Apparatus and method for processing signal of telematics terminal

Apparatus and method for implementing an autonomous GPS function and an emergency signal transmitting function is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a switching unit for changing a connection path of a GPS signal received through an antenna when a request to transmit an emergency signal is made. The first converting unit receives the GPS signal and calculates position information based on the GPS signal. In another embodiment, the switching unit changes a connection path of the position information calculated by a GPS signal processing unit when the request to transmit the emergency signal is made. A mobile communications modem receives the position information and transmits same to a base station. The mobile communication modem also controls the changing of the connection path of the switching unit when the request to transmit the emergency signal is made. Accordingly, load on a control unit can be decreased.

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on patent application No. 10-2004-0001595 filed in Korea on Jan. 9, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to telematics, and particularly, to an apparatus and method for processing a signal of a telematics terminal capable of processing autonomous GPS signals and requests to transmit emergency signals.

2. Description of the Related Art

“Telematics”, a compound word formed from the words “telecommunications” and “informatics”, is receiving much attention in the field of information technology (IT). Telematics generally refer to technologies that integrate wireless services, such as voice and data, with GPS to provide a vast array of information to drivers, pilots, and the like, while the vehicle (car, plane, ship, etc.) is moving. Telematics can also include information regarding safety. In particular, telematics can allow a computer provided in a car, an airplane, a ship or the like, to exchange information with a base station by using radio communication techniques, GPS (global positioning system), technologies for converting specific information into a text signal or a voice signal via the Internet, and other related technologies.

For example, a telematics service for a car can provide a driver with traffic-management information that can assist the driver to avoid traffic delays and road obstacles, safety related information such as theft detection, entertainment information such as games, or the like. The information may be provided in real-time by employing mobile communication and position detecting technologies.

In addition, in conjunction with GPS systems of the vehicle, a telematics terminal can provide an autonomous GPS signal receiving function for automobile navigation. The telematics terminal can further provide an emergency signal transmitting function (E911 function) for transmitting a current position of the telematics terminal via a connection with an emergency call center when an emergency situation arises.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatus for processing a signal of a telematics terminal according to a related art. In the related art apparatus, the telematics terminal includes a GPS signal receiving function and an emergency signal transmitting function.

As shown, the telematics terminal includes a GPS antenna101, a GPS signal processing unit102, a control unit103, a mobile communications antenna104, an RF transceiver105, a mobile communications modem106, the first converting unit107, and the second converting unit108.

The GPS antenna101receives GPS signals. The GPS signal processing unit102down-converts the GPS signals received by the GPS antenna101and calculates a current position of the telematics terminal based on the down-converted GPS signals. The control unit103communicates with the mobile communications modem106and provides the modem106with the position information calculated by the GPS signal processing unit102.

The mobile communications antenna104allows for CDMA, PCS, analog, or other wireless communications to take place with a base station (not shown). When receiving messages from the base station, the RF transceiver105receives RF signals from the base station via the mobile communication antenna104and supplies the same to the first converting unit107. The first converting unit107down-converts the RF signals and provides the down-converted RF signals to the mobile communications modem106.

When transmitting messages to the base station, the second converting unit108up-converts baseband signals received from the mobile communications modem106into converted RF signals and provides the same to the RF transceiver105. The RF transceiver105transmits the converted RF signals to the base station via the mobile communication antenna104.

The mobile communications modem106processes various calls and signals transmitted to and received from the base station. The mobile communications modem106also communicates with the control unit103to request the position information of the telematics terminal. As noted above, in response to the request, the control unit103provides the position information of the telemetics terminal to the mobile communications modem106.

In the related art ofFIG. 1, the RF transceiver105includes a duplexer and a bandpass filter for transmitting and receiving the RF signals.

It should be noted that the mobile communications modem106is also referred to as a network access driver (NAD) processor106or a mobile station modem (MSM)106. In the related art, the mobile communications modem106for mobile communications does not include an emergency signal transmitting capability.

The operation of processing a signal of the related art telematics terminal, constructed as described above, follows.

