Abstract: A method and apparatus (1A) for receiving a spread spectrum signal at a mobile communications terminal, including the step of processing the signal for the purposes of signal acquisition and signal tracking, monitoring movement of the mobile terminal and deriving a signal indicative of a characteristic of movement of the mobile terminal, and further including changing the mode of the processing of the incoming spectrum signal in response to the signal indicating the said characteristic of movement of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A communications system comprises first (12) and second (14) beacon devices capable of wireless message transmission and at least one portable client device (15) capable of receiving such message transmissions. The client device (15) is arranged to broadcast an inquiry message according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. The first beacon (12) detects such inquiry messages and replies with an inquiry response containing an identifier for the second beacon (14), enabling the second beacon (14) and client device (15) to perform a service interaction. In an alternative embodiment (FIG. 4) receipt of the inquiry message is notified to the second beacon (14) which then sends the inquiry response to the client device (15).

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 communications system comprises at least one beacon device capable of wireless message transmission and at least one portable device capable of receiving such a message transmission. The beacon is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages each in the form of a plurality of predetermined data fields arranged according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. For the delivery of additional data via broadcast, and in particular data including location information, the beacon adds to each inquiry message prior to transmission an additional data field carrying broadcast data, with the portable device receiving the transmitted inquiry messages including the location data and reading the broadcast data from the additional data field.

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: Methods of providing an estimate of the location of a first device are discloses comprising the steps of determining the location of a separately housed, second device located near to the first device; providing the location of the second device to the first device; and using the location of the second device as an estimate of the location of the first device. Either the second device is arranged to perform a function based on its location other than providing its location as an estimate of the location of the first device, or the location of the second device is provided to the first device using a wireless communications link.

Abstract: A method of despreading a target spread spectrum signal containing pseudorandom noise (PRN) code sequences modulated by a data message is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing data message information relating to the timing of an epoch of at least one data bit; and performing a correlation of the target signal and a replica signal containing corresponding PRN code sequences using the data message information to minimise degradation of the correlation caused by variations in the PRN code sequences in the target signal attributable to modulation by the data message.