WO2006078137A1

WO2006078137A1 - Apparatus for receiving signal from global positioning system for car

Info

Publication number: WO2006078137A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/000227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang-Ryeol Lee
Original assignee: Mquay Inc.
Priority date: 2005-01-22
Filing date: 2006-01-20
Publication date: 2006-07-27
Also published as: KR20050060036A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) signals capable of being fastened to the windshields of vehicles. The apparatus includes an antenna for receiving signals from satellites, a receiver unit connected to the antenna and configured to process signals received through the antenna, a vacuum pad attached to the surface of a window or the like, a main body part fastened to the upper surface of the vacuum pad, and configured to define an internal space between the vacuum pad and itself and to fixedly accommodate the antenna and the receiver unit in the internal space, a signal cable connected between the output terminal of the receiver unit and an external terminal, and a terminal cradle connected to the receiver unit in the main body part through the signal cable.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING SIGNAL FROM GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR CAR

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates , in general, to an apparatus for receiving GPS signals , which can be attached to a window of a vehicle and, more particularly, to an apparatus for receiving GPS signals for vehicles, which is manufactured such that a vacuum pad, a signal receiver unit, and an antenna are integrated into a single body, so that it can be easily installed and improve signal reception sensitivity .

[Background Art] Recently, with the development of satellite navigation system technologies , that is , Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies, it has become possible to determine the current locations of vehicles , such as airplanes , ships and automobiles . Furthermore, a variety of receivers and antennas for the vehicles , which allow GPS signals to be received from man-made satellites, have been proposed . In general , a GPS antenna and a receiver are disposed at a location close to the windshield of a vehicle, receive signals from satellites , and transmit the received signals to a terminal, such as a Personal Digital Assistant ( PDA) . Thereafter, the terminal provides information about a destination and surrounding traffic conditions as well as a current location to the display unit thereof in real time during traveling using the received signals .

Korean Utility Model Appl . No . 20-2002-8746 relates to an antenna with an attachment means for a vehicle, and discloses an antenna with an attachment means for a vehicle, which allows the vehicle antenna to be conveniently and stably installed on the roof of the vehicle . However, the application is problematic in that an antenna and a receiver are provided separately from each other, the antenna is installed on the roof of the vehicle, and the receiver is installed in the interior of the vehicle, so that the antenna and the receiver cannot be easily managed .

Korean Utility Model Appl . No . 20-2004-26102 relates to a PDA cradle for a vehicle, which has a GPS module, and discloses a PDA cradle for a vehicle, which has a structure such that the module can be sufficiently spaced apart from a PDA, and a connection cable can be easily handled.

Furthermore, Korean Utility Model Appl . No . 20-2002- 21194 relates to a PDA cradle for a vehicle, m which a DAta Radio Channel (DARC) reception module is provided, and discloses a PDA cradle for a vehicle, in which a DARC reception module is provided, which allows the DARC reception module to be provided in the PDA cradle for a vehicle, so that the extent of exposure of a cable for connecting the PDA and the DARC reception module can be minimized .

Furthermore, Korean Utility Model Appl . No . 20-2003- 32538 relates to a multipurpose cradle, and discloses a multipurpose cradle, in which a cradle on which an existing PDA or mobile phone can be mounted, a telescopic extension bar that allows a cradle to be fastened to the windshield of a vehicle through a vacuum pad and, at the same time, allows the length thereof to be variably adjusted, troubleshooting diagnostic equipment, and a communication module that performs data communication with a PDA, a GPS receiver, a mobile printer, and other peripheral devices are provided on one side of the latter cradle .

As described above, a variety of cradles , each of which allows a PDA connected to a GPS receiver to be mounted thereon, have been proposed. However, most cradles are configured to be separate from GPS receivers and antennas , so that they are inconvenient in that the GPS receivers must be installed in vehicles . Furthermore, they are inconvenient in that terminal cradles must be separately purchased and installed even though GPS receivers have been purchased. ,

Furthermore, a cable for connecting an antenna and a receiver and a cable for a receiver and a PDA exist in a vehicle . This is not good from an aesthetic point of view and results in inconvenience for users .

[Dxsclosure]

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring m the prior art, and an obj ect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for receiving GPS signals , in which a vacuum pad, for fastening and installing a terminal cradle to the windshield of a vehicle, and an antenna are integrated into a single body, so that the GPS signal reception sensitivity can be improved . Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for receiving GPS signals , in which a vacuum pad for fastening a terminal cradle, an antenna, and a signal processing unit are integrated into a single body, so that it is not necessary to install a separate antenna .

