Patents by Inventor Frank van Diggelen
Frank van Diggelen 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).
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Patent number: 12140686Abstract: Examples for determining velocity using a reflected positioning signal are presented herein. An example may involve a receiver receiving signals from satellites and identifying a particular signal that reflected off a reflecting plane prior to reaching the receiver. The receiver may then determine a reflected satellite position for a satellite that transmitted the particular signal. The reflected satellite position may be determined by reflecting a position of the satellite about the reflecting plane. The receiver may then determine a direction vector to the reflected satellite position for the satellite and determine its velocity using the determined direction vector.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Patent number: 12061275Abstract: Examples for enhancing sensitivity to reflected GNSS signals are presented herein. An example may involve identifying, by a receiver, a particular positioning signal that reflected off a reflecting plane prior to reaching the receiver. The receiver may be in motion. The example may also involve determining a reflected satellite position for a satellite that transmitted the particular positioning signal based on identifying the particular positioning signal. The reflected satellite position may be determined by reflecting a position of the satellite about the reflecting plane. The example may also involve determining a direction vector to the reflected satellite position for the satellite and performing coherent integration over a threshold duration of time to increase a signal to noise ratio for the particular positioning signal based on the direction vector to the reflected satellite position.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Patent number: 11874381Abstract: In a method for accurately estimating gait characteristics of a user, first parameters indicative of user movement, including a GNSS-derived speed and step count, are monitored. Values of the first parameters are processed to determine values of second parameters indicative of movement of the user. The processing includes using values of at least one monitored parameter to generate one or more inputs to an estimator (e.g., Kalman filter) having the second parameters as estimator states. At least two of the second parameters are collectively indicative of a mapping between step frequency and step length of the user. A graphical user interface may display values of at least one of the second parameters, and/or at least one parameter derived from one or more of the second parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Frank Van Diggelen, Ke Xiao, Gustavo Moura, Wyatt Riley
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Patent number: 11808863Abstract: Methods and systems for location determination are described herein. An example implementation may involve receiving signals from a set of satellites to determine a general location of a receiver. After receiving a signal from a satellite, the receiver may determine an angle of reception that indicates an orientation of the satellite relative to the receiver. The receiver may further obtain topography information for the general location that indicates the positions and elevations of features (e.g., buildings) at the general location. For instance, the receiver may use elevation maps or sensors to determine the topography information. Using the topography information and determined angles of receptions, the receiver may identify any signals that reflected off a feature prior to reaching the receiver. As a result, the receiver may determine and use the reflected path traveled by a reflected signal to refine the general location of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Patent number: 11598881Abstract: A method of processing signal paths includes receiving an estimated location for a GNSS receiver in an environment. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated location where each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes, for each available satellite at each candidate position, modeling a plurality of candidate signal paths by ray-launching a raster map of geographical data. Here, the plurality of candidate signal paths includes one or more reflected signal paths. At each candidate position, the method also includes comparing, the plurality of candidate signal paths modeled for each available satellite at the respective candidate position to measured GNSS signal data from the GNSS receiver and generating a likelihood that the respective candidate position includes the actual location of the GNSS receiver based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Mohammed Khider, Frank Van Diggelen, Imad Fattouch, Zifei Tong, David Orendorff, Arastoo Zabolestani Moradi, Kevin Watts, Guoyu Fu
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Patent number: 11531118Abstract: A method of processing signal paths includes receiving an estimated location for a GNSS receiver in an environment. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated location where each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes, for each available satellite at each candidate position, modeling a plurality of candidate signal paths by ray-launching a raster map of geographical data Here, the plurality of candidate signal paths includes one or more reflected signal paths. At each candidate position, the method also includes comparing, the plurality of candidate signal paths modeled for each available satellite at the respective candidate position to measured GNSS signal data from the GNSS receiver and generating a likelihood that the respective candidate position includes the actual location of the GNSS receiver based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Imad Jean Fattouch, Arastoo Zabolestani Moradi, Frank Van Diggelen, Zifei Tong, Mohammed Khider, Stefano Maggiolo, David Orendorff
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Patent number: 11500110Abstract: A method of localization using bearing from environmental features includes receiving an estimated location of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver associated with a user and a corresponding bearing for the GNSS receiver. The method also includes identifying one or more environmental features about the estimated location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes determining whether an orientation of a respective environmental feature of the one or more environmental features correlates to the corresponding bearing for the GNSS receiver. When the orientation of the respective environmental feature correlates to the corresponding bearing for the GNSS receiver, the method includes generating an updated bearing for the GNSS receiver or locational system that matches the orientation of the respective environmental feature.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventors: David William Earle Orendorff, Imad Jean Fattouch, Mohammed Khider, Frank van Diggelen, Kevin Watts
