Patents by Inventor Nicholas Charles Talbot

Nicholas Charles Talbot 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: 11668841
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented. These include GNSS processing with obtaining GNSS data derived from signals received at a rover antenna, obtaining correction data, maintaining a time sequence of at least one rover position and at least one rover position difference with associated time tags, using the time sequence to determine at least one derived rover position by, starting from a position determined using corrections synchronous with rover data as an anchor position at a time tag, deriving a new anchor position for the time tag of the anchor position and at least one other estimated rover position at the time tag of the anchor position, and/or reporting the new anchor position and/or a new derived rover position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Markus Glocker, Xiaoming Chen, Rodrigo Leandro
  • Publication number: 20210190967
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Markus Glocker, Xiaoming Chen, Rodrigo Leandro
  • Patent number: 10969495
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented. These include GNSS processing with predicted precise clocks, GNSS processing with mixed-quality data, GNSS processing with time-sequence maintenance, GNSS processing with reduction of position jumps in low-latency solutions, GNSS processing with position blending to bridge reference station changes, and GNSS processing with delta-phase correction for incorrect starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Markus Glocker, Xiaoming Chen, Rodrigo Leandro
  • Patent number: 10895646
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method carried out by a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver or a processing entity receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters useful to determine a position. The NSS receiver observes NSS signals from NSS satellites. Two filters, called “robustifier” and “main estimator” respectively, both use state variables and compute the values thereof based on: NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver, and/or information derived therefrom. The robustifier identifies, within the input data, measurements that do not match a stochastic model assigned thereto. For each identified measurement, the robustifier rejects the measurement, adjusts the stochastic model assigned to the measurement, and/or corrects the measurement. The robustifier uses fewer state variables than the main estimator. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Junker, Markus Glocker, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Patent number: 10670734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method carried out by a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver or a processing entity receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters useful to determine a position. The NSS receiver observes NSS signals from NSS satellites over multiple epochs. A first filter, called “timely estimator”, and second filter, called “precise estimator” and delayed with respect to the timely estimator, are operated. The estimators use state variables, and make use of NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver or information derived therefrom. The precise estimator further computes its state variable values based on observations that are not derived from NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. The values of some of the state variables computed by the timely estimator are recurrently replaced by values from the precise estimator. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Glocker, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Bruno Scherzinger
  • Publication number: 20200025938
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented. These include GNSS processing with predicted precise clocks, GNSS processing with mixed-quality data, GNSS processing with time-sequence maintenance, GNSS processing with reduction of position jumps in low-latency solutions, GNSS processing with position blending to bridge reference station changes, and GNSS processing with delta-phase correction for incorrect starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Markus Glocker, Xiaoming Chen, Rodrigo Leandro
  • Publication number: 20180172838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method carried out by a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver or a processing entity receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters useful to determine a position. The NSS receiver observes NSS signals from NSS satellites. Two filters, called “robustifier” and “main estimator” respectively, both use state variables and compute the values thereof based on: NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver, and/or information derived therefrom. The robustifier identifies, within the input data, measurements that do not match a stochastic model assigned thereto. For each identified measurement, the robustifier rejects the measurement, adjusts the stochastic model assigned to the measurement, and/or corrects the measurement. The robustifier uses fewer state variables than the main estimator. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan Junker, Markus Glocker, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Publication number: 20180074210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method carried out by a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver or a processing entity receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters useful to determine a position. The NSS receiver observes NSS signals from NSS satellites over multiple epochs. A first filter, called “timely estimator”, and second filter, called “precise estimator” and delayed with respect to the timely estimator, are operated. The estimators use state variables, and make use of NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver or information derived therefrom. The precise estimator further computes its state variable values based on observations that are not derived from NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. The values of some of the state variables computed by the timely estimator are recurrently replaced by values from the precise estimator. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Markus Glocker, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Bruno Scherzinger
  • Patent number: 9778368
    Abstract: A multiband antenna apparatus for high-precision GNSS positioning is proposed. The multiband antenna apparatus comprises a first antenna configured for reception of GNSS signals in a first multiband of electromagnetic spectrum, a second multiband antenna configured for reception of GNSS signals in a second multiband of electromagnetic spectrum, and an antenna phase reference point configured to represent an integrated electric phase data. The antenna phase reference point is related to a physical reference point of the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Charles Krantz, Peter Van Wyck Loomis, Gregory Craig Wallace, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Patent number: 9709683
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for positioning of a rover antenna from GNSS data derived from multi-frequency signals and correction data derived from a network of reference stations. At each of a plurality of epochs, the GNSS data and correction data are used to estimate values defining a rover antenna position and a set of multi-frequency ambiguities. An ionospheric-free carrier-phase ambiguity per satellite is estimated based on a known rover antenna position. The estimated ionospheric-free carrier-phase ambiguity is combined with an estimated widelane ambiguity and with an estimated ionospheric-free ambiguity and with values defining the known rover antenna position to obtain values defining an aided rover antenna position and aided multi-frequency ambiguities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Publication number: 20170176600
