Abstract: A satellite navigation system generates a smooth and flexible parameterization of satellite orbits and/or clock corrections. The satellite orbit(s) and/or the satellite clock corrections, are described by a first function system of advancing differentiable functions having a high approximation quality and long range of influence. Satellite orbits and/or clock corrections parameterized from the first function system are transmitted from a central ground processing unit to satellite(s) and then to a user device. (Alternatively, transmission may be effected via only a ground infrastructure.) In addition, a second advancing function system of at least continuous functions of moderate approximation quality and a very short range of influence may be provided, which permits a conversion to the first function system, particularly via the user terminal. Thus, the time required to determine the first navigation information (the time to the first fix) can be significantly shortened.

Abstract: A method to operate a vehicle during a grid-lock traffic condition includes monitoring a vehicle speed, tracking a target vehicle in proximity of the vehicle including monitoring a range to the target vehicle, monitoring activation of a grid unlock mode when the vehicle speed is less than a threshold grid-lock speed, monitoring a location of the vehicle based upon data from a GPS device, monitoring a distance envelope with respect to the vehicle, and controlling operation of the vehicle while the vehicle speed remains less than the threshold grid-lock speed based upon the vehicle speed, the range to the target vehicle, the location of the vehicle, and the distance envelope. Controlling operation of the vehicle includes controlling acceleration of the vehicle, controlling braking of the vehicle, and controlling steering of the vehicle.

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 system and method provides maps identifying the 3D location of traffic lights. The position, location, and orientation of a traffic light may be automatically extrapolated from two or more images. The maps may then be used to assist robotic vehicles or human drivers to identify the location and status of a traffic signal.

Abstract: A positioning-based virtual business operation system includes a seller equipment having a positioning device for acquiring positioning information of the seller equipment and a data transmitting/receiving device for transmitting the positioning information; an operation platform having a business information interface for receiving the positioning information of the seller equipment and updating location information of the seller equipment in the business information interface; and an operator equipment for transmitting operation service information to the operation platform via a network and adjusting service information of the seller equipment or operator information in the business information interface, thereby allowing consumers, mobile sellers, operators of virtual business, and operators of portal sites to benefit from the system and thus creating an all-beneficial business running pattern.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for customized full ephemeris compatible with standard AGPS network devices allows a GPS enabled handset to receive real-time full ephemeris from an AGPS server for calculating a position fix. The real-time full ephemeris may be generated at the AGPS server in response to one or more request for real-time full ephemeris from the GPS enabled handset. The AGPS server may be configured to provide fresh full ephemeris generated at smaller intervals such as every 10-15 minutes as approximated real-time full ephemeris. The generated real-time full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris may be communicated to the GPS enabled handset periodically or aperiodically. Various predicted real-time full ephemeris or predicted fresh full ephemeris compatible with various standards may be generated via Short Term Orbits (STO) technology.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for computing position using instantaneous Doppler measurements from satellites is described. In one example, instantaneous Doppler measurements are measured for a plurality of satellite signals relative to a satellite signal receiver. The instantaneous Doppler measurements are transmitted to a server. Position of the satellite signal receiver is computed at the server using the instantaneous Doppler measurements. In another example, at least one fractional pseudorange is measured between the satellite signal receiver and a respective at least one satellite. At least one instantaneous Doppler measurement is measured for a respective at least one satellite signal relative to the satellite signal receiver. The at least one pseudorange and the at least one instantaneous Doppler measurement are sent to a server. Position of the satellite signal receiver is computed at the server using the at least one pseudorange and the at least one instantaneous Doppler measurement.

Abstract: For managing measurements on signals, a quality of received signals, for which a measurement circuit provides measurement results, is monitored. In the case that the quality does not exceed a set quality before Receive and monitor signal measurements an end of a reporting period, a reporting of measurement results that are available at the end of the reporting period is caused. In the case that the quality exceeds the set quality at a measurement instant before the end of the reporting period, the measurement circuit is put to a sleep mode and a reporting of extrapolated measurement results is caused, the extrapolated measurement results being measurement results from a measurement instant before the measurement circuit was put to a sleep mode extrapolated to the end of the reporting period.

Abstract: A cancellation system that delays the received signals and cancels less than all the received signals from the delayed version of the received signals and a demodulator and despreader unit produces a demodulated and de-spreader and remodulator unit produces a remodulated and respread signal from the demodulated and despread signal with a combiner that produces a combined signal from the delayed version of the received signals and the remodulated and respread signal to identify a low power signal.

