Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface. The apparatus includes a cradle securable to the electronic device and a pivot link, which has a first end and a second end. The first end being pivotally coupled to the cradle. The apparatus also includes a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto. The second end of the pivot link is pivotally coupled to the support. The apparatus has a base which has a lower face that can be coupled to the surface and an upper face. The upper face has a receiving slot for the pedestal, the slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage the pedestal. The slot further has an open end to allow the pedestal to be moved within the slot. The base further includes a releasable locking arm having a retaining ridge located in line with the open end of the slot to selectively hold the pedestal within the slot.

Abstract: A sonar depth sounder device and method for processing echo signals, reflected from objects within a body of water, utilizes a processor, a memory, a display, and a keypad connected to the processor. The receiver receives sonar signals indicative of ambient noise in an underwater environment. The processor receives an electrical signal representative of the ambient noise, and calculates a detection threshold. The detection threshold is calculated by multiplying a scaling factor times the variance of the signal indicative of the ambient noise, and adding that product to the mean of the signal indicative of the ambient noise in the underwater environment. A transmitter then excites a transducer which emits sonar pulses into a body of water, and a receiver receives reflected sonar echo signals. When the intensity of the reflected sonar echo signals is less than the detection threshold, the reflected echo signals are eliminated from processing.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a point-reduced backtrack route is provided, using the aid of Global Positioning System technology. The method begins by recording a potentially very large series of data points using GPS technology and a user-selected point recording algorithm into a forward-track route. A point-reducing algorithm is then used to reduce the forward track to a backtrack route which preserves the topological essence of the original route, but with far fewer data points. This reduced backtrack route is then suitable for storage in a memory constrained device, and is suitable for backtrack navigation without the need for the large set of original route points. Storage of a number of such backtrack routes is thus made available to the end user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refreshing a passive liquid crystal display. A device implements a liquid crystal display, having a liquid crystal module, a backlight, a processor, and controllers. The processor establishes a first frequency for the backlight to provide dimming ratios greater than 20 to 1. The processor establishes a second frequency for refreshing the LCD module such that the ratio of the display refresh frequency to backlight frequency is 6.5. The multiplicative and fractional factor reduces display aliases and beat frequency artifacts created by the differences in the two frequencies.

Abstract: A portable, handheld electronic navigation device includes an altimeter, a compass, and a GPS unit. An internal memory stores cartographic data, for displaying the cartographic data on a display of the navigation device. Accordingly, the device is capable of displaying cartographic data surrounding a location of the unit as determined by GPS, heading information as determined by the compass, and altitude information as determined by the altimeter. Additionally, through operation of an input, a user can cause the display to move, and thus display additional cartographic information, in the direction of the compass heading even when the user of the device is standing still. Furthermore, through utilization of a clock, such as the GPS clock, a user can determine altitude changes over time. Also, the altimeter of the navigation may be calibrated with altitude information entered by a user, with altitude information obtained from the cartographic or with altitude information derived from GPS.

