Determining Position (ipc) Patents (Class 342/357.25)
  • Publication number: 20110298657
    Abstract: A method of tracking a position of a transmitting apparatus in a sensor network is provided. The transmitting apparatus may receive Global Positioning System (GPS) information from each of satellites, may extract satellite time information and satellite identification information from the GPS information, may generate a transmission frame together with receiving time information and apparatus identification information, and may transmit the transmission frame to a receiving apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Heyung Sub LEE, Sang Hyun Mo
  • Publication number: 20110298658
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to positioning systems and location determination using measurement stitching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wyatt Thomas Riley, Douglas Neal Rowitch, Dominic Gerard Farmer
  • Patent number: 8072372
    Abstract: In the first positioning, a positioning process that calculates the present position based on acquired GPS satellite signals (step A3) is performed a plurality of times. A number of times that the difference (position difference) ?P between the calculated present located position and the preceding located position is successively equal to or less than a given value is counted using a position counter, and a number of times that the difference (time difference) ?T between the present time error and the preceding time error is successively equal to or less than a given value is counted using a time counter each time the positioning process is performed (step A5). A position threshold value and a time threshold value are determined by changing a reference threshold value by an amount corresponding to an APR average value (step A7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Nagahara, Shinichi Mitsunaga
  • Publication number: 20110291823
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting unauthorized vehicle movement that includes measuring a resting angle of a vehicle using a vehicle sensor; thereafter, detecting a change in the measured resting angle of the vehicle; determining that the detected change is not authorized; and sending an alert message based on the determination via a vehicle telematics unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Christensen, Daryl L. Carr, Michael D. Solomon, Christopher L. Oesterling
  • Publication number: 20110291881
    Abstract: There is provided a position calculating method including: calculating a pseudorange by receiving a satellite signal from a positioning satellite; and calculating a position using a normal mixture distribution model which expresses distribution of an error included in the pseudorange with normal mixture distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsubasa Shirai
  • Publication number: 20110289008
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a recording medium that includes both i) coordinates that are interoperable with a computerized satellite-based geographical positioning system and usable by that system to determine multiple geographical positions corresponding to a parcel of real estate and ii) other descriptive information corresponding to the parcel, such as photographs, written narrative descriptions, a property name or parcel number, or terms of a proposed transaction involving the parcel. Particular embodiments of the recording medium and uses therefor, such as in facilitating real estate transactions and communicating property descriptions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: William LANDI
  • Publication number: 20110285584
    Abstract: An antenna attitude measuring system includes internal and external electrical components providing data for recording and displaying on a handheld device. The data can be transmitted to a database for access by a network operator. The antenna attitude can be adjusted for maximizing telecommunications network performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Hendrikus A. Le Sage
  • Publication number: 20110289015
    Abstract: Users may browse web pages, interact with a plethora of applications, search for new content, and perform a wide variety of other tasks using a mobile device. Unfortunately, useful content may be difficult for a user to locate because of the large amount of content available (e.g. hundreds of thousands of applications within an application store). Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for determining recommendations are disclosed herein. In particular, user input (e.g., text, numbers, etc.) and/or a user profile (e.g., contextual information relating to a user) may be used to determine a user intent. Recommendations may be determined based upon the user intent. For example, a user may input “I am hungry” using a mobile phone having a GPS location of Downtown and a noon timestamp. Using this information, an application allowing the user to make lunch reservations at local restaurants may be provided as a recommendation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tao Mei, Ying-Qing Xu, Xian-Sheng Hua, Shipeng Li
  • Publication number: 20110279310
    Abstract: A radio wave receiving apparatus includes a plurality of antennas disposed on a circuit board, the plurality of antennas having radiation patterns with different bearings and which indicate a directivity of said antennas upon receipt of radio waves, a storage unit for storing information of the radiation patterns of the plurality of antennas, a detector for detecting a change in the attitude of the circuit board, and a controller for determining a distribution ratio for reception signals received by the plurality of antennas based on the information stored in the storage unit which corresponds to the attitude of the circuit board detected by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Hideto Shibohta
  • Publication number: 20110279311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing a user to obtain a listing of points of interest and associated media content listings based on the user's current geographic location. The user's current geographic location may be determined using, for example, a GPS transceiver incorporated in the user's user access device. Information may then be communicated from a remote server to the user access device that identifies points of interest associated with the geographic location as well as media content listings associated with the points of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Royce Hamano
