes a radio IC, antenna and firmware drivers. The exchange of data, either transmittal or receipt, occurs upon prompting by the circuit 20, or upon command by the application code 24. According to one such example, the circuit 20 may prompt the exchange module 30 to transmit data to the server 70 via the wireless device 60 when said data has been filtered and compressed, as described above. Alternatively, the circuit 20 may prompt the exchange module 30 to receive rendered user-friendly representations from the server 70 when such representations are completed, as further described below.

The adapter 10 includes a power supply 40 which powers at least one of the integrated circuit 20, the exchange module 30, and the data receiver 50. The power supply 40 is preferably integrated within the adapter 10 in a compact fashion, as understood in the art. The power supply 40 can be any device which can supply electrical energy to one or more electric loads, such as the GPS receiver 50 for example, and which can convert energy from any form to electrical energy (i.e. chemical energy in a battery to electrical energy). The power supply 40 can also be regulated, meaning that it can control the output voltage or current to a specific value.

It is known in the art that some USB devices, including those found on many GPS receivers 50, revert to being "host powered" when connected to a USB host, even though they contain their own power supply. This means that the GPS receiver 50 and its USB device will draw power from whatever is connected to it, such as the adapter 10. The USB industry specification allows devices to draw up to 500mA at 5V from the USB host (i.e. the adapter 10). Therefore, the adapter 10 should preferably be capable not only of supplying its own power requirements, but also up to 2.5 watts of power to the connected GPS receiver 50 and/or other devices.

In order to keep the adapter 1 0 as small as possible, a single 3V CR123A industry-standard power cell 42, such as a lithium cell 42, can be used. The voltage produced by the lithium cell 42 can be boosted by a Texas Instruments™ TPS2500 boost converter integrated circuit 44 (IC) and/or other supporting components, which can boost the voltage to 5V, for example, for the USB- connected GPS receiver 50, thereby providing a 5V power supply 40a. From the 5V supply, a buck converter IC 46, such as a Texas Instruments™ TPS62237 buck converter IC, and/or supporting components, can be used to drop the voltage to 3.3V for the internal requirements of the adapter 1 0, so as to power the circuit 20 for example, thereby creating a 3.3V power supply 40b. Additional components can provide static discharge protection, reverse polarity protection, and filtering of the power supply 40. This combination of power supply 40 components permits a wide range of input voltages, allowing for variants on the lithium cell 42 using the same form factor, such as a rechargeable 3.7 Li-ion version of the CR123A. Preferably, a further drop in voltage can be performed to power the exchange module 30, thereby creating another power supply 40c.

Returning to Figures 1 to 6, the adapter 10 also includes a casing 14 for housing the connecting device 12, the exchange module 30, and the power supply 40. The casing is preferably made from polymeric and metallic materials, and can consist of many sub-assemblies. A first sub-assembly is preferably the cap 14a which covers the connecting device 12, which can be removed from the casing 14, thereby exposing the connecting device 12 so that it can be connected to the GPS receiver 50, for example. Both the casing 14 and the cap 14a can be of any shape but are preferably cylindrical or rectangular. A second sub-assembly can be the USB sub-assembly 14b which houses the connecting device 12 and has a spring for connecting to another sub-assembly, the base 14c. As shown in Figure 7, the adapter 10 can also have a status indicator 14d for indicating the status of the connection of the adapter 10 to the GPS receiver 50, for example. Preferably, the cap 14a and/or the base 14c are made from aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy. More preferably, the USB sub-assembly is made from plastic and/or any other suitable polymer.

Figure 8 exemplifies a preferred embodiment of the adapter 10 described above with reference to Figure 7, and shown without an integrated power supply. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for exchanging data received by a data receiver with a network server via a data- transmissible wireless device. Referring to Figure 9, the method 100 consists of a first step of establishing a first data link between the data receiver and the wireless device, exemplified as 1 02 in Figure 9. Preferably, the method uses the adapter described above to facilitate the exchange of data, but the method is not limited to this embodiment, nor is it limited to the use of an adapter. Thus it is understood that in an alternative embodiment, the GPS receiver and the wireless device can establish a first data link without the use of an adapter, such as for example with a GPS receiver having the functionality and capabilities ascribed to the adapter hereinabove. For the purposes of explaining the method, but in no way limiting the scope of the invention to this preferred embodiment, an adapter will be described in reference to the data links created and the transmission of data.

The first data link 1 02 can be any physical or wireless connection between the GPS receiver and the wireless device capable of transmitting and/or receiving data. Preferably, the first data link 1 02 is established through various sub-steps. A first of these sub-steps is shown as 102a, where a connection is established between the GPS receiver and an adapter, such as with a connecting device, as described above. Once so connected, the integrated circuit of the adapter can be awakened from a low-power state as shown in sub-step 1 02b, and the circuit can then power up components such as the exchange module, the GPS receiver, etc. A further sub-step shown at 102c can have the adapter querying the GPS receiver and/or USB bus for information about the device to which the adapter is attached, as explained above. If the device is recognized at sub-step 102d, the adapter can initialise the appropriate driver for the GPS receiver being used at 102e, thereby allowing communication between the adapter and the GPS receiver and the conversion of data into a neutral format, as previously explained. Preferably, sub- steps 102c, 102d, 102e, and 1 02f constitute the "authentication" of the first data link 102. A similar authentication can be performed for the second data link. If the device is not recognized or authenticated at sub-step 102d, the adapter can switch off or enter low power or standby mode at sub-step 102f. The method 100 also includes establishing a second data link 1 04, this time between the server and the wireless device. As with the first data link 1 02, the second data link 1 04 can be any suitable data connection. The second data link 1 04 preferably also consists of various sub-steps. In a first of these, the adapter, having established a data connection 102 with the GPS receiver at sub-step 102e, can also attempt at step 104a, simultaneously or as a discrete step, to establish a connection with the wireless device via the adapter's exchange module. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter uses its Bluetooth® module to establish a Personal Area Network (PAN) with the wireless device, which can then either simultaneously or subsequently establish a wireless connection with the server. At sub-step 104b, a logic control verifies if the PAN is established. If it is, the adapter commands the GPS receiver to begin transmitting the data, as described below. If no PAN is established, the adapter can switch off or enter standby mode at sub- step 104c. It can thus be appreciated how first and second data links 102,104 are established between the GPS receiver and the wireless device, and between the wireless device and the servers.

The method 100 also includes the step 1 06 of converting the data received by the data receiver into a neutral format. The conversion of data received by the GPS receiver into the neutral data format has been described above. As with steps 102 and 104, the conversion 106 preferably includes various sub-steps. A first of these is shown at 106a, where the adapter, having commanded the GPS receiver to transmit data at 106a, then begins to receive the data at sub-step 106b. Preferably, the data that can be transmitted includes, but is not limited to, track data. This can consist of tracks, routes, waypoints and other relevant positional data. If supported by the GPS receiver, the adapter requests only data recorded since the last command was issued. Upon receiving the incoming data at 106b, the application code of the circuit can perform certain optimization techniques on the data such as filtering the data received from the GPS receiver, data conversion to neutral data or "vendor-neutral" data so as to facilitate transmission and receipt, compression, etc., as described above. The method 100 also includes the step 108 of transmitting the neutral format data from the data receiver to the server via the wireless device. Step 1 08 can involve various sub-steps as well. At 108a, the servers receive the neutral format data and can then render the data to produce user-friendly representations. These representations can include any useful information for the user of the GPS receiver or for someone viewing the representations on the Internet. Some examples of such representations include: maps, diagrams, topographical imaging, satellite images, aerial images, trip computer information, photographs, video, etc. This rendered data and/or representations can be made available on the Internet, such as on a web browser, as at step 1 08b.

