Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Zimmerman
Kurt R. Zimmerman 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: 8125529Abstract: Vehicles, such as vehicles in an open-pit mine, are visually tracked. The location of a vehicle is determined using radio frequency signals, such as pseudolite transmissions of ranging signals. The camera is steered based on the location. For example, multiple cameras are directed automatically on a vehicle based on the vehicle position. Images from a plurality of perspectives are provided to resolve or prevent a problem. The directing may include zooming for better viewing of vehicles at different distances from the camera. The directing may be incorporated into a vehicle management system, such as a dispatch system. For example, a user selects a vehicle from a list of managed vehicles or a displayed map, and the cameras are steered to view the selected vehicle based on the position of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Andrzej Skoskiewicz, Kurt R. Zimmerman, Masayoshi Matsuoka, Justin Hedtke
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Publication number: 20100201829Abstract: Vehicles, such as vehicles in an open-pit mine, are visually tracked. The location of a vehicle is determined using radio frequency signals, such as pseudolite transmissions of ranging signals. The camera is steered based on the location. For example, multiple cameras are directed automatically on a vehicle based on the vehicle position. Images from a plurality of perspectives are provided to resolve or prevent a problem. The directing may include zooming for better viewing of vehicles at different distances from the camera. The directing may be incorporated into a vehicle management system, such as a dispatch system. For example, a user selects a vehicle from a list of managed vehicles or a displayed map, and the cameras are steered to view the selected vehicle based on the position of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Andrzej Skoskiewicz, Kurt R. Zimmerman, Masayoshi Matsuoka, Justin Hedtke
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Patent number: 7693659Abstract: A satellite navigation system using multiple antennas for providing the position of multiple fiduciary points on an object even when fewer than four satellites are visible to some or all the antennas. Satellite signals from the multiple antennas are fed into at least one receiver. The receiver or receivers utilize constraint information, which is independent of the satellite signals. These external constraints are used to augment the signals received from the satellites, to obtain the position solution for each antenna. In a preferred embodiment, a common reference clock is used to provide an external constraint. Examples of other external constraints that can be used in the current invention are distance between the antennas, inertial measurement of attitude, rotational or linear position sensors, etc.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, Dave Lawrence, Michael L. O'Connor, Paul Montgomery
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Patent number: 7532160Abstract: In a local positioning system, a receiver is adapted for receiving signals from a land-based transmitter. The receiver includes an analog decorrelator for decorrelating the transmitted spread spectrum signals. A down converter connected with an antenna may be spaced away from other portions of the receiver. The down converter down converts received ranging signals and provides them to the remotely spaced receiver portions. A signal line connecting the down converter to the receiver may be operable to transmit any two or more of a reference signal provided to the down converter, the down converted intermediate frequency signals provided to the receiver, and power provided to the down converter. The receiver may be positioned adjacent to or as part of a land-based transmitter. By determining positions of two or more antennas, the location of the associated transmitter is determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, Frank N. Bauregger
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Publication number: 20090115658Abstract: In a local positioning system, a receiver is adapted for receiving signals from a land-based transmitter. The receiver includes an analog decorrelator for decorrelating the transmitted spread spectrum signals. A down converter connected with an antenna may be spaced away from other portions of the receiver. The down converter down converts received ranging signals and provides them to the remotely spaced receiver portions. A signal line connecting the down converter to the receiver may be operable to transmit any two or more of a reference signal provided to the down converter, the down converted intermediate frequency signals provided to the receiver, and power provided to the down converter. The receiver may be positioned adjacent to or as part of a land-based transmitter. By determining positions of two or more antennas, the location of the associated transmitter is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2004Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, Frank N. Bauregger
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Patent number: 7511667Abstract: A precise positioning method and system is disclosed wherein at least one ground transmitter is used for transmitting a ranging signal with code modulation. The at least one ground transmitter is configured to receive a signal from at least one satellite and a second ground transmitter. The at least one ground transmitter measures a code phase of the received signals. The measured code phase information is communicated to a rover that is associated with a user. The rover can determine the user's precise position based on the measured code and/or carrier phase information and a clock correction model.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Masayoshi Matsuoka, Kurt R. Zimmerman, Paul Y. Montgomery, David G. Lawrence
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Patent number: 7468697Abstract: A precise positioning method and system is disclosed for allowing an array of ground transmitters to self-survey their relative location at centimeter-level accuracy by transmitting, amongst the ground transmitters in the array, bi-directional ranging signals associated with a wideband code modulation with a chipping rate faster than 30 MHz.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Masayoshi Matsuoka, Kurt R. Zimmerman, Paul Y. Montgomery, David G. Lawrence