  • Patent number: 8059027
    Abstract: Systems and methods that mitigate errors in positioning systems, by employing signal strength(s) of signal sources (e.g., towers adjacent to a mobile unit.) Such mitigation system verifies whether the mobile unit receiving GPS data is in static position (e.g., not moving) or is moving (e.g., dynamic position), and evaluates accuracy of the GPS reporting (e.g., discarding GPS data in static position and trusting GPS data in dynamic position).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Moe Khosravy, Lev Novik
  • Publication number: 20110273328
    Abstract: A method of geolocating a stationary transmitter observed by a fixed receiver device and at least two receiver devices, at least one of the receiver devices moving includes obtaining wavelength-scaled phase difference measurements between pairs of receiver devices, and obtaining a result lattice of possible locations of the transmitter, one location more probable than the remainder. A method of geolocating a moving transmitter observed by a plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices, and a moving receiver device, includes obtaining wavelength-scaled phase difference measurements from the plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices to obtain a shape of the transmitter trajectory, measuring the phase difference between the moving receiver device and at least one of the plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices to obtain a phase error residual, and moving an estimated starting point of the transmitter to obtain a best-fit residual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: RINCON RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Noel Parker
  • Publication number: 20110276216
    Abstract: A cruise control includes an input (225) for speed-related data, a hill angle sensor (230), and a cruise controller (210) having a throttling control output (215) and control conditions responsive to both the speed-related data and to the hill angle sensor (230) to determine whether to increase or decrease the throttling control output or leave the throttling control output unchanged. Other cruise control apparatus and processes and automotive vehicles are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Anthony S. Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20110273327
    Abstract: A data model containing orbital parameters is stored in a mobile device. When a First Fix is required by a GNSS system within the mobile device, these stored orbital parameters are used to rapidly generate accurate satellite trajectory data model. The stored orbital parameters may be modified in part or in whole as required by changing coefficients of the stored parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Chin-Tang Weng, Wei Guan Yau
  • Patent number: 8054218
    Abstract: A remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display device for displaying graphical indicia within a GPS system transmitting a plurality of GPS signals to the device display device. The device employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The device includes an integrated circuit structure having a GPS signal receiver, a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly and an antenna structure. A signal transmitting structure transmits signals from the antenna structure to the remote activator module. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the remote activator module, using the antenna structure. An on-board battery power structure, operably connected to the integrated circuit structure, supplies electrical power the integrated circuit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Gelbman
  • Publication number: 20110270673
    Abstract: In general, this specification relates to content presentation. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of presenting one or more content items to a user, each content item being associated with a conversion location; logging an identifier for each of the one or more content items presented to the user; receiving a location and user identifier from the user; using the user identifier to identify the one or more content items presented to the user and comparing, using one or more processors, the location to the conversion location of the one or more content items presented to the user; and logging a conversion for a particular presented content item having a conversion location matching the received location. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer W. Lin, Anita Krishnakumar, Ravi Jain
  • Publication number: 20110267171
    Abstract: A sensor-location system for locating sensors in a tract covered by an earth-based sensor network. The sensor-location system includes at least one sensor-identification device, and at least one sensor locator. The sensor-identification device is affixed to a respective sensor in the earth-based sensor network. The sensor locator is configured for use from on board of an aircraft. In addition, the sensor locator is configured to acquire geographic-location data of said sensor including an identifying signature from the sensor-identification device of the sensor in the tract covered by the earth-based sensor network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Zhiyong LI, Peter G. Hartwell
  • Publication number: 20110270467
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a carrier for automotive safety testing wherein the movement of the carrier is controlled by an external guidance system, so that the carrier follows a determined route during the automotive safety testing. The actual position of the carrier is typically determined by a GPS system, while the desired position and velocity of the carrier are provided by a wireless transmitter, typically a W-LAN router receiving data from a PC or similar external source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Hermann Steffan, Andreas Moser, Saeed Al-Ghaamdi Ali, Florian Nyvelt
  • Publication number: 20110264615
