Umted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,786,789
`
`Janky
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`
`U8005786789A
`
`[54] GPS AND CELLPHONE UNIT HAVING ADD-
`ON MODULES
`.
`Inventor.
`
`-
`James M. Janky. Los Altos. Cahf.
`
`[75]
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`'n'imble Navigation Limited.
`Sunnyvale. Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 339,9190
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`NOV- 149 1994
`
`5
`E23 {32%. .::::::::::.............. “assig'azsyzigflslfifflf
`455/89
`[58] Field of Search
`342/357 419'
`455/33.1. 90. 89
`
`[56]
`
`.
`Refenancw Clted
`U5. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,043,736
`3/1991 Darnell eta]. .......................... 342/357
`....... 455/89
`5,155,360 10/1992 McClure
`
`..... 235/330
`5,334,824
`8/1994 Martinez
`
`379/59
`5,408,513
`4/1995 Busch et a].
`
`......................... 379/58
`5,479,479 12/1995 Braitberg et a1.
`
`...................................... 455/89
`5/1996 Dayani
`5517.682
`Primary Examiner—Thomas H. Tarcza
`Assistant Examiner—Baa L. Phau
`Attorney Agent, or Firm—Patrick T. King
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A GPS unit and a cellular telephone unit each have add-on
`modules for providing additional functionality. A battery
`powered hand-held GPS unit has a battery power module
`with a built—in cellular telephone. The controls on the GPS
`unit are used to control cellular telephone operations. The
`tittitttittiiti ttiititt ttitttttt tttttiiitt tttiiitt ittt—
`tlon information obtained by the GPS unit. Alternatively. a
`battery powered hand-held cellular telephone umt has a
`battery power module with a built-in GPS device. The
`controls on the cellular telephone portion are used to control
`GPS device operations. The cellular telephone portion is
`able to transmit position location information obtained by
`the GPS device. The GPS and a cellular telephone device
`can function with either a standard battery module. or with
`-
`-
`Zfiiféri’offigfeé‘:Vlng:d°‘iuulartelephone oraGPS dew“
`“1
`a
`’y m u c-
`
`14 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`APPLE 1036
`
` 1
`
`APPLE 1036
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`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`
`
`Figure 18 (Prior Art)
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`
`
`Figure 2 (Prior Art)
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`Figure 3A
`
`Figure 3B
`
`4
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`
`
`Figure 4B
`
`5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`
`
`CELLULAR TELEPHONE
`
`POWER/BATTERY
`
`Figure 5
`
`6
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 0f 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`I
`I
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`64
`DOWN- — 3.3 MHz
`CONVERTER
`
`66
`SIGNAL —
`PROCESSOR
`
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`I. _________________________________________ J
`
`7
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`I go
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`122
`
`Figure 7A
`
`Figure 7B
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`8
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`5,786,789
`
`120
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`'/
`
`Figure 8
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`9
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 28, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`5,786,789
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`
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`I
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`126
`no
`
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`SPEAKER DISPLAY
`KEYBOARD
`
`
`128
`132
`~164
`—
`-l MICROPROCESSOR
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`
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`POWER! ~14e
`BATTERY
`
`10
`
`10
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`

`

`5.786.789
`
`1
`GPS AND CELLPHONE UNIT HAVING ADD-
`ON MODULES
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to GPS and cellular telephone
`devices. Specifically. the present invention relates to hand-
`held GPS and cellular telephone units.
`
`BACKGROUND ARI‘
`
`Hand-held GPS devices. such as the Scout by Trimble
`Navigation. Ltd and hand-held cellular telephone devices.
`such as the Micro Tac flip-phones by Motorola. Inc. are both
`well known in the prior art. Such devices are battery
`powered by a battery pack which is attached either to the
`hand—held GPS device or to the cellular telephone device.
`When the batteries are discharged. a charged battery pack is
`attached to the hand—held GPS device or to the cellular
`telephone device. Hand—held GPS devices and hand—held
`cellular telephone devices operate in ditferent frequency
`regimes and function independently of each other. Typical
`hand-held GPS devices do not have cellular telephone
`capability. and. typical cellular telephone devices do not
`have GPS capability.
`Prior Art FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a small.
`battery powered. hand-held GPS receiver 10. With reference
`next to Prior Art FIG. 13. a bottom view of GPS receiver 10
`is shown. Receiver 10 includes a battery portion 12. Battery
`portion 12 can be a cover plate disposed over batteries such
`as. for example. 4 AA batteries. or may be the outline of. for
`example. a rechargeable power supply. In the Prior Art.
