Including A Satellite Patents (Class 342/352)
  • Patent number: 9910160
    Abstract: A method for detecting and removing spoofing signals may include receiving, by a navigation or communications device, a radio frequency (RF) signal and performing an anti-spoofing assessment to detect a presence of a spoofing signal associated with the RF signal. The method may additionally include generating a replica of the spoofing signal in response to the spoofing signal being detected and subtracting the replica of the spoofing signal from the RF signal to provide a residual non-spoofed signal. The method may further include decoding the residual non-spoofed signal by the navigation or communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Preston Geren, Anthony Goodson
  • Patent number: 9898633
    Abstract: A data reading system, and associated methods of operation, for locating and tracking a position of tagged items on a conveyor system. The system includes a data reader and a conveyor system operable to transport the tagged items through a read region of the data reader. A processor, in operative communication with the data reader, obtains data from an item tag being passed through the read region at a first time, at a second time, at a subsequent third time, and so forth. Based on the readings, the processor estimates an initial position of each item tag and determines an order at which each item reaches a reference position on the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: DATALOGIC IP TECH, S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Bottazzi, Enrico Savioli, Federico Natali
  • Patent number: 9893799
    Abstract: A personal communications device for communications using a satellite in a satellite communications system. The personal communications device includes a location algorithm for determining the satellite location and the personal communications device location, a path algorithm for predicting an improved communication path between the satellite and the personal communications device, a position change algorithm for determining a recommended change in position of the personal communications device so as to position the personal communications device in the improved communication path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Higher Ground LLC
    Inventor: Robert S. Reis
  • Patent number: 9872327
    Abstract: An antenna system and method for managing identification, location, direction and communication with nearby wireless communication devices is provided. Various embodiments can be implemented to enhance the performance of advertising systems, location services, military systems, and social gaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ETHERTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Laurent Desclos, Barry Matsumori, Rick Johnson
  • Patent number: 9857476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method using hybrid spectral compression and cross correlation signal processing of signals of opportunity, which may include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as well as other wideband energy emissions in GNSS obstructed environments. Combining spectral compression with spread spectrum cross correlation provides unique advantages for positioning and navigation applications including carrier phase observable ambiguity resolution and direct, long-code spread spectrum signal acquisition. Alternatively, the present invention also provides unique advantages for establishing the validity of navigation signals in order to counter the possibilities of electronic attack using spoofing and/or denial methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Telecommuncation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Mathews, Peter F. MacDoran
  • Patent number: 9848303
    Abstract: A method of selecting a cellular network entails determining a current location using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver in a mobile device, prioritizing bands based on the current location to create a set of prioritized bands, and searching the set of prioritized bands for the cellular network. This method expedites selection of the cellular network when a mobile device is powered on or when its cellular radiofrequency transceiver is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Mahesh Narayanan, Jarrod Chambers, Jean-Philippe Paul Cormier
  • Patent number: 9791574
    Abstract: Methods and systems for repurposing of a global navigation satellite system receiver for receiving low-earth orbit (LEO) communication satellite timing signals may comprise receiving a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite signal and/or a LEO signal in a receiver of the communication device. The MEO or LEO signal may be down-converted, and a position of the communication device may be calculated utilizing the down-converted signal. The signal may be down-converted utilizing a local oscillator signal generated by a phase locked loop (PLL), which may be delta-sigma modulated via a fractional-N divider. A clock signal may be communicated to the PLL utilizing a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator. The signal may be down-converted to an intermediate frequency or down-converted directly to baseband frequencies. The signal may be processed utilizing surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters. In-phase and quadrature signals may be processed in the RF path utilizing a two-stage polyphase filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxime Leclercq, Ioannis Spyropoulos, Nishant Kumar, Anand Anandakumar
  • Patent number: 9787339
    Abstract: An antenna RSSI meter includes a microcontroller unit for digitizing an antenna receiver voltage signal, converting the digitized antenna receiver voltage signal into a receiver signal level in accordance with a predefined antenna specification, and converting the receiver signal level into the antenna tuning signal in accordance with the predefined antenna specification. The antenna RSSI meter includes an input communication port for receiving the antenna receiver voltage signal from an antenna and providing the antenna receiver voltage signal to the microcontroller unit, The antenna RSSI meter also includes an output communication port for receiving the antenna tuning signal from the microcontroller unit and providing the antenna tuning signal to an antenna auto-aligning mechanism for adjusting position and orientation of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ZTE (USA) INC.
    Inventors: Ying Shen, Aleksandr Semenyshev, Ed Nealis, Shawn Walsh
  • Patent number: 9766337
    Abstract: An air vehicle comprises a satellite receiver having messaging capability. The receiver is configured to process a command and control (C2) message when alternative communications are required. The air vehicle further comprises avionics for taking a course of action according to instructions in a C2 message received by the satellite receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 9766345
    Abstract: A ground station antenna including a torus shaped reflector having multiple feed points along a focal arc in front of the reflector. The ground station antenna includes transceiver feeds having their electrical phase centers located on the focal arc and supported by a rotating feed platform. The transceiver feeds are configured to simultaneously track rising and falling satellites when the platform rotates. The ground station antenna further includes a wireless power receiver coupled to the transceiver feeds to power the transceiver feeds. The ground station antenna further includes a wireless signal interface coupled to the transceiver feeds to communicate signals with a base unit to perform subsequent processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ernest Tadashi Ozaki, William G. Ames, Ahmad Jalali
  • Patent number: 9746835
    Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece includes: a radio wave reception unit that receives satellite waves and extracts an incoming code sequence encoded in the received satellite waves; a counter unit that counts a date/time of the radio-controlled timepiece; and a processor that: generates an expected code sequence containing at least a portion of a preamble code and a code generated on the basis of the date/time counted by the counter unit that are expected to be part of the incoming code sequence that is extracted, detects a match between the expected code sequence that has been generated and the incoming code sequence by sequentially comparing the expected code sequence with the incoming code sequence, and acquires a present date/time, as indicated by the satellite waves, in accordance with a detection timing of the match, as measured by the data/time counted by the counter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsue, Hideo Abe, Kazuaki Abe
  • Patent number: 9749035
    Abstract: A synchronization approach is provided that compensates for the large Doppler offset of the satellites in a LEO satellite system by exploiting the predictable and deterministic nature of the Doppler component, and thereby simplifies the delay and the Doppler domain uncertainty ranges that the physical layer receivers have to resolve. The compensation is based on the known ephemeris information of the LEO satellite and the known positions of the gateway (GW) and the user terminal (UT) on the ground. Utilizing the deterministic component of the LEO Doppler, the synchronization process continually tracks and compensates for the time-varying offsets between the GW and UT frame timing, frame numbering (FN), symbol timings, and Doppler-induced scaling of center frequency and the signal bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Yash Vasavada, Channasandra Ravishankar, Deepak Arur, Michael Parr
  • Patent number: 9742484
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that use the downlink and uplink frequency bands of the fixed satellite service (FSS) and direct broadcast service (DBS) systems to provide broadband access to aerial platforms including aircraft, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as balloons. The secondary service aerial platform transmitters are configured to avoid interference into the primary satellite service receivers. The aerial platform may be able to detect and connect to the cell site with the strongest signal. The aerial platform may be able to handoff from one cell site to another. Systems and methods are described that provide broadband access to ground terminal via aerial platforms such as drones and UAVs such as balloons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: UBIQOMM, INC
    Inventor: Ahmad Jalali
  • Patent number: 9742488
    Abstract: A satellite reception assembly may comprise a first module operable to demodulate a first one or more channels of a signal output by a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) low noise block downconverter (LNB). The first module may output a signal to a second module which may demodulate a second one or more channels of the signal output by the DBS LNB. The second module may be installed after the satellite reception assembly has been deployed upon a number of clients served by the satellite reception assembly reaching a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Timothy Gallagher, Glenn Chang
  • Patent number: 9689990
    Abstract: A dual coaxial NSS receiver system is disclosed. One embodiment receives first location information about a first navigation satellite system (NSS) antenna mounted on an object at a first location. In addition, second location information is received from a second NSS antenna mounted on the object in a second location different from the first location. A spatial relationship is determined between the first NSS antenna, the second NSS antenna and a portion of the object. The first location information, the second location information and the spatial relationship are then utilized to determine the spatial location of the portion of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Fortune
  • Patent number: 9689989
    Abstract: A device for detection of falsified signals in a satellite navigation system includes at least two antennas having one or more receivers for receiving navigation signals, a phase difference measuring unit for determining phase differences of the received navigation signals for each antenna, and a detection unit for detecting falsified navigation signals among the received navigation signals on the basis of the phase differences determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Trautenberg, Johann Vilzmann
  • Patent number: 9678213
    Abstract: A data collection device carried on board a satellite and making it possible to localize a source of interference, without using neighboring satellites, comprises: a reception device able to receive the frequency on the ground of the interference; at least three antenna points arranged on the satellite so as to be able to receive a radiofrequency signal coming from the target surface; a processor able to determine the amplitude of the interference signal at the level of each of the antenna points; a connection device able to connect successively each of the antenna points to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: EUTELSAT S A
    Inventors: Alessandro Le Pera, Hector Fenech, Sonya Amos
  • Patent number: 9669842
    Abstract: A control apparatus is used in a vehicle that performs automatic travel control. The apparatus includes a search section which searches for an external unit, when information used for the automatic travel control is no longer available due to abnormality, the external unit providing assist information for complementing missing information that is the information no longer available due to the abnormality, an acquisition section which acquires the assist information from the external unit obtained as a result of the search of the search section, and a processing section which performs a process for performing assist travel control, which is the automatic travel control as a result of complementing the missing information with the assist information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Matsumoto, Kenji Mutou
  • Patent number: 9674657
    Abstract: Techniques for remote tracking may be realized as a method including: receiving tracking parameters comprising one or more restrictions, wherein each restriction of the one or more restrictions includes a property other than a position; monitoring a position of a client device; receiving location information for the monitored position of the client device, the location information including one or more properties other than position; and determining that the monitored position of the client device transgresses a restriction of the one or more restrictions, wherein the determination includes determining that location information of the monitored position satisfies a property of the restriction other than position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Symantec Corporation
    Inventor: Yi-Zen Lin
  • Patent number: 9658341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method using hybrid spectral compression and cross correlation signal processing of signals of opportunity, which may include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as well as other wideband energy emissions in GNSS obstructed environments. Combining spectral compression with spread spectrum cross correlation provides unique advantages for positioning and navigation applications including carrier phase observable ambiguity resolution and direct, long-code spread spectrum signal acquisition. Alternatively, the present invention also provides unique advantages for establishing the validity of navigation signals in order to counter the possibilities of electronic attack using spoofing and/or denial methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Mathews, Peter F. MacDoran
  • Patent number: 9653786
    Abstract: Smaller footprint electronic devices may be contained in a wearable housing, for example in a housing forming a portion of a watch that is worn on a user's wrist. Incorporating antennas into such small footprint devices often precludes the use of anything other than short range communications with another device. Incorporating an antenna into a watch band or bracelet provides a possible avenue to improving the long range communication capabilities and consequent utility of such smaller footprint electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Kenoun
  • Patent number: 9647749
    Abstract: A communication system includes a constellation of communication devices orbiting the earth. Each communication device has a corresponding orbital path or trajectory with an inclination angle of less than 90 degrees and greater than zero degrees with respect to the equator of the earth. The constellation includes a first group of communication devices orbiting at a first altitude from the earth and at a first inclination angle. The constellation also includes a second group of communication devices orbiting at a second altitude from the earth lower than the first altitude and at a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Krebs
  • Patent number: 9645242
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of collaboratively correct location errors. For example, a device may include a collaborative location error corrector to collaboratively correct location errors for at least one group of two or more wireless communication devices, the location error corrector is to receive from at least a first wireless communication device of the group an error report indicating an error in an estimated location of the first wireless communication device, to determine correction information based at least on the error report from the first wireless communication device, and to provide the correction information to at least a second wireless communication device of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yaron Alpert, Haim Rochberger
  • Patent number: 9638803
    Abstract: A method and a system for reducing time to first fix (TTFF) in a satellite navigation receiver generate a navigation data structure including three sub-frames. A first sub-frame and a second sub-frame accommodate selective ephemeris data. The third sub-frame accommodates a text message including almanac data optionally, ionospheric data, coordinated universal time (UTC) data, textual data optionally, and any combination thereof. A signal generation system (SGS) in the system selectively groups the almanac data, the ionospheric data, and the UTC data, and selectively transmits the navigation data with the almanac data or free of the almanac data in the navigation data structure to the satellite navigation receiver. The signal generation system also staggers the navigation data in each sub-frame into a first portion and a second portion for parallelly transmitting the navigation data over a first carrier frequency and a second carrier frequency in reduced time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Accord Software & Systems Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Vyasaraj Guru Rao, Sashidharan Maa, Ge'rard Lachapelle
  • Patent number: 9627752
    Abstract: An RF receiving circuit unit that receives a GPS satellite signal from a GPS satellite is intermittently driven by a first driving control of intermittently driving the RF receiving circuit unit with a first intermittent driving pattern and a multistage driving control of intermittently driving the RF receiving circuit unit with a multistage intermittent driving pattern in which a driving period in the first intermittent driving pattern is set to a second intermittent driving pattern of which an intermittent cycle is shorter than that of the first intermittent driving pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Gobara
  • Patent number: 9618601
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating a direction of arrival of a target signal relative to a measuring antenna array of an earth-orbiting satellite. The direction of arrival of the target signal being estimated on the basis of measurement signals corresponding to the target signal received respectively by at least a first measuring antenna and a second measuring antenna of the measuring antenna array. Each of the measurement signals are combined with a reference signal corresponding to the target signal received by a receiving antenna of the satellite. The receiving antenna has a maximum gain greater than the respective maximum gains of the first measuring antenna and of the second measuring antenna. The direction of arrival of the target signal is estimated from the signals obtained by combining the measurement signals with the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Aymes, Raphael Sanchez, Frederic Voulouzan
  • Patent number: 9596024
    Abstract: Aircrafts flying near Earth or naval vessels are used as communications towers or relays. Using techniques of ground based beam forming and wavefront multiplexing enhance the ability to coherently combine the power of the communication signals, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. When multiple antennas or signal sources exist, a ranking system is employed to optimize performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Spatial Digital Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. D. Chang
  • Patent number: 9575468
    Abstract: A satellite radio signal receiver includes a receiving section and a processor. The receiving section receives a radio signal from a satellite and demodulates the signal to identify each received bit of the signal. The processor compares the identified received bit with estimated bits which are estimated to be received within a possible deviation range set for a current date and time acquired as a reception time of the received bit, so as to obtain information on comparison result in relation to a deviation from the current date and time. The processor detects the deviation which satisfies a predetermined match condition of comparison results for received bits. The processor acquires date and time information based on the detected deviation which satisfies the predetermined match condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsue, Hideo Abe
  • Patent number: 9565599
    Abstract: A modular electronic device including a master core and a plurality of communication radio modules is provided. The modular electronic device maximizes communication performance by receiving a request for network operations from a mobile operating system of the modular electronic device; polling a table to determine a capacity of each communication radio module; and assigning the network operations to a module of the communication radio modules with a highest available capacity to maximize the communication performance of the modular electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James P. Gilchrist, Michael E. Gildein, Rajaram B. Krishnamurthy, Daniel Rogers, Moses J. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 9553659
    Abstract: A method and system for communication with a mobile platform is provided. An antenna system coupled to a transmitter for use in providing a communication channel to a mobile user includes a first linear transmit array of radiating horns, a second linear transmit array of radiating horns, and at least one reflector coupled to at least one of the first linear transmit array and the second linear transmit array, the at least one reflector configured to reflect illumination from the first and second linear transmit arrays to form a communication channel for the mobile user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Harold A. Rosen, Lisa Kuo, Stephen Floyd Sichi, Joshua Maxwell Rutheiser, Mike T. Trujillo
  • Patent number: 9544722
    Abstract: There is discussed a location system for locating the position of a mobile communications device that communicates with a communication network using wireless signals. The location system includes a receiver which detects a wireless signal transmitted between the mobile communications device and a base station forming part of the communication network, and a processing means which processes the detected wireless signal to extract identification information for the mobile communications device. The extracted identification is stored in a data store in association with data indicative of the base station. The processing means and the data store are independent from the communication network, and therefore do not affect the operation of the mobile network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: REALCELL LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Saunders, Anthony Timson
  • Patent number: 9529093
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating attitude using double differenced GPS carrier phase measurements are provided. An exemplary computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by one or more computing devices, an initial candidate attitude. The method includes determining, by the one or more computing devices, a plurality of expected double differenced carrier phase values based on the initial candidate attitude. The method includes inputting, by the one or more computing devices, the plurality of expected double differenced carrier phase values into a cost function. The cost function respectively compares the plurality of expected double differenced carrier phase values to a plurality of measured double differenced carrier phase values. The method includes minimizing, by the one or more computing devices, the cost function. The method includes selecting, by the one or more computing devices, a final candidate attitude associated with the minimized cost function as the attitude of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Nichols, James Brian Roseborough, Craig Lewin Robinson, Hamid Mokhtarzadeh
  • Patent number: 9519077
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a touch screen display that is controlled based on information from a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may have a light source that emits infrared light and a light detector that detects reflected infrared light. When the electronic device is in the vicinity of a user's head, the proximity sensor may produce data indicative of the presence of the user's head. Variations in proximity sensor output due to user hair color and smudges on the proximity sensor can be accommodated by using an electrical sensing mechanism in addition to the light sensing mechanism. The proximity sensor may include a pair of capacitive electrodes for generating an electric field in the vicinity of the device. The presence of a user's head can sufficiently disturb the electric field so as to produce data indicative of the presence of the user's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Prashanth S. S. Holenarsipur, Anant Rai, David Lukofsky
  • Patent number: 9519045
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SPACE DATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische, Bruce Alan Barkley
  • Patent number: 9507025
    Abstract: A GPS positioning method for a mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes: after GPS positioning is started, acquiring a first cell identifier of a first cell in which the mobile terminal is located; acquiring, according to the first cell identifier, first latitude and longitude information corresponding to the first cell identifier from a correspondence table stored on the mobile terminal, where the correspondence table includes a cell identifier and latitude and longitude information corresponding to the cell identifier; and with reference to the first latitude and longitude information, and time information and ephemeris information that are acquired in advance, performing GPS positioning on the mobile terminal by using a GPS receiver of the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tongbo Wang, Wenfeng Yao, Gaopeng Li
  • Patent number: 9503176
    Abstract: A communication system allows communication between two users separated by a long distance includes a source ground station, a constellation, one or more linking-gateways, and a destination ground station. The constellation includes groups of communication devices orbiting or traveling around the earth. A first communication device of a first group of communication devices is in communication with the source ground station and receives a communication from the source ground station. The linking-gateway is in communication with at least the first and a second group of communication devices. The linking-gateway receives the communication from the first group of communication devices and sends the communication to a second communication device of the second group of communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Roland Beals, Christopher Richard Uhlik
  • Patent number: 9488736
    Abstract: A method of improving position determination of a device using locally measured movement. A first position fix of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver system of a device is accessed. A second position fix of the GNSS receiver system is accessed at a time subsequent to the first position fix. Locally measured device movement information is obtained from at least one sensor, that is in a known physical relationship to the device, for a time period after the first position fix and no later than the second position fix, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an image capture device. The quality of measurement of the second position fix is improved by disciplining the second position fix based on the locally measured device movement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Shawn D. Weisenburger, Richard Rudow, Nicholas C. Talbot, Peter Van Wyck Loomis, James M. Janky
  • Patent number: 9470531
    Abstract: A vehicle positioning system (200) comprising a receiver (206) configured to receive information representative of signals (222) transmitted by one or more other vehicles (220), wherein each signal (222) comprises data relating to the position of the associated other vehicle (220); and a processor (207) configured to process the data relating to the position of each other vehicle to determine an estimate of the position of the vehicle positioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Marinus Moerman
  • Patent number: 9461865
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system for supporting higher data rates than 4th-Generation (4G) communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution. An apparatus and method for demodulating a hybrid modulation symbol is provided for use in a wireless communication using the hybrid modulation scheme. The apparatus includes a control channel receiver configured to acquire a hybrid modulation scheme change information from a control information received through a control channel, a constellation re-configurer configured to reconfigure a constellation diagram for use in demodulation with the hybrid modulation scheme change information provided by the control channel receiver, and a demodulator configured to demodulate a hybrid modulation symbol and a modified hybrid modulation symbol input when a reconfigured constellation diagram is received from the constellation re-configurer based on the reconfigured constellation diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Sagong, Woomyoung Park, Seokki Ahn, Chiwoo Lim, Sungnam Hong
  • Patent number: 9461773
    Abstract: A method for phase noise detection in a MIMO communication system comprises the step of computing an initial estimate of phase using received pilot symbols. A phase follows for interpolating between successive pilot symbol phase estimates to obtain a coarse resolution reference phase estimate. Then, it follows a phase for computing a fine resolution estimate of phase using said coarse resolution phase estimate together with data expressing characteristics of known phase noise processes, applying an expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. The application of the EM algorithm can be further refined using improved symbol decisions from a FEC decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventors: Stefano Chinnici, Mats Rydstrom, Alberto Tarable, Guido Montorsi
  • Patent number: 9453731
    Abstract: A system for determining the orientation of a fixture relative to the Earth includes at least one sensor configured to detect a celestial body and provide signals indicative of a plurality of positions of a detected celestial body relative to the sensor over a period of time. The system further includes a processor configured to receive information relating to a time and date associated with the period of time during which the celestial body is detected, and information relating to an expected relationship between the detected celestial body and the Earth at the time and date. The processor is further configured to determine the orientation of the fixture relative to the Earth based on signals from the at least one sensor, and the information relating to the time and date and the expected relationship between the detected celestial body and the Earth at the time and date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Vos, Vladislav Gavrilets, Damien B. Jourdan, Ben T. Ludington, Allen D. Wu, Keith M. Allen
  • Patent number: 9451220
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning an outdoor antenna reflector unit (ODU) with multiple satellites is disclosed. The method may rely on multiple satellites as alignment anchor points to reduce ODU alignment pointing error. The method may require at least three measurements of signal power at different angles for each satellite link to determine the ODU antenna pattern for each satellite link. A peak angle is then calculated for each satellite link based on the determined satellite link ODU antenna pattern. Once the satellite link peak angles are determined, the average peak angle can be calculated and used for aligning the ODU to the multiple satellites. The method may further reduce pointing error by using satellites transmitting within the Ka frequency band as alignment anchor points. The method may simplify ODU alignment by merely requiring an installer to adjust an ODU alignment screw based on the calculated average peak angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence Wu, Charles P. Palaganas
  • Patent number: 9444149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotation apparatus of the polarizer for a multiple-polarized satellite signals and a satellite signal receiving apparatus included with the apparatus, includes a feedhorn for receiving satellite; a low noise block down converter for processing signals received by the feedhorn; and a skew compensation apparatus, included in the low noise block down converter or feedhorn, for rotating the low noise block down converter or feedhorn to compensate skew angles in the case that the satellite signals received in the feedhorn are the linearly polarized waves, the low noise block down converter includes the rotation apparatus of the polarizer for receiving linearly polarized signals and circularly polarized signals of the satellite signals, thereby to receive and process both of linearly polarized wave and circularly polarized wave by a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLIAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Seung-Hyun Cha, Ho-Seon Lee, Jong-Hwan Cha
  • Patent number: 9425889
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents a method and an apparatus for communications in a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite network. For example, the method may include receiving data, at a relay node, from a first NGSO satellite of the NGSO satellite network, wherein the relay node is located at a boundary or a common beam area associated with the first satellite and a second satellite of the NGSO satellite network, and wherein the data is received at the relay node in response to identifying by the first NGSO satellite that an internet point of presence (IPP) is not available in at least one of a plurality of beams associated with the first NGSO satellite, and relaying the data from the relay node to a second NGSO satellite of the NGSO satellite network, wherein an IPP is available in at least one of a plurality of beams associated with the second NGSO satellite. As such, communications in a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite network may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ahmad Jalali, William Giffin Ames
  • Patent number: 9411315
    Abstract: The present invention includes a wristwatch case provided with a watch glass, a dial plate provided in the wristwatch case, and a timepiece module arranged below the dial plate, and the timepiece module has a first antenna arranged in its one end portion so as to receive a high-frequency radio wave for GPS and a second antenna arranged in the other end portion opposing the first antenna so as to receive a standard time radio wave whose frequency differs from that of a radio wave to be received by the first antenna. Accordingly, radio waves for GPS can be received by the first antenna and standard time radio waves can be received by the second antenna arranged opposing the first antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Sawada
  • Patent number: 9391702
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that may include a system and method for transmitting user data from an initial satellite in a first constellation located conveniently to an origination user terminal to a destination satellite in the first constellation located conveniently to a destination user terminal, the method including transmitting the user data over an optical link from the initial satellite in the first constellation to a first satellite within a second satellite constellation; conveying the user data over an optical link from the first satellite in the second constellation to a second satellite in the second constellation; and receiving the user data from the second satellite in the second constellation at the destination satellite in the first constellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: WORLDVU SATELLITES LIMITED
    Inventor: Gregory Thane Wyler
  • Patent number: 9377520
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for locating signal wave (SW) emitter/s using at least one moving signal collection platform. The disclosed systems and methods may be employed in one embodiment to estimate the signal energy transmitted from a grid of locations (such as a map) using collected IQ data (or other raw data representation such as IQ data covariance matrix), and without requiring computation of any intermediate geolocation-observable measurements (such as angle-of-arrival, direction-of-arrival, etc.). In a further embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in a blind manner (i.e., transmitted emitter signal/s are unknown and processed blindly) to geolocate SW emitters using a single SW signal collection platform (e.g., at relatively large standoff distances in some implementations) without relying on a known signal modulation or operation of multiple simultaneous SW signal collection platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems LP
    Inventors: Bryan L. Westcott, Steven P. Stanners
  • Patent number: 9377763
    Abstract: A timepiece with a wireless function comprises a movement that is configured to display time; a conductive case that is configured to hold the movement; a crystal that is disposed on a face side of the case and is configured covers a face side of the movement; an antenna that has a substantially annular, conductive antenna electrode and is disposed between the movement and the crystal as seen in a lateral view; and a ring member that is made of non-conductive material and is configured to cover the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 9369529
    Abstract: A server system includes a session information storage section that stores session information, the session information being information that links identification information about a first client apparatus and identification information about a second client apparatus, a processing section that generates operation screen information, the screen information being information for displaying an operation screen used to operate the second client apparatus on the first client apparatus, and a communication section that transmits the operation screen information to the first client apparatus, the processing section linking the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus based on the identification information transmitted from the first client apparatus and the session information, and generating the operation screen information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hayato Fujigaki
  • Patent number: 9369198
    Abstract: A communication system allows communication between two users separated by a long distance includes a source ground station, a constellation, one or more linking-gateways, and a destination ground station. The constellation includes groups of communication devices orbiting or traveling around the earth. A first communication device of a first group of communication devices is in communication with the source ground station and receives a communication from the source ground station. The linking-gateway is in communication with at least the first and a second group of communication devices. The linking-gateway receives the communication from the first group of communication devices and sends the communication to a second communication device of the second group of communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Roland Beals, Christopher Richard Uhlik