Abstract: The multiple frequency satellite correlation receiver is disclosed. The three frequency receiver allows one to significantly enhance the widelane carrier phase measurements in order to improve the differential and survey navigation applications.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing and authenticating a visual image of a selected view, using a digital image forming means, such as a digital camera, together with a position determining system that provides position information, including location, angular orientation and/or time of observation at the time a digital image is formed by the digital camera. Once captured, the visual or electronic image and accompanying position information cannot be deleted or altered within the digital camera and can be downloaded only by an authorized downloader. The digital image of the selected view is presented as an array of pixels with associated pixel values. The position information may be incorporated in the digital image by altering selected pixel bit values for a selected pattern of pixels in the pixel array, or as any other suitable overlay; and this selected pattern may be determined using the position information.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a method having a fast time to first fix (TTFF) using GPS signal Doppler frequency shifts for correcting the local clock time and using information for an expected GPS message for synchronizing the corrected local clock time to GPS time. The GPS receiver includes radio frequency (RF) circuitry for receiving and downconverting a spread spectrum GPS satellite signal, a correlator for despreading the downconverted GPS signal and providing a GPS bit stream, a clock for providing a local time, and a processor including an executable code.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the contributions of ionospheric propagation time delay error, multipath signal error and receiver noise error from signals received in a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) from one or more SATPS satellites by formation and appropriate filtering of differences of signals DD that are differences of SATPS signals received by the SATPS receiver/processor. A difference signal DD of code-phase-derived, ionosphere-free signals and carrier-phase-derived, ionosphere-free signals is formed, and this difference signal is passed through a first statistical processing filter with an associated time constant .tau.1 in the approximate range 50-500 sec, to produce smoothed or filtered first difference signal with the estimated receiver noise error reduced or removed. The difference signal DD is passed through second and third statistical processing filters having associated time constants .tau.2=5-20 sec and .tau.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling the position of an animal. A mounted subsystem, affixed to an animal, includes a first computer control system having a first input/output device (first I/O), a position determining system (PDS), a first transceiver, sensors, and stimulators. The PDS can be a GPS system or other type of position determining system. The stimulators include a rear stimulator affixed to the hind quarters of the animal for motivating the animal to move forward, a right stimulator affixed to the right side of the animal for motivating the animal to move to its left, and a left stimulator affixed to the left side of the animal for motivating the animal to move to its right. A base subsystem includes a second computer control system having a second transceiver. Position control instructions control the stimulators in order to control the position of the animal. A memory map is read from computer readable memory units.

Abstract: A bracket assembly provides dual-axis rotatable mounting of a GPS data collection unit to a range pole. A neck fits around a range pole and has a threaded flange at one end. A compression ring slips around the range pole and abuts the neck. A collar fits over the compression ring and threads onto the flange. A boom extends from the neck and supports a bracket assembly adapted to hold the data collector. The boom has a stop flange near the proximal end and external threading at the distal end. Two compression rings fit around the boom. A base member has a supporting sleeve which slips around the boom in between the compression rings. The sleeve supports a base plate. An internally threaded knob fits over the boom and the distally placed compression ring and mates with the external threading at the distal end of the boom. The knob compresses the sleeve in between the compression rings and secures the base member at a desired position to prevent it from rotating about the boom.

Abstract: A system for visually representing the location of an item on a television. In one embodiment, a user of the present system telephonically requests that a visual representation of the location of an item be transmitted from a telephone company and displayed on the user's television. In the present embodiment, the user's television is connected with the telephone company by a telephone line and a modem. Once the request is received at the telephone company, position information indicative of the location of the item is transmitted from the item to a receiver. The position information is then transmitted from the receiver to the telephone company. The acquired position information is then transmitted from the telephone company to the user's television. A visual representation of the position of the item is then displayed on the user's television.

Abstract: A GPS unit and a cellular telephone unit each have add-on modules for providing additional functionality. A battery powered hand-held GPS unit has a battery power module with a built-in cellular telephone. The controls on the GPS unit are used to control cellular telephone operations. The GPS controlled cellular telephone transmits position location information obtained by the GPS unit. Alternatively, a battery powered hand-held cellular telephone unit has a battery power module with a built-in GPS device. The controls on the cellular telephone portion are used to control GPS device operations. The cellular telephone portion is able to transmit position location information obtained by the GPS device. The GPS and a cellular telephone device can function with either a standard battery module, or with a battery module having a cellular telephone or a GPS device built into the battery module.

Abstract: An initialization method comprises loading a real time kinematic GPS base receiver with at least one position benchmark and setting a snap mode on and selecting a snap distance. The base receiver is transported to the earth location corresponding to any one of the position benchmarks. The base receiver is turned on. The base receiver estimates its rough position in a way that allows for a quick initial solution. If such rough estimate solution is within the snap distance of any one position benchmark, then the initialization of the base station is forced to assume the position benchmark is the present position, e.g., to sub-centimeter level accuracy.

