Patents Assigned to Garmin Ltd.
  • SEPARABLE BALL AND SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE MOUNTS
    Publication number: 20080023606
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface. The mounting assembly generally includes a base including a mounting ball and a socket assembly operable to frictionally engage the ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. The base may be removably coupled with the surface and the socket assembly may be removably coupled with the electronic device. Such a configuration enables the electronic device to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base to the surface, then attaching the socket assembly to the base and positioning the socket assembly in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device to the socket assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventors: Robert Kalis, Stephen Waite, Paul Skelton, Dale Langner
  • Battery contact mechanism including single-piece battery contact spring
    Patent number: 7322862
    Abstract: A battery contact mechanism (10) including a battery contact spring (12) for electrically connecting a battery (24) with electronic componentry (20) within a battery-powered device (14), such as, for example, a portable, hand-held GPS unit or personal digital assistant (PDA). The battery contact mechanism (10) includes a single-piece battery contact spring (12), including a center section (34), an upper tang (36) for contacting the battery (24), and a lower tang (38) for contacting the electronic componentry (20); a post or rib projection (28) for securing the spring (12) within the device (14); and a sealant reservoir (30) for preventing leakage of moisture or other substances to the electronic componentry (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Burrell, John B. Whiteside, Chi-Min Lin
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING RADIO STATIONS
    Publication number: 20080016079
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a navigation device (10) and method that are operable to locate a radio station utilizing a user's current geographic location. 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 radio stations and related geographic locations, a processor (12), and a display (20). The processor (12) is operable to identify at least one radio station utilizing the current geographic location of the device (10) and the display (20) is operable to present an indication of the identified radio station. Such a configuration enables accessible radio stations to be easily located without tedious and potentially dangerous manual scanning of radio frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: Jay D. Schroeder
  • Vehicle dash-mounted navigation device
    Patent number: 7313477
    Abstract: A GPS system (10) which may be mounted on a dashboard (12) of any vehicle (14) after the vehicle has been manufactured yet appears to be integral with the dashboard. The GPS system (10) includes a GPS device (16), a hood (18) for covering the GPS device, a base (20) for supporting the GPS device and the hood on the vehicle dashboard, and a faceplate (22) for placement over the front face of the GPS device for framing the GPS display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: David J. Laverick, Jeffrey D. Minelli
  • AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIRCRAFT
    Publication number: 20070288128
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Komer, Joseph E. Gepner, Charles Gregory Sherwood
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN ALERT UTILIZING GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
    Publication number: 20070288157
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: Glenn T. Peterman
  • Navigation system, method and device with automatic next turn page
    Patent number: 7308359
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The navigational aid device includes a processor adapted to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device processes travel along the route. The device recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Mark D. Tompkins, Shane R. Runquist
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20070282526
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: David A. Smith
  • Portable navigation device with releasable antenna
    Patent number: 7299129
    Abstract: A multi-function, portable, electronic device includes a housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a display in communication with the processor and positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A detection mechanism indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the detection mechanism indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert M. Kalis, David Lammers-Meis, Christopher J. Hanshew, Richard J. Haigh, Thomas H. Walters
  • Separable ball and socket assembly for electronic device mounts
    Patent number: 7296771
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly (100) for mounting an electronic device (D) to a surface (S). The mounting assembly (100) generally includes a base (102) including a mounting ball (110) and a socket assembly (104) operable to frictionally engage the ball (110) to removably couple the socket assembly (104) to the base (102). The base (102) may be removably coupled with the surface (S) and the socket assembly (104) may be removably coupled with the electronic device (D). Such a configuration enables the electronic device (D) to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base (102) to the surface (S), then attaching the socket assembly (104) to the base (102) and positioning the socket assembly (104) in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device (D) to the socket assembly (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert M. Kalis, Stephen P. Waite, Paul E. Skelton, Dale R. Langner
  • Waterproof combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio and method of waterproof enclosure fabrication
    Patent number: 7298320
    Abstract: A combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) that is configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more other such units and that includes a substantially waterproof enclosure for protection of the electronic components contained therein is provided. The substantially waterproof enclosure includes first and second cooperatively mated housing sections which, when mated, form an internal compartment or chamber for enclosing electronic components of the GPS/radio unit. The waterproof enclosure may further include a cover positioned over a plurality of tubular structures which protrude from a top end wall of the second housing section. Also provided is a method of waterproofing a GPS/radio unit including a number of different techniques for waterproofing different features and elements of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: John B. Whiteside, David Lammers-Meis
  • System and method for estimating impedance time through a road network
    Patent number: 7283905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin J. Beesley, Michael Childs
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OFF-BOARD NAVIGATION WITH A PORTABLE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20070233384
    Abstract: A wireless portable device that includes a screen, a wireless antenna, transmitter and receiver for communicating over a wireless network with a remote server, a GPS antenna and receiver for receiving GPS signals from GPS satellites, a processor controlling communication over the wireless network and processing the GPS signals, memory storing a navigator application that utilizes the GPS signals and a client program. The client program includes a hypertext markup language (HTML) or scripting language interpreter that is configured to receive a file including hyperlinks from a server, render the file on the screen of the wireless portable device, recognize tags associated with a hyperlink, including either location information, geocode or both, and use the tags to initiate the navigator application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: Choy Lee
  • Guidance with feature accounting for insignificant roads
    Patent number: 7277794
    Abstract: PDA systems, devices and methods are provided to account for insignificant route segments to enhance a route guidance experience. A PDA is provided according to one aspect. The PDA includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and memory are adapted to cooperate to provide route guidance that accounts for insignificant route segments. According to various embodiments, insignificant route segments are accounted for by nullifying and/or modifying route guidance maneuvers associated with the insignificant route segments. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael E. Childs, Darin J. Beesley
  • Guidance with feature accounting for insignificant roads
    Patent number: 7269508
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to account for insignificant route segments to enhance a route guidance experience. An electronic navigational aid device is provided according to one aspect. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and memory are adapted to cooperate to provide route guidance that accounts for insignificant route segments. According to various embodiments, insignificant route segments are accounted for by nullifying and/or modifying route guidance maneuvers associated with the insignificant route segments. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Childs, Darin J. Beesley
  • Radar array
    Patent number: D554110
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: John B. Whiteside, James P. Ross, Warren R. Stevens
  • End caps for a navigational device
    Patent number: D560519
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul E. Skelton, Kevin M. Hansen, Warren R. Stevens
  • GPS exercise monitoring device
    Patent number: D560520
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: John P. Oberrieder, Paul E. Skelton, Warren R. Stevens, Brian M. Sandefur, David F. Lammers-Meis
  • Mount for a navigation device
    Patent number: D560525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul E. Skelton, Brian M. Sandefur
  • Mount for a navigation device
    Patent number: D560526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul E. Skelton, Brian M. Sandefur