Determining Attitude (ipc) Patents (Class 342/357.36)
  • Patent number: 11855745
    Abstract: A radio communication route enables communication from an originating ground station to a destination ground station via one of multiple randomly orbiting satellites with no attitude control. The ground stations and satellites include directional antennas for receiving radio signals from and transmitting radio signals in multiple directions. The satellites store an address of a destination ground station from which an initial information signal is transmitted and antenna information identifying the satellite antenna on which the initial information signal was received. Plural satellite antennas transmit linking information identifying the satellite to the originating ground station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Star Mesh LLC
    Inventor: Gerald R. Schloemer
  • Patent number: 11808866
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a portable Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). An exemplary surveying system comprises: a total station; a GNSS device; a coupling mechanism for coupling the GNSS device with the total station; wherein the system is configured to: determine, based on one or more outputs from the GNSS device, whether a set of GNSS signals is available; in accordance with a determination that the set of GNSS signals is available, determine a position of a point based on the set of GNSS signals; in accordance with a determination that the set of GNSS signals is not available, automatically determine a position of the point based on an angular measurement and a distance measurement with respect to the point obtained by the total station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Javad GNSS, Inc.
    Inventor: Javad Ashjaee
  • Patent number: 11659406
    Abstract: Methods of auto-calibrating antennas in a target environment are provided including obtaining a map and associated scale of the target environment; displaying the map to a user on a user display device; discovering a plurality of antennas present in the target environment; illustrating the discovered plurality of antennas on the map; repositioning at least some of the plurality antennas on the map; locking selected ones of plurality of antennas into a current position to provide a plurality of locked antennas, wherein the plurality of locked antennas is equal to zero or greater; and auto-calibrating a remaining plurality of unlocked antennas, wherein auto-calibrating includes moving each of the remaining plurality of unlocked antennas from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Wiser Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Edward-Austin Hollar, Ryan Michael Tedrick
  • Patent number: 11650324
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus determines an estimated position of an object. Navigation information that includes a sequence of quantized measurements is received. Each quantized measurement has a corresponding quantization error that is negatively correlated with the quantization error of a prior quantized measurement. The apparatus iteratively performs a navigation update operation that includes determining a state and a covariance matrix of the object for a current iteration based on a state and covariance matrix in a prior iteration. The state includes an end quantization error and a start quantization error. The covariance matrix includes end and start covariance values corresponding to the end and start quantization errors, respectively. Determining the state and the covariance matrix for the current iteration includes replacing the start quantization error with the end quantization error determined in a prior iteration, and updating the state and the covariance matrix via a Kalman filter update operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen F. Rounds
  • Patent number: 11609346
    Abstract: Determining vehicle orientation based on GNSS signals received by three antennas that are logically combined into two pairs, with one antenna common for both pairs. GNSS receiver measures first carrier phase difference within each pair of antennas, represented as sum of an integer number of periods of the carrier frequency and a fractional part of the period. The fractional parts are used to compute orientation of the vector connecting the antennas phase centers within each pair, excluding integer ambiguity resolution. Vehicle attitude is calculated from the orientation of two non-collinear vectors with a common origin, measured by two pairs of antennas. Each antenna has an RF front end. All RF front ends, heterodynes, digital navigation processors of this receiver are clocked from one common clock oscillator. All carrier phase measurements of the three antennas are performed on a common time scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Nikolaevich Vasilyuk, Mikhail Yurievich Vorobiev, Dmitry Konstantinovich Tokarev, Alexandr Vladimirovich Doronin, Sergey Ivanovich Tychinskiy
  • Patent number: 11399291
    Abstract: Methods of auto-calibrating antennas in a target environment are provided including obtaining a map and associated scale of the target environment; displaying the map to a user on a user display device; discovering a plurality of antennas present in the target environment; illustrating the discovered plurality of antennas on the map; repositioning at least some of the plurality antennas on the map; locking selected ones of plurality of antennas into a current position to provide a plurality of locked antennas, wherein the plurality of locked antennas is equal to zero or greater; and auto-calibrating a remaining plurality of unlocked antennas, wherein auto-calibrating includes moving each of the remaining plurality of unlocked antennas from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Wiser Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Edward-Austin Hollar, Ryan Michael Tedrick
  • Patent number: 11333501
