Abstract: Methods for estimating the tracking error in estimated time of arrival of a composite incoming signal that contains a known, digital, spread spectrum signal S.sub.d (t) and that may contain one or more multipath signals whose source is the known signal. Some methods use linear, quadratic or other approximations for the measured correlation function AC(.tau.) for the early and late regions of the time shift variable .tau. (separated by a punctual value .tau.=t.sub.P). Other methods require only knowledge of the measured correlation function AC(.tau.) for one or two time shift values in the early region .tau.<t.sub.P.

Abstract: Methods for determining the present location coordinates of a user moving in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space, with reference to an old map that may be inaccurate. Location coordinates of two or three non-collinear landmarks in two dimensions, or coordinates of three or four non-coplanar landmarks in three-dimensions, are indicated on the old map. Corresponding location coordinates are also estimated using a location determination (LD) system, such as GPS, GLONASS, Loran, Tacan, Decca, Omega, VOR, DME, JTIDS, PLRS or an FM subcarrier system. Location coordinates for two or more physical landmarks can be used to determine coordinates for a landmark representative. The user's location coordinates are also determined or provided using the LD system. A distance or separation vector from the user location to landmark number i (i=1, . . . , N; N=2,3) is computed in the LD system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimally transforming location coordinates from a global system GC1 of survey coordinates to a local system LC1 of coordinates in a location survey. Linear translation transformations T.sub.G1 and T.sub.L1 are determined that translate the GC1 coordinates and the LC1 coordinates new coordinates in coordinate systems LC1' and GC2 having a corresponding origin. A rotation transformation R(.phi.,.theta.), having a selected azimuthal rotation angle .phi. and a selected polar rotation angle .theta., that transforms the coordinate system LC1' into another coordinate system LC2 so that a coordinate plane or coordinate axes in LC2 are aligned with a coordinate plane or coordinate axes in GC2. An optimized invertible transformation T.sub.LC2,GC2 is found that minimizes a selected functional and carries GC2 into LC2. The optimal transformation of GC1 into LC1,T.sub.LC1,GC1 =(T.sub.L1,tr).sup.-1 R(.phi.,.theta.).sup.-1 T.sub.LC2,GC2 T.sub.

Abstract: A method for suppressing the effects of multipath signals in determination of the location of a mobile user, using the speed or magnitude of the velocity v of the user to determine the procedure(s) to be used to determine the range or pseudorange values corresponding to the GPS, GLONASS, LORAN, FM subcarrier or other location determination (LD) signals received from a plurality of LD signal sources. Where the user velocity v satisfies v.ltoreq.v1, or v.gtoreq.v2 (v1 and v2 being two selected velocity threshold values with 0<v1<v2), the range or pseudorange values are determined by a first procedure and by a second procedure, respectively, that reduce or eliminate the effects of multipath signals. Where the user velocity v satisfies v1<v<v2, the range or pseudorange values are determined by a blend of the first and second procedures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for the differences in time varying signals S(t;R;S) received and processed by two signal receivers (R.sub.2 and R.sub.3), located at the same site, from two signal sources (S.sub.2 and S.sub.3) that are spaced apart from the receivers. A receiver (R.sub.1) is chosen as a baseline, and two double difference signals DD(t;R.sub.1 ;R.sub.2 ;S.sub.2 ;S.sub.3)=S(t;R.sub.1 ;S.sub.2)-S(t;R.sub.1 ;S.sub.3)-S(t;R.sub.2 ;S.sub.2)+S(t;R.sub.2 ;S.sub.3) and DD(t;R.sub.1 ;R.sub.3 ;S.sub.2 ;S.sub.3)=S(t;R.sub.1 ;S.sub.2)-S(t;R.sub.1 ;S.sub.3)-S(t;R.sub.3 ;S.sub.2)+S(t;R.sub.3 ;S.sub.3) are formed. Time averages of these two double difference signals are formed, using a time interval of length T lying in a preferred range, and are subtracted from the corresponding double difference signals to form first and second compensated signals.