Abstract: A navigation wristwear device comprises a GPS receiver fully disposed in a wrist watch type housing. A transparent microwave patch antenna is patterned of indium-tin-oxide on sapphire in front of an LCD time, position and velocity display. A bezel provides a protective window. A low-noise amplifier, downconversion, code processing and navigation processing are all provided on a single integrated circuit. Photovoltaic solar cells to each side of the LCD help keep a battery charged.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining vehicle present location using a location determination system (LDS), such as GPS, GLONASS, Loran or an inertial navigation system, that receives LDS signals from two or more sources. An LDS signal antenna and receiver/processor, an interrogation signal (IS) receiver means and IS responder means are electrically connected and carried on the vehicle. When a vehicle trigger event occurs, a specified vehicle IS is broadcast and is received by the IS receiver means. The IS receiver means causes the LDS receiver/processor to obtain vehicle present location information and to provide such information for the IS responder means, for transmission to an IS contact receiver (selected based upon vehicle present location). The IS receiver means and IS responder means are independently selected to be a cellular phone receiver, a paging signal receiver, a WAN/LAN workstation, or an Earth-satellite-Earth radiowave link, such as ORBCOMM.SM..

Abstract: A system for visually representing the location of an item on a television. In one embodiment, a user of the present system telephonically requests that a visual representation of the location of an item be transmitted from a cable television company and displayed on the user's television. In the present embodiment, the user's television is connected with the cable television company by cable. Once the request is received at the cable television company, position information indicative of the location of the item is transmitted from the item to a receiver. The position information is then transmitted from the receiver to the cable television company. The acquired position information is then transmitted from the cable television company to the user's television. A visual representation of the position of the item is then displayed on the user's television.

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: An integrated radio direction finding and GPS receiver tracking system. In one embodiment, a transceiver device is attached to an object to be located. The transceiver device transmits a signal. The transmitted signal is received by a tracking unit. The tracking unit uses the received signal to determine the range and bearing of the object from the tracking unit. A position generating system is attached to the tracking unit to generate the position information of the tracking unit. The range and bearing of the object from the tracking unit and the position information of the tracking unit are transmitted from the tracking unit to a base station. The base station processes the range and bearing of the transceiver device from the tracking unit and the position information of the tracking unit to calculate the position of the object to be located.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a self-authenticating visual image of a selected view, using a digital image forming means, such as a digital camera, together with a position determining system that provides position information, including location and/or angular orientation and/or time of observation at the time a digital image is formed. The digital image of the selected view is presented as an array of pixels with associated pixel values. The position information is incorporated in the digital image by altering selected pixel bit values for a selected authentication pattern P of pixels in a chosen subset CS of the pixel array; and this selected pattern may be determined using the position information. The position information may be encrypted, using an encryption key based on position information, and may be stored separate from, or as part of, the digital image.

Abstract: An apparatus including a hybrid digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (10) for converting a combined digital word (23) into a combined analog output level (21) and a GPS receiver (36) for providing the combined digital word (23) and using the combined analog output level (21) for phase locking a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (40) to a GPS satellite signal (34). The combined digital word (23) includes a more significant (MS) digital word (13) having N bits and a less significant (LS) digital word (15) having M bits. The hybrid DAC (10) includes a pulse generator DAC (12) for converting the MS digital word (13) into pulse output signal having a duty cycle and an average MS analog level representative of the MS digital word (13) and a second DAC (14) for converting the LS digital word (15) into an average LS analog level representative of the LS digital word (15). The pulse generator DAC (12) uses a counting technique in order to obtain a high degree of precision.

Abstract: An integrated geographic information and automatic position locating system. In one embodiment, a communication link is provided between a vehicle and at least one base station. A vehicle position tracking system, coupled to a vehicle to be monitored, is connected to the communication link. Likewise, a geographic mapping system also disposed within the vehicle is connected to the communication link. In the present embodiment, the vehicle position tracking system and the geographic mapping system are housed in a portable data terminal. The portable data terminal is removably placed into a docking station located within the vehicle. The integrated vehicle position tracking system and geographic mapping system function both when placed in the docking station, and when removed from the docking station. Thus, the present invention provides a mobile integrated vehicle position tracking system and the geographic mapping system integrated into a portable data terminal.

Abstract: A processor device and method for booting a programmable apparatus having a signal bus having a selectable bus width. The processor device includes a microprocessor, a configurable bus interface for coupling the microprocessor to the signal bus, and a first memory. The first memory includes a bus sizing code for instructing the microprocessor for reading initial data from a pre-determined address of a second memory and configuring the bus interface to the bus width that has been selected. The first memory further includes a checksum code for a self-test of the memory, an emulator detect code for skipping the checksum code when control of the microprocessor is transferred to an emulator, a delay code for delaying a start of operation of the programmable apparatus when circuits in the programmable apparatus have a restrictive voltage requirement, and a monitor request code for transferring control to a monitor code when requested by an external user or when a self-test fails.

Abstract: An electronic distance measurement EDM apparatus (41) for attachment to a range pole (42), having a GPS antenna (12) having a circular exterior (46) with a reflective outer surface (54) for reflecting an EDM light beam (56) over an angular azimuth range of 360.degree.. The reflective outer surface (54) is a thin material such as tape or paint. A GPS receiver (16) connects to the GPS antenna (12) for providing a GPS-derived location of a phase center (18) of the GPS antenna (12). An optional radio transmitter (20) transmits information for the GPS-derived location in a GPS location data signal (22). An optional radio receiver (24) receives a differential GPS (DGPS) correction signal (26) and/or a GPS real time kinematic signal (28) for use in improving the accuracy of calculation of the GPS-derived location. An integrated global positioning system / electronic distance measurement (GPS/EDM) surveying system (40) includes the EDM apparatus (41), the range pole (42), and a total station (58).