Abstract: A method of estimating the position of a first event of interest using a satellite positioning system. The method comprises: performing in response to the first event a satellite reception function; determining at some later time whether it is possible to calculate a position estimate from signals resulting from the satellite reception function; and, if not, estimating the position of the first event based on a position estimate of a second event, wherein the second event is that closest in time to the first for which a position estimate is available. Thus, the method can provide a position estimate for the first event even if the satellite reception function fails.

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 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 the measurement cycle in response to the change in the position state.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for time management in a position-location system is described. The method may include (i) obtaining, at a global-navigation-satellite-system receiver while being served by a first node of a wireless network a first time base, a relative-time difference, and a third time base; and forming a time relation as a function of the first time base, relative-time difference (“RTD”) and third time base. The first time base is associated with the first node, and may be, for example, a time base associated with an air interface for communicating with the first node. The RTD may be a difference between the first time base and a second time base associated with a second node of the wireless network. The third time base is associated with a constellation of satellites, and may be, for example, an absolute time associated with the constellation of satellites. The method may include using knowledge of a GNSS time to enhance sensitivity or time to first position of a GNSS receiver.

Abstract: An electronic device 1 receives ephemeris information from a GPS satellite at intermittent timings TE1, TE2, and TE3 and stores the received information in its memory. In addition, the electronic device 1 receives time information at intermittent timings TC1, TC2, TC3, and TC4, and corrects a clocked time based on the received time information. Then, at positioning timing T1, the electronic device 1 captures a transmission signal from the GPS satellite while synchronizing timing with the GPS satellite based on the clocked time, and performs positioning based on the captured transmission signal and the ephemeris information stored in the memory.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for conveying vehicle driving information. A hazard index indicating a level of driving safety is generated for a plurality of road segments. The generating comprises determining a hazard value for each of the plurality of road segments based on weather conditions data associated with the road segments, road conditions data associated with the road segments, and physical attributes of the road segments, and assigning the hazard value to the associated road segment. Location data associated with a remote device is received. Hazard information associated with one or more of the plurality of road segments and based on the location data and the hazard index is transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an image appended with extra landscape information are disclosed. An image recorder is provided, and having a global-positioning system, an electronic compass, a gyro sensor, and an accelerometer for determining the space information as capturing an image. Under the determination, the space information can include a view angle, a direction, an elevation angle, and a coordinate. The information is used to compare with the content of a database, in order to obtain the landscape information of the image. After that, an image appended with the landscape information is generated. Thereby, the image appended with the landscape information may be used for generating a space map and be a liveview of the recorder.

Abstract: A personal surrogate device has a central processing unit (CPU), a digital memory including a machine readable medium, and a display screen, all interconnected through a bus network, one or more biometric input mechanisms coupled to the bus network, a wireless transceiver, a GPS system, a software suite executing from the machine-readable medium managing functionality of the device, and an identity code stored in the digital memory as a digital string. The code, transmitted via the wireless transceiver, identifies the device as associated with a particular person.

Abstract: Smart footwear includes: a film type insole sensor measuring a change of force applied by a user's foot, as a resistance value; an acceleration sensor measuring an acceleration value according to a change in the motion of the user's foot; and a microcontroller estimating the user's current condition and the quantity of motion based on the resistance value and the acceleration value, and generating user condition information and quantity of motion information.

Abstract: A positioning method includes: capturing a satellite signal from a positioning satellite; predicting a state vector including a position of a positioning device and a velocity of the positioning device based on the satellite signal; predicting a first distance-equivalent value indicating a distance between the positioning satellite and the positioning device; measuring a second distance-equivalent value indicating a distance between the positioning satellite and the positioning device; calculating an observed value indicating a difference between the first distance-equivalent value and the second distance-equivalent value; setting a measurement error for the positioning satellite based on a signal strength of the satellite signal; changing the measurement error based on a capture data indicating a data of capturing of the satellite signal; and correcting the state vector using the observed value, and the changed measurement error.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving position location performance, especially in weak coverage areas, are described herein. A SPS receiver is able to solve for position location in situations where at least two satellite signals can be received but only one time stamp can be successfully demodulated. The receiver can utilize the successfully decoded time reference to determine a time associated with bit edge transitions for signals from that satellite. The receiver utilizes the bit edge transition with the known time to set the time for at least one bit edge transition for signals from other satellites for which the time stamp is not demodulated. The receiver sets the time hypothesis to bit edge transitions occurring within a predetermined window including the bit edge transition with the known time. A position can be determined based on the time hypothesis. The time hypothesis and window placement can be modified following invalid position solutions.

