Patents by Inventor David G. Bird

David G. Bird has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10031233
    Abstract: This application discloses a GNSS reference apparatus having a vector error generator and a reference data server. The vector error generator generates one or more sequences of keyed intentional errors made confidential with confidential error keys, and then combines the sequences to generate a sequence of reference erroneous positions. The reference data server issues GNSS position-determination reference data based on the reference erroneous positions where the keyed intentional errors for at least one of the confidential sequences are reversible with confidential access to the corresponding confidential error key for determining a GNSS-based position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 9470798
    Abstract: This application discloses a GNSS rover having a data receiver, a position processor and a vector error reverser. The data receiver receives GNSS position-determination reference data based on a reference erroneous position having one or more keyed intentional errors made confidential with confidential error keys. The position processor uses the GNSS position-determination reference data to determine a rover erroneous position corresponding to the reference erroneous position. The vector error reverser uses confidential access to at least one confidential error key to reverse the corresponding confidential keyed intentional error in the rover erroneous position to determine a subscribed rover position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Publication number: 20160154107
    Abstract: This application discloses a GNSS reference apparatus having a vector error generator and a reference data server. The vector error generator generates one or more sequences of keyed intentional errors made confidential with confidential error keys, and then combines the sequences to generate a sequence of reference erroneous positions. The reference data server issues GNSS position-determination reference data based on the reference erroneous positions where the keyed intentional errors for at least one of the confidential sequences are reversible with confidential access to the corresponding confidential error key for determining a GNSS-based position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 9223026
    Abstract: This application discloses a GNSS reference apparatus having a vector error generator and a reference data server. The vector error generator generates one or more sequences of keyed intentional errors made confidential with confidential error keys, and then combines the sequences to generate a sequence of reference erroneous positions. The reference data server issues GNSS position-determination reference data based on the reference erroneous positions where the keyed intentional errors for at least one of the confidential sequences are reversible with confidential access to the corresponding confidential error key for determining a GNSS-based position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Publication number: 20140132443
    Abstract: This application discloses a GNSS rover having a data receiver, a position processor and a vector error reverser. The data receiver receives GNSS position-determination reference data based on a reference erroneous position having one or more keyed intentional errors made confidential with confidential error keys. The position processor uses the GNSS position-determination reference data to determine a rover erroneous position corresponding to the reference erroneous position. The vector error reverser uses confidential access to at least one confidential error key to reverse the corresponding confidential keyed intentional error in the rover erroneous position to determine a subscribed rover position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Publication number: 20140132444
    Abstract: This application discloses a GNSS reference apparatus having a vector error generator and a reference data server. The vector error generator generates one or more sequences of keyed intentional errors made confidential with confidential error keys, and then combines the sequences to generate a sequence of reference erroneous positions. The reference data server issues GNSS position-determination reference data based on the reference erroneous positions where the keyed intentional errors for at least one of the confidential sequences are reversible with confidential access to the corresponding confidential error key for determining a GNSS-based position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 8358242
    Abstract: A computer apparatus for post positioning with a selected precision. The apparatus includes a GNSS post processor to post process reference GNSS carrier phases from a reference system and rover GNSS carrier phases from a rover receiver to compute a secure position for the rover receiver not available to a user. The apparatus includes a random process generator to generate a sequence of offset vectors to dither the secure position according to a computed dither level to provide the selected precision for a user-available position for the rover receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Talbot, Shawn Weisenburger, David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 8199049
    Abstract: A computer apparatus for post positioning with a selected precision. The apparatus includes a GNSS post processor to post process reference GNSS carrier phases from a reference system and rover GNSS carrier phases from a rover receiver to compute a secure position for the rover receiver not available to a user. The apparatus includes a vector offset generator to use the selected precision to compute a dither level for offset vectors to degrade an intrinsic precision of the secure position to provide a user-available position for the rover receiver at the selected precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Talbot, Shawn Weisenburger, David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7580794
    Abstract: A GPS information service system for providing supplemental GPS correction and signal acquisition information to subscribers. A GPS information server broadcasts GPS aiding information encrypted with subscription keys. A remote GPS subscription unit receives the key enablers for the subscription keys in service activation (SAM) messages for the services for which they have subscribed and then uses the subscription keys to decrypt the GPS aiding information. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the information, unsymmetrical signature generation and authentication algorithms are used for generating and authenticating signatures for the SAM messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James M. Janky, David G. Bird, Ann Ciganer
  • Publication number: 20090140914
    Abstract: A computer apparatus for post positioning with a selected precision. The apparatus includes a GNSS post processor to post process reference GNSS carrier phases from a reference system and rover GNSS carrier phases from a rover receiver to compute a secure position for the rover receiver not available to a user. The apparatus includes a random process generator to generate a sequence of offset vectors to dither the secure position according to a computed dither level to provide the selected precision for a user-available position for the rover receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Talbot, Shawn Weisenburger, David G. Bird
  • Publication number: 20090102714
    Abstract: A computer apparatus for post positioning with a selected precision. The apparatus includes a GNSS post processor to post process reference GNSS carrier phases from a reference system and rover GNSS carrier phases from a rover receiver to compute a secure position for the rover receiver not available to a user. The apparatus includes a vector offset generator to use the selected precision to compute a dither level for offset vectors to degrade an intrinsic precision of the secure position to provide a user-available position for the rover receiver at the selected precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Talbot, Shawn Weisenburger, David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7468693
