Determining Position (ipc) Patents (Class 342/357.25)
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Patent number: 9411051Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a satellite navigational system receiver to select a subset of tracking satellites from the satellites in view are described. In one method, after selecting the satellite with a highest elevation, satellites are selected for the tracking subset by searching the sectors of an azimuth plane map in sequence.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Phanikrishna Sagiraju, Makarand Phatak
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Patent number: 9412098Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for determining an optimized sequence of visits by a consumer to a plurality of merchant locations irrespective of travel distance. The system is configured to receive, from the consumer, errand data including start time and start and finish location and a plurality of merchant locations to visit. The system also generates one or more models for predicting visit durations the merchant locations as a function of time using transaction data and location data associated with a plurality of consumers that previously visited the merchant locations. Based on the generated models, and current and historical travel/traffic information and the errand data, the system generates an optimized sequence of visits for the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Mastercard International IncorporatedInventors: Michael Zhao, Jeremy Pastore, Arun Elangovan
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Patent number: 9366763Abstract: A method and system for a mobile station to determine its position (or velocity) and time using a hybrid combination of satellite orbit data. In one aspect, the mobile station combines predicted orbit data from one satellite and real-time orbit data from another satellite in the determination of a fix. The combination can be made to the satellites in the same or different satellite systems. The mobile station can use the real-time orbit data of a satellite at one time period and the predicted orbit data of the same satellite at another time period. In another aspect, the mobile station can use the real-time orbit data to correct the clock bias in the predicted orbit data. The correction to the clock bias can be made to the same satellite that provides the real-time orbit data, or to a different satellite in the same or in another satellite system.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Zoltan F. Biacs, Leonid Sheynblat, Arnold Jason Gum
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Patent number: 9297657Abstract: A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The 10 PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Silver State Intellectual Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Obradovich, John Dinkel, Michael Kent
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Patent number: 9301157Abstract: The eNB 1 and the UE 2 establish the first bearer 11 between the eNB 1 and the UE 2 at the RRC layer, and the eNB 1 and the MME 3 establish the second bearer 12 between the eNB 1 and the MME 3 at the S1-AP layer. The OAM 4 measures the time length (TTL) of packet transfer between the eNB 1 and the UE 2, based on the transmission state of packets transmitted on the first bearer 11, and also measures the time length of packet transfer between the eNB 1 and the MME 3, based on the transmission state of packets transmitted on the second bearer 12.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventor: Hitoya Tachikawa
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Patent number: 9203506Abstract: A system includes a central controller to transmit a plurality of synchronization codes through a transmission medium and a plurality of satellite controllers, each satellite controller configured to recognize one or more synchronization codes of the plurality of synchronization codes, each satellite controller comprising a synchronous clock signal generator to generate a synchronous clock signal each time the satellite controller recognizes the one or more synchronization codes of the plurality of synchronization codes.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Chemtron Research LLCInventor: Mark Francis
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Patent number: 9151843Abstract: Methods and systems for indoor global navigation satellite system detection utilizing low Earth orbit satellite signals may comprise receiving low Earth orbit (LEO) RF satellite signals utilizing a LEO satellite signal receiver path (LEO Rx) in a wireless communication device comprising the LEO satellite signal receiver path and a medium Earth orbit satellite signal receiver path (MEO Rx). A received signal strength indicator (RSSI) may be measured for the received LEO signals and an expected received MEO signal strength may be calculated. A power level of the MEO Rx may be configured based on the calculated MEO signal strength by powering down when the calculated expected MEO signal strength is below a threshold level for MEO positioning purposes and/or powered up when it increases above the threshold level. The RSSI may be measured at a plurality of points along the LEO Rx.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.Inventors: Maxime Leclercq, Ioannis Spyropoulos, Nishant Kumar
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Patent number: 9144054Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining locations of static devices are disclosed. The method includes identifying a plurality of static devices, obtaining location measurements by the plurality of static devices at different times, and determining locations of the plurality of static devices using the location measurements obtained at the different times. The method of determining locations of the plurality of static devices includes determining a group location of the plurality of static devices based on GNSS pseudo range measurements contributed by the one or more static devices, where the group location is near a centroid of the plurality of static devices weighted by the number of GNSS pseudo range measurements contributed by each of the plurality of static devices. The method of determining locations of the plurality of static devices further includes sharing a common time reference among the plurality of static devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Stephen William Edge