Abstract: A portable user device may provide Global Positioning System (GPS) services. The device may include a GPS unit. The GPS unit may provide accurate information about the current position, direction, and speed of the device. A user may use the device to perform tasks. Certain tasks may generate excess heat that causes the GPS unit to produce erroneous data. Methods can be used to acquire accurate data samples that are associated with the respective tasks. The device may wait for a period of time after the start of a task before acquiring a GPS sample. The device may also buffer GPS samples and to take the most recent buffered sample as the acquired GPS sample. The device may take a GPS sample immediately after the start of a task, before error starts to arise. GPS samples may be buffered and used to calculate an extrapolated data sample value.

Abstract: Estimation calculations for calculating an estimated present position are performed twice corresponding to each satellite set. The estimated present position calculated by the second estimation calculations is determined to be a present position candidate corresponding to the target satellite set. In the first estimation calculations corresponding to the first satellite set, the calculated satellite position and estimated pseudo-range of each GPS satellite are stored in caches. In the second estimation calculations, the satellite position of each GPS satellite is read from the cache. In the first estimation calculations corresponding to the second or subsequent satellite set, the satellite position and the estimated pseudo-range of each GPS satellite are read from the caches, and the satellite position and the estimated pseudo-range of the GPS satellite of which the satellite position and the estimated pseudo-range have not been stored in the caches are calculated and stored in the caches.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals; a communications receiver for receiving historical ephemeris data from an external server; and a processor configured to determine later ephemeris data from the historical ephemeris data and to determine a GPS position fix from the later ephemeris data. In particular, the later ephemeris data may be valid for a time period greater than any single set of the historical ephemeris data.

Abstract: A cell-based vehicle driving control system includes a local server for obtaining road environment information on roads within a cell and target vehicle information on a target vehicle within the cell and generating local waypoints based on the road environment information and the target vehicle information; a global server for monitoring the target vehicle information, the road environment information and local server information on the local server received from the local server; and a vehicle control terminal, mounted in the target vehicle, for receiving the local waypoints from the local server and controlling the target vehicle based on the local waypoints. The road environment information is obtained by using at least one sensor installed on the roads.

Abstract: This application for patent for Forest Fire Control Systems (FFiCS) describes an invention for prevention and control of forest fires (FF). The system comprises strategically located Ignition Detection and Uplink Signaling Towers (IDUSTs), equipped with the Global Positioning System (GPS) and a suitable optical/infrared Scanner and Detector Assembly (SDA), to continually scan the forest region to instantly detect the onset of the initial flames and sparks of any fire (f/s) within the region. The SDA may optionally utilize a Scanner and Accurate Location Calculator (SALC). Upon detecting an f/s, the IDUST instantly transmits relevant data to a Regional Forest Fire Control System (RFFCC) via a suitable communications means, optionally utilizing the Super-Efficient Satellite and Wireless Antenna System (SSWAS).

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, devices, and methods for determining acquisition guard times and acquisition control parameters or distance metrics for terminals in a satellite communication network using triangulation and single terminal ranging. A terminal or multiple terminals from the network may be selected as ranging terminals; the terminals may include normal user terminals used for determining a satellite position or a satellite distance. Ranging terminals may first enter a network and synchronize to TDMA frame timing by adjusting the acquisition control parameters. An adjusted acquisition control parameter may also be called a transmit timing control parameter. A satellite position or a distance difference between a real-time and a nominal satellite position may be estimated from timing control parameters.

Abstract: A method of receiving satellite signals for estimating the location of capture of a photograph by a camera. The method comprises receiving a signal relating to the timing of capture of the photograph; waiting for an interval of non-zero duration; and, after the interval, receiving the satellite signals.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for searching a distress signal and a controlling method thereof. The apparatus for searching a distress signal includes: a beacon receiver receiving the distress signal transmitted from a distress beacon apparatus of a COSPAS-SARSAT system; a decoder decoding the distress signal to acquire distress information; and a display unit displaying the acquired distress information. The apparatus for searching a distress signal is used by a search and rescue team.

Abstract: A method for recording a position of at least one component in a location system of a control system of an industrial facility for an industrial process. A model of the facility is created, including position coordinates for major parts of the facility. The model is stored in a location system storage. A component is identified. A mobile information processing device is placed adjacent the component and position coordinates are detected for the mobile information processing device. Identification information of the component and position coordinates of the mobile information processing device are stored in the location system storage.