In a preferred embodiment, and as shown at step 1 1 0, the data rendered by the servers can be transmitted back to the GPS receiver via the wireless device either sequentially or concurrently. It is of course understood that the GPS receiver and/or data receiver in question must support such functionality (i.e. some digital cameras are but one example of devices supporting this functionality). Alternatively, the representations themselves are not sent back to the GPS receiver, but instead other data such as nearby waypoints (i.e. points of interest, geocaches in the sport of Geocaching) and tracklogs (i.e. a hiking trail or canoeing route) can be sent back to the GPS receiver, using the same serialization format or neutral data conversion that is used to send data from the GPS receiver to the server, as previously explained. This alternative embodiment may sometimes be necessary because some GPS receivers are capable of performing their own rendering but cannot also receive rendered data.

In such an embodiment, the adapter can store to internal memory the last recorded location of the GPS receiver at 1 10a either simultaneously or subsequent to sub-step 106b. Using the last recorded location of the GPS receiver, the adapter can update information stored on the GPS receiver by querying one or more servers on the Internet for nearby tracks, routes, waypoints and other relevant GPS data and/or other data at sub-step 1 10b. The adapter can then command the GPS receiver to start receiving new data, which the adapter receives at 1 10c. The adapter can then process this new data received from the servers and convert it to a model-specific format for the model of GPS receiver being used at sub-step 1 10d. Finally, the adapter transfers this converted data at sub-step 1 10e to the GPS receiver, and the adapter can then enter standby mode at sub-step 1 10f.

Furthermore, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of its design and components, the adapter is simple and easy to use, and exchanges data easily with many different models of GPS receivers and data-transmissible wireless devices, such as smartphones. The adapter provides an affordable and convenient solution to the known limitations of dedicated GPS receivers by vastly improving the ability of the GPS receiver to exchange data with servers on the Internet, by providing a mechanism by which the GPS receiver can utilize the user's data-transmissible wireless device to exchange data with servers on the Internet, and by overcoming the obstacle of multiple proprietary controls which traditionally hampers communication between GPS receivers and data-transmissible wireless device by incorporating many different firmware drivers. Further advantages are provide because the adapter allows the exchange of data between the GPS receiver and servers on the Internet without requiring an intermediate computer, thus eliminating complexity and added expense. The adapter is not dependent on a specific brand of data-transmissible wireless device and does not require brand-specific or proprietary applications to be installed on the wireless device. This is in contrast to Rajan et al., which describes embedding a thin layer driver on each device that wishes to communicate with their convergence platform. Any device that cannot incorporate that thin layer driver in the device's firmware does not seem to be able communicate with the convergence platform.

Furthermore, the optimization techniques performed upon the data advantageously allow a relevant and low-volume data stream to be exchanged between the GPS receiver and the server. Thus, the adapter abstracts and optimizes the data pulled from the GPS adapter, allowing the adapter to transmit and receive significantly less data over wireless networks when compared to sending and receiving raw data from a GPS receiver. This is in direct contrast to the prior art of Jendbro et al., which describes an accessory that seems to transmit raw data from the attached GPS device. Furthermore, the optimized, vendor- neutral data can be sent to and received from servers on the Internet. Servers do not, therefore, require innate knowledge of the vendor-specific protocols supported by different GPS receivers when the adapter is used as an intermediary.

As the adapter can be used in rural areas with limited bandwidth on cellular networks, optimizing the data is an important feature. In contrast to Rajan et al., the adapter does not require that a GPS receiver be capable of communicating with it using a particular protocol because the adapter provides data abstraction to the GPS receiver, and is thus theoretically capable of communicating with any type of GPS receiver provided that there is a suitable driver.

Furthermore, the adapter of the present invention can be used with entirely different applications that have little to do with GPS data. For example, with relatively little change to the firmware and hardware, the adapter can likely be used to transfer photos from digital cameras in the field without the need for a computer.