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for receiving GPS signals capable of being fastened to the windows of vehicles , the apparatus including an antenna for receiving signals from _

satellites ; a GPS receiver unit connected to the antenna and configured to process signals received through the antenna ; a vacuum pad attached to a surface; a main body part fastened to an upper surface of the vacuum pad, and configured to define an internal space between the vacuum pad and itself and to fixedly accommodate the antenna and the receiver unit in the internal space ; and a signal cable, one end of which is connected to the output terminal of the receiver unit, and the other end of which is connected to be disposed outside the main body part .

The apparatus further includes a terminal cradle connected to the GPS receiver unit in the main body part through the signal cable .

In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus for receiving GPS signals capable of being fastened to the windows of vehicles, the apparatus including an antenna for receiving signals from satellites ; a receiver unit connected to the antenna and configured to process signals received through the antenna; a wireless signal transmission unit for converting the signals , which are received from the receiver unit, into wireless signals and re-transmitting the wireless signals ; a vacuum pad attached to a surface; and a mam body part fastened to an upper surface of the vacuum pad, and configured to fixedly accommodate the antenna, the receiver unit and the wireless signal transmission unit m an internal space defined _ _

between the vacuum pad and itself .

It is preferred that the wireless signal transmission unit be a Bluetooth transmission module .

[Advantageous Effects] The apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to the present invention can be installed in such a manner as to be fastened to the windshield of a vehicle in a vacuum manner, so that it can be easily installed.

Furthermore, the apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to the present invention is configured m such a manner that an antenna is fastened to a vacuum pad that is fastened to the windshield of a vehicle in a vacuum manner, so that the reception sensitivity of the antenna can be improved . Furthermore, the apparatuses for receiving GPS signals according to the present invention is manufactured such that a receiver unit, an antenna, and a vacuum pad are integrated into a single body, so that a conventional signal cable for connecting a GPS receiver unit and an antenna can be eliminated. As a result, the aesthetics of the interior of a vehicle can be improved .

[Description of Drawings]

FIG . 1 is a diagram showing an overall construction m which an apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is connected to a terminal;

FIG . 2 is a block diagram showing a vacuum pad, a main body part, a GPS receiver unit, and an antenna in the apparatus for receiving GPS signals shown in FIG . 1 ;

FIG . 3 is a diagram showing an example of use of the apparatus for receiving GPS signals shown in FIG . 1 ;

FIG . 4 is a diagram showing the construction of an apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG . 5 is a diagram showing the construction an apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to another embodiment of the present invention .

[Best Mode] The construction and operation of an apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below.

FIG . 1 is a perspective view showing the overall construction of the apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention . FIG . 2 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of a vacuum pad and a main body part .

Referring to FIGS . 1 and 2 , the apparatus for receiving GPS signals includes a vacuum pad 100, a main body part 110, an antenna 120, a GPS receiver unit 130, and a signal cable 140, and the main body part 110 is connected to a terminal cradle .

The antenna 120 receives signals from satellites, and transfers the signals received to the GPS receiver unit 130. The GPS receiver unit 130 is connected to the antenna, processes the signals received through the antenna, and transfers the processed signals to an external terminal through the signal cable 140. In this case, the external terminal may be disposed on the terminal cradle .

The vacuum pad 100 adheres closely to a flat surface, such as the window of a vehicle, and is fastened thereto by air pressure . Furthermore, the vacuum pad 100 is formed in a shape that has a concave center portion, and is formed of rubber material or silicon material .

The main body part 110 is formed in a rounded dome shape and is adhered and fastened to the upper surface of the vacuum pad, so that it can perform a role of pressing the vacuum pad so as to maintain the vacuum state between the outside surface of the vacuum pad and the surface to which the vacuum pad adheres . An internal space is formed between the inner surface of the vacuum pad and the main body part due to adhesion, and the antenna and the receiver unit are fixedly accommodated in the internal space . It is preferred that the antenna be attached to the inner surface of the vacuum pad, and that the outside surface of the vacuum pad be fastened to the windshield of a vehicle at the time of use, in order to improve GPS signal reception sensitivity.

One end of the signal cable 140 is connected to the output terminal of the receiver unit . The other terminal thereof is connected so as to be disposed outside of the main body part, and is connected to the external terminal . The receiver unit is supplied with power through the signal cable 140 by the terminal . The terminal is disposed on the terminal cradle connected to the main body part .