Abstract: A method for compensating for temporary loss of differential GPS correction signals for a satellite, numbered j, during an IODE changeover interval. Differences .DELTA.e.sub.i (t;j;n+1,n)=e.sub.i (t;j;n+1)-e.sub.i (t;j;n) (i=1, . . . , I) are formed for I ephemeris parameters used to describe the ephemeris for the satellite (j) during IODE intervals number n+1 and n. These differences are approximated for a DGPS blank-out time interval, given by t(j;n+1).sub.IODE .DELTA.t.sub.rev,mob .ltoreq.t<t(j;n+1).sub.IODE +.DELTA.t.sub.ch +.DELTA.t.sub.rev,ref, during which a GPS reference station continues to broadcast DGPS correction information based on the old ephemeris data that was valid during the preceding IODE time interval, given by t(j;n).sub.IODE .ltoreq.t<t(j;n+1).sub.IODE. These ephemeris differences are used by a mobile station that receives DGPS correction information from the GPS reference station to produce corrected GPS information for a blank-out time interval.

Abstract: A method for characterization of data measurements made on signals received from a plurality of SATPS satellites that facilitates post-processing of these data to determine pseudoranges, code phases, carrier phases, pseudorange rate corrections, carrier phase corrections, spatial location, velocity and time coordinates and other variables of interest for an SATPS user. The SATS may be any satellite-based location determination system, such as GPS or GLONASS. The approach uses six indices h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 and h6, with the first index h1 including the total solution coordinates (t.sub.n,x.sub.n,y.sub.n,z.sub.n) for the location fix time t=t.sub.n at which measurements are made, and the spatial location and velocity coordinates. The second and third indices h2 and h3 specify the in-view satellite constellation that provided the SATPS signals and the IODC parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus that provides an integrated approach for all management activities for hazardous substances used or generated at a facility, including form generation and compliance with the reporting requirements. The apparatus includes eight functional groupings and a database schema or coordinator that integrates these groupings and allows them to share and exchange relevant information. The functional groupings include a hazardous materials index grouping (chemical profiles, waste profiles, Material Safety Data Sheets, etc.), a hazardous materials management grouping (MSDS generation, process definition, materials transfers, etc.), a human resource management grouping (training, exposure limits, etc.), a hazardous commitment management grouping (compliance requirements and deadlines), an emergency management grouping (planning for and response to unscheduled releases), and a facility management grouping that can be used by or for response to a regulatory agency.

Abstract: A system for lithographic rastering of an image, defined by an array of pixels, onto an image-accepting substrate that allows irradiation of the total pixel pattern in reduced time. The total image is first divided into a collection of one or more geometrically isolated pixel arrays, with all pixels in an array being connected to each other. Each pixel array is decomposed into a fine region, consisting of all image pixels within P pixels of a boundary of that array, where P is a selected positive integer, such as 1, 2 or 3, and a bulk region consisting of all image pixels in that array that are not part of a fine region. A pixel array may include one or more bulk regions and one or more fine regions. A fine region for a pixel array is further decomposed into a first fine sub-region with pixel width at least equal to P1 pixels, where P1 is a selected integer satisfying 2.ltoreq.P1.ltoreq.P, and a second fine sub-region with pixel width no greater than P1-1 pixels.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying objects that may have been wetted in a manufacturing The objects are submerged in a rinse liquid in an enclosed chamber, and aerosol particles from a selected drying liquid are introduced into the chamber above the rinse liquid surface, forming a thin film on this surface. As the rinse liquid is slowly drained, some aerosol particles settle onto and form a film on the exposed surfaces of the objects, and displace and remove rinse liquid residues from the exposed surfaces. Surface contaminants are also removed by this process.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy of location coordinates and/or clock bias computed for a mobile user station that is part of a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS), such as GPS or GLONASS. A data processing station is provided with pseudorange corrections PRC(t;j;ref) for an SATPS reference station for each of M SATPS satellites (j=1, . . . , M; M.gtoreq.3) and with uncorrected location fix coordinates x'(t.sub.f), y'(t.sub.f)', z'(t.sub.f)' and/or b'(t.sub.f) for the mobile station for a selected location fix time t.sub.f. A matrix equation H(t.sub.f ;mob).DELTA.W(t.sub.f ;mob)=PRC(t.sub.f ;ref) relates a matrix .DELTA.W of location fix coordinate corrections for the mobile station to a matrix PRC(t;ref) of the pseudorange correction values, where H(t.sub.f ;mob) is an M.times.N matrix (M.ltoreq.N; N=3 or 4) with known entries computed from mobile station data. An inverse or pseudo-inverse matrix H(t.sub.f ;mob).sup.(-1) is formed satisfying the relation H(t.sub.f ;mob).sup.(-1) H(t.sub.