The mobile communications modem106may receive a request to transmit an emergency signal. For example, the request may originate from a user (driver) or from a base station. When the request is received, the mobile communications modem106requests the position information from the control unit103. In response to the request, the control unit103passes on the position information calculated by the GPS signal processing unit102to the mobile communications modem106. The mobile communications modem106in turn transmits the position information received from the control unit103to the base station (via the second converting unit108, the RF transceiver105, and the mobile communication antenna104).

As noted above, the mobile communications modem106of the related art includes no emergency transmitting capability. When the mobile communications modem106receives the request to transmit the emergency signal, the mobile communications modem106must request and receive the position information from the control unit103.

However, the control unit103constantly receives and processes the updated position information from the GPS signal processing unit102. In other words, the control unit103constantly implements the autonomous GPS reception method that always receives GPS signals to maintain accurate position information in real time, and provides the real-time position information to a navigation system of the vehicle. In addition, the control unit103also processes the request to transmit the emergency signal, which is requested by the mobile communications modem106.

As described above, the related art apparatus for processing a signal of the telematics terminal can process an autonomous GPS signal and a request to transmit the emergency signal. However, because the control unit103processes both the autonomous GPS signal and the request to transmit the emergency signal, load on the control unit103is undesirably high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for processing a signal of a telematics terminal capable of directing a GPS signal to a proper reception to perform an autonomous GPS function or to respond to a request to transmit an emergency signal using a single GPS antenna.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with a purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for processing a signal of a telematics terminal includes: a global positioning system (GPS) functioning unit for providing an autonomous GPS function by calculating position information based on the signal; a radio frequency (RF) functioning unit for calculating position information based on the signal and for transmitting the calculated position information to a base station when a request to transmit an emergency signal is received; and a switching unit for selectively providing the signal received through the antenna to the GPS functioning unit during normal operation or to the RF functioning unit when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received.

Another apparatus for processing a signal of a telematics terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a switching unit for selecting a path of the signal; a first converting unit for calculating position information based on the signal provided through the switching unit when a request to transmit an emergency signal is received; and a mobile communications modem for receiving the position information from the first converting unit, transmitting the received position information to a base station, and controlling the selection of the path within the switching unit to supply the first converting unit with the signal when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received.

Further, a method for processing a signal of a telematics terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes directing the signal to the first converting unit when a request to transmit an emergency signal is received; calculating position information based on the signal utilizing the first converting unit when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received; and transmitting the position information to a base station when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received.

Yet further, an apparatus for processing a signal of a telematics terminal includes a GPS signal processing unit for calculating position information based on the signal; a switching unit for selecting a path of the position information when a request to transmit the emergency signal is received; and a mobile communications modem for receiving the position information from the GPS signal processing unit, transmitting the position information to a base station, and controlling the selection of the path within the switching unit to supply the position information to the mobile communications modem when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received.

Yet further, a method for processing a signal of a telematics terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes calculating position information based on the signal; directing the position information to a mobile communications modem when a request to transmit an emergency signal is received; and transmitting the position information to a base station utilizing the mobile communications modem when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatus for processing a signal of a telematics terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the signal processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a GPS antenna201, a GPS signal processing unit202, a control unit203, a mobile communications antenna204, an RF transceiver205, a mobile communications modem206, a first converting unit207, a second converting unit208, and a switching unit209.

Components of the embodiment may perform similar functions as the similar components of the related art. For example, The GPS antenna201may receive GPS signals; the GPS signal processing unit202may convert the GPS signals received by the GPS antenna201and calculate a current position of the telematics terminal based on the converted GPS signals; the mobile communications antenna204may allow for CDMA, PCS, analog, or other wireless communications to take place with a base station (not shown); the RF transceiver205may receive RF signals from the base station via the mobile communication antenna204and supply the same to the first converting unit207(on the receiving side) and may transmit converted RF signals to the base station via the mobile communication antenna204(on the transmitting side); the first converting unit207may down-convert the RF signals from the RF transceiver205and provide the down-converted RF signals to the mobile communications modem206; and the second converting unit208may up-convert baseband signals received from the mobile communications modem206into up-converted RF signals and provides the same to the RF transceiver205to be transmitted. The communications modem206for can be a NAD processor or a MSM.