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods, etc. for location source determination. For example implementations, a method is described in which a request for a location of a user that is associated with a logical identifier is obtained. A determination may be made as to which type(s) of information (e.g., geographical information, calendar information, online information, etc.) is (are) to be used to obtain a location of the user based at least in part on one or more rules that are associated with the user. Other example implementations are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajeev D. Rajan, Arnold Jason Gum, Vineet Mittal
  • Publication number: 20110264529
    Abstract: The management of tracking units with a map representative of a geographic area is provided. A base address corresponding to a specific location on the map is received, and a plurality of boundary outlines circumscribing sub-segments of the map are generated. The boundary outlines correspond to cartographic boundaries within the geographic area, with each cartographic boundary having a predetermined number of fulfillment locations. An aggregate boundary outline based upon a selection of one or more contiguous boundary outlines is generated. Fulfillment indicators representative of a position on the map generally corresponding to the fulfillment locations is received, and overlaid on the map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Casey Conlan, Jason Gann
  • Publication number: 20110260913
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a measurement cycle in a satellite signal receiver is described. The method includes adjusting a measurement cycle in a satellite signal receiver by computing a position state comprising at least one of a velocity and a heading of the satellite signal receiver, detecting a change in the position state, and automatically adjusting a frequency of said measurement cycle in response to the change in the position state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Charles Abraham
  • Publication number: 20110264940
    Abstract: Managing use of a location sensor on a computing device for energy efficiency. The location sensor is briefly initialized to measure the signal quality. The measured signal quality is compared to pre-defined signal criteria values. The signal criteria values correspond to acceptable energy consumption, for example. If the signal criteria values are satisfied, location information for the computing device is obtained. Otherwise, the location sensor is disabled without obtaining the location information. In some embodiments, a lower-energy location sensor is used to obtain location information to determine whether to enable a higher-energy location sensor based on expected energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jyh-Han Lin, Gang Zhao, Timothy David Sharpe
  • Patent number: 8046169
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Andrew, LLC
    Inventors: Selcuk Mazlum, John Carlson, Martin Alles, George Maher
  • Publication number: 20110254731
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tracking system configured to track a product and/or an activity. The tracking system comprises a tracing device and a verification server. The tracing device is coupled with the verification server by means of communication means configured to allow exchange of data between the tracing device and the verification server. The tracing device is coupled with a first satellite localization receiver which is configured to receive signals from a satellite localization system, process the received signals to obtain satellite localization observables, and compute locations based on the satellite localization observables. The tracing device is configured to acquire from the first satellite localization receiver positioning data. The positioning data comprise a location computed by the first satellite localization receiver, and a location time which represents time and data at which the location is computed by the first satellite localization receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: TELESPAZIO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mario Musmeci
  • Publication number: 20110250937
    Abstract: Method of tracking race participants via the Global Positioning System, providing near real time feedback to the race participant, and optionally to others individuals or to publication on the web at the user's preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Jason R. Hubbard, Floyed Jeffries Duncan, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110248885
    Abstract: A location calculating method includes acquiring measurement information by receiving satellite signals from positioning satellites and storing the acquired measurement information in a storage unit in association with acquisition time, calculating movement information that includes a movement direction and a movement distance by using a detection result of a sensor unit that at least includes an acceleration sensor and storing the calculated movement information in the storage unit in association with calculation time, and calculating a location at desired time by using at least the measurement information of which the acquisition time satisfies a predetermined proximity time condition and the movement information of which the calculation time is between the acquisition time of the measurement information and the given desired time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naganobu Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110248886
    Abstract: A method of determining a location of an event of interest by processing signals from a satellite positioning system comprises periodically recording blocks of data samples of a satellite broadcast. In response to a request for a position determination at a particular time, a most recent block of data samples is processed in an attempt to obtain a position fix. If unsuccessful, the method further comprises processing blocks of data samples which were recorded further back in time in a sequence to make further attempts to obtain a position fix, until a position fix is obtained. The blocks of data samples used for the further attempts are irregularly spaced in time, for example more densely populated in relatively recent time than in relatively ancient time with respect to the particular time. This enables the processing resource in attempting to obtain a position fix to be allocated efficiently, thereby reducing power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Chris Marshall
