Mobile receiver

A mobile receiver having a housing for a satellite receiver adapted to receive satellite radio frequencies is provided. Attached to the housing and disposed over the satellite receiver is a protective covering. The housing has at least one user interface integral with a surface of the housing and at least one impact resistance member attached to the housing. The protective covering shields the satellite receiver from external contamination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The appearance and function of the conventional radio has developed in response to the environment of its use. For example, Bose developed a small, low profile Wave® radio to produce the sort of room-filling sound you would expect from a much larger audio system. On the other hand, JVC developed the HX-Z1 Tower of Power mini system that expands the radio into a small home audio system. These radios are suitable for mild climate, indoor uses where the radio remains substantially in the same geographic location.

People who work outdoors, for example general contractors, do not have the luxury of working in a mild climate and fixed geographic location. General contractors work in varied environments (e.g., the cold of winter, or the direct heat of the sun in the summer) and different geographic locations (e.g., they move from job site location to job site location). A general contractor's radio must therefore be able to withstand environmental contamination such as wind, snow, dirt, dust, and rain; must be able to withstand the hazards of the jobsite such as being knocked over, dropped, and subjected to vibrations; and must also have the electronic components to receive, transform and amplify the radio signal into an audio signal.

The first problem that a general contractor may have with a conventional radio is the radio reception may be poor in certain geographical locations. In addition, the contractor's favorite radio station may not be the same or may not be offered at all depending on the geographic location. This is because a conventional (AM/FM) transmitter sends radio waves into the air in a way that mimics the original sounds sent by the radio studio, the receiver then pick these waves up and they are converted back into an audio signal, which is converted back into sound waves by the loud speakers. This method of transmission is prone to signal distortion and interference.

AM reception, which travels both on the ground and through the air, is prone to interference by a variety of sources: other radio stations, lightning storms, and nightfall. An outlying AM station's signal can even reflect off the ionosphere and skip over areas that receive that signal during the day.

FM broadcasts deliver greater audio fidelity and are less susceptible to static, but also have reception-related challenges. Because all radio waves travel in straight lines, the best FM reception is received the radio is in an unobstructed, line-of-sight path from the transmitting antenna. Also, a radio frequency wave signal emitted from the transmitting tower weakens over lengthy distances. Moreover, FM signals bounce-off hard objects such as tall buildings or mountains creating disturbances known as “multi-path” ripples. These multiplied waves can cancel out the original broadcast signal at select points.

Satellite radio improves the conventional AM/FM radio potential by offering a better audio quality, greater coverage, and fewer commercials. Satellite radio includes transmission of substantially the same program content from two or more geosynchronous or geostationary satellites to both mobile and fixed receivers on the ground. In urban canyons and other high population density areas with limited line-of-sight (LOS) satellite coverage (a drawback of FM radio), terrestrial repeaters will broadcast the same program content in order to improve coverage reliability. To improve reception, signals are received from two satellites and one terrestrial repeater for combined spatial, frequency and time diversity, which provides significant mitigation of multi-path interference and addresses reception issues associated with blockage of the satellite signals.

One problem with a satellite radio is that the receiver contains sensitive electronic components which are needed to receive satellite radio signals. Known satellite radios such as those sold by XM Radio, also called satellite receivers, have been used in automobiles, “boom boxes”, and in home stereo systems.

Thus, there is a need for a device that receives and plays back satellite signals that can also withstand outdoor harsh environmental conditions, such as those conditions at a construction job site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to a mobile receiver having a housing for a satellite receiver adapted to receive satellite radio frequencies. Attached to the housing and disposed over the satellite receiver is a protective covering. The housing has at least one user interface integral with a surface of the housing and at least one impact resistance member attached to the housing. The protective covering shields the satellite receiver from external contamination.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to a mobile receiver having a housing defining a satellite receiver opening. A protective covering is disposed over the satellite receiver opening. The protective covering is hinged to the housing at one end and releasably engaged to the housing at an other end, similar to a door. The satellite receiver is adapted to mate with and be releasably retained within the satellite receiver opening and behind the protective covering thereby shielding the satellite receiver from dust, dirt, and moisture. Integral with a surface of the housing is a user interface to control the volume, frequency selection and power to the mobile receiver. A roll cage assembly is flexibly attached to the housing and extends beyond each planar surface of the housing to protect the housing from impact and vibration. To receive satellite radio signals, a satellite antenna is integrated within the roll cage assembly.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to a mobile receiver having a housing defining a satellite receiver opening and a track assembly disposed about the satellite receiver opening. The track assembly has a flexible seal. The satellite receiver is adapted to mate with and be releasably retained within the satellite receiver opening. A protective door is slidable along the track assembly and engages the flexible seal. Integral with a surface of the housing is at least one user interface. Also on the surface of the housing is at least one impact resistance member. When the satellite receiver is retained within the satellite receiver opening, a relay transports the input signals from the user interface integral with a surface of the housing to the satellite receiver. In this manner, the volume, power, and frequency of the satellite radio can be controlled by the user interface when the satellite receiver is releasably retained within the satellite receiver opening and behind the slidable door so that the satellite receiver is shielded from environmental contamination such as dust, dirt, and moisture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The mobile receiver of the present invention is constructed and designed with an outdoor use in mind, for example, the mobile receiver will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as dust, dirt, moisture, rain, vibrations, jarring, and rough surfaces. It therefore an object of the present invention to be substantially weather resistant. Therefore, the materials selected for construction are, for example, materials that are water repellant and substantially resistant to corrosion, including rust, rot, decay and UV damage. Exemplary materials include fiberglass or shatterproof and high-impact plastics, such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), low and high density polyethylene, vinyl and polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, and polypropylene. Any exposed electrical connections should made of non-corrosive metals, such as brass and stainless steel. Non-metal materials such as non-corroding aluminum and titanium may also be used.