    Abstract: A navigation device may include a GNSS data editing part, an attitude angle calculating part, and a speed calculating part. The GNSS data editing part may generate GNSS attitude angle estimation data and GNSS speed estimation data by using first GNSS data based on a GNSS signal received by a first antenna, and second GNSS data obtained at a shorter cycle than the first GNSS data based on a GNSS signal received by a second antenna. The attitude angle calculating part may estimate an integrated attitude angle based on the IMU angular velocity outputted from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and the GNSS attitude angle estimation data. The speed calculating part may estimate an integrated speed based on an IMU acceleration outputted from the IMU, the GNSS speed estimation data, and the integrated attitude angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Toda, Masashi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11169278
    Abstract: A device and a method for detecting an erroneous determination of a geographical position of a vehicle. The device includes a sensor that is configured to determine a first yaw rate of the vehicle, a satellite navigation receiver that is configured to receive satellite signals during a predetermined time period, to determine a multiplicity of geographical positions of the vehicle on the basis of the received satellite signals, and to determine a geographical reference position of the vehicle on the basis of the multiplicity of geographical positions, and a processor that is configured to determine a second yaw rate of the vehicle on the basis of the determined geographical reference position of the vehicle, and to compare the first yaw rate with the second yaw rate in order to detect the erroneous determination of the geographical position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Zalewski, Burkhard Kessler, Sergey Azarkevich, Holger Faisst
  • Patent number: 10998962
    Abstract: A radio communication route enables communication from an originating ground station to a destination ground station via one of multiple randomly orbiting satellites with no attitude control. The ground stations and satellites include directional antennas for receiving radio signals from and transmitting radio signals in multiple directions. The satellites store an address of a destination ground station from which an initial information signal is transmitted and antenna information identifying the satellite antenna on which the initial information signal was received. Plural satellite antennas transmit linking information identifying the satellite to the originating ground station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Star Mesh LLC
    Inventor: Gerald R. Schloemer
  • Patent number: 10895638
    Abstract: A radar detection system according to the present disclosure is a radar detection system that detects an obstacle to an aircraft in an airport. The radar detection system includes a radar apparatus, and a control apparatus. The radar apparatus detects an obstacle by transmitting and receiving a radar signal, and acquires obstacle information regarding the obstacle detected based on the received radar signal. The control apparatus switches the operation of the radar apparatus according to the aircraft state of the aircraft. The control apparatus turns off the radar apparatus when the aircraft takes off, and turns on the radar apparatus when the aircraft makes a landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shutai Okamura, Takeshi Hatakeyama, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Tsutomu Uenoyama
  • Patent number: 10884094
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for acquiring and tracking a satellite signal with an antenna. In one embodiment, the method comprises a) perturbing one or more of roll, pitch and yaw angles of an antenna orientation to create variant orientations associated with a first search pattern; b) computing new scan and polarization angles, in response to perturbed roll, pitch and yaw angles, for each of the variant orientations; c) receiving a radio-frequency (RF) signal from a satellite for each of the variant orientations; d) generating one or more receiver metrics representing a received RF signal associated with each of the variant orientations; e) selecting, as a new orientation, one of the variant orientations based on the one or more receiver metrics; and f) repeating a)-e) with the new orientation with a second search pattern narrower than the first search pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KYMETA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikala Johnson, Timothy Mason, Bruce Rothaar, Todd Richard Czerner
  • Patent number: 10876835
    Abstract: Technologies for tracking and locating underground assets include a survey instrument having an asset tracking device. The asset tracking device determines a current geographic location of the survey instrument and a heading of a sensor group of the survey instrument when aimed at a target measurement point of an underground asset. The asset tracking device measures the distance between the sensor group and the target measurement point of the underground asset. The asset tracking device also determines the pitch of the sensor group when aimed at the target measurement point of the underground asset. The effective height of the sensor group relative to the elevation at the survey location is also determined. The asset tracking device determines the geographic location and a corresponding depth of the target measurement point on the underground asset based on the determined and measured information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HOWELL ASSET LOCATOR, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Howell, Matthew B. Sunday, Joseph H. Althaus
  • Patent number: 10802155
    Abstract: A method and a system for defecting cross correlation in a satellite navigation receiver (SNR) in real time are provided. The SNR parallelly receives navigation signals from multiple satellites via multiple input channels. The SNR extracts ephemeris data from sub-frames of navigation data of each of the navigation signals. The SNR compares the ephemeris data of each navigation signal with the ephemeris data of another navigation signal. The SNR detects cross correlation between the navigation signals when the ephemeris data comparison results in a match and discards the navigation signal with low signal strength. The SNR also retrieves a ranging code from the sub-frames of navigation data of each navigation signal. The SNR compares the ranging code with a pre-programmed satellite identity code of a corresponding satellite. The SNR detects cross correlation when the code comparison results in a mismatch and discards the navigation signal with the mismatched ranging code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ACCORD IDEATION PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventor: Vyasaraj Guru Rao