  • Publication number: 20110249122
    Abstract: A location-based operating method for a head mounted display apparatus is provided. The method can be performed by one or more components of a mobile computing system and remote computing systems. The method obtains location data corresponding to the head mounted display apparatus, and processes the location data to determine a geographic position of the head mounted display apparatus. The method continues by controlling display characteristics of the head mounted display apparatus in response to the geographic position of the head mounted display apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nicole Tricoukes, Patrick Riechel, Tom Roslak
  • Publication number: 20110246019
    Abstract: An energy map for a motor vehicle and a method of making the energy map are disclosed. The energy map includes energy information related to energy consumption and energy recharging of various power sources along various roadway segments. A probe vehicle is used to measure energy consumption and energy recharging for various power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Mineta
  • Publication number: 20110246338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing installation information. In one embodiment the method comprises obtaining, via an installation application on a mobile device comprising at least one processor, identification information for at least one component of an installation; obtaining, via the installation application, position information for the at least one component; and generating, via the installation application, a template for indicating a physical layout of at least a portion of the installation based on the identification information and the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Chris Eich
  • Patent number: 8032112
    Abstract: The number of messages required in networks where both location and presence services are deployed may be reduced, by retrieving presence data from messages otherwise intended to provide only location information. Thus, information determined in a location service scheme is utilized to provide a presence service as well. A location server requests mobile subscriber (MS) information from a Core Network (CN) Node (i.e. HLR, MSC, etc.) that can be used in determining the Location of the MS. A single message aggregates retrieval of information for two services, specifically, for both location and presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon John Hines, Mario G. Tapia, Will Cousins, Patrick Carey
  • Publication number: 20110234454
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing location determination in a configured environment in which Global Navigation Satellite System Signals are not available. In this regard, local beacon systems generate spread spectrum CDMA signals that are received by spectral compression units that derive physically meaningful observations without a requirement for correlation of the intercepted energy by means of the known spreading codes. The invention can coexist with communication assets already in place, and the design allows for self calibration, which simplifies installation and usage. The invention has utility in applications in which GNSS signals are unavailable or limited, for example, in warehouse inventory management, in search and rescue operations and in asset tracking in indoor environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: LOCTRONIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Mathews, Kenn L. Gold, Peter F. MacDoran
  • Patent number: 8022865
    Abstract: A terminal device includes a plurality of search channel sections which search for a positioning satellite, a candidate reception frequency calculation section which calculates a candidate reception frequency of a first acquisition target satellite by causing the search channel sections to perform the correlation accumulation process for a first accumulation time, a candidate frequency confirmation section which confirms reliability of the candidate reception frequency by causing the search channel sections to perform the correlation accumulation process for a second accumulation time longer than the first accumulation time, a final frequency calculation section which calculates a final frequency by causing the search channel sections to perform the correlation accumulation process for a third accumulation time longer than the second accumulation time, and a first difference calculation section which calculates a difference between an estimated synchronization frequency corresponding to each first acquisition
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Imafuku, Mikio Nagahara, Shunichi Mizuochi, Akifumi Hayashi, Tomoyuki Kurata
  • Publication number: 20110224505
    Abstract: A user wearable portable communicative device and a method for establishing a communication between a remote health care monitoring center and a portable communicative device are disclosed. The portable communicative device includes a location tracking module for tracking a current location of the user through a communication network, a plurality of user controllable switches for enabling the user to establish a voice based communicative interaction with a plurality of health care providers present over a remote health care monitoring center, a physiological data collecting module for collecting the physiological data from a plurality of physiological data collecting devices of the user, a motion detecting module for reducing an amount of power consumed by the portable communicative device and a plurality of reminder modules for alerting the user to get a medication at a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: RAJENDRA PADMA SADHU
  • Publication number: 20110225008
    Abstract: A health care monitoring system and network for monitoring a patient's use of medications, physiological conditions, and/or the environment around the patient. The system takes advantage of a hierarchical nodal network to allow for the transfer of information from sensors to authorized users of the network while providing personal control of sensitive information and providing a distributed database structure for increased data security. In one embodiment, sensors transmit information to wearable personal data recorders that use a combination of random access and overwriting to store information in a time-sequenced organization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: RESPIRA DV, LLC