With reference to the Figures where like numerals represent like features,FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mobile receiver of the present invention. Mobile receiver10has housing15. As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, although housing15is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners, other shapes are contemplated as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Particular shapes of housing15that have a low center of gravity are desirable. Housing15maintains the components of the mobile receiver. The components of the mobile receiver may be hermetically sealed within housing15to prevent environmental contamination.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, mobile receiver has speakers18disposed at opposing sides. Although two speakers are shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 1, multiple speakers, including woofers and tweeter are contemplated as would be understood by one skilled in the art. Speakers18may be mounted in a speaker mount defined by housing15, or may be contained within housing15. When speakers18are contained within housing15, housing15may be ported, however, such a port may be protected from direct environmental exposure. When speakers18are mounted integral with the surface of housing15, speakers18may be constructed so that they are substantially weather resistant. Exemplary speakers constructed so as to be substantially weather resistant include speakers having a titanium-laminate dome with rubber surround, injected polypropylene with butyl rubber surround, polypropylene woofer, Mylar® midrange, and polypropylene mica woofer cones.

The mobile receiver of the present invention has satellite receiver20adapted to receive satellite radio frequencies. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted two national satellite radio broadcast licenses that allocated 25 megahertz (MHZ) of the electromagnetic spectrum for satellite digital broadcasting. Two commercial satellite radio companies, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, Inc. each own 12.5 MHz of the 25 MHZ allocated spectrum. Satellite receiver20may be a device for receiving, storing, and playing back digital audio radio signals as describe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,656; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Satellite receiver20may include controls for selecting satellite radio frequencies, volume, power, equalization of sound. Satellite receiver20may also include a display. Exemplary satellite receivers include those receivers sold by XM Satellite Radio, Inc., including the Delphi XM Roady™2, Delphi XM Roady™, Delphi XM SKYFi™, and XMCommander™; those sold by Sirius Satellite Radio, including the SIRIUS Sportster™ and Brix Streamer System SIR-STRPNP1; those sold by Blaupunkt, including the Blaupunkt America SR04; those sold by Audiovox, including the Audiovox SIR-PNP3; those sold by RadioShack, including the RadioShack Orbiter SR4000; and those sold by Jensen, including the Jensen CK100SR.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, satellite receiver20is integral with housing15. As shown in other exemplary embodiments, for example those embodiments shown inFIG. 3, satellite receiver20may be a separate unit, releasably retained by housing15. According to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3, when satellite receiver20is a separate unit, housing15defines satellite receiver opening300(or commonly called a docking port). Satellite receiver opening300has an electrical engagement mechanism310, for example, engagement pins, to complete an electrical connection between satellite receiver20and mobile receiver10.

Mobile receiver10has an antenna to receive the digital audio radio signals. The antenna may be an external detachable antenna that connects to external antenna port250as shown inFIG. 2, or may be an internal antenna.

Referring again toFIG. 1, protective covering25is attached to housing15and may be disposed over satellite receiver20to protect satellite receiver20from environmental contamination. Protective covering25may be, for example, a releasable detachable door hinged to housing15or a slidable door engaging a track assembly with a flexible seal. Protective covering25may be releasably secured to housing15by a latching mechanism, magnetic lock, or frictional fit. Protective covering25may be constructed of the same or different material from that of housing15. Protective covering may be a transparent covering so that when protective covering25is disposed over satellite receiver20, the display of satellite receiver20may be visible. Exemplary transparent materials include acrylic-based resins such as Lucite® and Perspex®.

