Abstract: A communication system includes first and second beacon devices capable of wireless message transmission and at least one portable client device capable of receiving such message transmissions. The client device is arranged to broadcast an inquiry message according to a first communication protocol, such as Bluetooth. The first beacon detects such inquiry messages and replies with an inquiry response containing an identifier for the second beacon, enabling the second beacon and client device to perform a service interaction. In an alternative embodiment receipt of the inquiry message is notified to the second beacon which then sends the inquiry response to the client device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a GPS receiver for the acquisition of GPS signals through the processing of the receiver signal over an integration time period, including the step of switching the integration time period of the receive between two discrete values where the controlling step of switching between the two discrete values is responsive to a signal, other than a GPS signal, indicative of the environmental factors within which the receiver is located, wherein the receiver employs (1) a predetermined operational profile and said at least two discrete integration time periods form part of the said profile or (2) a control signal for controlling said switching step is developed on the basis of an estimation of the local environment based on a time-indicating signal.

Abstract: A method of providing an estimate of GPS time from non-GPS timing information present in communications signals transmitted from a base station (BS1) to a first mobile communications device (MS1) is provided comprising the steps of (i) in a second mobile communications device (MS2), receiving corresponding non-GPS timing signals present in communications signals transmitted by the base station; (ii) in a GPS receiver (23, 24) of the second mobile communications device (MS2), obtaining at least one pseudorange to a GPS satellite (GPS SV) and obtaining an first estimate of GPS time; (iii) deriving a relationship between the receipt of timing signals received in step (i) and the estimate of GPS time obtained in step (ii); and (iv) from the non-GPS timing information received by the first mobile communications device (MS1) and the relationship derived in step (iii), calculating a second estimate of GPS time.

Abstract: A method of providing an estimate of the location of first and second devices MS1, MS2 comprising the steps of obtaining at least one range measurement from the first device MS1 to a known reference point BS1, GPS SVs; obtaining at least one range measurement from the second device MS2 to a known reference point BS1, GPS SVs, the second device MS2 being located near to the first device MS1; and calculating an estimate of the location of the devices MS1, MS2 using range measurements obtained with respect to both the first and second devices MS1, MS2.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a mobile unit (MS1) having a GPS receiver (24) is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of measuring mobile unit pseudoranges at the mobile unit (MS1) using the GPS receiver (24); providing reference pseudoranges corresponding to a reference location situated remote from the mobile unit (BS1); and determining the position of the mobile unit (MS1) relative to the reference location (BS1) as a function of both the reference pseudoranges and the mobile unit pseudoranges.

Abstract: A method of providing an estimate of the location of first and second devices (MS1, MS2) comprising the steps of obtaining at least one range measurement from the first device (MS1) to a known reference point (BS1, GPS SVs); obtaining at least one range measurement from the second device (MS2) to a known reference point (BS1, GPS SVs), the second device (MS2) being located near to the first device (MS1); and calculating an estimate of the location of the devices (MS1, MS2) using range measurements obtained in respect of both the first and second devices (MS1, MS2).

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a mobile unit (MS1) having a GPS receiver (24) is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of measuring mobile unit pseudoranges at the mobile unit (MS1) using the GPS receiver (24); providing reference pseudoranges corresponding to a reference location situated remote from the mobile unit (BS1); and determining the position of the mobile unit (MS1) relative to the reference location (BS1) as a function of both the reference pseudoranges and the mobile unit pseudoranges.

Abstract: A method of despreading a GPS spread spectrum signal received at a mobile unit MS1 with assistance from a base station BS1 is disclosed comprising the steps of (a) receiving and despreading GPS signals at the base station and deriving GPS signal information therefrom; (b) estimating the location of the mobile unit; (c) modifying the GPS signal information so as reflect the GPS signal characteristics as would be observed at the estimated location of the mobile unit; (d) transmitting the GPS signal information from the base station to the mobile unit; (e) generating replica signals containing PRN codes corresponding to those of the GPS signal using the modified GPS signal information; and (f) performing a correlation of the GPS signal and the replica signals in order to acquire the GPS signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of receiving a signal spread over a frequency range, and in particular a direct sequence spread spectrum signals including the step of employing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in the Doppler search. In particular, the invention relates to the receipt of spread spectrum signals such as those transmitted as part of a GPS system.

Abstract: A mobile terminal receives ‘push-type’ message broadcasts that carry header information indicating the content of the message. Three hierarchical message category designators each consist of a 16 bit word where only one bit may be set to designate each of 16 categories. The first word indicates the message category at a first hierarchical level, the second word the message category at a second hierarchical that falls within the category designated at the first hierarchical level. Similarly the third word designates a category at a third hierarchical level that falls within the category designated at the second hierarchical level. A user specifies those received message categories that are of interest by profile words and at each hierarchical level a bit-for-bit correlation is performed by correlators respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of acquiring direct sequence spread spectrum signals and in particular, GPS signals, including the steps of obtaining an integration result by avoiding integration over bit edges, and includes the steps of splitting the received signal (A) into a plurality of signal chunks alternatively across a respective plurality of channels (B,C), each channel being arranged to carry a series of signal chunks, the division being controlled in a timed manner responsive to the signal bit period so that the signal chunks of one of the series signals do not include bit edges.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a GPS receiver for the acquisition of GPS signals through the processing of the receiver signal over an integration time period, including the step of switching the integration time period of the receive between two discrete values where the said controlling step of switching between the said two discrete values is responsive to a signal indicative of the environment within which the receiver is located.