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Patent number: 9103916Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a wireless device. In one embodiment, a method for indoor positioning includes determining a reference location of a wireless device, based on satellite positioning, as the device passes between areas of satellite positioning signal reception and satellite positioning signal non-reception. While in the areas of non-reception, signals transmitted by wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs) and parameters of motion of the device are measured. Positions of the device are estimated while in the areas of non-reception based on the reference location and the parameters of motion. A positioning grid for positioning is generated based on the signals measured by the wireless device at the estimated positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Deric W. Waters, Jayawardan Janardhanan
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Patent number: 9091554Abstract: A device, system and method for an update system for updating a digital map for a vehicle. The update data is sent from a control center via a satellite navigation system to the individual receivers. The update data is received by the receivers in parallel with the position data from the satellites. For this purpose, a subchannel is provided. This allows large portions of the worldwide population to be supplied with the update data.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHGInventors: Karl-Thomas Neumann, Marc Menzel, Ulrich Stählin
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Patent number: 9075140Abstract: A method for providing an extended propagation ephemeris model for a satellite in Earth orbit, the method includes obtaining a satellite's orbital position over a first period of time, applying a least square estimation filter to determine coefficients defining osculating Keplarian orbital elements and harmonic perturbation parameters associated with a coordinate system defining an extended propagation ephemeris model that can be used to estimate the satellite's position during the first period, wherein the osculating Keplarian orbital elements include semi-major axis of the satellite (a), eccentricity of the satellite (e), inclination of the satellite (i), right ascension of ascending node of the satellite (?), true anomaly (?*), and argument of periapsis (?), applying the least square estimation filter to determine a dominant frequency of the true anomaly, and applying a Fourier transform to determine dominant frequencies of the harmonic perturbation parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: James Levi Garrison, Michael Allen Walker
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Patent number: 9074892Abstract: In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods and/or processes may determine a location of a remote object (e.g., a point and/or area of interest, landmark, structure that “looks interesting”, buoy, anchored boat, etc.). For example, the location of a remote object may be determined via a first bearing, at a first location, and a second bearing, at a second location, to the remote object. For instance, the first and second locations can be determined via a position device, such as a global positioning system device. In one or more embodiments, the location of the remote object may be based on the first location, the second location, the first bearing, and the second bearing. For example, the location of the remote object may be provided to a user via a map. For instance, turn-by-turn direction to the location of the remote object may be provided to the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Inventor: Ian Michael Fink
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Patent number: 9052388Abstract: The present invention relates to processing information generated by GNSS receivers received signals such as GPS, GLONASS, etc. GNSS receivers can determine their position in space. The receivers are capable of determining both coordinates and velocity of their spatial movement. When a receiver is used in any machine control systems, velocity vector heading (in other words, velocity vector orientation) should be determined along with velocity vector's absolute value. Angle, determining velocity vector orientation, is calculated based on velocity vector projections which are computed in navigation receivers. The accuracy of velocity vector orientation calculated based on velocity vector projections strongly enough depends on velocity vector's absolute value. To enhance the accuracy, a method of smoothing primary estimates of velocity vector orientation angles using a modified Kalman filter has been proposed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Vladimir V. Veitsel, Dmitry P. Nikitin, Andrey V. Plenkin, Andrey V. Veitsel, Mark I. Zhodzishsky, Victor A. Prasolov
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Publication number: 20150138014Abstract: Assisted-GPS for a portable biometric monitoring device is provided. The portable biometric monitoring device may obtain updated ephemeris data from an associated secondary device via a short-range, low-power communication protocol. The secondary device may be a computing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Various rules may control when the ephemeris data is updated. The ephemeris data may be used in the calculation of the global position of the portable biometric monitoring device. Additionally, the portable biometric monitoring device may communicate downloaded position fixing data to the associated secondary device. The associated secondary device may then calculate the global position from the position fixing data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: James Park, Heiko Gernot Albert Panther, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