Abstract: A method and device for displaying animated navigation information has a processor, a memory, a display, and an input, housed in a portable, handheld housing. In various embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of frames are stored in memory, wherein each frame includes data indicative of a still-shot of a portion of an animated sequence represented by the total plurality of frames. The processor retrieves the frames in sequence for display on the display, such that successively displaying each of the frames on the display presents a visualization on the display of animated movement. In one aspect of the invention, animation is provided upon power up of the unit to provide the user with an indication of the nature of use and features of the unit. In another aspect of the invention, animation is provided to provide an indication to the user of satellite signal acquisition for use in navigation purposes.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for positioning an electronic device with respect to a surface. The apparatus includes a cradle adapted to be releasably secured to the electronic device having a front and back side. The apparatus also includes a support adapted to be mounted to a surface. The apparatus has a connector that has a first and second end. The first end of the connector is slidably connected to the cradle wherein the cradle is adapted to move along its longitudinal axis. A pin pivotally couples the second end of the connector to the support. A user can selectively adjust the longitudinal and pivotal position of the cradle by grasping a handle located on the end of the pin and moving the cradle to a desired position. A user can fix the position of the cradle by turning the handle located on the pin thereby engaging the locking mechanism located on the connector and support.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided which includes a housing having a front face, a base, and a back wall joined in a polyhedron configuration. The front face includes an input area having keys for data entry and a display area having a screen to illustrate information to the user. The front face, back wall, and base are joined in the polyhedron configuration, such that the front face is presented to the user at an angle to horizontal when the base is mounted upon a horizontal or vertical surface. The front face, back wall, and base are joined at rounded edges to afford a smooth contour which is easily and comfortably grasped within the hand of the user. The portable electronic device further includes a sensor to determine whether the housing is aligned upon a horizontal or vertical axis. This sensor delivers its output to a display control which realigns information displayed upon the view screen to shift the displayed information between vertical and horizontal configurations.

Abstract: A mount for mounting an electronic device, such as a GPS device, has an integrated antenna. In particular, the mount includes a mounting bracket and a base, to which the mounting bracket is adjustably secured. The mounting bracket has an antenna housing at an upper portion thereof, wherein the antenna housing is formed by a cavity integrally molded in the mounting bracket and a cap for positioning over the cavity. A cylindrical, helical antenna is positioned in the cavity, and the cap is releasably secured over the antenna to the periphery of the cavity. A co-axial cable connects the antenna to an electrical connector, also located on the mounting bracket. The electrical connector is adapted to connect with a corresponding electrical connector on an electronic device to which the mount is attached.

Abstract: A light pipe for use in a backlight for a display panel. The light pipe is formed by a clear plastic panel which receives light at one edge. The panel face is provided with a plurality of quadraspherical depressions which may be arranged in parallel rows. Along each row, the depressions become progressively larger and progressively closer together. The presence of the depressions enhances the efficiency and uniformity of the light distribution from the light pipe panel.

Abstract: A method and device for displaying animated navigation information has a processor, a memory, a display, and an input, housed in a portable, handheld housing. In various embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of frames are stored in memory, wherein each frame includes data indicative of a still-shot of a portion of an animated sequence represented by the total plurality of frames. The processor retrieves the frames in sequence for display on the display, such that successively displaying each of the frames on the display presents a visualization on the display of animated movement. In one aspect of the invention, animation is provided upon power up of the unit to provide the user with an indication of the nature of use and features of the unit. In another aspect of the invention, animation is provided to provide an indication to the user of satellite signal acquisition for use in navigation purposes.

Abstract: A GPS system device acquires satellites after a power-on event without requiring a need for a real time clock. A list of the highest visible satellites for a given periodic interval is computed and referenced by time. The list can be stored in a non-volatile or battery backed memory during a power off state or can be generated at power up prior to satellite acquisition. When the GPS system device is powered on, satellites from the list are searched using a multi-channel correlator until at least one of the satellites is acquired. The present time is estimated based upon the relationship to the list of the satellite, and satellite visibility is computed. The multi-channel correlator is then updated to search satellites that are likely to be visible based upon the acquired satellite. The search for satellites is further refined by the observation of the handover word provided by an acquired satellite. When a minimum number of satellites are acquired, normal satellite tracking and position computation may occur.