According to one an exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3, protective covering may releasably disposed over satellite receiver opening300by hinge320such that protective covering25is a hinged door.FIG. 3shows protective covering25hinged at the top of satellite receiver opening300, however, protective covering25may be attached via hinge310at any side of satellite opening300. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 4, protective covering25may be slidable door400that engages track assembly415disposed about satellite receiver opening300. Track assembly415has flexible seal420to engage protective covering25to substantially shield satellite receiver20from environmental contamination.

Referring again toFIG. 1, housing15has at least one user interface30integral with a surface of housing15. As shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 1, user interface30is disposed on the top of housing15, however, user interface30may be disposed on the face of mobile receiver10or any other suitable location that would be consistent with the knowledge of one skilled in the art. User interface30may contain weatherproof controls for mobile receiver10such a slide-rule tuning, push-button power, rotary volume controls34, auto bass boost for low listening levels (not shown), weatherproof headphone jack36for private listening, weatherproof auxiliary input jack38, and weatherproof microphone jack40for public address announcements.

Referring now toFIG. 4, which illustrates satellite receiver20as a separate unit, when satellite receiver20is mounted into satellite receiver opening300and protective covering25(shown as a slidable door400) is disposed over satellite receiver300, a user cannot access the controls of satellite receiver300without opening slidable door400and exposing satellite receiver20to environmental contamination. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 3, shows relay330to transport input signals back and forth from the controls of user interface30to satellite receiver20by way of engagement pins310. Thus, without exposing satellite receiver20to environmental conditions by removing protective covering25, the volume, power, and frequency of mobile receiver10is controlled by user interface30when the separate unit satellite receiver20is releasably retained within satellite receiver opening300and shielded from contamination by protective cover25.

According to an embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 1, mobile receiver10is protected from impact, jarring, vibration, and rough surfaces by at least one impact resistance member50attached to housing15. Impact resistance member50extends beyond each planar surface of housing15so that if mobile receiver10is knocked over or bumped, the surface of housing15, including satellite receiver20protected behind protective cover25is not damaged. As shown in more detail inFIGS. 5aand5b, impact resistance member50extends not only beyond each planar surface of housing15, but also extends beyond user interface30so that if user interface30include protruding knobs or dials (e.g., controls34), such knobs and dials will be protected from impact. When impact resistance member50is a roll cage as shown inFIGS. 1-5a, impact resistance member50absorbs shock, vibration, and impact loads through attachment dampening members55, which secure impact resistance member50to housing15. Attachment dampening members55may be constructed of material known to one skill in the art to absorb impact, for example, springs, grommets, bumbers, fasteners, and foam padding. As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5a, attachment dampening members55are a tensioned cloth or synthetic fabric that suspends housing15inside of impact resistance members50.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1-5a, impact resistance member50is a roll cage assembly. The roll cage assembly may be constructed from heavy-duty protective polypropylene formed into a “roll bar” cage that protects mobile receiver10components from “rollover” damage. Also, mobile receiver10may be constructed with a low center of gravity to help prevent “rollover.” When impact resistance member50is a roll cage assembly, mobile receiver10may have an internal antenna65disposed and protected within a roll bar of the roll cage. Disposed on the bottom of impact resistance member50, are additional shock absorbers, for example non-slip feet60, that may be made from synthesized rubber or other suitable material known to one skilled in the art. Non-slip feet60maintain mobile receiver10above a surface (e.g., off the ground) to prevent mobile receiver10from being exposed to ground moisture. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 4 and 5a, impact resistance member50may be oversized corners constructed from shock absorbing materials, which extend beyond the surface of housing15. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5a, impact resistance members50are dispose on the corners of housing15, however, impact resistance members50may also be disposed on any surface of housing15to prevent housing15from impact.

FIG. 2is a rear perspective view of a mobile receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The rear of mobile receiver10includes a self-contained power-supply such as a battery component210or an AC power supply cord220. AC power cord is a heavy gauge insulated power cord and can be stored in storage compartment230. When mobile receiver10is supplied with power from battery component210, battery component210may be one or more alkaline batteries, rechargeable NiCad batteries, or batteries such as those used in commonly manufactured cordless hand-held tools and equipment. Mobile receiver10may also be powered from 12 v car-battery current. When mobile receiver10is receiving power from other than battery component210, mobile receiver10may serve to recharge the batteries plugged into battery component210. In this manner, mobile receiver10serves as a satellite radio and a battery recharger. Also shown inFIG. 2are AC electric outlets240for external equipment such as lighting or corded tools. While two AC electric outlets are shown, any number of electric outlets are contemplated.