Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device mount (10) operable to provide navigation information to an electronic device (D). The mount (10) generally includes a housing (12) operable to securely retain the electronic device (D) and removably couple with a surface. The housing (12) preferably encloses or supports various portions of an antenna (14), a processor (18), and/or a transmitter (16). The antenna (14) is operable to receive a navigation signal, the processor (18) is operable to generate navigation information utilizing the received navigation signal, and the transmitter (16) operable to wirelessly transmit the generated navigation information to the electronic device (D). Such a configuration enables the electronic device (D) to receive navigation information from the mount (10) while being compactly and securely retained.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 12, 2011
Assignee:
Garmin Switzerland GmbH
Inventors:
Clifton A. Pemble, Warren R. Stevens, Michael R. Wiegers
Abstract: A system and method which implement automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech (TTS) programs to permit pilots, co-pilots, and other persons to more quickly and easily perform control and monitoring tasks on aircraft. The system may be used to automatically change the frequency of an aircraft radio when a pilot or co-pilot is instructed to do so by ATC.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2006
Date of Patent:
March 22, 2011
Assignee:
Garmin International, Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph L. Komer, Joseph E. Gepner, Charles Gregory Sherwood
Abstract: A watch device for use by a swimmer while swimming in a body of water. The watch device may generally comprise a housing, a location determining component disposed within the housing and operable to receive one or more satellite signals to determine a current geographic location of the housing, and a processing system. The processing system may synchronize the location determining component with the swimmer's arm movement so that the location determining component can determine the current geographic location of the housing.
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide navigation devices (10) and methods for receiving and/or forming geoblogs. The provided navigation devices (10) are generally operable to retrieve a geoblog utilizing the current geographic location of the device (10) and a user input, form a geoblog utilizing the current geographic location of the device (10) and selected pre-defined comment, and/or automatically title a geoblog utilizing a current geographic location of the device (10). Such configurations and variations thereof enable users to easily share information related to a geographic location.
Abstract: A portable personal training device is disclosed. The device generally includes a location determining component operable to determine a geographic location of the device, a housing having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion at an angle, and a strap operable to secure the housing to a user's wrist such that the first portion is operable to be positioned on a top of the wrist and the second portion is operable to be positioned offset from the top of the wrist. Such a configuration facilitates both wearing and operation of the device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 9, 2010
Assignee:
Garmin Switzerland GmbH
Inventors:
John P. Oberrieder, Paul E. Skelton, Warren R. Stevens, Brian M. Sandefur, David F. Lammers-Meis, Justin R. Lyons
Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating bearing of a target based on RF signals received by an array of antenna elements. The system comprises first and second input channels that are configured to receive analog signals that correspond to first and second antenna elements. The system also includes an analog to digital converter module for converting each of the analog signals to digital data samples and outputting separate streams of digital data samples corresponding to each of the first and second antenna elements as first and second data streams. An in-phase and quadrature detector module includes a phase shift module for shifting each of the first and second data streams by a predetermined amount of time to form first and second phase shifted data streams. A surveillance module determines a bearing of the target based on in-phase and quadrature data.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 2, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 2, 2010
Assignee:
Garmin International, Inc.
Inventors:
John C. Blessing, Weiguang Hou, Edward W. Needham
Abstract: A system for estimating motion parameters corresponding to a user. The system may generally include a receiver operable to receive a signal from an external source, an inertial sensor operable to be coupled with the user and arbitrarily oriented relative to the direction of user motion for generation of a signal corresponding to user motion, and a processing system in communication with the receiver and inertial sensor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 18, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 2, 2010
Assignee:
Garmin Switzerland GmbH
Inventors:
Ross G. Stirling, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach
Abstract: A navigational aid device is provided that includes a GPS module, a processor, and memory. The device is configured to automatically determine a route to a destination and to account for, in its determination of a route, a plurality of modes of public, private, or both public and private transportation. Some of these configurations may also be configured to recommend a mode or modes of transportation to take to get to a destination, and/or accept user preferences in recommending a route or the mode or modes of transportation to take to get to the destination.
Abstract: A personal training device (10) adapted to assist a user in reaching performance goals, navigating, and accumulating performance statistics. In a preferred embodiment, the device broadly comprises a housing (10); an attachment mechanism (30); a GPS component (40); a user interface (50), including an input portion (52) and an output portion (54); a processor (60), including a timer (62) and a memory element (64); a data interface (70), including an input portion (72) and an output portion (74); an audio component (80); and a power supply (90). The device (10) is adapted to store goal information, monitor performance using GPS-derived data, and communicate performance information.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 18, 2009
Date of Patent:
September 7, 2010
Assignee:
Garmin Ltd.
Inventors:
Wai C. Lee, Tracy L. Oliver, Ryan T. Moore, Claudette D. Fisher, David J. Downey, John H. Lovitt, Scott J. Brunk
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a navigation device (10) and method that are operable to provide an alert by comparing user geographic locations. The navigation device (10) generally includes a location determining component (14) operable to determine a current geographic location of the device (10), a memory (16) operable to store data corresponding to a previous geographic location of the device (10), a processor (12), and a display (20). The processor (12) is operable to compare the current geographic location of the device (10) to the previous geographic location of the device (10) and generate an alert based upon the comparison. The display (20) is operable to provide a visual indication of the generated alert. Such a configuration enables an attention-getting alert to be automatically provided even if a user is severely injured or incapacitated.
Abstract: A portable apparatus (10) providing both substantially automated performance monitoring and audio entertainment features. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus (10) broadly comprises a portable housing (12); an attachment mechanism (14); a GPS component (16); a heart rate monitor component (17); an audio component (18); a user interface (20); a processor (26); and a power supply (30). The housing (12) may include a headset (1112a) wherein the GPS component (16) is located, and a second housing component (1112b) wherein the processor (26) is located, wherein the GPS component (16) communicates with the processor (26) in a wireless manner. The apparatus (10) is adapted to determine a number of laps or a distance, to provide an elapsed time, and to determine a speed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 8, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 24, 2010
Assignee:
Garmin Ltd.
Inventors:
Jonathan C. Burrell, John H. Lovitt, John H. Conrad
Abstract: A watch device includes a touch-sensitive user interface employing a sensor positioned within the bezel of the display for detecting when the bezel is touched by a user of the watch device. The sensor may be capable of detecting single presses, multiple simultaneous presses, and scrolling motion presses about the bezel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 17, 2010
Assignee:
Garmin Ltd.
Inventors:
Justin R. Lyons, Kristin M. Massoth, John H. Lovitt, Claudette D. Stevenson, David J. Downey