  • Patent number: 10759519
    Abstract: Systems for compensating for force fighting in multi-actuator systems are provided. A drive controller unit comprises a first feedforward controller in communication with a first actuator and configured to receive a drive command signal. A first feedback regulator is configured to output a first feedback input into the first feedforward controller, and to receive as input a first actuator position and a first actuator force. The drive controller unit further comprises a second feedforward controller in communication with a second actuator and configured to receive the drive command signal. A second feedback regulator is configured to output a second feedback input into the second feedforward controller, and to receive as input a second actuator position and a second actuator force. The drive controller unit utilizes both feedforward controllers and both feedback regulators to minimize force fighting while driving a common aileron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Blanding, Jeffrey Coffman, Jimmy Quiambao, Neal Van Huynh
  • Patent number: 10754044
    Abstract: An antenna enclosure includes a sensor and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna. Within the antenna enclosure, sensor data is combined with GNSS information to produce a RF communication signal, wherein the sensor data is out-of-band from the GNSS information. The RF communication signal is transmitted utilizing a GNSS antenna data link to a receiver side. On the receiver side, the RF communication signal is split into a GNSS RF path and a sensor RF path. The GNSS signals are transmitted to the GNSS receiver via the GNSS RF path. A sensor RF communication signal is de-modulated, and the sensor data is transmitted to the GNSS receiver. When the GNSS antenna data link is bi-directional, information may be transmitted from the GNSS receiver to the antenna enclosure via the GNSS antenna data link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NovAtel Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell James Anklovitch
  • Patent number: 10564289
    Abstract: The positioning signals broadcast by the GNSS constellations on civilian frequencies are likely to be counterfeited, while the use of authentic signals is becoming increasingly critical for certain applications. According to the invention, the authentication of GNSS signals is performed by analysis of consistency between the measurements of parameters characteristic of the signals (direction of arrival, amplitude, phase) and their state model, said state model taking account of an emulation by software and electronic means of displacements of the phase centre of the antenna and/or of the main lobe of the radiation pattern. Advantageously, these displacements are generated by a pseudo-random code. Advantageously, the analysis of consistency between measurements and models is a multiple-criterion analysis, the combination of criteria being chosen as a function of a reception quality indicator and/or of a presumed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES
    Inventor: Lionel Ries
  • Patent number: 10515483
    Abstract: Presenting a visualization of antenna radiation patterns may include sending a request to a server for up-to-date information regarding an antenna mode; receiving the request at the server and reading a register value for the antenna mode; responding, by the server, with updated antenna mode information; and overlaying antenna radiation patterns on an image based on the mode information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Kapil R. Dandekar, Cem Sahin, Logan J. Henderson, Danh H. Nguyen, James J. Chacko, Xaime Rivas Rey
  • Patent number: 10499555
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, at least one obstruction sensor, at least one state sensor, and circuitry. A work device is attachable to the vehicle body. The at least one obstruction sensor is provided on the vehicle body to detect an obstruction to the work vehicle. The at least one state sensor is provided on at least one of the vehicle body and the work device to detect at least one state of the vehicle body and the work device. The circuitry is configured to determine an obstruction detection area based on the at least one state detected by the at least one state sensor, and to determine whether the obstruction exists within the obstruction detection area based on a sensor signal from the at least one obstruction sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yushi Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 10483629
    Abstract: The Antenna Beam Pointing System is a novel system and method to point a satellite terminal antenna beams to a satellite in near-circular orbit. Unlike other methods, the system described herein relies on the satellite orbital equations of motion to estimate its position with any precision, using a finite-term algebraic expression, and the satellite terminal position information. The system can point to the satellite as a function of the beamforming capabilities of the phased array antenna or the driving system of a mechanically steered antenna. Satellite acquisition could be attained within one second because of the long-term prediction of the orbital equations of motion with programmed initial orbit conditions and the antenna beamwidth which is wide enough to encompass the satellite uncertainty box in orbit. The system could be used with a beacon signal strength indicator or a correlating signal. The system is also applicable for satellites in elliptical orbits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Octavio Cesar Silva
  • Patent number: 10473789
