Portable GPS methods and devices
Devices and Methods are disclosed for portable devices having a GPS receiver for obtaining location data, a memory for retrieving map data, and which display integrated map and location data. In certain embodiments the device is based upon a generic portable host chassis, such as a PDA having an expansion bus interface such as a CompactFlash interface, and the GPS receiver and map storage functionality are provided by a removable expansion module that serves to customize the portable host as a GPS system. In such removable expansion module embodiments, the GPS receiver location data and the memory may data are transferred from the removable expansion module to the portable host over the expansion interface. In certain removable expansion module embodiments, the expansion interface is a first-level expansion interface, the removable expansion module is a first-level removable expansion module, and the memory is a second-level removable expansion module coupled to the first-level removable expansion module via a second-level expansion interface.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A method of using a general-purpose portable host having integral display and input devices and an integral expansion interface compatible with industry standard removable expansion cards, the method comprising:
attaching and operatively coupling a removable expansion device to the portable host via the expansion interface, the removable expansion device being adapted to include application-specific circuitry, an application-specific I/O device, and a memory, the removable expansion device being adapted such that when attached to the portable host the removable expansion device and portable host combination handles physically as a single piece of equipment, and
executing application-specific software on the portable host, the software using the display and input devices to create a user interface including application-specific virtual controls; and
wherein the specific application is a GPS application, the I/O device is a GPS receiver providing location data, map data is stored in the memory, and at least some of the map data and at least some of the location data is displayed in combination.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the general-purpose portable host uses the expansion interface as a common path to the removable expansion device for both the reading of the map data and the receiving of the location data.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the memory is a removable memory, the expansion interface is a first-level expansion interface, and the removable expansion device includes a second-level expansion interface and removable memory adapter circuitry for receiving and operatively coupling with the removable memory.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the removable expansion device has an opening sized and positioned to allow insertion of the second-level removable memory into the opening so as to engage the second-level expansion interface while the removable expansion device is engaged with the portable host, and to allow withdrawal of the removable memory from the opening so as to disengage from the second-level expansion interface while the removable expansion device is engaged with the portable host.
6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the removable memory is compatible with the MMC industry standard.
7 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the application-specific I/O device is abutted and attached to an expansion card included as part of the removable expansion device.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the attachment is implemented using a snap-in-place mechanism.
9 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the expansion interface is compatible with the CompactFlash industry standard.
10 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the expansion interface is compatible with an industry standard closed-back industrial design.
11 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the expansion interface is compatible with an industry standard open-back industrial design.
12 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the portable host is a handheld portable host.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the handheld portable host is a PDA.
14 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the removable expansion device and portable host combination handles physically as a handheld system.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein at least part of the removable expansion device envelopes at least part of the portable host.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the expansion interface is compatible with an industry standard open-back industrial design.
17 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein at least part of the portable host envelopes at least part of the removable expansion device.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the expansion interface is compatible with an industry standard closed-back industrial design.