The adapter's self-contained power supply and controller does not require a large and bulky power supply, as with many conventional systems, such as a 12V power supply as used in an automobile. Furthermore, the adapter is simple to use, and may only require simple registration on a particular website, and can thus be considered to be "plug and play". Advantageously, the adapter is designed to be used in harsh environmental conditions and can communicate with a data-transmissible wireless device that is safely stored away from the adapter and GPS receiver, thus protecting the data- transmissible wireless device from further exposure. The adapter combines the advantages afforded by a highly accurate and weather-resistant dedicated GPS receiver with the convenience of a data-capable wireless device, while providing the option of protecting the wireless device from harsh weather conditions.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1 . An adapter for exchanging data received by a data receiver with a network server via a data-transmissible wireless device, the adapter comprising:

a connecting device for connecting to the data receiver;

an integrated circuit for authenticating the connection with the data receiver and for processing the data received by the data receiver;

a casing for housing the connecting device, the exchange module, and the power supply, the casing comprising a removable cap for covering the connecting device.

2. An adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises an application code, the application code optimizing the data exchanged with the network server.

3. An adapter according to claim 2, wherein the application code optimizes the data by filtering the data to remove irrelevant data.

4. An adapter according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the application code optimizes the data by compressing the data to facilitate exchange with the network server.

5. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a plurality of drivers, each driver configured for allowing communication with a specific data receiver.

6. An adapter according to claim 5, wherein the integrated circuit authenticates the connection with the data receiver by searching through the plurality of drivers to determine if communication with the specific data receiver is supported.

7. An adapter according to claims 5 or 6, wherein at least one driver recognizes the specific data receiver and converts the data received therefrom into a neutral data format.

8. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7 powered by the power supply, the power supply also powering the data receiver, the power supply comprising:

a power cell;

a boost converter IC for boosting a voltage of the power cell for powering the data receiver; and

a buck converter IC for lowering a voltage of the power cell for powering the adapter.

9. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting device conforms to the standards selected from the group consisting of USB, IEEE1394, Ethernet, and RS-232.

1 0. A method for exchanging data received by a data receiver with a network server via a data-transmissible wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:

b) establishing a second data link between the server and the wireless device; c) converting the data received by the data receiver into a neutral format; and d) transmitting the neutral format data from the data receiver to the server via the wireless device.

1 1 . A method according to claim 1 0, wherein establishing the first data link in step a) further comprises authenticating the first data link between the data receiver and the wireless device.

12. A method according to claim 1 1 , wherein authenticating the first data link comprises querying at least one of the data receiver and the wireless device so as to determine at least one protocol confirming whether transmittal of data between the data receiver and the wireless device is supported.

1 3. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein step c) comprises the steps of:

A) receiving the data from the data receiver;

B) filtering the data to eliminate irrelevant data; and

C) compressing the data to facilitate transmission.

14. A method according to claim 1 3, wherein filtering the data comprises selecting a subset of the data using selection criteria selected from the group consisting of time, location, altitude, velocity, and user-defined groupings and selections.

15. A method according to any one of claims 1 0 to 14, wherein a rendering programme hosted by the network server renders the data to produce user-friendly representations.

1 6. A method according to claim 15, wherein the user-friendly representations are selected from the group consisting of maps, satellite images, aerial images, trip computer information, photographs, and video.

1 7. A method according to claims 15 or 1 6, wherein the rendered data is transmitted to the data receiver.

1 8. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the rendered data is converted into another neutral format before being transmitted to the data receiver.

1 9. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the rendered data is made available on the Internet.

20. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 1 9, the server exchanging data with the data receiver via the wireless device.

21 . A method according to claim 20, wherein the data exchanged between the server and the data receiver via the wireless device is selected from the group of positional data consisting of waypoints, points of interest, geocaches, and tracklogs.

22. A method according to any one of claims 1 0 to 21 , wherein the data is Global Positioning System (GPS) data.