    Abstract: A positioning system or synthetic phase processor or rover station for providing high integrity positions with graduated accuracies. The positioning system includes one or more real time kinematic (RTK) reference stations for receiving GPS signals at established reference positions and measuring reference phases. The positioning system or the rover station selects a synthetic offset vector and uses the synthetic offset vector for inferring synthetic reference phases to a synthetic position. The rover station uses the synthetic reference phases with actual or virtual reference positions for determining a rover position having an added positional error controlled by the synthetic offset vector. For another embodiment a positioning system or a secure rover station dithers a secure position with a synthetic offset vector for providing an unsecure rover position having the added positional error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7336225
    Abstract: A positioning system or synthetic phase processor or rover station for providing high integrity positions with graduated accuracies. The positioning system includes one or more real time kinematic (RTK) reference stations for receiving GPS signals at established reference positions and measuring reference phases. The positioning system or the rover station selects a synthetic offset vector and uses the synthetic offset vector for inferring synthetic reference phases to a synthetic position. The rover station uses the synthetic reference phases with actual or virtual reference positions for determining a rover position having an added positional error controlled by the synthetic offset vector. For another embodiment a secure rover station dithers a secure position with a synthetic offset vector for providing an unsecure rover position having the added positional error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Dennis Connor, David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7292183
    Abstract: A positioning system or synthetic phase processor or rover station for providing high integrity positions with graduated accuracies. The positioning system includes one or more real time kinematic (RTK) reference stations for receiving GPS signals at established reference positions and measuring reference phases. The positioning system or the rover station selects a synthetic offset vector and uses the synthetic offset vector for inferring synthetic reference phases to a synthetic position. The rover station uses the synthetic reference phases with actual or virtual reference positions for determining a rover position having an added positional error controlled by the synthetic offset vector. For another embodiment a secure rover station dithers a secure position with a synthetic offset vector for providing an unsecure rover position having the added positional error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: David G. Bird, Dennis Connor
  • Patent number: 7227496
    Abstract: A positioning system or synthetic phase processor or rover station for providing high integrity positions with graduated accuracies. The positioning system includes one or more real time kinematic (RTK) reference stations for receiving GPS signals at established reference positions and measuring reference phases. The positioning system or the rover station selects a synthetic offset vector and uses the synthetic offset vector for inferring synthetic reference phases to a synthetic position. The rover station uses the synthetic reference phases with actual or virtual reference positions for determining a rover position having an added positional error controlled by the synthetic offset vector. For another embodiment a secure rover station dithers a secure position with a synthetic offset vector for providing an unsecure rover position having the added positional error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7202813
    Abstract: A positioning system or synthetic phase processor or rover station for providing high integrity positions with graduated accuracies. The positioning system includes one or more real time kinematic (RTK) reference stations for receiving GPS signals at established reference positions and measuring reference phases. The positioning system or the rover station selects a synthetic offset vector and uses the synthetic offset vector for inferring synthetic reference phases to a synthetic position. The rover station uses the synthetic reference phases with actual or virtual reference positions for determining a rover position having an added positional error controlled by the synthetic offset vector. For another embodiment a secure rover station dithers a secure position with a synthetic offset vector for providing an unsecure rover position having the added positional error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7158885
    Abstract: A GPS information service system for providing supplemental GPS correction and signal acquisition information to subscribers. A GPS information server broadcasts GPS aiding information encrypted with subscription keys. A remote GPS subscription unit receives the key enablers for the subscription keys in service activation (SAM) messages for the services for which they have subscribed and then uses the subscription keys to decrypt the GPS aiding information. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the information, unsymmetrical signature generation and authentication algorithms are used for generating and authenticating signatures for the SAM messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James M. Janky, David G. Bird, Ann Ciganer
  • Patent number: 7089113
    Abstract: A GPS information service system for providing supplemental GPS location correction and signal acquisition information to subscribers. A GPS information server broadcasts GPS information encrypted with subscription keys. Remote GPS subscription unit receive the key enablers for the subscription keys in service activation (SAM) messages for the services for which they have subscribed and then use the subscription keys to decrypt the GPS information. In order to prevent unauthorized use, the SAM messages have signatures derived from identifications of the remote GPS subscription units using an unsymmetrical signature algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James M. Janky, David G. Bird, Ann Ciganer
  • Patent number: 7079075
    Abstract: A positioning system or synthetic phase processor or rover station for providing high integrity positions with graduated accuracies. The positioning system includes one or more real time kinematic (RTK) reference stations for receiving GPS signals at established reference positions and measuring reference phases. The positioning system or the rover station selects a synthetic offset vector and uses the synthetic offset vector for inferring synthetic reference phases to a synthetic position. The rover station uses the synthetic reference phases with actual or virtual reference positions for determining a rover position having an added positional error controlled by the synthetic offset vector. For another embodiment a secure rover station dithers a secure position with a synthetic offset vector for providing an unsecure rover position having the added positional error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Dennis Connor, David G. Bird
  • Patent number: 7020555
    Abstract: A GPS information service system for providing supplemental GPS correction and signal acquisition information to subscribers. A GPS information server broadcasts GPS aiding information encrypted with subscription keys. A remote GPS subscription unit receives the key enablers for the subscription keys in service activation (SAM) messages for the services for which they have subscribed and then uses the subscription keys to decrypt the GPS aiding information. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the information, unsymmetrical signature generation and authentication algorithms are used for generating and authenticating signatures for the SAM messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James M. Janky, David G. Bird, Ann Ciganer