    Abstract: A system for measuring the position of an asset is provided. The system includes a first plurality of global positioning system (GPS) sensors arranged on a first asset, and a reference position source arranged on the first asset. One or more computer processors is provided in communication with a memory and is configured to measure position data associated with the first asset from the outputs of the first plurality of GPS sensors, and calculate a measurement offset between the measured position data associated with the first asset and position data obtained from the reference position source. From these measurements, position data measurements obtained from the plurality of GPS sensors of the first asset may be corrected using the calculated measurement offset. Likewise, position data measurements obtained from a plurality of GPS sensors of a second asset, located remotely from the first asset, are also corrected using the calculated measurement offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Dana L. Day, Leszek J. Sczaniecki
  • Patent number: 10352829
    Abstract: An automatic calibration method of an angle sensor for an automatic drive control system of a farm machine includes the following steps. S1: fixing a steering wheel of the farm machine to make front wheels of a vehicle kept at a fixed angle. S2: collecting a plurality of pieces of current position information of the farm machine, and processing the plurality of pieces of current position information to obtain an average value. S3: establishing a two-wheel farm machine kinematics model based on a center of a rear axle. S4: performing a radius calculation to obtain a set of angle correspondences. S5: rotating the farm machine by a preset angle at a constant speed with the rear axle of the farm machine as a center, and performing S1 through S4. S6: after performing S5 for several times, performing an angle value fitting calculation to obtain a calibration coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHANGHAI HUACE NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Qiang Ren, Jiejun Wang, Xuefeng Shen, Shaoxi Feng, Guangyang Dong
  • Patent number: 10239555
    Abstract: A guidance system identifies a path on a field and then calculates a position and heading of a trailer relative to the path. The guidance system steers a vehicle connected to the trailer based on the calculated trailer position and heading to minimize the trailer positional error and more quickly and accurately align the trailer with the path. The guidance system may align the trailer with the path while steering the vehicle in a reverse direction and may steer the vehicle based on a predicted trailer position and heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLC
    Inventors: Eran D. B. Medagoda, Timothy J. Sullivan, Brendan M. Joiner, Andreas F. Ramm, Tri M. Dang
  • Patent number: 10196086
    Abstract: A method for performing autonomous operation of a vehicle is provided. The method identifies, by at least one processor, an error condition of an electric power steering (EPS) device onboard the vehicle; obtains, by the at least one processor, input trajectory data for the autonomous operation of the vehicle; calculates, by the at least one processor, a feedforward rear steer angle, based on the input trajectory data; calculates, by the at least one processor, a feedback signal of the feedforward rear steer angle; calculates, by the at least one processor, a final steer angle command, using the feedforward rear steer angle and the feedback signal; and operates a steering mechanism of the vehicle using the final steer angle command, to autonomously maneuver the vehicle according to the final steer angle command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pinaki Gupta, Jin-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10164764
    Abstract: In an inter-vehicle communication system, a first terminal included in a first vehicle includes a first control unit that receives a first relative phase between a third vehicle and a second vehicle transmitted by a second terminal included in the second vehicle and calculates, based on the received first relative phase and a second relative phase between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, a third relative phase between the first vehicle and the third vehicle, and the second terminal includes a second control unit that transmits the first relative phase to the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chiaki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10084536
    Abstract: A radio communication route enables communication from an originating ground station to a destination ground station via one of multiple randomly orbiting satellites with no attitude control. The ground stations and satellites include directional antennas for receiving radio signals from and transmitting radio signals in multiple directions. The satellites store an address of a destination ground station from which an initial information signal is transmitted and antenna information identifying the satellite antenna on which the initial information signal was received. Plural satellite antennas transmit linking information identifying the satellite to the originating ground station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Star Mesh LLC
    Inventor: Gerald R. Schloemer
  • Patent number: 10069186
    Abstract: A method and device and a system are disclosed. The method may include: obtaining, by a measurement device, a first image that is obtained by photographing an antenna at a first position (101); mapping M characteristic points included in the first image into a first three-dimensional spatial coordinate system, to obtain M three-dimensional space points that are in the first three-dimensional spatial coordinate system and that have a mapping relationship with the M characteristic points (102), where a first mapping photographing direction is parallel to a direction of an axis in the first three-dimensional spatial coordinate system, and the first mapping photographing direction is obtained by mapping a photographing direction of photographing the first image into the first three-dimensional spatial coordinate system; and obtaining a downtilt of the antenna according to a first angle and/or obtaining an azimuth of the antenna according to a second angle (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yingzhe Li, Hongzhuo Zhang, Li Yang, Yang He