    Inventors: Nabil A. Elkouh, Gregory S. Fallon, Robert Harwood, Matthew J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8019622
    Abstract: A home health point-of-care and administration system having a server system in communication with a plurality of mobile devices associated with care providers. The server system includes modules for staff scheduling, tracking and travel management, visit record and care plan administration, and communications. The server system bidirectionally communicates with a plurality of mobile devices associated with the caregivers to assist in providing home healthcare services, including the ability to better verify visits by caregivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CellTrak Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Kaboff, Steven A. Wegner
  • Publication number: 20110218896
    Abstract: The invention provides various methods and systems for collecting and allocating road use fees. The invention may include receiving funds from a party, wherein the party is responsible for operation of a vehicle. Data indicating where the vehicle has travelled may be received by a computer system. A jurisdiction may be identified where road use fees are due based on where the vehicle has travelled. Fees due to the jurisdiction may be calculated based on the jurisdiction's road use fee schedule. The fee due for road use may be deducted from an account of the vehicle's operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Garry Tonnon, David A. Owen
  • Publication number: 20110210887
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of locating a network device based on the time latency between a request by a user device and the receipt of the request by a plurality of satellite servers provided at different locations. Preferably three or more satellites may be employed. The request may be for an item, which may have a known file size, and which may or may not exist. Triangulation techniques may be utilized to determine the location of the device relative to the satellite servers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Ori Eisen, Steve Pandich, Raz Yalov
  • Publication number: 20110205057
    Abstract: A personal security backpack and method of use include a portable container having a first compartment and a second compartment, the second compartment having an audible alarm siren window for transmission of an audible siren; a strap attached to the portable container; and an alarm system responsive to at least one activation signal, the alarm system includes an alarm system circuit removably disposed in the second compartment; an audible alarm siren operably connected to the alarm system circuit and responsive to the activation signal to generate the audible siren; and a microphone operably connected to the alarm system circuit, the microphone being responsive to the activation signal, responsive to a user voice, and selectively unresponsive to the audible siren to generate a voice signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Edric D. SIZEMORE
  • Publication number: 20110207553
    Abstract: A system and method for locating lost golf balls is described. In one embodiment, a plurality of small RFID chips are applied to or embedded in a ball. When the ball is to be located, a user uses a ball finder to receive RF signals from the RFID chips and locate the ball. The ball finder may have useful additional features such as overlaid maps to help and GIS data to help the user find the ball. In an alternative embodiment, a ball is prepared by applying a highly-reflective paint, such as a metallic paint, or a highly-absorbent paint such as a black iron ball paint, to create a characteristic radar signature for the ball. The ball finder may then be configured to locate the ball using the characteristic radar signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Dion J. Reid, Deron Reid, Bradley K. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20110208425
    Abstract: Techniques describe determining a correlation between identified locations to recommend a location that may be of interest to an individual user. The process constructs a location model to identify locations. To construct the model, the process uses global positioning system (GPS) logs of geospatial locations collected over time and identifies trajectories representing trips of the individual user and extracts stay points from the trajectories. Each stay point represents a geographical region where the individual user stayed over a time threshold within a distance threshold. A location history is formulated for the individual user based on a sequence of the extracted stay points to identify locations. The process determines a correlation between identified locations. The process integrates travel experiences of individual users who have visited the locations in a weighted manner and identifies a common travel sequence which the individual users followed between the locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Lizhu Zhang, Xing Xie
  • Publication number: 20110205108
    Abstract: A method for improving the results of radio location systems that incorporate weighted least squares optimization generalizes the weighted least squares method by using maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability metrics to incorporate characteristics of the specific positioning problem (e.g., UTDOA). Weighted least squares methods are typically used by TDOA and related location systems including TDOA/AOA and TDOA/GPS hybrid systems. The incorporated characteristics include empirical information about TDOA errors and the probability distribution of the mobile position relative to other network elements. A technique is provided for modeling the TDOA error distribution and the a priori mobile position. A method for computing a MAP decision metric is provided using the new probability distribution models. Testing with field data shows that this method yields significant improvement over existing weighted least squares methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: TRUEPOSITION, INC.
    Inventors: Pete A. Boyer, Rashidus S. Mia, Edward J. Segall
  • Publication number: 20110205107
    Abstract: A positioning device including: a time counter for counting time; a first reception controller (S1) for intermittently receiving time information from the positioning satellite through a reception unit; a time revising unit (S14) for revising the time counted by the time counter based on the received time information; an error calculator (S12, S13) for calculating an error per unit time (“?/?”) in the time counted by the time counter based on the received time information and the time counted by the time counter; a time correcting unit (S4) for calculating corrected time by removing an error from the time counted by the time counter based on the calculated error per unit time (“?/?”); and a positioning unit (S5 to S8) for acquiring a signal of the positioning satellite by using the corrected time and measuring a position of the positioning device based on the acquired signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masao Sambongi
  • Publication number: 20110199256
    Abstract: A GPS tracking system for handcuffs and feetcuffs, which includes a sensor, fitted with a GPS tracker, disposed within a mobile restraining device (such as: handcuffs, feetcuffs, police device, and the like). The GPS tracker is provided with a GPS receiving circuit, a microprocessor and a signal transmission circuit, and the sensor detects circumstances regarding the mobile restraining device being illegally opened, which are transmitted to the microprocessor. The GPS receiving circuit is able to receive geographic positioning satellite coordinate signals, after which the geographic positioning satellite coordinate signals are matched with an internal prestored geographic data base to obtain the position of the mobile restraining device, whereupon the position is transmitted to the microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Charles Chu
  • Publication number: 20110199257
    Abstract: Methods and systems for updating altitude information for a location by using terrain model information to prime altitude sensors are disclosed and may include determining an altitude of a wireless device including one or more altimeters. The determination of altitude may include determining a location of the wireless device, receiving an altitude value for the location from an altitude database, and measuring a change in the altitude using the altimeters. The database may include a worldwide terrain database that may be stored on a remote device, such as a server. Part of the database may be stored on the wireless device and may be updated as the wireless device moves. The location may be determined utilizing a global navigation satellite system, which may include GPS, GLONASS, and GALILLEO. The location may be measured utilizing cellular service triangulation or by utilizing one or more access points with known locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Lundgren, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Dave Murray
  • Publication number: 20110199258
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating an initial position in a satellite positioning system using range-rate measurements is described. In one example, range-rate measurements are obtained at the remote receiver with respect to a plurality of satellites. Expected range-rates are computed with respect to the plurality of satellites using the initial position. Single differences are computed using the range-rate measurements. Expected single differences are computed using the expected range-rates. Single difference residuals are computed between the single differences and the expected single differences. The single difference residuals are compared to a threshold. The initial position may be deemed valid if the absolute value of each of the single difference residuals is less than or equal to the threshold. A valid initial position may be used to fix the pseudorange integers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Frank van Diggelen
  • Patent number: 7999728
    Abstract: A system and method for sharing user information between online services may determine a degree of relationship between the services to determine how much, and what precision level, of user information should be shared. In one example, the user information may be global positioning system (GPS) location information for the user, and requesting users (or systems) receive different levels of the location information based on their respective relationships to the user and/or the user's online information service. The relationship between services may be user-defined using onscreen graphical tools. The determination may also include determining the levels of activity of users at the services, whereby information regarding less active users is less detailed than information regarding active users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Can Feng Chen, Panu Akerman, Yu You, Wendong Wang, Yali Cai
  • Publication number: 20110193741
    Abstract: A satellite signal tracking method includes : detecting a situation of movement; calculating an error of the detection; and setting a loop bandwidth of a tracking filter, which is used to track a satellite signal received from a positioning satellite and of which the loop bandwidth can be changed, using the detection result and the calculated error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anand Kumar
  • Publication number: 20110195722
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring individuals or objects including tracking devices having wireless powering/charging features. In one embodiment, an exemplary tracking device may comprise a power receiving device that generates power from wireless energy received from a power transmitter configured to transmit the wireless energy, circuitry configured for processing tracking device location information, and communication circuitry configured to process data related to the wireless tracking device for transmission to an administrative hub that is configured to monitor locations of the individuals or objects based upon the data. Output power from the power receiving device may be used to operate the tracking device. Alternately or in addition, the tracking device may include a battery that provides power to the tracking device and is recharged by the power receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Jerold Michael Walter, James A. Franklin, Roland Joseph Montalbo
  • Publication number: 20110193742
    Abstract: The present invention is related to location positioning systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus of synchronizing to data frames in a positioning system signal. According to one aspect, the invention speeds up the frame synchronization process by computing a frame synchronization metric for each satellite and then combining together the metrics for all tracked satellites together, after compensating for respective signal transit times. Then the invention makes a frame sync decision on the combined satellite metric. In embodiments, an optimal combining algorithm is used based on CNO of each satellite. According to further aspects, the invention further speeds up the frame synchronization process by predicting many bits in the subframe so that more bits are known in addition to the 8-bit preamble. For example, the invention recognizes that many bits in a subframe rarely change or don't change very often. Moreover, the invention uses old ephemeris used to predict new ephemeris parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lennen, Makarand Phatak, William Kerry Keal