Patents Assigned to Global Locate, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7701389
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining time-of-day in a mobile receiver is described. In one example, expected pseudoranges to a plurality of satellites are obtained. The expected pseudoranges are based on an initial position of the mobile receiver and an initial time-of-day. Expected line-of-sight data to said plurality of satellites is also obtained. Pseudoranges from said mobile receiver to said plurality of satellites are measured. Update data for the initial time-of-day is computed using a mathematical model relating the pseudoranges, the expected pseudoranges, and the expected line-of-sight data. The expected pseudoranges and the expected line-of-sight data may be obtained from acquisition assistance data transmitted to the mobile receiver by a server. Alternatively, the expected pseudoranges may be obtained from acquisition assistance data, and the expected line-of-sight data may be computed by the mobile receiver using stored satellite trajectory data, such as almanac data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, Charles Abraham
  • Patent number: 7693660
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining long term orbit (LTO) models using variable time-horizons to improve the orbit and clock model accuracy. The method and apparatus use either historic ephemeris or historic measurements for at least one satellite to produce an orbit parameter prediction model (an LTO model). The parameter predicted by the model is compared to an orbit parameter of a current broadcast ephemeris. The result of the comparison (an indicia of accuracy for the model) is used to establish a time-horizon for the orbit parameter prediction model for that particular satellite. Such a time-horizon may be established in this manner for each satellite within a satellite constellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, Matthew Riben
  • Patent number: 7688260
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating position of a mobile device in an assisted satellite positioning system is described. In one example, satellite measurement data is obtained from a plurality of satellites at a mobile device. Position of the mobile device is computed using the satellite measurement data. The position is sent to a cellular device via a wireless ad hoc network. In one example, the wireless ad hoc network comprises a BLUETOOTH communication link. In one example, the mobile device is configured to receive assistance data from a position server through the wireless ad hoc network. For example, the mobile device may comprise a housing configured to plug into a cigarette lighter connector of an automobile and the cellular device may comprise a cellular telephone without location-determination capabilities (i.e., the cellular telephone does not include an integrated GPS receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Pomerantz, Charles Abraham
  • Publication number: 20100019960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating multipath effects in a satellite signal receiver is described. In one example, measured pseudoranges are obtained from the satellite signal receiver to a plurality of satellites. For each measured pseudorange: an expected pseudorange is derived from a sequential estimation filter in the satellite signal receiver. The measured pseudorange and the expected pseudorange are differenced to compute a pseudorange residual. The measured pseudorange is applied to the sequential estimation filter only if the pseudorange residual is within a window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, Charles Abraham, Sergei Podshivalov
  • Patent number: 7642959
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing satellite signals in an SPS receiver is described. In one example, the satellite signals are correlated against pseudorandom reference codes to produce correlation results. A determination is made whether the SPS receiver is in a motion condition or a stationary condition. The correlation results are coherently integrated in accordance with a coherent integration period. The coherent integration period is a value that depends upon the motion condition of the SPS receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Frank van Diggelen
  • Patent number: 7626539
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for time management in a position-location system is described. The method may include (i) obtaining, at a global-navigation-satellite-system receiver while being served by a first node of a wireless network a first time base, a relative-time difference, and a third time base; and forming a time relation as a function of the first time base, relative-time difference (“RTD”) and third time base. The first time base is associated with the first node, and may be, for example, a time base associated with an air interface for communicating with the first node. The RTD may be a difference between the first time base and a second time base associated with a second node of the wireless network. The third time base is associated with a constellation of satellites, and may be, for example, an absolute time associated with the constellation of satellites. The method may include using knowledge of a GNSS time to enhance sensitivity or time to first position of a GNSS receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventor: Javier de Salas
  • Patent number: 7595752
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating position of a remote receiver is described. In one example, long term satellite tracking data is obtained at a remote receiver. Satellite positioning system (SPS) satellites are detected. Pseudoranges are determined from the remote receiver to the detected SPS satellites. Position of the remote receiver is computed using the pseudoranges and the long term satellite tracking data. SPS satellites may be detected using at least one of acquisition assistance data computed using a previously computed position and a blind search. Use of long term satellite tracking data obviates the need for the remote receiver to decode ephemeris from the satellites. In addition, position of the remote receiver is computed without obtaining an initial position estimate from a server or network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, Sergei Podshivalov, Charles Abraham
  • Patent number: 7592950
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing satellite signals from a first satellite navigation system and a second satellite navigation system is described. In one example, at least one first pseudorange between a satellite signal receiver and at least one satellite of the first satellite navigation system is measured. At least one second pseudorange between the satellite signal receiver and at least one satellite of the second satellite navigation system is measured. A difference between a first time reference frame of the first satellite navigation system and a second time reference frame of the second satellite navigation is obtained. The at least one first pseudoframe and the at least one second pseudorange are combined using the differences in time references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
  • Patent number: 7589667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of satellite tracking data used by a remote receiver is described. In one example, a first set of satellite tracking data is received at a server. Integrity data for a second set of satellite tracking data is generated using the first set of satellite tracking data. The integrity data is then transmitted to at least one remote receiver having the second set of satellite tracking data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, David Lundgren, Charles Abraham
  • Publication number: 20090201196
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and distributing satellite tracking data to a remote receiver is disclosed. The method for includes extracting from satellite-tracking data initial model parameters representing a current orbit of at least one satellite-positioning-system satellite, computing an orbit model using the initial model parameters, wherein a duration of the orbit model is longer than a duration of the satellite-tracking data, comparing, for an overlapping period of time, the orbit model to the satellite-tracking data; and adjusting the orbit model to match the satellite tracking data for the overlapping period of time so as to form an adjusted orbit model. The adjusted orbit model comprises the long-term-satellite-tracking data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Frank van Diggelen, Matthew Riben