  • Patent number: 10065746
    Abstract: A navigation security module of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives a combination of signals from a location technology, each signal comprising at least a signal identification and location data. The combination of signal identifications is processed against known identifications. If the identification is not found, or if the combination of signal identification is not possible, the signal may be a rogue signal, resulting in a quarantine protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Fortinet, INc
    Inventors: Naga Kishore Reddy Tarimala, Anil Kaushik
  • Patent number: 10054687
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for detecting false Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite signals. False GNSS satellite signals can be used malevolently to take control of a body such as a vehicle or ship that is using GNSS satellite signals for navigation. In some embodiments a GNSS attitude system is used to detect the false GNSS satellite signals. The GNSS attitude system measures the code or carrier phase of the GNSS satellite signals at two or more antennas to detect the false GNSS satellite signals. In some embodiments the attitude system computes first measured and second estimated carrier phase differences in order to detect the false GNSS satellite signals. The attitude system may compute the attitude of a baseline vector between the two antennas. Once false GNSS satellite signals are detected, the method can include preventing the attitude determining system from outputting position or location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hemisphere GNSS Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 9939532
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed towards a method for determining a heading for a hybrid navigation system with magnetometer aiding. The method includes receiving signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites, obtaining three-dimensional inertial measurements from one or more inertial sensors, and obtaining three-dimensional magnetic measurements from one or more magnetometers. Magnetic bias states are estimated for the three-dimensional magnetic measurements with a magnetic calibration filter using the three-dimensional inertial measurements, data from the signals from the plurality of GNSS satellites, and the three-dimensional magnetic measurements. An artificial heading is calculated based on the magnetic bias states. A main navigation solution can be estimated with a main navigation filter using the three-dimensional inertial measurements, data from the signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites, and the artificial heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Kana, Jindrich Dunik, Milos Sotak
  • Patent number: 9816817
    Abstract: A method of estimating a location of a user terminal is provided. It is based on a difference between a true north and a magnetic north that may estimate a location of a user terminal on a magnetic field map based on a difference between a true north and a magnetic north corresponding to each location of the magnetic field map, and the user terminal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Eun Kim, Yong Kim, Eung Sun Kim, Hyun Gi Ahn
  • Patent number: 9678216
    Abstract: A device for determining the position and orientation of a first body with respect to a second body uses a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmitters on the first body to transmit a short range signal to one or more RF antennas on the second body. The first and second body are near each other and can be moveably coupled. A receiver circuit on the second body uses the plurality of RF signals received by the RF antennas to determine the position and orientation of the first body with respect to the second body. In some embodiments one or more GNSS antennas mounted to the second body will provide the GNSS coordinate system and location such that the position and orientation of both the first body and the second body can be referenced to the GNSS global coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hempishere GNSS, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Feller
  • Patent number: 9605973
    Abstract: Tour guide contents stored in a tour guide apparatus carried by a user at a tour destination are provided with points of interest information and map data. This information includes latitude and longitude information for the site of each point of interest, and information on the providers of the information and the categories of information. The latitude and longitude information is provided for each site in relation to map data. By matching these pieces of latitude and longitude information to the map data, points of interest information can be laid out on the map and displayed. This makes it possible to select interesting site information to be displayed on the map based on the information provider, for example, points of interest information provided by provider A for restaurants and another set of information provided by provider B for hotels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoshi Kobuya, Toru Masano, Motoya Itako, Atsushi Noda, Hiroshi Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9541913
    Abstract: A non-orthogonal six-rod satellite communication in motion servo system and a control method. The system comprises a measurement feedback unit, a control unit, a drive unit and a servo antenna, wherein the measurement feedback unit further comprises an azimuth angle encoder, a pitch position encoder, a roll position encoder, a polarization angle encoder and a data collection card; the control unit further comprises an ACU, a strapdown inertial measurement unit and a six-axis movement control and drive module; and the drive unit further comprises a linear motor, an azimuth turbine worm, a polarization turbine worm and an electric push rod, wherein the linear motor further comprises a first linear motor and a second linear motor; and the electric push rod further comprises a first electric push rod, a second electric push rod, a third electric push rod and a fourth electric push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING AEROSPACE WANDA HI-TECH LTD.