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Patent number: 7385554Abstract: In a local positioning system, augmentation of the land-based system is provided by receiving signals from a GNSS. The signals from the land-based positioning system have a code phase accuracy better than one wavelength of a carrier of the signals from the GNSS. Different decorrelation may be used for signals from a satellite than from a land-based transmitter, such as using a digital decorrelator for signals from the satellite and an analog decorrelator for signals from a land-based transmitter. The receivers may include both a GNSS antenna and a local antenna. The phase centers of the two antennas are within one wavelength of the GNSS signals from each other. The local antenna is sized for operation in the X or ISM-bands of frequencies. The GNSS antenna is a patch antenna where the microwave antenna extends away from the patch antenna in at least one dimension.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb, Paul Y. Montgomery, David G. Lawrence
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Patent number: 7382318Abstract: To provide sub-meter accuracy in a local positioning system, ranging signals with a high modulation rate of code, such as 30 MHz, or more are transmitted. Code phase measurements may be used to obtain the accuracy without requiring relative motion or real time kinematic processing. The ISM or X-band is used for the carrier of the code to provide sufficient bandwidth within available spectrums. The length of codes used is less than or about a longest length across the region of operation, such as less than 15 kilometers in an open pit mine. The spread spectrum codes from different land-based transmitters are transmitted in time slots pursuant to a time division multiple access scheme for an increase in dynamic range. To avoid overlapping of code from different transmitters, each time slot includes or is separated by a blanking period. The blanking period is selected to allow the transmitted signal to traverse a region of operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Novariant Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb
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Patent number: 7345627Abstract: To provide sub-meter accuracy in a local positioning system, ranging signals with a high modulation rate of code, such as 30 MHz, or more are transmitted. Code phase measurements may be used to obtain the accuracy without requiring relative motion or real time kinematic processing. The ISM or X-band is used for the carrier of the code to provide sufficient bandwidth within available spectrums. The length of codes used is less than or about a longest length across the region of operation, such as less than 15 kilometers in an open pit mine. The spread spectrum codes from different land-based transmitters are transmitted in time slots pursuant to a time division multiple access scheme for an increase in dynamic range. To avoid overlapping of code from different transmitters, each time slot includes or is separated by a blanking period. The blanking period is selected to allow the transmitted signal to traverse a region of operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb
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Patent number: 7342538Abstract: In a local positioning system, the land-based transmitters include free running oscillators or oscillators free of clock synchronization with any remote oscillator. A reference receiver receives the ranging signals from different transmitters and generates timing offset information, such as code phase measurements. The timing offset information is then communicated back to transmitters. The temporal offset information indicates relative timing or phasing of the different transmitted ranging signals to the reference receiver. The transmitters then transmit the temporal offset information with the ranging signals, such as modulating the transmitted code by the timing offset information. A mobile receiver is operable to receive the ranging signals and timing offset information in a same communications path, such as on a same carrier. Position is determined with the temporal offset information and the ranging signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventor: Kurt R. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7339524Abstract: In a local positioning system, a receiver is adapted for receiving signals from a land-based transmitter. The receiver includes an analog decorrelator for decorrelating the transmitted spread spectrum signals. A down converter connected with an antenna may be spaced away from other portions of the receiver. The down converter down converts received ranging signals and provides them to the remotely spaced receiver portions. A signal line connecting the down converter to the receiver may be operable to transmit any two or more of a reference signal provided to the down converter, the down converted intermediate frequency signals provided to the receiver, and power provided to the down converter. The receiver may be positioned adjacent to or as part of a land-based transmitter. By determining positions of two or more antennas, the location of the associated transmitter is determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb
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Patent number: 7339525Abstract: To provide sub-meter accuracy in a local positioning system, ranging signals with a high modulation rate of code, such as 30 MHz, or more are transmitted. Code phase measurements may be used to obtain the accuracy without requiring relative motion or real time kinematic processing. The ISM or X-band is used for the carrier of the code to provide sufficient bandwidth within available spectrums. The length of codes used is less than or about a longest length across the region of operation, such as less than 15 kilometers in an open pit mine. The spread spectrum codes from different land-based transmitters are transmitted in time slots pursuant to a time division multiple access scheme for an increase in dynamic range. To avoid overlapping of code from different transmitters, each time slot includes or is separated by a blanking period. The blanking period is selected to allow the transmitted signal to traverse a region of operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb
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Patent number: 7339526Abstract: In a local positioning system, the land-based transmitters include free running oscillators or oscillators free of clock synchronization with any remote oscillator. A reference receiver receives the ranging signals from different transmitters and generates timing offset information, such as code phase measurements. The timing offset information is then communicated back to transmitters. The temporal offset information indicates relative timing or phasing of the different transmitted ranging signals to the reference receiver. The transmitters then transmit the temporal offset information with the ranging signals, such as modulating the transmitted code by the timing offset information. A mobile receiver is operable to receive the ranging signals and timing offset information in a same communications path, such as on a same carrier. Position is determined with the temporal offset information and the ranging signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventor: Kurt R. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20080036660Abstract: A precise positioning method and system is disclosed for allowing an array of ground transmitters to self-survey their relative location at centimeter-level accuracy by transmitting, amongst the ground transmitters in the array, bi-directional ranging signals associated with a wideband code modulation with a chipping rate faster than 30 MHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Masayoshi Matsuoka, Kurt R. Zimmerman, Paul Y. Montgomery, David G. Lawrence
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Patent number: 7315278Abstract: In a local positioning system, augmentation of the land-based system is provided by receiving signals from a GNSS. The signals from the land-based positioning system have a code phase accuracy better than one wavelength of a carrier of the signals from the GNSS. Different decorrelation may be used for signals from a satellite than from a land-based transmitter, such as using a digital decorrelator for signals from the satellite and an analog decorrelator for signals from a land-based transmitter. The receivers may include both a GNSS antenna and a local antenna. The phase centers of the two antennas are within one wavelength of the GNSS signals from each other. The local antenna is sized for operation in the X or ISM-bands of frequencies. The GNSS antenna is a patch antenna where the microwave antenna extends away from the patch antenna in at least one dimension.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Frank N. Bauregger, Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb, Jamal Izadian
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Patent number: 7271766Abstract: In a local positioning system, augmentation of the land-based system is provided by receiving signals from a GNSS. The signals from the land-based positioning system have a code phase accuracy better than one wavelength of a carrier of the signals from the GNSS. Different decorrelation may be used for signals from a satellite than from a land-based transmitter, such as using a digital decorrelator for signals from the satellite and an analog decorrelator for signals from a land-based transmitter. The receivers may include both a GNSS antenna and a local antenna. The phase centers of the two antennas are within one wavelength of the GNSS signals from each other. The local antenna is sized for operation in the X or ISM-bands of frequencies. The GNSS antenna is a patch antenna where the microwave antenna extends away from the patch antenna in at least one dimension.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, H. Stewart Cobb, Paul Y. Montgomery, David G. Lawrence
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Patent number: 7205939Abstract: In a local positioning system, a receiver is adapted for receiving signals from a land-based transmitter. The receiver includes an analog decorrelator for decorrelating the transmitted spread spectrum signals. A down converter connected with an antenna may be spaced away from other portions of the receiver. The down converter down converts received ranging signals and provides them to the remotely spaced receiver portions. A signal line connecting the down converter to the receiver may be operable to transmit any two or more of a reference signal provided to the down converter, the down converted intermediate frequency signals provided to the receiver, and power provided to the down converter. The receiver may be positioned adjacent to or as part of a land-based transmitter. By determining positions of two or more antennas, the location of the associated transmitter is determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventor: Kurt R. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7027918Abstract: A satellite navigation system using multiple antennas for providing the position of multiple fiduciary points on an object even when fewer than four satellites are visible to some or all the antennas. Satellite signals from the multiple antennas are fed into at least one receiver. The receiver or receivers utilize constraint information, which is independent of the satellite signals. These external constraints are used to augment the signals received from the satellites, to obtain the position solution for each antenna. In a preferred embodiment, a common reference clock is used to provide an external constraint. Examples of other external constraints that can be used in the current invention are distance between the antennas, inertial measurement of attitude, rotational or linear position sensors, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, Dave Lawrence, H. Stewart Cobb, Michael L. O'Connor, Paul Montgomery
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Patent number: 7023381Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resolving integer ambiguities in position determination. An embodiment of the invention includes a reference system, augmented with multi-frequency pseudolites using a carrier phase differential GPS implementation, and a mobile system. In one embodiment, the components of the reference system includes one or more multi-frequency pseudolites, one or more multi-frequency reference receivers, a data link standing alone or built into the pseudolites, and the associated antennae for each of these elements. The components of the reference system may be stationary. The mobile system may include a multi-frequency receiver and its associated antennae. Because the mobile systems may passively receive information, an unlimited number of mobile systems may be included in any given embodiment of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Novariant, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Zimmerman, Clark E. Cohen, David G. Lawrence, Walter C. Melton, Henry Stewart Cobb, Paul Yalden Montgomery