Abstract: A portable, handheld electronic navigation device includes an altimeter, a compass, and a GPS unit. An internal memory stores cartographic data, for displaying the cartographic data on a display of the navigation device. Accordingly, the device is capable of displaying cartographic data surrounding a location of the unit as determined by GPS, heading information as determined by the compass, and altitude information as determined by the altimeter. Additionally, through operation of an input, a user can cause the display to move, and thus display additional cartographic information, in the direction of the compass heading even when the user of the device is standing still. Furthermore, through utilization of a clock, such as the GPS clock, a user can determine altitude changes over time. Also, the altimeter of the navigation may be calibrated with altitude information entered by a user, with altitude information obtained from the cartographic or with altitude information derived from GPS.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sonar transducer (10) for attachment to a water vessel that more effectively transmits and receives sonar signals even when the water vessel is traveling at high speeds. The sonar transducer includes a transducer element (12) and a transducer housing (14) for housing the transducer element. The transducer housing includes a lower housing section (22) having a bottom wall (34) that is continuously curved with no major portion thereof parallel to the bottom face of the transducer element. The curved bottom is preferably bow-shaped so that the front of the transducer housing is raised relative to the rear to create a positive angle of attack relative to the oncoming water. This pressurizes water flow under the bottom of the transducer housing and promotes a laminar flow. Such a laminar flow reduces turbulence and cavitation and therefore nearly eliminates undesirable attenuation and reflection of transmitted and received energy.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to the dashboad of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending from said plate. The outwardly biased arm engages the cradle when the mount is secured to the cradle. The arm is deflected inwardly to allow the electronic device to be quickly and easily removed from the dashboard of the vehicle in a single motion.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly is provided for electrically coupling together two or more circuit boards, with one circuit board oriented at an acute angle relative to the other circuit board. The assembly includes a first circuit board having a first edge and a plurality of connecting holes disposed therethrough adjacent the first edge. Each of the holes is electrically isolated from the others and each is electrically connected to electronic circuitry printed on the first circuit board. The assembly further includes a second circuit board having a first edge and a plurality of connecting holes disposed therethrough adjacent the first edge. Each of the holes of the second board is electrically isolated from the others and is electrically connected to electronic circuitry printed on the second circuit board. The assembly also includes a conductive support plate having a plurality of connecting legs extending therefrom along a first edge thereof.

Abstract: A combined marine entertainment system and depth sounder (10) that more efficiently utilizes limited marine instrument panel space, that is more convenient and simple to operate, and that shares certain components and, therefore, is less expensive to manufacture and install. The apparatus includes a main unit (12) and a separate remote unit (14). The main unit includes a housing (16); an entertainment assembly including a display (20) and an entertainment component (18) positioned in the housing; and a depth sounder assembly including a depth display (48) positioned within the same housing as the entertainment assembly display and entertainment component.

Abstract: A sonar depth sounder device and method for processing echo signals, reflected from objects within a body of water, utilizes a processor, a memory, a display, and a keypad connected to the processor. The receiver receives sonar signals indicative of ambient noise in an underwater environment. The processor receives an electrical signal representative of the ambient noise, and calculates a detection threshold. The detection threshold is calculated by multiplying a scaling factor times the variance of the signal indicative of the ambient noise, and adding that product to the mean of the signal indicative of the ambient noise in the underwater environment. A transmitter then excites a transducer which emits sonar pulses into a body of water, and a receiver receives reflected sonar echo signals. When the intensity of the reflected sonar echo signals is less than the detection threshold, the reflected echo signals are eliminated from processing.

Abstract: A method and connector for connecting an electroluminescent (EL) lamp to a printed circuit board utilizing a pair of unique connector clips. Each connector clip is formed of bent sheet metal and has a bottom, a top, a closed bent end and an open end. Each connector clip is attached to a printed circuit board and the periphery of an EL lamp is positioned in the clips by sliding the EL lamp into the mouth of the connector clips. In particular, the EL lamp has a pair of contact pads on a bottom surface thereof, such that each pad contacts the bottom of a corresponding one of the connector clips. In a method of attaching the EL lamp to the printed circuit board, the EL lamp is releasably positioned in the clips by sliding the lamp into the clips. In one embodiment, positioning the EL lamp into the clips is done manually. In another embodiment, positioning the EL lamp into the clips is accomplished by a surface mount device and, particularly, by a vacuum-holding device.