It is preferred that the apparatus for receiving GPS signals further include a terminal cradle 160 connected to the main body part, and that the signal cable be connected to the terminal cradle, so that a signal transmitted from the GPS receiver unit of the apparatus for receiving GPS signals is directly forwarded to the terminal . As a result, the signal cable is not externally exposed, therefore the interior of a vehicle is clean and orderly .

Meanwhile, it is preferred that the apparatus for receiving GPS signals further include an air discharging part at a predetermined position on the main body part, to allow air, which exists in the internal space formed by the vacuum pad and the main body part, to be discharged to the outside, so that the vacuum pad can closely adhere to the windows of vehicles .

As described above, the apparatus for receiving GPS _,

signals according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG . 3, includes the vacuum pad, which can be fastened to the windows of vehicles, and the main body part, and is configured such that a receiver unit and an antenna are provided in the main body part, so that the vacuum pad, the receiver unit, and the antenna are integrated into a single body, therefore the GPS receiver unit and the antenna can be attached to the windshields of vehicles , and connection with a terminal can be facilitated.

[Mode for Invention]

An apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to another embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to FIG . 4 below. As shown in FIG. 4 , the apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to the present embodiment is not directly connected to a terminal cradle . One end of the signal cable 140 of a main body part is connected to the output terminal of a receiver unit, and the other terminal of the signal cable is connected so as to be arranged outside the main body part . The latter end has a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal so as to perform USB communication or serial communication with a terminal, such a PDA. Accordingly, the apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to the present invention can be easily connected to any type of terminal . An apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to another embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to FIG . 5 below . As shown in FIG . 5, the apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to the present embodiment further includes a wireless signal transmission unit 520 connected to a GPS receiver unit 510. The wireless signal transmission unit 520 is provided in the main body part, converts a signal , which is received from the GPS receiver unit, into a wireless signal , and externally transmits the converted signal . In this case, a device for receiving the signal transmitted from the wireless signal transmission unit 520 may be a terminal in which a wireless signal reception module that is capable of receiving the wireless signal is installed. Furthermore, the wireless signal may be implemented using various available methods, such as a Bluetooth signal communication method and an infrared communication method . The wireless signal transmission unit and the wireless signal reception module must use the same protocol and the same signal transmission method .

Although, for the present invention described above, descriptions are made based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention, these embodiments are only exemplary and do not limit the present invention . Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and applications that are not described above are possible within a range that does not depart from the substantial characteristics of the present invention . For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, elements , such as the type of wireless signal, the type of antenna, the method of disposing the antenna, and whether a terminal cradle and a GPS receiver unit are connected to each other, may be implemented with various modifications . Furthermore, it must be understood that such differences in modification and application are included within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims .

[industrial Applicability]

The apparatus for receiving GPS signals according to the present invention can be conveniently used for a vehicle navigation system for receiving GPS signals in a vehicle and providing information about locations .

Claims

_

[CLAIMS]

[Claim l]

An apparatus for receiving Global Positioning System (GPS ) signals capable of being fastened to windows of vehicles , the apparatus comprising : an antenna for receiving signals from satellites ; a GPS receiver unit connected to the antenna and configured to process signals received through the antenna; a vacuum pad attached to a surface; a main body part fastened to an upper surface of the vacuum pad, and configured to define an internal space between the vacuum pad and itself and to fixedly accommodate the antenna and the receiver unit in the internal space; and a signal cable, one end of which is connected to an output terminal of the receiver unit, and a remaining end of which is connected to be disposed outside the main body part, so that it transfers signals , which are received from the receiver unit , to an external terminal .

[Claim 2]

The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal cradle connected to the main body part ; wherein the signal cable is connected to the terminal cradle .

[Claim 3]

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the signal cable is provided with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal at one end thereof .

[Claim 4 ]

An apparatus for receiving GPS signals capable of being fastened to windows of vehicles, the apparatus comprising : an antenna for receiving signals from satellites ; a receiver unit connected to the antenna and configured to process signals received through the antenna; a wireless signal transmission unit for converting the signals , which are received from the receiver unit, into wireless signals and re-transmitting the wireless signals ; a vacuum pad attached to a surface; and a main body part fastened to an upper surface of the vacuum pad, and configured to define an internal space between the vacuum pad and itself and to fixedly accommodate the antenna, the receiver unit and the wireless signal transmission unit in the internal space .

[Claim 5]

The apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a terminal cradle connected to the main body part .

[Claim 6]

The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the wireless signal transmission unit is a Bluetooth transmission module .

[Claim 7]

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antenna is attached to a surface of the vacuum pad .