Patents by Inventor Lawrence W. Beason
Lawrence W. Beason has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9992314Abstract: Techniques are described for automatic device mode switching. In an implementation an electronic device provides a variety of functionality through multiple modes of the electronic device. The electronic device may be configured to toggle between modes when inserted into or removed from a corresponding mounting device. In an implementation, one operational mode may be automatically activated upon insertion of the electronic device into the mounting device. Another operational mode may be automatically activated when the electronic device is removed from the mounting device. In another implementation, multiple modes of an electronic device may be associated with multiple orientations of the device. An orientation detector may provide signals indicative of orientation, which when detected causes automatic activation of an associated operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventor: Lawrence W. Beason
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Publication number: 20090189803Abstract: An electronic device comprises a location determining component such as a GPS receiver, or the like, which employs multiple antennas configured for use when the device is in various orientations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: GARMIN LTD.Inventor: Lawrence W. Beason
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Publication number: 20090191854Abstract: Techniques are described for automatic device mode switching. In an implementation an electronic device provides a variety of functionality through multiple modes of the electronic device. The electronic device may be configured to toggle between modes when inserted into or removed from a corresponding mounting device. In an implementation, one operational mode may be automatically activated upon insertion of the electronic device into the mounting device. Another operational mode may be automatically activated when the electronic device is removed from the mounting device. In another implementation, multiple modes of an electronic device may be associated with multiple orientations of the device. An orientation detector may provide signals indicative of orientation, which when detected causes automatic activation of an associated operational mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: GARMIN LTD.Inventor: Lawrence W. Beason
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Patent number: 7456784Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Thomas H. Walters, Ronald B. Kabler
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Patent number: 7330150Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Thomas H. Walters, Ronald B. Kabler
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Patent number: 7196659Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Thomas H. Walters, Ronald B. Kabler
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Patent number: 6862525Abstract: 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 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, David J. Laverick, Tracy Olivier, Scott Burgett
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Patent number: 6845323Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, David J. Laverick, Tracy Olivier, Scott Burgett
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Patent number: 6529827Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, David J. Laverick, Tracy Olivier, Scott Burgett
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Patent number: 6492941Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Thomas H. Walters, Ronald B. Kabler
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Patent number: 6434485Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, David J. Laverick, Tracy Olivier, Scott Burgett
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Patent number: 6381540Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, David J. Laverick, Tracy Olivier, Scott Burgett
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Patent number: 6373430Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Gamin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Thomas H. Walters, Ronald B. Kabler
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Patent number: 5654718Abstract: A device and method for compensating a crystal oscillator that is not electrically compensated over its operable temperature range. A GPS receiver device stores in memory data indicative of the actual offset frequency of oscillation of the crystal over its operable temperature range. The first time the device is activated, the temperature at the crystal is sensed and data, stored in memory, indicative of the specified frequency offset of the crystal at the sensed temperature is retrieved, and used to control the receiver.backslash.decoder. When the receiver locks onto a sufficient number of satellites to calculate its two-dimensional location, the actual frequency offset of the crystal is calculated and stored in memory. Repeated use of the receiver device permits a database of actual frequency offset data of the crystal, over its operable temperature range to be stored. Subsequent uses of the device permit retrieval of this data for use in locking the receiver onto satellite signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1996Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Ronald T. Chinnery, Stephen Davis, Jay Dee Krull
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Patent number: 5526235Abstract: An electronic storage device having IC chips mounted upon a board, with the board surrounded by a card housing. A portion of the card housing is formed of conductive material and is electrically connected to the board to allow the board to be easily grounded to reduce damage due to static electricity. The card is operatively received in a receptacle having a bay sized to receive the card. Upon insertion of the card into the bay, a grounding contact grounded to the receptacle may engage the conductive portion of the card housing to ground the card prior to the card contacts being operatively connected. The card preferably has a shape such that it may only be inserted into the bay in the proper orientation. The receptacle may have a power switch located to provide full access to the bay in the power-off position, but blocking bay access in the power-on position. This ensures that the card is not inserted while the receptacle is activated, and that the receptacle is deactivated prior to removing the card.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Garmin Communication and NavigationInventors: Lawrence W. Beason, Sheldon T. Wheaton, Christopher J. Hanshew
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Patent number: D384661Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: Jonathan C. Burrell, Lawrence W. Beason, Gary L. Burrell, David J. Laverick