Abstract: A system for tracking the location of, and for providing cellular telephone handoff for, a mobile cellphone user as the cellphone user moves from one cellzone to another. A boundary curve B12 between a first cellzone and an adjacent second cellzone is defined in an electronic map by an equation h.sub.B12 (x,y,z)-K12=0 for points with spatial location coordinates (x,y,z) lying on the curve B12, where K12 is a selected constant. First and second quasi-boundary curves QB1 and QB2, lying within the first and second cellzones, respectively, are defined, where each point on the curve QBi (i=1,2) lies at a selected distance di from the boundary curve B12. A region CR12 of points lying between the quasi-boundary curves QB1 and QB2 and including the boundary curve B12 is defined. The present location of the cellphone user is determined using a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) such as GPS or GLONASS.

Abstract: Apparatus that provides an integrated approach for all management activities for hazardous substances used or generated at a facility, including form generation and compliance with the reporting requirements. The apparatus includes six functional groupings and a database schema or coordinator that integrates these groupings and allows them to share and exchange relevant information. The functional groupings include a hazardous materials index grouping (chemical profiles, waste profiles, Material Safety Data Sheets, etc.), a hazardous materials management grouping (MSDS generation, process definition, materials transfers, etc.), a human resource management grouping (training, exposure limits, etc.) and a hazardous commitment management grouping (compliance requirements and deadlines). Optionally, a hazardous waste management grouping (waste accumulations, Hazardous Waste Manifests, etc.) or a hazardous permit management grouping (permit approvals and renewals, etc.

Abstract: Methods for GPS-assisted determination of location coordinates of a mobile user or selected position on or adjacent to the Earth's surface with improved accuracy. Elevation readings from an altimeter or barometer are integrated with readings of the GPS-determined elevation coordinate for that location, using Kalman filter techniques, minimum least square techniques, or comparison of certain statistically defined parameters associated with the altimeter and GPS variables, such as the standard deviation of the expected errors in these variables. The resulting elevation coordinate may be a statistical blend or filtered blend of the altimeter value and a GPS-determined value for the elevation coordinate; or this resulting elevation coordinate can be chosen to be one or the other of these values, based upon comparison of time varying statistical parameters corresponding to the altimeter and the GPS.