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented. These include GNSS processing with predicted precise clocks, GNSS processing with mixed-quality data, GNSS processing with time-sequence maintenance, GNSS processing with reduction of position jumps in low-latency solutions, GNSS processing with position blending to bridge reference station changes, and GNSS processing with delta-phase correction for incorrect starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Markus Glocker, Xiaoming Chen, Rodrigo Leandro
  • Patent number: 9671501
    Abstract: Method to estimate parameters derived at least from GNSS signals useful to determine a position, including obtaining at least one GNSS signal observed at a GNSS receiver from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites; receiving global correction information useful to correct at least the obtained GNSS signals from a first set of GNSS satellites, wherein the global correction information includes correction information which is independent from the position to be determined; receiving local correction information useful to correct at least the obtained GNSS signals from a second set of GNSS satellites, wherein the local correction information includes correction information which is dependent on the position to be determined; processing the obtained GNSS signals from the first set of GNSS satellites by using the global correction information; and processing the obtained GNSS signals from the second set of GNSS satellites by using the local correction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Patent number: 9651677
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for positioning of a rover antenna from GNSS data derived from multi-frequency signals and correction data derived from a network of reference stations. Rover antenna position and multi-frequency ambiguities are estimated at each epoch. An ionospheric filter models variation in ionospheric bias per satellite. A set of ionospheric carrier-phase ambiguities is estimated at least when the multi-frequency ambiguities have attained a predetermined precision. The estimated ionospheric carrier-phase ambiguities are cached. After detecting interruption of signal at the rover antenna and determining reacquisition of signals at the rover antenna, an ionospheric bias per satellite over an interruption interval is predicted. For each satellite, a cached ionospheric carrier-phase ambiguity is combined with a predicted ionospheric bias to obtain a post-interruption ionospheric ambiguity estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Patent number: 9651667
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a precise position of a rover located within a region are presented using rover observations comprising code observations and carrier-phase observations of GNSS signals on at least two carrier frequencies over multiple epochs. Correction data is received for each of the epochs at least one code bias per satellite. Synthetic reference data is generated for each of the epochs from the correction data for a synthetic station location. A determination is made for each epoch whether a cycle slip has occurred. Upon determining that a cycle slip has occurred, values of any variables of a set of state variables which are affected by the cycle slip are reset. Each epoch of rover observations and correction data is used to estimate updated values for the set of state variables including a set of ambiguities and coordinates of a precise rover position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Patent number: 9562975
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented. These include GNSS processing with predicted precise clocks, GNSS processing with mixed-quality data, GNSS processing with time-sequence maintenance, GNSS processing with reduction of position jumps in low-latency solutions, GNSS processing with position blending to bridge reference station changes, and GNSS processing with delta-phase correction for incorrect starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot, Markus Glocker, Xiaoming Chen, Rodrigo Leandro
  • Patent number: 9322918
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for improved productivity in determining static position of an antenna of a GNSS rover, such as in stop-and-go surveying. Computer-implemented methods and apparatus provide for determining a static position of an antenna of a GNSS rover from observations of GNSS signals collected at the antenna over multiple epochs and from correction data for at least one of the epochs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Publication number: 20160070001
    Abstract: A multiband antenna apparatus for high-precision GNSS positioning is proposed. The multiband antenna apparatus comprises a first antenna configured for reception of GNSS signals in a first multiband of electromagnetic spectrum, a second multiband antenna configured for reception of GNSS signals in a second multiband of electromagnetic spectrum, and an antenna phase reference point configured to represent an integrated electric phase data. The antenna phase reference point is related to a physical reference point of the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Charles Krantz, Peter Van Wyck Loomis, Gregory Craig Wallace, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Patent number: 8704709
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating parameters, i.e. ambiguities, derived from GNSS signals. Observations of each of received frequencies of a GNSS signal from a plurality of GNSS satellites are obtained for a plurality of instances in time (3120). The time sequence of observations is fed to a filter to estimate a state vector comprising float ambiguities, wherein each float ambiguity constitutes a non integer estimate of an integer number of wavelengths for a received frequency of a GNSS signal between a receiver of the GNSS signal and the GNSS satellite from which it is received and wherein the float ambiguities of the state vector are updated over time on the basis of the observations (3140). The occurrence of an interruption in tracking of at least one signal of a satellite is determined (3121). The float ambiguity of the state vector for the at least one signal for which an interruption in tracking occurred is maintained at the value before the interruption in tracking occurred (3122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Publication number: 20140085139
    Abstract: Method to estimate parameters derived at least from GNSS signals useful to determine a position, including obtaining at least one GNSS signal observed at a GNSS receiver from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites; receiving global correction information useful to correct at least the obtained GNSS signals from a first set of GNSS satellites, wherein the global correction information includes correction information which is independent from the position to be determined; receiving local correction information useful to correct at least the obtained GNSS signals from a second set of GNSS satellites, wherein the local correction information includes correction information which is dependent on the position to be determined; processing the obtained GNSS signals from the first set of GNSS satellites by using the global correction information; and processing the obtained GNSS signals from the second set of GNSS satellites by using the local correction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Nicholas Charles Talbot
  • Publication number: 20140015712
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for positioning of a rover antenna from GNSS data derived from multi-frequency signals and correction data derived from a network of reference stations. Rover antenna position and multi-frequency ambiguities are estimated at each epoch. An ionospheric filter models variation in ionospheric bias per satellite. A set of ionospheric carrier-phase ambiguities is estimated at least when the multi-frequency ambiguities have attained a predetermined precision. The estimated ionospheric carrier-phase ambiguities are cached. After detecting interruption of signal at the rover antenna and determining reacquisition of signals at the rover antenna, an ionospheric bias per satellite over an interruption interval is predicted. For each satellite, a cached ionospheric carrier-phase ambiguity is combined with a predicted ionospheric bias to obtain a post-interruption ionospheric ambiguity estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot