Abstract: Intelligently caching global positioning system (GPS) location information from GPS satellites based on cellular radio signal strength received at a portable device. The GPS satellites broadcasts signals to the portable device and the cellular radio signal strength is at a first level indicative of a low GPS reception strength. A second level, at the portable device, of the cellular radio signal strength is detected, and the second level is indicative of an increase in GPS reception strength. GPS location information is speculatively read from the GPS satellites associated with the portable device in response to the detected second level and the increase of the GPS reception strength. The GPS location information is cached on the portable device such that the GPS location information is available to the portable device when the first level of the cellular radio signal strength is less than the second level.

Abstract: A locator system is disclosed. An E911-enabled wireless network including a switching center is configured receive a request to generate location information regarding a remote mobile station, and send said location information to a subscriber only after obtaining consent from the remote mobile station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and using a base station almanac for position determination is described. The base station almanac includes a number of records, where each record can describe a sector or a transmitter (e.g., a base station or a repeater) in a wireless communication network. Each record includes a protocol type field that indicates the one or more protocols supported by the record (e.g., IS-801, J-STD-36, GSM, W-CDMA, and so on). Each record also includes a unique sector identifier for the sector/transmitter for each supported protocol, where each identifier is defined based on the associated protocol. A record may also include multiple maximum antenna ranges (MARs), where each MAR is associated with a respective reference power level. One of the multiple MARs can be selected for use for position determination depending on received signal strength. The base station almanac further includes other features.

Abstract: A marine electronic device such as a chartplotter which includes a display; a location determining component; and a processing system for receiving location data from the location determining component and for causing information to be displayed by display. The processing system causes the display to display information which assists an operator in navigating and ascertaining characteristics of bodies of water, objects on nearby shores, and other vessels.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method for use in telemetry processing includes receiving telemetry data originating from a satellite, such that the telemetry data comprises a plurality of data segments. The method includes processing the plurality of data segments simultaneously and transmitting a signal to the satellite, in response to the processing, for effecting a change in the direction of the satellite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (2) and a mobile device (2) for low power identification of beacon transmitters (20) for determining the position of the mobile device (2) in an indoor environment. The mobile device (2) is first turned into a positioning mode. Thereafter the mobile device (2) receives an identification signal from at least one beacon transmitter (20). This identification signal contains information about that the beacon transmitter (20) may be used for positioning services. Next the mobile device (2) will request the beacon transmitters (20) that are within the range of the mobile device (2) to send data pertaining to their position, and then determine its position by performing calculations based on such data. This will reduce the power consumption of the mobile device (2) substantially.

Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described. Various parts of the navigation systems may be implemented in a smart-phone.

Abstract: When a vehicle moves into a radar prohibited area preset for the neighborhood of a facility that suffers adverse effects from radar waves, emission of radar waves is stopped, and a voice guidance such as “Radar monitoring is stopped” is sent to a speaker via a voice output unit. Moreover, during a period in which a vehicle is located in a radar prohibited area, an icon that indicates that a radar is being stopped, a mark that indicates an institution for which the radar prohibited area is set, and the scope of the radar prohibited area are displayed on a map image.

Abstract: A GNSS system includes a receiver connected to an external mass storage device. Applications for the system, including GNSS data processing methods are also disclosed. The external storage device can comprise a flash (thumb) drive, which can be connected to the receiver via a USB interconnection.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus to perform the method, of tracking a mobile subject based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data, the method including detecting motion of the mobile subject independently of the GNSS data with a motion detector, receiving the GNSS data and determining an actionable position and speed of the mobile subject, with an actionable position and speed unit, according to GNSS position and speed, detection results of the motion detector, and at least one of, or any combination of, GNSS solution metrics, GNSS signal metrics, or a prior actionable position and speed, and evaluating, with a boundary test unit, the actionable position and speed of the mobile subject relative to a predetermined boundary.

Abstract: The disclosed method and system is used to determine the position of a user device. The user device can receive data signals and/or carrier signals from orbiting space vehicles. These data signals can be used for positioning calculation and/or track maintenance of the user device. The disclosed method and system can account for time and frequency biases of the user device. For the track maintenance, a Kalman filter state estimator can be extended to include a velocity of the user device.

Abstract: Precision surgical jamming of a target located at a distance uses GPS to coherently focus the jamming energy transmitted from a plurality of nodes. One of the nodes is designated as a master node and the remaining nodes are designated as auxiliary nodes. Each node tracks the carrier phases of satellite signals transmitted by a plurality of GPS satellites relative to a carrier phase of a reference oscillator in the respective node. The master node provides the tracked phase measurements along with its position information to all of the auxiliary nodes. The auxiliary nodes determine the phase offset of its reference oscillator relative to the reference oscillator of the master node based on the transmitted data. The transmit phase of a jammer transmitter in each of the nodes is then aligned to the phase of the reference oscillator to transmit a coherent focused beam to a distant target.

Abstract: Methods and systems to detect navigation signals, including to identify up to multiple range-Doppler hypotheses from each of j range-Doppler correlation grids based on a relatively low first threshold, generate navigation solutions from combinatorial sets of k of the identified hypotheses, evaluate the navigation solutions to identify plausible solutions, iteratively and combinatorially augment the plausible solutions with additional hypotheses from grids that are not represented in the corresponding k-hypotheses based navigation solutions, replace plausible solutions with corresponding augmented plausible solutions when appropriate, and select one of a plurality of plausible solutions as a best plausible solution, j and k being positive integers. Where a grid energy peak exceeds a second threshold, a corresponding hypothesis may be identified as a sole hypothesis for the corresponding navigation signal. The relatively low first threshold permits detection of weaker signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation is configured to automatically set an optimal GPS reception period and optimal map contents according to a moving speed of a user in a navigation system using a GPS terminal. When the moving speed of the user is considered, power efficiency is increased by optimizing a GPS reception period in terms of hardware and system load is decreased by reducing an unnecessary system operation in terms of software. User convenience is maximized by optimizing map contents requested by the user according to a moving speed in real time and displaying the optimized map contents.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for: (a) the correction of one or more elements determined from a first set of continuous gyro and accelerometer measurements comprising using a second set of discontinuously measured higher accuracy accelerometer measurements doubly integrated in an inertial coordinate system, (b) determining relative movement of a vehicle using a first set of acceleration measurements that do not include components of acceleration caused by the Earth's gravitational field, and a second set of acceleration measurements that do include components of acceleration caused by the Earth's gravitational field; and (c) correcting errors in an inertial navigation system positioned in a vehicle comprising using independently measured changes in position of the vehicle relative to an inertial coordinate frame.

Abstract: A feature tracker for tracking a target includes an imaging sensor for imaging the target and a Kalman filter for generating predicted position, velocity and acceleration of the imaging sensor with respect to the target. The Kalman filter includes a state vector estimate of the position, velocity and acceleration of the imaging sensor, and a model for characterizing the target. The model characterizes the target by using at least one bivariate Gaussian function for the target. The Kalman filter includes a Jacobian matrix defined as a partial derivative of the model with respect to the state vector estimate. The Kalman filter includes a gain matrix generated from the Jacobian matrix.

Abstract: A marine electronic device such as a chartplotter which includes a display; a location determining component; and a processing system for receiving location data from the location determining component and for causing information to be displayed by display. The processing system causes the display to display information which assists an operator in navigating and ascertaining characteristics of bodies of water, objects on nearby shores, and other vessels.

Abstract: In a method for aiding aircraft landing using a GPS and an MLS within the context of a computed axial approach, the method uses coordinates of an azimuth antenna and/or of an elevation antenna as a reference point for the computation of a position of the aircraft in a reference frame centered on the landing runway. This position of the aircraft is thereafter used to determine an angle of azimuth between a longitudinal axis of the landing runway and the aircraft.

Abstract: A locator system is disclosed. An e911-enabled wireless network including a switching center is configured receive a request to generate location information regarding a remote mobile station, and send said location information to a subscriber only after obtaining consent from the remote mobile station.

Abstract: A satellite based positioning method and system including storing satellite sub-almanac data on a mobile station. Embodiments include using the sub-almanac data to take measurements and calculate a coarse position of the mobile station. Embodiments further include a location server calculating a correction to the coarse position, and the location server determining whether any sub-almanacs used to calculate the coarse position require replacement.

Abstract: A wireless subscriber unit for a tracking and locating system and method is disclosed. The locating system provides positional information of remote locator devices in the form of images viewable by subscribers over a network.

Abstract: A tag detects a condition, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of information regarding the selected condition, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag carries out geofencing analysis, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of results of the geofencing analysis, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than in the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol.

Abstract: Various embodiments for providing enhanced power savings in mobile computing devices are described. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may include a motion sensor to detect when the device is in motion. The mobile computing device may include a radio processor that may select from among several signal search procedures based on whether the device is in motion, and whether a signal is detectable and adequate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for obtaining a precise absolute time using a satellite system. The precise absolute time may be used, for example, as an aid for positioning systems including navigation in attenuated or jammed environments. A method of obtaining precise absolute time transfer from a satellite according to an embodiment comprises: receiving a precision time signal from a satellite, wherein the precision time signal comprises a periodic repeating code; determining a timing phase of the code; receiving additional aiding information; and using the timing phase and the additional aiding information to determine a precise absolute time.

Abstract: Embodiments related to cross-talk mitigation are described and depicted.

Abstract: A method of remotely locating a mobile device equipped with a radio receiver by remotely and securely activating the device's ringer and location system, and communicating such location to the device owner.

Abstract: A satellite based positioning method and system including storing satellite sub-almanac data on a mobile station. Embodiments include using the sub-almanac data to take measurements and calculate a coarse position of the mobile station. Embodiments further include a location server calculating a correction to the coarse position, and the location server determining whether any sub-almanacs used to calculate the coarse position require replacement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for positioning a terrestrial user. The system includes navigation satellites placed in medium altitude orbits, management satellites placed in high orbits, able to manage the navigation satellites and communicate with the Earth. The management satellites can include a set of at least three management satellites each placed in a high orbit, having a plane that is inclined with respect to the plane of the terrestrial equator and cuts the equator along a diametral straight intersection line with respect to the Earth. Two external diametral straight intersection lines can form an angle of longitude of at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the roll rate and roll angle of a spinning platform in a jamming environment, by suppressing the interference signals from the received GPS signals and using the measured phase and amplitude differences between the GPS satellite signals received on two or more antennas. The measured signal differences and the navigation solution from a GPS receiver are processed in a roll filter to obtain the desired information. Data from non-GPS measurement sources is optionally provided to update the navigation solution. Although of wide applicability, the invention is uniquely suited to the measurement of roll rates and roll angles of fast spinning platforms with small baselines in the presence of jamming, and where the antennas are separated from each other by distances that are a fraction of the GPS signal wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for collecting navigation data are disclosed, where the apparatus includes a correlator, a first buffer, a first calculating unit and a management unit. The correlator can generate a plurality of power bits based on navigation data of a satellite. The first buffer can store a sequence of power bits from the correlator before bit synchronization is completed. The first calculating unit can generate at least one first data bit of a subframe based on the sequence of power bits. The management unit can integrate the at least one first data bit with other data bits of the subframe, so as to constitute the subframe completely.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating position of a mobile device in an assisted satellite positioning system is described. In one example, satellite measurement data is obtained from a plurality of satellites at a mobile device. Position of the mobile device is computed using the satellite measurement data. The position is sent to a cellular device via a wireless ad hoc network. In one example, the wireless ad hoc network comprises a BLUETOOTH communication link. In one example, the mobile device is configured to receive assistance data from a position server through the wireless ad hoc network. For example, the mobile device may comprise a housing configured to plug into a cigarette lighter connector of an automobile and the cellular device may comprise a cellular telephone without location-determination capabilities (i.e., the cellular telephone does not include an integrated GPS receiver).

Abstract: A GNSS receiver in a wake up state during a standby mode may acquire ephemeris from received GNSS signals such as GPS signals and/or GLONASS signals. When subsequently transitioning from the standby mode to a normal mode operating at a high frequency clock, the acquired ephemeris may be utilized to generate a navigation solution for the GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver in the wake up state during the standby mode may be switched to operate at the high frequency clock in order to receive GNSS signals. The GNSS receiver may extract complete ephemeris from the received GNSS signals, and may subsequently transition from the wake up state to a sleep state during the standby mode to save power. Radio frequency front-end components of the GNSS receiver may only be turned on to receive the GNSS signals. The GNSS receiver may transition between the standby mode and the normal mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation device including a processor, a signal receiver for receiving position signals, a road network database that also contains position data on tunnels (tunnel attributes), a position finding unit that determines the current position of the vehicle, a display unit and a display control for controlling the adjustments of the display unit, particularly for regulating the brightness and/or a color scheme of the display unit. The display control is able to change the adjustment of the display unit while driving through a tunnel (tunnel mode). The method can include determining the vehicle position with consideration of the received position signals and automatically activating the tunnel mode of the display unit by means of the display control immediately or with a certain time delay if the determined vehicle position features a tunnel attribute and the received position signals fall short of a predetermined signal quality.

Abstract: A GPS navigation code device has GPS features and easy address retrieval means built in, enabling a driver to retrieve and request directions to an address without taking his eyes off the road. The user pre-programs the GPS navigation code device with a plurality of addressees or points of interest and assigns unique navigation codes for each. The navigation code is entered using keyboard or recorded speech pattern. The processor in the GPS navigation code device records address, navigation code and speech pattern in three linked databases. While driving, the user presses a special address search mode key and inputs the unique navigation code by keyboard or speech pattern. The GPS navigation code device displays the address and the user accepts the displayed address by pressing special key. The GPS navigation code device then calculates and displays directions to the address, and provides additional guidance by speech on a turn-by-turn basis.

