Apparatus and Method for a Mobile Navigation Computer

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a robust and configurable mobile computer architecture with navigation computational capabilities. The present invention further provides a bus network which allows for an efficient and durable Input/Output (I/O) management system. The I/O management system has configurable connections to allow for modular addition, expansion, or replacement of navigation, crash detection, and communication line replacement units (LRUs). Additional I/O device connections allow several modes of input into the computational system. The present invention is a single, self-contained unit and provides an accessible user interface to the computer system.

What is claimed in the present invention is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for computation in a mobile environment comprising a computer architecture with processing means, a data bus network, means for reading and writing to memory, and means of inputting and outputting data, wherein:
 said architecture manages data acquisition and data dissemination in the mobile environment; and   said architecture manages data acquisition and data dissemination between single or multiple line replacement units.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus contains an input/output processor which combines serial data with I/O discrete lines to control data management. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus provides for either navigation or route guidance or both. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus provides a means for audio or visual entertainment or allows for multi-media applications to be accessed by a user. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus interfaces with one or more displays or other visual or audio data input or output devices. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein data can be entered into or outputted from said computer architecture by vocal means. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus interfaces with a mobile vehicle's internal components to access data associated with vehicle operational status, diagnostic capabilities, theft deterrent devices, collision detection systems, vehicle lock mechanisms, or any other vehicle safety or caution and warning system. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus interfaces with wireless communication means for the purposes of two way communication of data to a mobile user. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus interfaces with wireless communication means for the purposes of two way communication of data to a network of mobile users. 
     
     
         10 . The method of assembly of an apparatus for computation as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for determining the position of a mobile user, comprising:
 an a priori estimate of position and velocity in a coordinate system;   a computer system and architecture with processing means to determine a mobile user's position and velocity within the same said coordinate system based upon signals received from a plurality of satellites; and   same said computer system and architecture executing a statistical analysis algorithm which provides an enhanced mobile user position and velocity by incorporating correction terms to the initially calculated, satellite derived position and velocity by a method comprising the steps of:   comparing the initially calculated, satellite derived position and velocity with the position of virtually known base stations to determine if the initially calculated position is within some predetermined distance;   calculating correction terms for position and velocity if within the predetermined distance of a virtually known base station position; and   determining subsequent positions and velocities by applying the correction terms to the positions and velocities calculated from the signals received from a plurality of satellites.   
     
     
         12 . A method for determining the position of a mobile user as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said method employs signals from the Global Positioning System. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for determining the position of a mobile user which employs the method defined in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for detecting the occurrence and characteristics of sudden changes in acceleration of a mobile user, comprising
 two or more sensing units which are skewed relative to each other; and   said sensing units calculate any sensed accelerations in multiple coordinate systems for the purposes of improving acceleration detection reliability and identifying faulty sensing units.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for detecting the occurrence and characteristics of sudden changes in acceleration of a mobile user as defined in  claim 14 . 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for detecting the occurrence and characteristics of sudden changes in acceleration of a mobile user as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the direction and magnitude of the acceleration is stored in a memory register for future reference and is wirelessly transmitted to a location external of said apparatus.