Robert A Howell

US Patent:

6542119, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

May 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/863956

Inventors:

Robert M. Howell - Burlington IA
Timothy J. Stevenson - Vista CA

Assignee:

Varitek Industries, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H04B 7185

US Classification:

342374, 34235706, 701215

Abstract:

Disclosed is a system for using an antenna array in conjunction with a GPS receiver to receive GPS satellite transmissions. A switching circuit, under the control of a GPS controller, can vary the sampling rate of multiple antennas in the antenna array to ensure that multiple satellite information is acquired. The device of the present invention can be implemented in handheld cell phones, personal data assistants, telemetric devices or any device using a GPS receiver that may be used in various orientations so as to receive GPS satellite transmissions from multiple directions. More highly directional antennas can be employed having higher gain since the antenna array can receive satellite data from multiple orientations.

US Patent:

20020115436, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Oct 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/968746

Inventors:

Robert Howell - Burlington IA, US
Timothy Stevenson - Vista CA, US

International Classification:

H04M003/42

US Classification:

455/426000, 455/456000, 455/404000, 455/414000

Abstract:

Disclosed is a telematics system that is self-contained and includes a number of anti-defeat counter-measure features that prevent the disablement of the system. In addition, the present system utilizes event sensors, such as motion sensors, to detect the existence of an event after the remote unit has been armed. Location data is then sent to a base station that calculates if the unit has been moved beyond a predetermined perimeter which causes the generation of a alarm condition. The telematics system is also capable of adjusting the transmission frequency period of location data and prioritizing the data that is sent. Further, the system reduces the amount of location data that is sent from the remote unit by eliminating redundant data. Transmission rates of the data are maximized by adjusting the baud rate according to the signal strength of a communication link between the remote unit and a base station. The base station is capable of generating dead reckoning data from raw direction and speed data as well as GPS location data provided by the remote unit. Dual antennas are provided that minimize space requirements by placing both the GPS antenna and a cellular phone antenna on a single substrate, printed circuit board. An isolation fence is provided between the antennas to isolate the electromagnetic waves. Voltage supplies are also monitored by the remote unit to determine if an external power supply has been cut or if the vehicle battery is dead.