This embodiment differs from the related art in certain respects. This embodiment includes the switching unit209as noted above. The switching unit209may perform a switching function to selectively direct the GPS signals to any of multiple paths. A switch adopting a single pole double throw (SPDT) method may be used. In this embodiment, the switching unit209may selectively direct the signals to one of two connection paths—to the GPS signal processing unit202or to the first converting unit207. The selection of a particular connection path may be based on a control signal from the communications modem206.

In addition to down-converting the RF signals provided from the RF transceiver205, the first converting unit207may also down-convert the GPS signals received by the GPS antenna201(via the switching unit209) and calculate the current position of the telematics terminal based on the down-converted GPS signals. In other words, the first converting unit207may include capabilities similar to that of the GPS signal processing unit202. The first converting unit207may be provided with a GPS signal receiver. Further, the communications modem206of the embodiment may include a capability to perform an emergency signal transmit function.

Accordingly, when a request to transmit the emergency signal is received (from the user or from the base station), the communications modem206need not send a request to the control unit203for the current position information. Instead, the communications modem206may instruct the switching unit209to direct the GPS signals to the first converting unit207. The first conveting unit207may then calculate the current position based on the GPS signals and provide the position information to the mobile communications modem206. The mobile communications modem206may then transmit the emergency signal to the base station along with the position information. In this manner, the high load on the control unit203may be avoided or minimized.

During normal operation, the GPS signal received through the GPS antenna201may be directed to the GPS processing unit202via the switching unit209. The GPS signal processing unit202may calculate the position information and provide the same to the control unit203. The control unit203may utilize the position information as an autonomous GPS signal for the navigation system of the vehicle.

However, when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received, the GPS signal received through the GPS antenna201may be directed to the first converting unit207. The first converting unit207may calculate the position information and provide the same to the mobile communications modem206. The mobile communications modem206, may then transmit the emergency signal along with the position information.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing a signal of a telematics terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the apparatus for processing a signal of the telematics terminal will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing.

First, it may be determined whether a request to transmit an emergency signal is received from a user or from a base station (S11). If the request to transmit the emergency signal is received, the mobile communications modem206may establish a connection with the base station via the first converting unit207, the second converting unit208, the RF transceiver205, and the mobile communication antenna204(S12). The mobile communications modem206may direct the switching unit209to provide a path from the GPS antenna201to the first converting unit207(S13) to which the switching unit209may respond accordingly (S14).

The first converting unit207may process the GPS signal received by the GPS antenna201to calculate the position information (S15). The mobile communications modem206may receive the position information from the first converting unit207and transmit the same to the base station via the second converting unit208, the RF transceiver205, and the mobile communications antenna204(S16).

If the request to transmit the emergency signal is not received, the switching unit209may provide a connection between the GPS antenna201to the GPS signal processing unit202to thereby supply the GPS signal to the GPS signal processing unit202(S17). The GPS signal processing unit202may calculate the current position from the GPS signal and provide the calculated position information to the control unit203(S18). The control unit203may use the position information as an autonomous GPS signal required for the navigation system of the vehicle(S19).

Thus, during normal operation, the switching unit209may normally connect the GPS antenna201with the GPS signal processing unit202to calculate the current position and the position information may be used by the control unit203.

On the other hand, when the request to transmit an emergency signal is received, the path of the switching unit209may temporarily connect the GPS antenna201with the first converting unit207so that the second converting unit207may calculate the current position and the position information may be used by the mobile communications modem206.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatus for processing a signal of a telematics terminal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the signal processing apparatus may include a GPS antenna401, a GPS signal processing unit402, a control unit403, a mobile communications antenna404, an RF transceiver405, a mobile communications modem406, a first converting unit407, a second converting unit408, and a switching unit409.

