Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) navigation position solution with guaranteed integrity in non-controlled environments, the method including processing a (GNSS) signal including multiple satellites generating at least one signal to obtain carrier phase and pseudorange measurements; pre-processing the measurements to detect and characterize local errors in the measurements, wherein the local errors cannot be ascertained a priori, the characterization including providing error bounds estimated by measuring the carrier phase and pseudoranges measurements, thereby providing a set of measurements rejections when the characterization is not possible; and using the estimated error bounds, together with error bounds provided by the GNSS signal concerning satellite and ionospheric errors, to build in each measurement an estimated noise level in the measurements as input to a weighted Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) algorithm in order to compute position co

Abstract: A high sensitivity strain sensor that utilizes a micro-scale cavity built in a multi-layer structure, with a pair of interdigitalized capacitor incorporated on one of the layers, is described in this document. The device's capacitance changes produced by unattended deformations of the cavity can be used to measure the associated strain without using any movable electrodes. The sensor can be remotely energized from a radio frequency wave sent by a reader antenna to construct a battery-free wireless instrument. Changes on the sensor's resonant frequency are remotely detected so that a strain level is measured from fluctuations in the received signal. This detection method provides a simple, reliable and sensitive technique to measure small strain changes down to the pico-scale. Materials with a highly strain-dependant permittivity are integrated in the sensor to enhance its sensitivity. The proposed sensor consists of a simple planar structure.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of positioning applications, particularly those requiring or benefiting from the use of geographic information and needing a high service or integrity guarantee, such as positioning by means of a satellite navigation system for users and ground vehicles circulating through a network of streets and highways for example. The invention can be used both for critical safety applications and for those entailing legal or contractual responsibilities.

Abstract: A system for determining a region searched (3003, 5001, 5002, 7002, 7003, 8001, 8002, 8003) by a moving scent detector (201) in the presence of wind, said moving scent detector having pre-calibrated scent capabilities, the system comprises: positioning means (101) attached to the moving scent detector for determining a trajectory (3001) followed by the moving scent detector; scent pattern obtainment means for obtaining an oriented scent pattern (2003, 3002, 4001); and, combination means arranged for combining said trajectory and said oriented scent pattern to obtain the region searched by said moving scent detector. The invention also relates to a method for determining a region searched by a moving scent detector in the presence of wind.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) navigation position solution with guaranteed integrity in non-controlled environments, the method including processing a (GNSS) signal including multiple satellites generating at least one signal to obtain carrier phase and pseudorange measurements; pre-processing the measurements to detect and characterize local errors in the measurements, wherein the local errors cannot be ascertained a priori, the characterization including providing error bounds estimated by measuring the carrier phase and pseudoranges measurements, thereby providing a set of measurements rejections when the characterization is not possible; and using the estimated error bounds, together with error bounds provided by the GNSS signal concerning satellite and ionospheric errors, to build in each measurement an estimated noise level in the measurements as input to a weighted Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) algorithm in order to compute position co

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a set of passable roads or areas traveled by a user with a minimum associated probability or integrity which comprises: receiving from a GNSS system respective position solutions PVT of said user in respective instants of time ta and tb, respectively, and respective position integrity ellipses, Ia and Ib (201), with respective minimum associated probabilities, Pa and Pb, that the user is located in each of them in ta and in tb, respectively, and a position increase ?ab between ta and tb with its position increase integrity ellipse Iab (204) and its associated probability Pab; obtaining from a GIS system respective passable areas corresponding to said PVT solutions, determining a first passable integral area Sa=Ia?TGIS (202) and a second passable integral area Sb=Ib?TGIS (203) as an intersection for each instant of time of said position integrity ellipses with said passable areas; propagating said first passable integral area to the subsequent instant tb by

Abstract: A system for determining a region searched (3003, 5001, 5002, 7002, 7003, 8001, 8002, 8003) by a moving scent detector (201) in the presence of wind, said moving scent detector having pre-calibrated scent capabilities, the system comprises: positioning means (101) attached to the moving scent detector for determining a trajectory (3001) followed by the moving scent detector; scent pattern obtainment means for obtaining an oriented scent pattern (2003, 3002, 4001); and, combination means arranged for combining said trajectory and said oriented scent pattern to obtain the region searched by said moving scent detector. The invention also relates to a method for determining a region searched by a moving scent detector in the presence of wind.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of controlling the application of a surface coating by chemical deposition using a closed loop control on growth rate. The method compares a measure of growth rate against a setpoint for the growth rate and adjusts a primary input parameter in order to drive/maintain the measure of growth rate equal to the setpoint.

Abstract: A venetian blind having a clutch mechanism for controlling the tilt rod of the blind. The clutch mechanism is operated by a beaded cord. Lifting of the bottom rail and slats is accomplished by an extremely thin lift tape to be wound on a reel on the tilt rod. The top ends of the ladders of the blind are connected to a sled slidably mounted on the reel.