  • Patent number: 7567636
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a satellite signal parameter in a satellite positioning system receiver is described. In an example, a plurality of correlation results between a satellite signal and a reference signal is generated in response to a command from a processor. At least one satellite signal parameter is estimated from the plurality of correlation results using a co-processor integrated within the satellite positioning system receiver. The at least one satellite signal parameter is then provided to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Emre Tapucu
  • Patent number: 7548816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and distributing satellite tracking data to a remote receiver is disclosed. The method for includes extracting from memory at least a portion of long-term-satellite-tracking data, generating formatted data from the at least a portion of long-term-satellite-tracking data, the formatting data being in a format supported by the remote receiver, applying security to the formatted data to prevent unauthorized access to and/or tampering with the at least a portion of long-term-satellite-tracking data; and transmitting the formatted data to the remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Riben, Sergei Podshivalov, Frank van Diggelen, Charles Abraham
  • Patent number: 7522098
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating an initial position in a satellite positioning system using range-rate measurements is described. In one example, range-rate measurements are obtained at the remote receiver with respect to a plurality of satellites. Expected range-rates are computed with respect to the plurality of satellites using the initial position. Single differences are computed using the range-rate measurements. Expected single differences are computed using the expected range-rates. Single difference residuals are computed between the single differences and the expected single differences. The single difference residuals are compared to a threshold. The initial position may be deemed valid if the absolute value of each of the single difference residuals is less than or equal to the threshold. A valid initial position may be used to fix the pseudorange integers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
  • Publication number: 20090066576
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for computing position using a regional-terrain model is provided. The method includes obtaining from at least three satellites pseudorange measurements, computing a transitional position by using a default altitude with a large uncertainty, using this transitional position to obtain from a terrain model altitude information associated with a region, and computing an accurate three-dimensional position as a function of the pseudorange measurements and the altitude information. The region defines a boundary, and the boundary includes the transitional position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
  • Patent number: 7443340
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and distributing satellite tracking data to a remote receiver is disclosed. The method for includes extracting from satellite-tracking data initial model parameters representing a current orbit of at least one satellite-positioning-system satellite, computing an orbit model using the initial model parameters, wherein a duration of the orbit model is longer than a duration of the satellite-tracking data, comparing, for an overlapping period of time, the orbit model to the satellite-tracking data; and adjusting the orbit model to match the satellite tracking data for the overlapping period of time so as to form an adjusted orbit model. The adjusted orbit model comprises the long-term-satellite-tracking data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Frank van Diggelen, Matthew Riben
  • Patent number: 7400974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating position of a GPS device is described. In one example, a method for provisioning a mobile device with a model for determining a position of the mobile device in at least one geographic area is provided. The method includes obtaining an estimate of the position of the mobile device, forming one or more satellite orbit models from the estimate and a wide area model, and sending the at least one satellite orbit model to the mobile device. The wide area model is formed from measurements from a plurality of satellites of a Global Positioning System, and the measurements are obtained by a plurality of reference stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Fuchs, Charles Abraham, Frank van Diggelen
  • Patent number: 7342533
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating position of a mobile receiver is described. In one embodiment, satellite measurements are obtained at the mobile receiver for a plurality of satellites in a satellite positioning system constellation. Satellite trajectory data is obtained at the mobile receiver from a server. Ephemeris data is obtained at the mobile receiver from at least one satellite of the plurality of satellites. Position is computed for the mobile receiver using the satellite measurements, the satellite trajectory data, and the ephemeris data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventors: Boaz Efroni Rotman, Charles Abraham
  • Publication number: 20080039117
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing position information in a mobile device is described. In one example, a request for a position to be computed within a predefined period of time is received. A plurality of positions is calculated within the predefined period of time. At least one of the plurality of positions is cached in a position cache. Accuracy data is derived with respect to at least one of the plurality of positions. A best position stored in the position cache is identified in response to the accuracy data. The best position may be sent to a server in communication with the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: GLOBAL LOCATE, INC.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, Charles Abraham
  • Publication number: 20080039116
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating an oscillator in a location-enabled wireless device is described. In an example, a mobile device includes a wireless receiver for receiving wireless signals and a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals. The mobile device also includes an oscillator having an associated temperature model. A frequency error is derived from a wireless signal. The temperature model is adjusted in response to the frequency error and a temperature proximate the oscillator. Frequency error of the oscillator is compensated using the adjusted temperature model. In another example, a frequency error is derived using a second oscillator within the wireless receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: GLOBAL LOCATE, INC.
    Inventor: Charles Abraham
  • Publication number: 20080036651
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating position of a satellite signal receiver is described. In one example, pseudoranges are obtained that estimate the range of a satellite signal receiver to a plurality of satellites. An absolute time and a position are computed using the pseudoranges at a first time. The absolute time is then used to compute another position at a subsequent time. In another example, a plurality of states associated with a satellite signal receiver are estimated, where the plurality of states includes a time tag error state. A dynamic model is then formed relating the plurality of states, the dynamic model operative to compute position of the satellite signal receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: GLOBAL LOCATE, INC.
    Inventors: Frank van Diggelen, Charles Abraham