Abstract: A system for assuring the location integrity of a decryption chip used to receive and decrypt encrypted signals ES received from an encrypted signal source. The decryption chip operates in association with a licensed signal receiver and is licensed for use at a selected site or location L.sub.i and is positioned adjacent to a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) antenna and receiver/processor that determine the present location L of this antenna. If the SATPS-determined location L is within a region R(L.sub.i ;d.sub.i), centered at the location L.sub.i and having a selected diameter d.sub.i, and if the signal ES is associated with a channel that is authorized for reception by this signal receiver, the deception chip is enabled, and the signal ES is decrypted for audible or visual display on the signal receiver. Otherwise, the decryption chip does not decrypt the incoming signal ES. The licensed site location L.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the present location of, or time of observation by, an observer in the vicinity of the Earth's surface. The apparatus provides a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS), such as GPS or GLONASS, in a portable device or card that is built to the I.E.E.E. PC/104 Standard, which is a variation of the I.E.E.E. P996 Standard for personal computer buses. The PC/104/SATPS Card includes an SATPS antenna to receive (and frequency downconvert, if necessary) SATPS signals from one or more SATPS satellites, a microprocessor programmed to receive the SATPS signals from the antenna and to perform calculations to determine the spatial location of the antenna and/or the time of observation by the antenna. The PC/104/SATPS Card has a buffer and a format translator to compensate for SATPS signal latency and for differences in SATPS signal arrival rate and PC/104 signal processing rate and/or to translate signals from SATPS format to whatever format the microprocessor uses.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a location determination and reporting (LDR) system for clandestinely determining and reporting a missing vehicle present location. The vehicle may be stationary or moving and may be anywhere within reach of a cellular central station to which the location is reported. The vehicle is equipped with a location determination (LD) unit, including an LD signal antenna and receiver/processor (preferably hidden on the vehicle) that determines the LD antenna present location, a specially configured cellular telephone, and a controller. When the vehicle is reported missing, the central station interrogates the vehicle LDR system to determine the vehicle present location. A location interrogation signal is transmitted, commanding the LD unit to transmit the LD antenna present location. The vehicle phone does not signal an incoming call for an initial time period of selected length .DELTA.t.sub.d, awaiting possible receipt of a location interrogation signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using a plurality of correlators to improve an estimate of direct signal arrival time by identifying features of a correlation function at and adjacent to the correlation peak. In a first embodiment, the errors in location of the center point of a correlation function R(.tau.), formed by the incoming composite signal and a stored copy of the expected signal, are assumed to be strongly correlated for narrow sample spacing and wide sample spacing of the correlation function. In a second embodiment, multipath signal strengths and phases are estimated, using multiple sampling of the correlation function R(.tau.). This approach assumes that path delays of the direct signal and of the multipath signals can be determined separately.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing timing control signals for operation of an engine and other devices on a vehicle and/or operation of telecommunications equipment and/or computer equipment on the vehicle. A Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) antenna and receiver/processor receive and process signals from three or more SATPS satellites and determine and issue SATPS-determined timing pulses and time signals that indicate the time associated with each timing pulse. The pulse-to-pulse time separation .DELTA.t.sub.pp of these timing pulses is adjusted to provide a separation approximately equal to a selected pulse separation .DELTA.t.sub.incr. Alternatively, a supplementary timing device provides a sequence of timing pulses with pulse-to-pulse spacing that is adjustable by varying an environmental parameter .theta., such as temperature or electrical field, for this timing device.

Abstract: A system for selecting an optimal transformation T(G2;G1) between a first ellipsoid E1 (e.g., WGS 84) in a first global coordinate system G1, relative to which the survey measurements are made, and a second ellipsoid E2 in a second global coordinate system G2. A set of location coordinates (x'.sub.m,2, y'.sub.m,2,z'.sub.m,2) for M previously-surveyed locations, numbered m=1, . . . , M, and a set of location coordinates (x'.sub.n,1, y'.sub.n,1,z'.sub.n,1) for N presently-surveyed locations, numbered n=1, . . . , N (M.ltoreq.N) are provided, where the first M presently-surveyed locations coincide with the M previously-surveyed locations. The transformation is chosen so that the images of the location coordinates (x'.sub.n,1,y'.sub.n,1, z'.sub.n,1) for n=1, . . . , M under T(G2;G1) are as close as possible to the corresponding location coordinates (x'.sub.m,2,y'.sub.m,2, z'.sub.m,2) for m=1, . . . , M. Given an ellipsoid and a selected survey plane .tau.