`receiver 10 functions only as a GPS receiver. That is.
`receiver 10 has no cellular telephone capabilities. Thus. if a
`user wishes to relay his or her position information to a
`remote station. the user must first locate suitable communi-
`cation facilities.
`
`Prior art FIG. 2 shows a combined GPS and cellular
`telephone device 20. The combined GPS and cellular tele-
`phone device 20 is. for example. a “remote unit” as set forth
`US. Pat No. 5.043.736 to Darnell et al. The Darnell remote
`unit includes an RF L—band receiver for a global positioning
`system and a cellular phone system. The GPS and cellular
`telephone systems of the Darnell reference are permanently
`combined and integrated into a single unit.
`While combination GPS and cellular telephone devices
`are known. the additional expense. bulk. and complexity
`associated with such combination devices may not appeal to
`a consumer at the time of purchase. The consumer may
`desire only the functionality of a GPS device or the func-
`tionality of a cellular phone and later may want to add
`additional functionality.
`The need has arisen for a GPS and cellular phone com-
`bination which does not inherently add substantial expense.
`or bulk or to an originally purchased device. Additionally.
`the combined GPS and cellular phone device should not
`appear to be substantially more complex in operation than a
`single GPS or cellular telephone unit to avoid intimidating
`a potential consumer.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a GPS and cellular phone combination which does not
`inherently add substantial expense. or bulk or to the device.
`and which does not intimidate a potential consumer by
`appearing to be substantially more complex than a single
`GPS or cellular telephone unit at the time of purchase. The
`
`2
`above object has been achieved by a GPS device and a
`cellular telephone device having add-on modules.
`In accordance with this and other objects of the invention.
`a hand—held communication device is provided which
`includes two functions: a position-locating function and a
`cellular telephone function. The communication device
`includes a core module and a removable add-on module.
`Two functions are provided according to the invention. The
`core module provides one function and the add-on module
`provides the other function. The core module has means.
`such as a keypad and display screen. for entering and
`displaying information. The core module provides a first
`function. The core module also includes a removable add-on
`
`module. The removable add—on module is removably
`coupled to the core module and includes a power unit for
`providing power to the first function in the core module. The
`removable add-on module also has a second means integral
`therewith for providing a second function. The first function
`and the second function include a GPS function and a cell
`phone function. Power as well as control and information
`signals are removably coupled between the core module and
`the removable add-on module. In addition. the core module
`includes means for controlling the second function provided
`by the removable add-on module.
`In one embodiment of the invention. a battery powered
`hand-held GPS unit has a main GPS unit which is structured
`such that a battery power module can be attached to and
`removed from the hand-held GPS portion.
`In this
`embodiment. a battery pack power module. which is attach-
`able to or removable from the hand-held GPS portion.
`includes a built-in cellular telephone unit. The display and
`button controls on the main GPS unit are then used to control
`standard cellular telephone operations. The GPS controlled
`cellular telephone unit transmits position location informa—
`tion obtained by the GPS unit. In so doing. the consumer can
`purchase a GPS device which has a standard appearance but
`which is capable of being upgraded to a combination GPS
`and cellular telephone unit. which is operated by the display
`and controls of the GPS unit.
`
`In another embodiment of the invention. a battery-
`powered hand-held cellular telephone unit has a main cel-
`lular telephone unit which is structured such that a battery
`power module. or battery pack. can be attached to and
`removed from the cellular telephone portion.
`In this
`embodiment. a battery power module which is attachable to
`or removable from the cellular telephone portion includes a
`built-in GPS unit. The controls on the cellular telephone
`portion are then used to control the GPS unit operations. The
`cellular telephone portion is able to transmit position loca-
`tion information obtained by the GPS device. Thus. a
`combined GPS and cellular telephone unit is disclosed
`which can function as a telephone with a standard battery
`module. or with a battery module having a GPS device built
`into the battery module.
`Therefore.
`the present invention provides a GPS and
`cellular phone combination which does not inherently add
`substantial expense. or bulk or to the device. and which does
`not intimidate a potential consumer by appearing to be
`substantially more complex than a single GPS or cellular
`telephone unit at the time of purchase.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
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`The accompanying drawings. which are incorporated in
`and form a part of this specification. illustrate embodiments
`of the invention and. together with the description. serve to
`explain the principles of the invention:
`11
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`11
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`

`

`5.786.789
`
`3
`
`FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a Prior Art small. battery
`powered. hand-held GPS receiver.
`FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the Prior Art receiver of FIG.
`1A.
`
`FIG. 2 is a front elevation View of a Prior Art combined
`single-unit GPS and cellular telephone device.
`FIG. 3A is a perspective View of one embodiment of a
`GPS unit wherein the battery portion of GPS device 30 has
`been removed.
`FIG. 3B is a side View of the GPS unit of FIG. 3A.
`
`FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an add-on module
`including an integral cellular telephone removably attached
`to a GPS device in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 4B is a bottom View of add-on module including an
`integral cellular telephone removably attached to a GPS
`device as shown in FIG. 4A in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the
`interconnections between a GPS device and an add-on
`module in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating features
`of a GPS device and the interconnections between a GPS
`device and an add-on module in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 7A is a front view of one embodiment of a cellular
`telephone device wherein the battery portion of a cellular
`telephone device has been removed in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 7B is a side view of the cellular telephone device of
`FIG. 7A in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an add-on module includ-
`ing an integral GPS removably attached to a cellular tele—
`phone device in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating features
`of a cellular telephone device and the interconnection of the
`cellular telephone device and a GPS add-on module.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
`embodiments of the invention. examples of which are illus-
`trated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention
`will be described in conjunction with the preferred
`embodiments.
`it will be understood that
`they are not
`intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the
`contrary. the invention is intended to cover alternatives.
`modifications and equivalents. which may be included
`within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
`appended claims.
`FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of
`a GPS device 30 wherein the battery portion of the GPS
`device 30 has been removed. GPS receiver 30 is. for
`example. the Scout GPS. available from “nimble Navigation
`Limited of Sunnyvale. Calif.
`FIG. 3B shows a side view of the device 30. A cavity 31
`exists where batteries or a battery pack would normally
`reside. Although GPS device 30 of FIGS. 3A and 3B is. for
`example. the Scout GPS. the present invention is also well
`suited to use with numerous other GPS devices well known
`in the art.
`
`With reference next to FIG. 4A. a perspective view is
`shown of a GPS device 30 with. an attached add-on module
`32 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in
`FIG. 4A. in the present embodiment of the invention. the
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`add-on module 32 is inserted into the cavity 31 of the GPS
`device 30. In addition to supplying power to GPS device 30
`via. for example. a battery pack. the add-on module 32 also
`includes a built
`in cellular telephone.
`In the present
`invention. the GPS device 30 is adapted to receive either a
`standard battery supply or a combined power source and
`cellular telephone as embodied in add-on module 32.
`With reference next to FIG. 4B. a bottom View of an
`add—on module 32 attached to GPS device 30 is shown. As
`shown in FIG. 4B. add—on module 32 includes a microphone
`34 and earphone 36. Thus. add-on module 32 allows a user
`to perform standard speaking and listening operations.
`Furthermore.
`the present invention can transmit position
`location information obtained from GPS device 30. In so
`doing. a user of GPS device 30 can have his or her position
`location information transmitted by the cellular telephone
`portion of add-on module 32 to an interested party. The
`present invention is also well suited to having position
`location information obtained from GPS device 30 auto-
`matically transmitted. via the cellular telephone portion of
`add-on module 32. to an interested party.
`With reference still to FIGS. 4A and 4B. GPS device 30
`is modified to include circuitry for controlling standard
`cellular functions necessary to operate the cellular telephone
`portion of add—on module 32. That is. functions such as but
`not limited to dialing. sending. scrolling. ending. etc. are
`selected and controlled using control buttons. or keys.
`typically shown as 38 and a display screen 40 present on the
`GPS device 30. Thus. the present invention provides an
`independent GPS device 30 which is easily upgraded to
`include complete cellular telephone functions. A GPS device
`30 of the present invention would not intimidate potential
`consumers by appearing overly complex or bulky. Also. the
`GPS device of the present invention does not necessarily
`have the increased cost associated with prior art devices in
`which the GPS and cellular telephone are permanently
`combined in a single structure. Rather.
`in the present
`invention. purchase costs can be spread between GPS device
`30 and add-on module 32.
`With reference next to FIG. 5. a simplified schematic
`diagram illustrating the interconnections between a GPS
`device 30 and an add-on module 32 is shown. The add-on
`module 32 includes a cellular telephone circuit 46. a modem
`circuit 48. and a power/battery source 50. The interconnec-
`tions between the GPS device 30 and the add-on module 32
`are completed in the present embodiment through a control
`bus 52. an 110 data bus 54. and power bus 56. As shown in
`FIG. 5. the control connection between the GPS device 30
`and the add—on module 32 is accomplished using two
`UARI‘s 58 and 60. Control bus 52 connects the keyboard of
`the GPS device 30 to the cellular telephone portion 46 of
`add-on module 32. In this manner. the standard functions
`necessary to operate the cellular telephone portion 46 of the
`add-on module 32 are controlled through the keys of the
`GPS device 30. 1/0 data is transferred between the GPS
`device 30 and the add-on module 32 via the modem circuit
`and the I/O data bus 54. Data is transferred in suitable format
`from either the GPS device 30 to the add-on module 32. or
`from the add-on module 32 to the GPS device 30.
`Additionally. the power bus 56 provides power from the
`power/battery source 50 to the GPS device 30. Power]
`battery source 50 also provides power to the cellular tele-
`phone poru‘on 46 of add-on module 32 as shown in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 6 shows a more detailed schematic diagram illus-
`trating the features of the GPS device 30 and more detailed
`interconnections between the GPS device 30 and the add-on
`module 32. The GPS device 30 typically includes such
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`5.786.789
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`features as a down converter 64. a signal processor 66. ROM
`68. RAM 70. a keyboard 72. a display manager 74. a display
`76. and a standard microprocessor 78. The GPS device 30
`also includes a UART 80 for transferring signals between the
`microprocessor 78 of the GPS device 30 and a modem
`circuit 82 of the add-on module 32. Although the present
`embodiment shows UAKI" 80 separate from microprocessor
`78. the present invention is also well suited to directing
`signals into a microprocessor which has a UART contained
`therein.
`
`With reference again to FIG. 6. keyboard entries made at
`the keyboard 72 are used to operate a cellular telephone
`portion 86 of the add-on module 32. Pressing of the keys on
`the GPS device 30 simulates the pressing of keys on a
`cellular telephone. Therefore. commands entered at the GPS
`device 30 will drive a cellular telephone circuit portion 86 of
`the add—on module 32.
`
`During typical operation. control signals are transmitted
`from microprocessor 78 of the GPS device 30 through a
`control bus 92 to UART 94. Lines 95. 96 between UART 94
`and a UART 98 each transmit digital data in only direction.
`Additionally. control bus 99 directs the data directly into a
`microprocessor 100 of the cellular telephone portion 86 of
`add-on module 32. Although the present embodiment shows
`the UART 94 separate from the microprocessor 78 and the
`UARI‘ 98 separate from the microprocessor 87. the present
`invention is also well suited to directing signals directly into
`the microprocessor of the GPS device and then directly into
`the microprocessor of the cellular telephone portion of the
`add-on module when both microprocessors have a UART
`contained therein. It is known in the art that each type of
`cellular telephone employs a different control protocol.
`Therefore. although the present invention describes inter-
`facing between a GPS device 30 and an add-on module 32.
`the actual coding of the commands to be transferred over the
`control bus is different for each type of cellular telephone.
`Referring still to FIG. 6. the present invention teaches
`removably attaching an add-on module 32 containing a
`cellular telephone 86 to a GPS device. However. as the
`technology of cellular telephones advances.
`the present
`invention is also well suited to forming cellular telephone
`portion 86 of the present invention using cellular telephone
`chip sets within the add-on module on module 32.
`FIG. 7 shows a front view of a cellular telephone device
`120 which has the battery portion thereof removed.
`FIG. 7B shows a side view of the cellular telephone
`device 120 with a cavity 122 is where batteries or a battery
`pack would normally reside.
`FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an add-on module 124
`attached to the cellular telephone device 120 in accordance
`with the present
`invention. The add-on module 124 is
`inserted into the cavity 122 of the cellular telephone device
`120. The cellular telephone device 120 includes a keyboard
`having keys (typically shown as 18) and a display screen
`126. In addition to supplying power to the cellular telephone
`device 120 via. for example. a battery pack. add-on module
`124 also includes a built in GPS receiver device. The cellular
`telephone device 120 is adapted to receive either a standard
`battery pack or a combined power source and a GPS receiver
`as embodied in the add-on module 124. Thus. the add-on
`module 124 allows a user to obtain standard GPS position
`location information.
`the GPS receiver of the
`In the present embodiment.