    Inventors: Junliang Shi, Shulun Zhao, Jizhuo Men, Yi Xin, Yuanhang Chen, Ruixin Feng, Yi Xu
  • Patent number: 9445236
    Abstract: A mobile device has a location sensor and a data sensor for collecting data that relates to technical equipment. An area component determines that the mobile device is located in an event area with the potential of occurrence of events in categories. A detection component processes data from the data sensor that is indicative of events. The detection component is active if the mobile device is located in the event area. A recorder component records data from the data sensor in combination with the geographic location of the mobile device. The recorder component is active if a particular event that falls into at least one of the categories has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Markus Aleksy, Bernd Stieger, Mikko Rissanen
  • Patent number: 9373208
    Abstract: Actuation of an access closure such as a garage door may be initiated by a remote control (RC) if a correct authentication code is received by the RC and/or if a designated authorization device such as a mobile phone is within near field communication transceiver range of the RC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Brant Candelore
  • Patent number: 9300388
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for using radio frequency (RF) signals with different beam widths for purposes of balloon-to-balloon communication are described. One example method includes determining a vertical angle between a first balloon and a second balloon, if the vertical angle is below a threshold angle, communicating with the second balloon using a narrow beam RF signal from a communication system of the first balloon, and if the vertical angle is not below the threshold angle, communicating with the second balloon using a wide beam RF signal from the communication system of the first balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus Behroozi, Eric Krenz
  • Patent number: 9285479
    Abstract: An optimum measurement subset with a specified number of elements is generated from a set of input global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. A design matrix and a weight matrix are generated. Values of a set of coefficients corresponding to the set of input GNSS measurements are calculated. The value of a specific coefficient is calculated as the ratio of the change in value of the at least one target parameter resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement to the change in value of the sum of squared residuals resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement. The optimum measurement subset is selected based at least in part on the values of the set of coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond M. O'Connor, Ivan Giovanni Di Federico, Sergey Averin, Daniel Milyutin
  • Patent number: 9134131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the orientation of an object relative to a coordinate system. The apparatus includes a body providing a reference for a local coordinate system. A rotatable sensor array is provided having more than one sensor and a rotational axis about which the rotatable sensor array rotates. A rotational drive system is provided for rotating the rotatable sensor array both to precise positions relative to the local coordinate system and at a precise rate relative to the local coordinate system. An angular position indicator to measure the angular position of the rotatable sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Icefield Tools Corporation
    Inventor: Erik Blake
  • Publication number: 20150145720
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide coarse attitude determination without inertial sensor input. An attitude determination module can be configured to compare receiver-calculated values with expected values based on an antenna gain pattern. The differences between calculated and expected values can be used to generate an attitude plane. Platform attitude can be determined from the inclination of the attitude plane with respect to a horizontal reference plane. By way of example, platform roll and pitch can be determined for a receiver unit mounted on an agricultural vehicle. The roll and pitch values provided by the ADM can be used to improve the accuracy of receiver-calculated geo-positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Matthews
  • Patent number: 8948238
    Abstract: Apparatus, the apparatus having at least one processor and at least one memory having computer-readable code stored thereon which when executed controls the at least one processor to perform a method comprising: obtaining in-phase and quadrature samples of a received radio signal at least first and second discrete instances in time; processing the samples to provide information relating to the amplitude and/or phase of the received radio signal at the first and second instances in time; using the amplitude and/or phase information of the received radio signal at the first and second instances in time to determine whether interference is present on the received radio signal; forwarding the complex signal parameters for processing if interference is determined not to be present; and discarding the complex signal parameters without forwarding them for processing if interference is determined to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Ville Valtteri Ranki, Antti Paavo TapaniKainulainen, Fabio Belloni
  • Patent number: 8890747
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining a lateral velocity and a longitudinal velocity of a vehicle equipped. The vehicle includes only one antenna for a GPS receiver and a magnetic compass. A magnitude of a velocity vector of the vehicle is determined. A course angle with respect to a fixed reference using the single antenna GPS receiver is determined. A yaw angle of the vehicle is measured with respect to the fixed reference using a magnetic compass. A side slip angle is calculated as a function of the course angle and the yaw angle. The lateral velocity and longitudinal velocity is determined as a function of the magnitude of the velocity vector and the side slip angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Flavio Nardi, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Jihan Ryu, Kevin A. O'Dea
  • Publication number: 20140320339