Abstract: A mobile device for displaying construction-related documents, including at least one touch-sensitive display surface, at least one image capture device, a rugged casing, and at least one handle. The device may further include a processor, a storage medium, an optical drive, a global positioning sensor, at least one power source and a plurality of external connection ports.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented in various electronic devices to possibly reduce a first-time-to-fix and/or otherwise increase the performance or efficiency of a device by employing a position/velocity estimation process using at least one estimated time relationship parameter.

Abstract: A GPS receiver includes an RF front end for acquiring and tracking a satellite signal and a baseband processor configured to preserve power. The baseband processor includes a GPS engine configured to process the satellite signal and generate a PVT fix, a power supervisory module for receiving the PVT fix, and a user state module that determines an environmental state, wherein the power supervisory module may power down the GPS receiver for a period of time based on a result of the determined environment state. The baseband processor also includes a time-based management module that adjusts the TCXO in response to the determined environmental state. The GPS receiver includes a plurality of operation modes, each of which is associated with a plurality of tracking profiles.

Abstract: A detector for detecting neutrons includes a neutron reactive material interacting with neutrons to be detected and releasing ionizing radiation reaction products in relation to the interactions. It also includes a first semiconductor element being coupled with the neutron reactive material and adapted to interact with the ionizing radiation reaction products and provide electrical charges proportional to the energy of the ionizing radiation reaction products. In addition electrodes are arranged in connection with the first semiconductor element for providing charge collecting areas for collecting the electrical charges and to provide electrically readable signal proportional to the collected electrical charges.

Abstract: A satellite signal reception device has a reception unit that receives a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning information satellite, and a reception control component that controls the reception unit to execute a reception process.

Abstract: A satellite navigation receiver having a flexible acquisition and tracking engine architecture. The flexible acquisition engine has a reconfigurable delay line that can be used either as a single entity or divided into different sections. Consequently, it can be configured to search different satellite vehicles, a single Doppler frequency, and full CA code in parallel. When configuring the delay line into different sections, each section is used to search a partial CA code. In this configuration, multiple Doppler mode, multiple satellite vehicles, multiple Doppler frequencies, and partial CA code can be searched in parallel. Furthermore, the different sections of the CA code can be time-multiplexed into a correlator, which can then be over clocked to achieve full CA code correlation. The flexible tracking engine includes a number of parallel tracking channels, whereby each individual channel has a number of taps or fingers, which can be used to lock onto different delays.

Abstract: An execution method of a position calculating circuit that calculates a position by receiving a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning satellite and that has an externally readable storage section includes: receiving a selection signal for selecting acquired information, which is information acquired from information obtained from the satellite signal, from the outside; selecting the acquired information on the basis of the selection signal; and storing the acquired information in the storage section and outputting a notice signal, which indicates that the acquired information has been obtained, when the acquired information selected from the satellite signal being received is obtained.

Abstract: For enhancing the quality of a relative positioning, a filter is adjusted depending on information on a movement of a satellite signal receiver. A position of the satellite signal receiver is determined relative to a reference station using the filter, wherein measurements on satellite signals received by the satellite signal receiver and measurements on satellite signals provided for the reference station are used as input to the filter. The measurements for the reference station may be received in messages which are assembled and provided for transmission and which may include in addition an indication of a current movement of the reference station.

Abstract: A real-time and localized matching method for group purchase includes the following steps: a group purchase database, which stores information of several present group purchase activities, is provided. A present position of a client is received. Nearby group purchase activities held near the client are sifted from the present group purchase activities and provided to the client. A selection message, which includes information of a group purchase activity selected from the nearby group purchase, is received from the client. The client's shopping list for the selected group purchase activity is obtained from the client to register the client's shopping list to the shopping list of the selected group purchase activity in the group purchase database. The contact information of the selected group purchase activity is transmitted to the client if the registered shopping list of the selected group purchase activity satisfies the discount condition of the selected group purchase activity.

Abstract: A navigation equipment includes a user position observing unit 15 for calculating the position of the navigation equipment by using the pseudo range and position of each GPS satellite, and a pseudo range error, a user velocity and heading observing unit 16 for calculating the velocity of the navigation equipment from a measured range rate, the position of each GPS satellite, and the position of the navigation equipment, and a user heading searching unit 17 for, when a multipath error is smaller than a specified value, searching for, as the heading of the navigation equipment, a heading whose range rate, which is calculated from a relative movement between the navigation equipment when the navigation equipment changes its heading within a predetermined angle range and a GPS satellite, matches the measured range rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented various electronic devices to affect application of a filtering model used for obtaining a navigation solution. In particular, signal characteristics of one or more received signals are used for selecting application of a particular filtering model from a plurality of filtering models.