`add-on module 124 has no controls or display screen. The
`cellular telephone keys (typically shown as 123) are used as
`control keys in combination with a display screen 126. All
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`of the GPS information is displayed on the display screen
`126 of the cellular telephone device 120. The present
`invention is also well suited to having such control and
`display features included in the add-on module 124. In the
`present invention. the cellular telephone device 120 can
`transmit position location information obtained from the
`GPS receiver of the add-on module 124. In so doing. a user
`of cellular telephone device 120 has his or her position
`location information transmitted by cellular telephone
`device 120 to an interested party. The present invention is
`also well suited to having position location information
`obtained from the GPS receiver of add-on module 124
`automatically transmitted. via the cellular telephone device
`120. to an interested party.
`The cellular telephone device 120 is modified by the
`invention to include circuitry for controlling standard GPS
`functions necessary to operate the GPS receiver portion of
`the add—on module 124. That is. functions such as. but not
`limited to.
`indicating latitude. longitude. altitude. speed.
`heading etc. are selected and controlled using the control
`buttons. or keys. present on the cellular telephone device
`120. Thus. the present invention provides an independent
`cellular telephone device 120 which can be easily upgraded
`to include complete GPS functions. Therefore. cellular tele-
`phone device 120 of the present invention does not intimi—
`date potential consumers by appearing overly complex or
`bulky. Also. the cellular telephone of the present invention
`does not necessarily have the increased cost associated with
`prior art devices in which the GPS and cellular telephone are
`permanently combined in a single structure. Rather. in the
`present invention. purchase costs can be spread between the
`cellular telephone device 120 and removably attachable
`add—on module 124.
`
`FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the inter-
`connections between the cellular telephone device 120 and
`the add-on module 124 is shown. The cellular telephone
`device 120 typically includes such features as a display 126.
`a keyboard 128 with keys 123. a speaker 129. a microphone
`130. a microprocessor 132. a transmitter circuit 134. a
`receiver circuit 136. and a duplexer circuit 138.
`The add-on module 124 includes a GPS device 140
`including a microprocessor 142. a modem circuit 144. and a
`power/battery source 146. The interconnections between the
`cellular telephone device 120 and the add—on module 124 are
`completed in the present embodiment through a control bus
`150. 152. I/O data lines 154. 156. and a power bus 158.
`Power bus 158 provides power from the power/battery
`source 146 to GPS device 140. These power/battery source
`146 also provides power to the cellular telephone portion.
`The control connections between the cellular telephone
`device 120 and the add—on module 124 are accomplished
`using two UARTs 160. 162. control buses 150. 152 connect
`the keyboard 128 of the cellular telephone device 120
`through the microprocessor 132 to the microprocessor 142
`of the GPS device 140. In this manner. the standard func—
`tions necessary to operate the GPS device 140 of the add-on
`module 124 are controlled through the keyboard 128 of the
`cellular telephone device 1213. U0 data is transferred
`between the cellular telephone device 120 and the add-on
`module 124 via the modem circuit 144 and the I/O data lines
`154. 156. In so doing. data can be transferred in suitable
`format from either the cellular telephone device 120 to the
`add-on module 124. or from the add-on module 124 to the
`cellular telephone device 120. The add—on module 124 also
`includes a UARI‘ 166 disposed between the microprocessor
`142 of the GPS device 140 and the modem 144 of add-on
`module 124. Although the present embodiment shows the
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`the
`UART 166 separate from the microprocessor 142.
`present invention is also well suited to directing signals into
`a microprocessor which has a UART contained therein.
`With reference still to FIG. 9. keyboard entries made at
`the keyboard 128 are used to operate the GPS portion 140 of
`the add-on module 124. That is. the pressing of keys on the
`cellular telephone device 120 simulates the pressing of keys
`on a GPS device. Therefore. commands entered at cellular
`telephone device 120 will drive the GPS device portion 140
`of the add-on module 124. During typical operation. control
`signals are transmitted from the microprocessor 132 of the
`cellular telephone device 120 through the control bus 150 to
`the UART 160. Lines 168 and 170 each transmit digital data
`in only one direction. Additionally. control bus 152 directs
`the data directly into the microprocessor 142 of the GPS
`device portion 140 of the add-on module 124. Although the
`present embodiment shows the UART 160 separate from the
`microprocessor 132 and the UART 162 separate from the
`microprocessor 142. the present invention is also well suited
`to directing signals directly into the microprocessor of the
`cellular telephone device and directly into the microproces-
`sor of the GPS device portion of the add-on module when
`both microprocessors have a UART contained therein.