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Publication number: 20220357462Abstract: Methods and systems for location determination are described herein. An example implementation may involve receiving signals from a set of satellites to determine a general location of a receiver. After receiving a signal from a satellite, the receiver may determine an angle of reception that indicates an orientation of the satellite relative to the receiver. The receiver may further obtain topography information for the general location that indicates the positions and elevations of features (e.g., buildings) at the general location. For instance, the receiver may use elevation maps or sensors to determine the topography information. Using the topography information and determined angles of receptions, the receiver may identify any signals that reflected off a feature prior to reaching the receiver. As a result, the receiver may determine and use the reflected path traveled by a reflected signal to refine the general location of the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Patent number: 11428822Abstract: Methods and systems for location determination are described herein. An example implementation may involve receiving signals from a set of satellites to determine a general location of a receiver. After receiving a signal from a satellite, the receiver may-determine an angle of reception that indicates an orientation of the satellite relative to the receiver. The receiver may further obtain topography information for the general location that indicates the positions and elevations of features (e.g., buildings) at the general location. For instance, the receiver may use elevation maps or sensors to determine the topography information. Using the topography information and determined angles of receptions, the receiver may identify any signals that reflected off a feature prior to reaching the receiver. As a result, the receiver may determine and use the reflected path traveled by a reflected signal to refine the general location of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Patent number: 11391848Abstract: A method of Doppler-based localization includes establishing an estimated position for a moving receiver. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated position. Each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the moving receiver. For each available satellite, the method includes receiving a measured Doppler effect for a signal from the respective available satellite caused by the moving receiver. For each available satellite, the method also includes, at each candidate position, determining a predicted direction of the signal based on ray-launching the signal to the respective satellite and generating a predicted Doppler effect for the moving receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Frank Van Diggelen, Imad Jean Fattouch, David William Earle Orendorff
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Patent number: 11275179Abstract: A method of processing signal paths includes receiving an estimated location for a GNSS receiver in an environment. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated location where each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes, for each available satellite at each candidate position, modeling a plurality of candidate signal paths by ray-launching a raster map of geographical data. Here, the plurality of candidate signal paths includes one or more reflected signal paths. At each candidate position, the method also includes comparing, the plurality of candidate signal paths modeled for each available satellite at the respective candidate position to measured GNSS signal data from the GNSS receiver and generating a likelihood that the respective candidate position includes the actual location of the GNSS receiver based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Frank Van Diggelen, Mohammed Khider, Arastoo Zabolestani Moradi
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Publication number: 20220066047Abstract: A method of localization using bearing from environmental features includes receiving an estimated location of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver associated with a user and a corresponding bearing for the GNSS receiver. The method also includes identifying one or more environmental features about the estimated location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes determining whether an orientation of a respective environmental feature of the one or more environmental features correlates to the corresponding bearing for the GNSS receiver. When the orientation of the respective environmental feature correlates to the corresponding bearing for the GNSS receiver, the method includes generating an updated bearing for the GNSS receiver or locational system that matches the orientation of the respective environmental feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Google LLCInventors: David William Earle Orendorff, Imad Jean Fattouch, Mohammed Khider, Frank van Diggelen, Kevin Watts
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Publication number: 20220066040Abstract: A method of processing signal paths includes receiving an estimated location for a GNSS receiver in an environment. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated location where each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes, for each available satellite at each candidate position, modeling a plurality of candidate signal paths by ray-launching a raster map of geographical data Here, the plurality of candidate signal paths includes one or more reflected signal paths. At each candidate position, the method also includes comparing, the plurality of candidate signal paths modeled for each available satellite at the respective candidate position to measured GNSS signal data from the GNSS receiver and generating a likelihood that the respective candidate position includes the actual location of the GNSS receiver based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Imad Jean Fattouch, Arastoo Zabolestani Moradi, Frank Van Diggelen, Zifei Tong, Mohammed Khider, Stefano Maggiolo, David Orendorff
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Publication number: 20220066041Abstract: A method of processing signal paths includes receiving an estimated location for a GNSS receiver in an environment. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated location where each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes, for each available satellite at each candidate position, modeling a plurality of candidate signal paths by ray-launching a raster map of geographical data. Here, the plurality of candidate signal paths includes one or more reflected signal paths. At each candidate position, the method also includes comparing, the plurality of candidate signal paths modeled for each available satellite at the respective candidate position to measured GNSS signal data from the GNSS receiver and generating a likelihood that the respective candidate position includes the actual location of the GNSS receiver based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Mohammed Khider, Frank Van Diggelen, Imad Fattouch, Zifei Tong, David Orendorff, Arastoo Zabolestani Moradi, Kevin Watts, Guoyu Fu
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Publication number: 20220066048Abstract: A method of processing signal paths includes receiving an estimated location for a GNSS receiver in an environment. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated location where each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the GNSS receiver. The method further includes, for each available satellite at each candidate position, modeling a plurality of candidate signal paths by ray-launching a raster map of geographical data. Here, the plurality of candidate signal paths includes one or more reflected signal paths. At each candidate position, the method also includes comparing, the plurality of candidate signal paths modeled for each available satellite at the respective candidate position to measured GNSS signal data from the GNSS receiver and generating a likelihood that the respective candidate position includes the actual location of the GNSS receiver based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Frank van Diggelen, Mohammed Khider, Arastoo Zabolestani Moradi
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Publication number: 20220066046Abstract: A method of Doppler-based localization includes establishing an estimated position for a moving receiver. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate positions about the estimated position. Each candidate position corresponds to a possible actual location of the moving receiver. For each available satellite, the method includes receiving a measured Doppler effect for a signal from the respective available satellite caused by the moving receiver. For each available satellite, the method also includes, at each candidate position, determining a predicted direction of the signal based on ray-launching the signal to the respective satellite and generating a predicted Doppler effect for the moving receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Frank van Diggelen, Imad Jean Fattouch, David William Earle Orendorff
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Publication number: 20220043166Abstract: Examples for determining velocity using a reflected positioning signal are presented herein. An example may involve a receiver receiving signals from satellites and identifying a particular signal that reflected off a reflecting plane prior to reaching the receiver. The receiver may then determine a reflected satellite position for a satellite that transmitted the particular signal. The reflected satellite position may be determined by reflecting a position of the satellite about the reflecting plane. The receiver may then determine a direction vector to the reflected satellite position for the satellite and determine its velocity using the determined direction vector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Publication number: 20220035042Abstract: In a method for accurately estimating gait characteristics of a user, first parameters indicative of user movement, including a GNSS-derived speed and step count, are monitored. Values of the first parameters are processed to determine values of second parameters indicative of movement of the user. The processing includes using values of at least one monitored parameter to generate one or more inputs to an estimator (e.g., Kalman filter) having the second parameters as estimator states. At least two of the second parameters are collectively indicative of a mapping between step frequency and step length of the user. A graphical user interface may display values of at least one of the second parameters, and/or at least one parameter derived from one or more of the second parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Frank Van Diggelen, Ke Xiao, Gustavo Moura, Wyatt Riley
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Publication number: 20220026583Abstract: Examples for enhancing sensitivity to reflected GNSS signals are presented herein. An example may involve identifying, by a receiver, a particular positioning signal that reflected off a reflecting plane prior to reaching the receiver. The receiver may be in motion. The example may also involve determining a reflected satellite position for a satellite that transmitted the particular positioning signal based on identifying the particular positioning signal. The reflected satellite position may be determined by reflecting a position of the satellite about the reflecting plane. The example may also involve determining a direction vector to the reflected satellite position for the satellite and performing coherent integration over a threshold duration of time to increase a signal to noise ratio for the particular positioning signal based on the direction vector to the reflected satellite position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
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Patent number: 11175409Abstract: In a method for accurately estimating gait characteristics of a user, first parameters indicative of user movement, including a GNSS-derived speed and step count, are monitored. Values of the first parameters are processed to determine values of second parameters indicative of movement of the user. The processing includes using values of at least one monitored parameter to generate one or more inputs to an estimator (e.g., Kalman filter) having the second parameters as estimator states. At least two of the second parameters are collectively indicative of a mapping between step frequency and step length of the user. A graphical user interface may display values of at least one of the second parameters, and/or at least one parameter derived from one or more of the second parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Frank Van Diggelen, Ke Xiao, Gustavo Moura, Wyatt Riley