Abstract: In an information providing system, a user inputs desired mobile ID number to a client terminal. The client terminal transmits a request for location information on the mobile station including the mobile ID number to a location server via a location information server. The location server transmits a request for object movement information corresponding to the mobile station to an object information server. The location information server obtains the information from a traffic control device. Location information on the mobile station obtained by the location information server is transmitted to the terminal.

Abstract: A method for upgrading GNSS equipment to improve position, velocity and time (PVT) accuracy, increase PVT robustness in weak-signal or jammed environments and protect against counterfeit GNSS signals (spoofing). A GNSS Assimilator couples to an RF input of existing GNSS equipment, e.g., a GPS receiver, and extracts navigation and timing information from available RF signals, including non-GNSS signals, or direct baseband aiding, e.g., from an inertial navigation system, frequency reference, or GNSS user. The Assimilator fuses the diverse navigation and timing information to embed a PVT solution in synthesized GNSS signals provided to a GNSS receiver RF input. The code and carrier phases of the synthesized GNSS signals are aligned with those of actual GNSS signals to appear the same at the target receiver input. The Assimilator protects against spoofing by continuously scanning incoming GNSS signals for signs of spoofing, and mitigating spoofing effects in the synthesized GNSS signals.

Abstract: Each of a first and a second navigation satellite system (NSS) are adapted to operate according to a first and a second specification, respectively, and each includes a first and a second plurality of satellite vehicles (SV), respectively. Each of the first and the second plurality of SVs are adapted to be identified by a first and a second plurality of unique corresponding identifications (IDs), respectively. A processor is adapted to receive and identify a first plurality of corresponding signals transmitted from the first plurality of SVs in response to the first plurality of unique corresponding IDs. The processor is adapted to receive and identify a second plurality of corresponding signals transmitted from the second plurality of SVs in response to the second plurality of unique corresponding IDs. The processor is adapted to determine position location information in response to receiving and identifying the first plurality of corresponding signals and the second plurality of corresponding signals.

Abstract: A navigation system comprises a global positioning satellite receiver to receive at least one global positioning satellite signal and to output global positioning satellite information. The navigation system further comprises a programmable processor, communicatively coupled to the global positioning satellite receiver, to execute software. The navigation system further comprises a clock, communicatively to the programmable processor, to output processor clock information. The software estimates an amount of drift in the processor clock information using the GPS information and adjusts the processor clock information for the amount of drift in order to generate adjusted processor clock information. The software generates a navigation solution as a function of at least the global positioning satellite information and the adjusted processor clock information.

Abstract: A positioning device includes an antenna, a receiving module, a processing module and an output module. The receiving module receives positioning signals transmitted from positioning satellites and a position signal of another positioning device transmitted from a ground monitoring system using the antenna. The processing module determines a position of the positioning device according to the positioning signals, and calculates a distance between the positioning device and another positioning device according to the position signal of the position device and the position signal of the another positioning device. The output module outputs the distance. A method for measuring the distance between the positioning devices is also provided.

Abstract: A system for locating an individual includes a chip with a unique code, a monitor with the unique code, a monitoring station in communication with the monitor, a satellite communication station in communication with the monitoring station, and satellites in communication with the satellite communication station. The chip is implantable in the individual. The satellites transmit a search signal over a search area of predetermined size. The search area is increased until the chip is located. The search signals from the satellites form triangulation data. Location data is formed from the triangulation data and transmitted to the monitor.

Abstract: Methods and systems to detect navigation signals, including to identify up to multiple range-Doppler hypotheses from each of j range-Doppler correlation grids based on a relatively low first threshold, generate navigation solutions from combinatorial sets of k of the identified hypotheses, evaluate the navigation solutions to identify plausible solutions, iteratively and combinatorially augment the plausible solutions with additional hypotheses from grids that are not represented in the corresponding k-hypotheses-based navigation solutions, replace plausible solutions with corresponding augmented plausible solutions when appropriate, and select one of a plurality of plausible solutions as a best plausible solution. Where a grid energy peak exceeds a second threshold, a corresponding hypothesis may be identified as a sole hypothesis for the corresponding navigation signal. The relatively low first threshold permits detection of weaker signals.

Abstract: A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service.

Abstract: A GNSS system includes a receiver connected to an external mass storage device. Applications for the system, including GNSS data processing methods are also disclosed. The external storage device can comprise a flash (thumb) drive, which can be connected to the receiver via a USB interconnection.

Abstract: A positioning device includes an antenna, a receiving module, a processing module and an output module. The receiving module receives positioning signals transmitted by positioning satellites and a position signal of another positioning device using the antenna. The processing module determines a position of the positioning device according to the positioning signals, and calculates a distance between the positioning device and another positioning device according to the position signal of the position device and the position signal of the other positioning device. The output module outputs the distance. A method for measuring the distance between the positioning devices is also provided.