`Additionally. it is known in the art that each type of cellular
`telephone employs a different control protocol. Therefore.
`although the present invention sets forth interfacing between
`a cellular telephone device 120 and an add-on module 124.
`the actual coding of the commands to be transferred over the
`control buses 150. 152 is diiferent for each type of cellular
`telephone.
`Referring again to FIG. 9 in. the present embodiment.
`interconnections between lines 154. 156 of the add-on
`module 124 and the receiver 136 and the transmitter 134 are
`accomplished using switches 172. 174. That is. if data from
`GPS device 140 is to be transmitted to cellular telephone
`device 120. each of the switches 172. 174 contact point “D”.
`However. when the cellular telephone device 120 is oper-
`ating in normal voice mode. the switches 172. 174 contact
`point ”V”. Although the present embodiment employs
`switches 172. 174. the present invention is also well suited
`to using other connection methods.
`The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
`present
`invention have been presented for purposes of
`illustration and description. They are not intended to be
`exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
`disclosed. and obviously many modifications and variations
`are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments
`were chosen and described in order to best explain the
`principles of the invention and its practical application. to
`thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the
`invention and various embodiments with various modifica-
`tions as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is
`intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
`claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
`I claim:
`1. A hand-held communication device providing a
`position-locating function and a cellular telephone function.
`comprising:
`a hand-held core module having means for entering
`information including control information. means for
`displaying information. and first means for providing a
`first function;
`a removable add-on module containing a battery and
`removably fixed to said core module for providing
`power to said first means. said removable add-on
`module also having second means integral therewith
`for providing a second function;
`
`8
`wherein said first function and said second function
`includes a GES function and a cell phone function; and
`means for removably coupling power from the battery as
`well as control and information signals between said
`core module and said removable add-on module.
`wherein said core module includes means for control-
`ling the second function provided by the removable
`add—on module;
`
`whereby the hand-held core module and the removable
`add-on module are fixed together to provide an integral
`hand-held communication device containing a battery
`and having a position-locating function and a cellular
`telephone function.
`2. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the first
`means includes the GPS means and the second means
`includes the cell-phone means.
`3. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the first
`means includes the cell—phone means and the second means
`includes the GPS means.
`4. The communication device of claim 1 wherein means
`for entering information includes a keypad on said core
`module.
`5. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the
`means for displaying information includes a display screen
`on said core module.
`6. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the
`means for providing cell-phone functions includes a micro-
`phone and speaker.
`7. A hand-held device having position-locating and cel-
`lular telephone capabilities comprising:
`a hand-held position—locating unit.
`a removable battery power module. removably fixed to
`said hand-held position-locating unit to form an inte-
`gral hand—held device having position-locating and
`cellular telephone capabilities. wherein said battery
`power module includes a battery for providing power to
`said position-locating unit. wherein said battery power
`module includes a cellular telephone circuit integral
`therewith. and wherein the hand-held position-locating
`unit and the removable battery power module together
`form an integral hand-held unit; and
`means for removably coupling power as well as control
`and information signals between said position-locating
`unit and said removable battery power module.
`8. The device of claim 7 including control means. located
`on said position-locating portion of said hand-held position-
`locating unit and coupled to said cellular telephone circuit
`integral with said battery power module. for controlling said
`cellular telephone circuit.
`9. The device of claim 7 wherein said cellular telephone
`circuit includes means for transmitting position location
`information obtained by said position-locating unit.
`10. The device of claim 7 wherein said position-locating
`unit includes a GPS unit.
`11. A hand-held device having cellular telephone and
`position—locating capabilities comprising:
`a hand-held cellular telephone unit;
`a removable battery power module removably fixed to
`said cellular telephone unit to form an integral hand-
`held unit. whaein said battery power module includes
`means for providing power to said hand-held cellular
`telephone unit and wherein said battery power module
`includes a position-locating device integral therewith;
`and
`
`means for removably coupling power as well as control
`and information signals between said cellular telephone
`unit and said battery power module.
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`12. The device of claim 11 including control means.
`located on said cellular telephone unit and coupled to said
`position-locating device integral with said battery power
`module. for controlling said position locating device.
`13. The device of claim 12 wherein said cellular telephone 5
`portion includes means for transmitting position location
`
`information obtained by said position-locating device inte-
`gral with said battery power module.
`14. The device of claim 11 wherein the cellular telephone
`unit includes a microphone and speaker.
`
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