Abstract: A method of despreading a GPS spread spectrum signal received at a mobile unit MSl with assistance from a base station BS1 includes (a) receiving and despreading GPS signals at the base station and deriving GPS signal information therefrom; (b) estimating the location of the mobile unit; (c) modifying the OPS signal information so as reflect the GPS signal characteristics as would be observed at the estimated location of the mobile unit; (d) transmitting the GPS signal information from the base station to the mobile unit; (e) generating replica signals containing PRN codes corresponding to those of the GPS signal using the modified GPS signal information; and (f) performing a correlation of the GPS signal and the replica signals in order to acquire the GPS signal.

Abstract: A method of providing an estimate of GPS time from non-GPS timing information present in communications signals transmitted from a base station (BS1) to a first mobile communications device (MS1) is provided comprising the steps of (i) in a second mobile communications device (MS2), receiving corresponding non-GPS timing signals present in communications signals transmitted by the base station; (ii) in a GPS receiver (23, 24) of the second mobile communications device (MS2), obtaining at least one pseudorange to a GPS satellite (GPS SV) and obtaining an first estimate of GPS time; (iii) deriving a relationship between the receipt of timing signals received in step (i) and the estimate of GPS time obtained in step (ii); and (iv) from the non-GPS timing information received by the first mobile communications device (MS1) and the relationship derived in step (iii), calculating a second estimate of GPS time.

Abstract: The invention provides for a telecommunications system including means for determining which of a plurality of positioning functions available to a mobile terminal of the system can be used, wherein a transmitting means is provided for transmitting to the mobile communications terminal a signal which serves to indicate one or more of the said plurality of positioning functions as being suitable for use having regard to the location of the said transmitting means.

Abstract: A time-of arrival(TOA) method of determining the position of a cellular handset, for example a phone or a PDA, comprises causing the wireless terminal (MWT) to adapt to operate on a first network (GSM) having a plurality of first base stations (GSM 1 to GSM 3) and effecting position measurements with respect to ranging signals transmitted by one or more of the first base stations and causing the wireless terminal to adapt to operate on a second network (UMTS) having a plurality of second base stations (UMTS 1 to UMTS 3) and effecting position measurements with respect to ranging signals transmitted by one or more of the second base stations. The position measurements are combined and the position of the wireless terminal is determined from the combined measurements. The position fix may be determined by the wireless terminal (MWT) or a remote station to which the position measurements are relayed by the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A method of despreading a plurality of GPS spread spectrum signals received by a GPS receiver (24) is disclosed together with a GPS receiver (24) and a mobile communications device (MS1) (especially a mobile cellular telephone) for the same. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a first GPS signal from the stored samples; obtaining frequency information relating to variations in the frequency of the first acquired signal as measured by the GPS receiver; and using the frequency information to acquire a second GPS signal. The frequency information may be used to acquire the second GPS signal in the course of a single dwell and may also, for a digital GPS receiver, relate to variations in the frequency of the first acquired signal present in stored samples.

Abstract: A method of despreading GPS spread spectrum signals containing pseudorandom noise (PRN) code sequences and received by a GPS receiver (24) is disclosed together with a GPS receiver (24) and a mobile communications device (MS1) (especially a mobile cellular telephone) for the same. The method comprises the steps of providing Doppler information relating to an estimate of the variation in Doppler shift as observed on the target signal by the GPS receiver and which is attributable to the motion of the GPS satellite; and correlating the target signal with a reference signal containing corresponding PRN code sequences, wherein, in the course of a single dwell, the correlation is modified as a function of the Doppler information.

Abstract: A mobile device (MS) is disclosed comprising a GPS receiver (14) and an audible alarm (13, 15) configured to sound, during operation of the GPS receiver, in response to either adverse performance of the GPS receiver or to an event which is adverse or likely to be adverse to the performance of the GPS receiver. The alarm may sound in response to the inability of the GPS receiver to either acquire or track a GPS signal, or obtain or maintain a position fix. Also, the alarm may sound in response to movement of the GPS receiver, including acceleration and higher order movement of the GPS receiver, in so far as that movement is adverse to the performance of the GPS receiver.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a mobile unit (MS1) having a GPS receiver (24) is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of measuring mobile unit pseudoranges at the mobile unit (MS1) using the GPS receiver (24); providing reference pseudoranges corresponding to a reference location situated remote from the mobile unit (BS1); and determining the position of the mobile unit (MS1) relative to the reference location (BS1) as a function of both the reference pseudoranges and the mobile unit pseudoranges.