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Patent number: 9030355Abstract: An apparatus for determining a location of a receiver by using signals received by the receiver from a number of satellites, the apparatus being configured to, when the receiver has been unable to decode a time-of-transmission from the satellite signals, determine a location for the receiver by use of an algorithm that takes an estimate of the location of the receiver as an input, and, when an estimate of the location of the receiver is unavailable, determine an approximate location of the receiver in dependence on the satellite signals and input that approximate location into the algorithm as the estimate of the location of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio LimitedInventors: Murray Robert Jarvis, James Burgess Tidd, Anthony Richard Pratt
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Patent number: 9013352Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, methods, and machines for tracking a fluid spill. The method includes obtaining real-time location data for a number of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, integrating the location data of each of the tracking devices into a comprehensive spatial data repository, determining a deployment location for each of the tracking devices, identifying, responsive to the deployment locations, a fluid-spill subset of the tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill, determining a fluid spill location based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset, and generating a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location. A new sensor-driven paradigm is used that combines practical data gathering methods with advanced enterprise information technologies.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Peter R. O'Regan, Ali Amer Almohsen
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Patent number: 9007261Abstract: A data model containing orbital parameters is stored in a mobile device. When a First Fix is required by a GNSS system within the mobile device, these stored orbital parameters are used to rapidly generate accurate satellite trajectory data model. The stored orbital parameters may be modified in part or in whole as required by changing coefficients of the stored parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Mediatek Inc.Inventors: Chin-Tang Weng, Wei Guan Yau
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Patent number: 9003500Abstract: A user uploads content such as files containing audio, video, graphical, data, points of interest, and other information from a user device such as a personal computer to a central server over the internet. Upon determining that a trigger event has occurred, communication and processing circuitry in a vehicle device automatically download the previously uploaded content over the interne and a short-range wireless network and store the content for use by a device such as an audio/visual/navigation unit. Examples of a trigger event include proximity to a short-range wireless communication network coupled to the internet, presence within a geofence, turning off a vehicle's engine, or detecting an SMS wake-up message while the vehicle device's main processor, transceivers not used for SMS, and auxiliary circuitry are in sleep mode. The short-range wireless network can be a vehicle owner's home network, or a commercial wi-fi hot spot, or subscription wireless service.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: HTI IP, LLCInventors: Robert J. Oglesbee, Dane Dickie, Charles M. Link, II
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Patent number: 8994587Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided for processing positioning signals to obtain navigation information by applying compressed sensing.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Josephine A. Bolotski, Douglas Neal Rowitch, Mark Leo Moeglein
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Publication number: 20150088012Abstract: A light assembly to be worn by a user. Typically the light assembly (10) would be worn on a user's arm. The assembly (10) includes a body (11) of a “U” shaped configuration so as to have a base (14) extending between a pair of generally co-extensive extensive arms (12). The body (11) is formed of resilient material so as to be retained in position when urged into engagement with an object, which is preferably a users arm or leg, by resilient deformation of the body. At least one light, which is preferably an LED module (15), is mounted in the body (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventor: Chauncey Hammond
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Patent number: 8983048Abstract: The number of messages required in networks where both location and presence services are deployed may be reduced, by retrieving presence data from messages otherwise intended to provide only location information. Thus, information determined in a location service scheme is utilized to provide a presence service as well. A location server requests mobile subscriber (MS) information from a Core Network (CN) Node (i.e. HLR, MSC, etc.) that can be used in determining the Location of the MS. A single message aggregates retrieval of information for two services, specifically, for both location and presence.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gordon Hines, Mario G. Tapia, Will Cousins, Patrick Carey
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Patent number: 8977493Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a positioning unit that determines a position of the information processing apparatus based on an external signal; a sensor unit that detects a change in position of the information processing apparatus; and a processing unit that measures, according to a change in position detected at the sensor unit, an amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus from a first time when the positioning unit starts to determine the position of the information processing apparatus to a second time when the positioning unit completes determining the position of the information processing apparatus; and identifies a position of the information processing apparatus at the first time by compensating the position of the information processing apparatus determined by the positioning unit at the second time with the amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.Inventor: Hiroaki Adachi
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Publication number: 20150035698Abstract: A satellite positioning subsystem includes a frequency converter that applies a downshift in frequency to a received signal that should contain a satellite signal that has been spread and modulated on a carrier signal. A non-crystal oscillator produces an output signal whose frequency acts as a controlling reference for the frequency converter. A crystal oscillator is coupled to a controller that develops a control signal for controlling the frequency of the output signal of the non-crystal oscillator. A processor intermittently corrects the crystal oscillator such that its output frequency experiences jumps. A filter filters the control signal to limit the rate of change of frequency that the control signal demands of the output signal of the non-crystal oscillator such that a phase rotation of ? cannot occur in the output signal of the non-crystal oscillator in the time that would be taken to despread a sample of the satellite signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: James Digby Yarlett Collier, Tim Newton, Per-Ludvig Normark, Thomas Renstrom
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Patent number: 8938231Abstract: Methods and systems for femtocell positioning using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signals may comprise receiving an initial position of a wireless communication device (WCD) as entered by as user, service provider, or manufacturer, wherein the WCD comprises a LEO satellite signal receiver path (Rx). The WCD may be operable to provide wireless communication services to other WCDs. LEO signals may be received for determining a position of the WCD, which may be compared to a threshold radius defined by the initial position. The communication services may be enabled when the measured position is within the threshold radius. The WCD may comprise a femtocell device, a WiFi access point, or may provide cellular telephone service to the other WCDs. The position of the WCD may be measured upon powering up of the WCD, on a periodic basis, and/or when one or more motion sensors in the WCD detect motion.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Maxlinear, inc.Inventors: Maxime Leclercq, Ioannis Spyropoulos, Nishant Kumar
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Publication number: 20150009986Abstract: A method and system for precise position determination of general Internet Protocol (IP) network-connected devices. A method enables use of remote intelligence located at strategic network points to distribute relevant assistance data to IP devices with embedded receivers. Assistance is tailored to provide physical timing, frequency and real time signal status data using general broadband communication protocols. Relevant assistance data enables several complementary forms of signal processing gain critical to acquire and measure weakened or distorted in-building Global Navigation Satellite Services (GNSS) signals and to ultimately extract corresponding pseudo-range time components. A method to assemble sets of GNSS measurements that are observed over long periods of time while using standard satellite navigation methods, and once compiled, convert using standard methods each pseudo-range into usable path distances used to calculate a precise geographic position to a known degree of accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Richard M. Lee, Richard Keegan
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Publication number: 20150009065Abstract: A method and a system for detecting cross correlation in a satellite navigation receiver (SNR) in real time are provided. The SNR parallelly receives navigation signals from multiple satellites via multiple input channels. The SNR extracts ephemeris data from sub-frames of navigation data of each of the navigation signals. The SNR compares the ephemeris data of each navigation signal with the ephemeris data of another navigation signal. The SNR detects cross correlation between the navigation signals when the ephemeris data comparison results in a match and discards the navigation signal with low signal strength. The SNR also retrieves a ranging code from the sub-frames of navigation data of each navigation signal. The SNR compares the ranging code with a pre-programmed satellite identity code of a corresponding satellite. The SNR detects cross correlation when the code comparison results in a mismatch and discards the navigation signal with the mismatched ranging code.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: Accord Software & Systems Pvt LtdInventor: Vyasaraj Guru Rao
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Publication number: 20150012272Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless terminal, an information processing method and a recording medium. The wireless terminal according to the present invention comprises a checking section for checking whether the wireless terminal is positioned in a vehicle; a first converting section for converting text information received through one of N applications for transceiving text information into speech information, the applications being included in the wireless terminal, in the case that the wireless terminal is positioned in the vehicle, according to a result of the checking by the checking section; a processing section for outputting the converted speech information through a speaker of the wireless terminal; an input section for receiving speech information from a user of the wireless terminal; and a second converting section for converting the received speech information into text information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Jun ho Jang, Tae hyung Park, Jong cheol Hong
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Patent number: 8922426Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are provided for position estimation in a geo-location system. For example, the method can include receiving a plurality of position measurements from a respective plurality of satellites in a global navigation satellite system. From the plurality of position measurements, a position measurement with a maximum pseudo-range residual value can be selected. A position uncertainty estimate can be determined based on the position measurement with the maximum pseudo-range residual value. Further, a position estimation algorithm can receive the position uncertainty estimate as an input, thereby improving position estimation of the geo-location system.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Russell Smith, Romain Clement
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Publication number: 20140368379Abstract: A method, receiver, and mobile terminal for simultaneously receiving and processing signals of multiple satellites from a plurality of navigational satellite system constellations are described. In the method, satellite signals from a plurality of navigational satellite systems are translated into an intermediate frequency and converted from analog to digital together, but then are separated out according to each navigational satellite system in the digital domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Gary LENNEN
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Publication number: 20140368380Abstract: Station for receiving satellite radio navigation signals having first wideband transmission means that are suited to receiving a specific signal transmitted by a transmitter/receiver and extracting therefrom at least one user radio navigation signal, first centralized signal processing means that are suited to determining a measurement of pseudo distance and centralized calculation means for calculating navigation information (PVT), the reception station having a first reference channel for receiving radio navigation signals having a directional antenna for forming a channel, second means for processing the radio navigation signal received by said directional antenna for forming a channel and a calculation unit that is suited to performing an improvement in reliability, an integrity check and authentication of said navigation information (PVT).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Marc Revol, Pierre Bouniol, David Pietin
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Patent number: 8912900Abstract: An information acquisition device, includes: a positioning unit that measures a current position and acquires positional information thereof; an information acquisition unit that acquires information; a storage unit that stores information acquired by the information acquisition unit and positional information acquired by the positioning unit; and a control unit that causes the positioning unit to perform positioning, while the information acquisition unit is activated, at an interval shorter than while the information acquisition unit is stopped, and causes positional information acquired while the information acquisition unit is activated, outside a time period determined in advance with a time in which acquisition of information was performed by the information acquisition unit as a reference point, among positional information acquired in the positioning unit, to be thinned and stored in the storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naoto Toda
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Patent number: 8902059Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for tracking an item transported with the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining a location of the item based on GPS signals received from one or more GPS satellites. The apparatus further comprises a mobile communications controller for generating a message including the determined location of the item, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to at least one mobile device. The mobile communications controller may also send the generated message to a remote server maintaining location tracking information for one or more items.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Umm Al-Qura UniversityInventor: Mohamed F. Mahmoud
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Patent number: 8903643Abstract: Marking apparatus and methods to mark ground, pavement or other surfaces to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of an underground utility in a dig area. An example marking tool has a hand-held housing, a marking dispenser coupled to the housing to dispense one or more markers in the dig area, and a triggering system to trigger the marking dispenser so as to dispense the marker(s). An example marking tool also may include a logging system to receive data associated with a marking event initiated by the triggering system, time tag the data, and store the time-tagged data in data storage in the marking tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
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Patent number: 8872699Abstract: Performing power quality and synchrophasor analysis on a resampled signal. A first signal may be initially received which corresponds to a power system. The first signal may have a plurality of cycles and may have a frequency that varies over time. One or more parameters may be determined from the first signal. Based on the one or more parameters, the first signal may be resampled to produce an even angle signal. Various power quality measurements may be performed on the even angle signal. Similarly, further processing may be performed to perform synchrophasor measurements, e.g., to determine phasor, frequency, and/or rate of frequency change for the first signal. In some embodiments, the resampling processing elements (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, processors and memories, etc.) may be shared between the two analyses.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Qiao Guo, Chen Zhang, Yijun Shi
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Patent number: 8872698Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring spatial movements of plant structures, such as pipes, due for example to movement of the ground in presence of landslide phenomena, subsidence, collapse, or differential settling. The measuring apparatus includes at least one ground station that communicates with at least one corresponding signal-sending satellite station, the ground station being connected in a movable manner to a support constrainable in a fixed manner to the plant structure, the ground structure having an initial azimuthal orientation and an initial azimuthal height. The ground station is moved with respect to the support via a mechanism for adjusting the orientation and height of the same to compensate for an instantaneous orientation and height that are different from the initial orientation and height.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: ENI S.p.A.Inventors: Gianpietro De Lorenzo, Giuseppe Giunta
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Patent number: 8866669Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Piotr Konrad Tysowksi, Ngoc Bich Ngo, David Noel Vanden Heuvel
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Patent number: 8855922Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying a location of a mobile computing device. A first location estimate of a mobile computing device and an accuracy of the first location estimate is determined at a mobile computing device based on wireless signals received from one or more beacons. A time period based on the accuracy of the first location estimate is determined. One or more subsequent location estimates of the mobile computing device and respective accuracies are determined. The determination of the subsequent location estimates is stopped at an end of the time period. A preferred location estimate from the determined location estimates is determined at the mobile computing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Victor Starenky, Alex Kennberg
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Patent number: 8854259Abstract: A GNSS receiver in a wake up state during a standby mode may acquire ephemeris from received GNSS signals such as GPS signals and/or GLONASS signals. When subsequently transitioning from the standby mode to a normal mode operating at a high frequency clock, the acquired ephemeris may be utilized to generate a navigation solution for the GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver in the wake up state during the standby mode may be switched to operate at the high frequency clock in order to receive GNSS signals. The GNSS receiver may extract complete ephemeris from the received GNSS signals, and may subsequently transition from the wake up state to a sleep state during the standby mode to save power. Radio frequency front-end components of the GNSS receiver may only be turned on to receive the GNSS signals. The GNSS receiver may transition between the standby mode and the normal mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Frank van Diggelen, Charles Abraham
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Patent number: 8840033Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.Inventor: John Douglas Steinberg
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Patent number: 8842717Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) receiver that is configured to rapidly acquire GPS signals in space applications and a method for rapidly acquiring GPS signals in space applications is disclosed. In an embodiment, the GPS receiver includes, but is not limited to, a GPS signal acquisition component. The GPS signal acquisition component is adapted to acquire a GPS signal by receiving data from the GPS signal and processing the data to detect the GPS signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Michael King
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Publication number: 20140266874Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are provided. Each of a first GNSS signal received by a GNSS receiver and a second GNSS signal received by the GNSS receiver is accessed. The second GNSS signal can have temporal fluctuations weaker than temporal fluctuations in the first GNSS signal. A delay between a sequence in the first GNSS signal and a corresponding sequence signal in the second GNSS signal is estimated and compared to a threshold. Upon determining that the delay exceeds the threshold, a location is estimated using both the first GNSS signal and the second GNSS signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Duong Anh Hoang, Emilija Milorad SIMIC, Timothy Paul PALS
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Patent number: 8830122Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for resolving phase ambiguities in phase rate of change (PROC) measurements of a long baseline interferometer (LBI). The system includes an LBI having a first antenna and a second antenna positioned on a vehicle to receive the RF signal transmitted by the RF emitter, and a processor positioned on the vehicle. The processor is configured to determine a first phase rate of change (PROC) of the RF signal received by the LBI over a short time interval to produce a short time interval range estimate of the RF emitter, determine a second PROC of the RF signal received by the LBI over a long time interval which is greater than the short time interval, to produce a plurality of ambiguous long time interval range estimates of the RF emitter, and c) select one of the plurality of long time interval range estimates based on the short time interval range estimate.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Exelis, Inc.Inventors: Lionel Nicholas Menegozzi, Suzanne Elaine Holden, Edward F. Van Alstine, Robert G. Palazzo, Martin James Apa
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Patent number: 8816883Abstract: A system and method for GPS based navigation and hazard avoidance in a mining environment are described. The system includes a central application that has a dynamic roadmap definition module adapted to at least allow a user to arbitrarily define features in a geographical information systems database and import overhead imaging data corresponding to a geographical area in which said features are defined. The central application includes a remote position and attitude reception module adapted to at least receive data concerning the position of at least one remote vehicle, a transceiver module adapted for exchanging data with at least one remote vehicle; and a logging and tracking module adapted for at least logging said position of at least one remote vehicle over time. The system also has a remote application; and a communications link adapted for exchanging data between the central application and the remote application.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Modular Mining Systems, Inc.Inventors: Andree Röttig, Mario Leonel Rearte, Paulo Rogério Andrade
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Patent number: 8818043Abstract: A system and method provides maps identifying the 3D location of traffic lights. The position, location, and orientation of a traffic light may be automatically extrapolated from two or more images. The maps may then be used to assist robotic vehicles or human drivers to identify the location and status of a traffic signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel Fairfield, Christopher Paul Urmson
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Publication number: 20140232592Abstract: A navigation system includes a navigation radio and a sensor onboard a vehicle. The navigation radio receives and processes low earth orbit RF signals to derive range observables for a corresponding LEO satellite. A sensor is operable to generate at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data under high vehicle dynamics. The navigation radio includes a navigation code operable to obtain a position, velocity and time solution (a “navigation solution”) based on the one or more range observables, ephemerides for the corresponding LEO satellite, a heading pseudomeasurement, a navigation radio altitude pseudomeasurement; one or more vehicle velocity pseudomeasurements orthogonal to the altitude pseudomeasurements; and the generated at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data. The navigation radio uses the navigation solution to acquire a GPS signal during interference with a coarse acquisition GPS signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Coherent Navigation, Inc.Inventors: Mark Lockwood Psiaki, Isaac Thomas Miller, Brent Michael Ledvina
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Patent number: 8779980Abstract: A method of determining an indication of the position of an electronic device. The method includes: obtaining (100) information relating to a radio signal received by the device. The received radio signal are transmissions from one or more satellites of a satellite-positioning system from which information an inference can be made about the true position of the device at the time the signal was received. The method also involves obtaining (110) a plurality of hypotheses about the true position of the device; and evaluating (120, 130, 140) the plurality of hypotheses by assessing a degree of consistency between the information relating to the radio signal and the hypotheses. Using the outcome of the evaluations, the method also includes selecting (150) one or more of the hypotheses; and outputting (160) an indication of the selected one or more hypotheses.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: U-Blox A.G.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Yule, Christopher Brian Marshall
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Patent number: 8775076Abstract: A position calculating method comprising: receiving a positioning signal; and performing a position calculating operation using the received positioning signal, the position calculating operation being a operation based on a given probability distribution model having at least a variation in previous operation result as a random variable.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tsubasa Shirai
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Patent number: 8773303Abstract: The present application relates to tracking a position of a device, e.g. for detecting slow and rapid earth deformation, by making use of a recursive filter having the filter characteristic adapted to a detected type of motion. If the motion of the position tracking device is rapid, the filter characteristic is set such that the rapid motion can be tracked with the necessary speed. On the other hand, if the motion is slow, e.g. during times of a normal tectonic drift, the filter characteristic is set such that the motion is slowly tracked with the advantage of efficient noise reduction, i.e. noise in the input signal is effectively barred and does not pass through the filter to the output signal. Thus, in times of rapid motion the convergence speed of the filter output signal to the input signal is set high for fast convergence and in times of slow motion the convergence speed of the filter output signal to the input signal is set low for a slow convergence. The filter may be a Kalman filter.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Ken Doucet, Ulrich Vollath
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Patent number: 8762052Abstract: A method and a terminal for providing a route in a navigation system using a satellite image are provided. The terminal includes a route calculation unit for calculating a route from a current location to a destination when a user inputs the destination, a satellite image requesting unit for requesting a satellite image server for satellite images corresponding to locations on the route and for downloading the requested satellite images, a satellite image storage unit for storing the downloaded satellite images, and a controller for retrieving a satellite image corresponding to the current location from the satellite image storage unit and for displaying the retrieved satellite image simultaneously while downloading the satellite images corresponding to the locations on the route.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun-Suk Min, Hee Jung, Kwang-Soo Kim, Jin-Won Kim
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Publication number: 20140159951Abstract: A shoe body light-emitting device includes: a waterproof enclosure embedded on a shoe body and having a cavity; a control circuit embedded in the cavity and comprising circuit board and a motion actuated switch. The positive electrode of the circuit board is electrically coupled to the positive electrodes of light-emitting bodies and a power supply. The motion actuated switch is electrically connected with the circuit board for triggering the control circuit in response to motion of the shoe body, so that light-emitting bodies light in a predetermined way. A micro-current battery on the circuit board is used for supplying the light-emitting device with power. The light-emitting bodies may first flash N times simultaneously, then respectively flash twice sequentially, then respectively flash twice reversely, then respectively flash twice sequentially, and finally flash N times simultaneously (N is a natural number larger than or equal to 1).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: TERRY ELECTRONCS (S.Z) CO., LTD.Inventors: John Gou, Benrui Xu