Components of the embodiment may perform similar functions as the similar components of the embodiment ofFIG. 2. For example, The GPS antenna401may receive GPS signals; the GPS signal processing unit402may convert the GPS signals received by the GPS antenna401and calculate a current position of the telematics terminal based on the converted GPS signals; the mobile communications antenna404may allow for CDMA, PCS, analog, or other wireless communications to take place with a base station (not shown); the RF transceiver405may receive RF signals from the base station via the mobile communication antenna404and supply the same to the first converting unit407(on the receiving side) and may transmit converted RF signals to the base station via the mobile communication antenna404(on the transmitting side); the first converting unit407may down-convert the RF signals from the RF transceiver405and provide the down-converted RF signals to the mobile communications modem406; and the second converting unit408may up-convert baseband signals received from the mobile communications modem406into up-converted RF signals and provides the same to the RF transceiver405to be transmitted. The communications modem406for can be a NAD processor or a MSM.

Like the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, this embodiment also includes a switching unit409. However, unlike the switching unit209ofFIG. 2, the switching unit409of this embodiment may perform a switching function to selectively direct the calculated current position information signal calculated by the GPS signal processing unit402to any of multiple paths. A switch adopting a single pole double throw (SPDT) method may be used.

In this embodiment, the switching unit409may selectively direct the signals to one of two connection paths—to the control unit403or to the mobile communications modem406. The selection of a particular connection path may be based on a control signal from the mobile communications modem406.

Thus, the apparatus ofFIG. 4provides an advantage over the apparatus ofFIG. 2in that the first converting unit407need not be capable of down-converting the GPS signals. The first converting unit407may be provided with a GPS signal receiver or may not be provided with the GPS signal receiver. The mobile communications modem406of this embodiment may include a capability to perform an emergency signal transmit function.

Accordingly, when a request to transmit the emergency signal is received (from the user or from the base station), the communications modem406need not send a request to the control unit403for the current position information. Instead, the mobile communications modem406may receive the calculated position information from the GPS signal processing unit402via the switching unit409. The mobile communications modem406may then transmit the emergency signal to the base station along with the position information. In this manner, the high load on the control unit403may be avoided or minimized.

During normal operation, the GPS signal processing unit402may calculate the position information based on the GPS signal received through the GPS antenna401and provide the position information to the control unit403via the switching unit409. The control unit403may utilize the position information as an autonomous GPS signal for the navigation system of the vehicle.

However, when the request to transmit the emergency signal is received, the position information calculated by the GPS signal processing unit402may be directed to the mobile communications modem406via the switching unit409. The mobile communications modem406, may then transmit the emergency signal along with the position information to the base station.

FIG. 5is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing a signal of a telematics terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the apparatus as illustrated inFIG. 4may use the following method.

First, the GPS signal may be received (S51) and current position may be calculated (S52) based on the GPS signal by the GPS signal processing unit402. Then it may be determined whether a request to transmit an emergency signal is received from a user or from a base station (S53) by the mobile communications modem406.

If the request to transmit the emergency signal is received, the mobile communications modem406may establish a connection with the base station via the first converting unit407, the second converting unit408, the RF transceiver405, and the mobile communication antenna404. The mobile communications modem406may direct the switching unit409to switch connection from the GPS signal processing unit402to the mobile communications modem406to which the switching unit409may respond accordingly (S56). The communications modem406may receive the position information from the GPS signal processing unit402(via switching unit409) and transmit the same to the base station via the second converting unit408, the RF transceiver405, and the mobile communications antenna404(S57).

If the request to transmit the emergency signal is not received, the switching unit409may provide a connection between the GPS signal processing unit402to the control unit403(S54) to thereby supply the position information to the control unit403. The control unit403may use the position information as an autonomous GPS signal required for the navigation system of the vehicle (S55).

Thus, during normal operation, the switching unit409may connect the GPS signal processing unit402to the control unit403. On the other hand, when the request to transmit an emergency signal is received, the path of the switching unit409may temporarily connect the GPS signal processing unit402to the mobile communications modem406such that the current position information may be used by the mobile communications modem406.

In the above noted embodiments of the apparatuses and methods for processing a signal of the telematics terminal in accordance with the present invention, either the GPS signal received by the GPS antenna or the position information calculated by the GPS signal unit may be directed according to an operation state of the telematics terminal. Thus, both the autonomous GPS function and the emergency signal transmitting function may be performed with one antenna.

In addition, the load on the control unit can be decreased by separating the paths for processing the autonomous GPS function of the telematics terminal and the path for its emergency signal transmitting function.