Abstract: A method and system to record a note regarding a target observed by an observer, determine a location of at least one of the observer or the target, and associate and store the note and the location. Optionally, the method and system further measure a distance between the observer and the target, measure a direction relating the observer and the target, and calculate, based on the location of the observer, the measured distance, and the measured direction a location of the target.

Abstract: A dual-frequency DSP correlator receives I and Q signal components from a down convertor in a GNSS receiver system. The signal components are cross-wiped (de-spread) for noise cancellation and can be combined for use in a processor.

Abstract: Raw measurements for a plurality of GNSS satellites are pruned based on signal to noise ratio (SNR) and elevation; with remaining unpruned raw measurements sorted by SNR into a sorted list of raw measurements. A first dilution of precision (DOP) based selecting process is performed to select an initial candidate list of raw measurements. The first DOP selecting process begins by using at least those of said pruned list of raw measurements which exceed an SNR quality threshold. The initial candidate list of raw measurements is sorted by elevation angle. A second DOP selecting process is performed to select a final candidate list of raw measurements. The second DOP selecting process begins by using at least those of the sorted initial candidate list which an elevation quality threshold. The final candidate list is used in position computation for a present epoch.

Abstract: Data from GPS satellites within the field of view of a ground station are retransmitted to LEO satellites, such as Iridium satellites, and cross-linked if necessary before being transmitted to a user. The user is then able to combine the fed-forward data with data received directly from GPS satellites in order to resolve errors due to interference or jamming. Iridium and data aiding thus provides a means for extending GPS performance under a variety of data-impaired conditions because it can provide certain aiding information over its data link in real time.

Abstract: A system to provide a three-dimensional (3D) location image includes a Global Positioning System device to identify location data corresponding to image data generated by a camera, a transmission unit to transmit the image data and the location data to a 3D location information server, a receiving unit to receive location display data from the 3D location information server, a generation unit to generate 3D location image data using the location display data, and a providing unit to display the 3D location image data. A method for providing a 3D location image includes generating image data, identifying location data associated with the image, transmitting the image data and the location data to a 3D location information server, receiving location display data from the 3D location information server, and generating and displaying 3D location image data using the location display data and the image data.

Abstract: A device for determining a position of a satellite receiver on the basis of data packets that are received from the satellite receiver, include a satellite signal, and are provided with packet sequence marks includes a packet loss detector for detecting, while using the packet sequence marks, whether one or more data packets between two received data packets have been lost, and a data packet processor configured to replace the one or more lost packets by one or more fill-in packets so as to generate a data stream as a sequence of the received data packets and of the fill-in packets inserted in place of the lost data packets. The device further includes a correlator configured to correlate the data stream with a reference data sequence to obtain a correlation result, and a position determiner configured to determine the position of the satellite receiver by means of the correlation result.

Abstract: Provided is a position information providing system which can reduce a time required for acquiring position information. An indoor transmitter is adapted to provide position information by using a second positioning signal compatible with a first positioning signal which is a spread spectrum signal from each of a plurality of satellites. The indoor transmitter includes an EEPROM which stores therein position data for identifying an installation location thereof, an FPGA operable to generate a second positioning signal including the position data as a spread spectrum signal, and a transmitting section operable to transmit the spread spectrum signal. The second positioning signal is generated to repeat the same content in a cycle shorter than that of the first positioning signal.

Abstract: In a system for determining the positions of multiple towed vehicles that are towed by a towing vehicle, a satellite antenna is provided on each towed vehicle and a high accuracy satellite receiver is placed on the towing vehicle, the positions of the towed vehicle of interest being determined by switching its antennae signal through to the satellite receiver.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods and systems anticipating a potentially threatening or dangerous incident, and providing varying levels of response to a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides varying levels of assistance to a user prior to, during, and after a threatening incident occurs. By providing assistance prior to a threatening incident occurring, the system may be able to thwart potential attacks, bodily harm, robberies, break-ins, and other criminal or dangerous activity. The assistance can be, for example, in the form of deterrents, alerting first responders to go to the scene, sending security personnel to the scene, remotely monitoring the scene, remotely interacting with the scene, providing information and advice to the user.

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.