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods determine the rotational position of a spinning object. A satellite positioning system can be used to determine the spatial position of an object, which in turn can be used to guide the object. However, when the object is spinning, such as an artillery shell, then the rotational orientation should be known in order to properly actuate the control surfaces, such as fins, which will also be spinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Interstate Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Steven B. Alexander, Richard Redhead
  • Publication number: 20140266875
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining a working arm point angle of the crane. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver antenna is disposed on a point along a boom assembly of the crane configured to pivot about a pivot point. A location of the pivot point is received. A working arm of the crane is rotated about the pivot point to point in a current direction. A current location of the GNSS receiver antenna is determined. A current working arm pointing angle relative to a reference direction for the current direction of the working arm is determined based on the current location of the GNSS receiver antenna and the location of the pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Trimble Navigation Limited
  • Patent number: 8779971
    Abstract: A method for determining a spatial orientation of a body, including receiving, by receiving equipment located with the body, at least three electromagnetic signal sets, each of the received signal sets having been transmitted by a different one of at least three separate transmitters at different locations, detecting, for each one of the received signal sets, information that partially defines a direction from the body to the transmitter from which the signal set was received, the detected information including one of two angles that fully define an arrival direction from which the body received the signal set in relation to a body frame, the detected information not including a second of the two angles, and determining the spatial orientation of the body, including yaw, pitch, and roll angles relative to a navigation frame, using the detected information for each one of the received signal sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Wellington
  • Patent number: 8736454
    Abstract: A microprocessor controlled security tag and accompanying security system is described. The tag generally includes a housing having external contacts to interface with elongated contacts on a connecting band. The band forms a complex impedance circuit with a patient's limb that allows detection features such as removal and band compromise. A microprocessor and related circuitry as well as a transmitter and receivers are enclosed in the housing. The tag is adapted to communicate inductively with an activator/deactivator unit as well as a tag programmer that updates and changes tag features in the tag firmware. The overall system further includes a hub to receive the data from a plurality of tags in the system. The tag can also communicate with a phased multiple antenna that sends signals to the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Innovative Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Kron, Richard E. Halbach, James Stoffer, Mark J. Kieckhefer
  • Patent number: 8711035
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods determine the rotational position of a spinning object. A satellite positioning system can be used to determine the spatial position of an object, which in turn can be used to guide the object. However, when the object is spinning, such as an artillery shell, then the rotational orientation should be known in order to properly actuate the control surfaces, such as fins, which will also be spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Interstate Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Steven B. Alexander, Richard Redhead
  • Patent number: 8665145
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the heading angle of a vehicle includes first and second antennas associated with the vehicle. The first and second antennas are configured to receive signals comprising global positioning system data. A receiver front end is configured to receive the signals comprising global positioning system data. An electronic data processor is capable of receiving the global positioning system data from the receiver front end. The data processor is configured or programmed to execute a method to determine the attitude of the vehicle which may include the heading angle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Navcom Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Dai, Yunfeng Shao, Daniel J. Eslinger
  • Patent number: 8638257
    Abstract: A GNSS receiver utilizes an antenna structure that two or more antennas that are spaced apart from their neighboring antennas by less than 1 wavelength of a GNSS satellite carrier signal of interest. The receiver calculates the orientation of the antennas directly from differences in the carrier phase angles measured at the two antennas, without resolving integer carrier cycle ambiguity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Novatel, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick C. Fenton
  • Publication number: 20130342395
    Abstract: A method and system for determining bending angle and/or the presence of atmospheric ducting on a moving vehicle, including receiving a first GPS signal from a first GPS satellite having an apparent position less than 10 degrees above the horizon; determining a true position of the first GPS satellite from information encoded in the first GPS signal; the first and second antennae receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites located more than 15 degrees above the horizon; determining an orientation of a baseline between the first and second antennae based on a phase difference of a carrier frequency of the GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites positioned at least 15 degrees above the horizon; determining an apparent position of the first GPS satellite from the first GPS signal and the baseline orientation; and determining the bending angle by calculating the difference between the elevation angle of the apparent position and the elevation angle of the true position of the first GPS satelli
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: The Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gerald Nedoluha, Thomas L. Ainsworth
  • Publication number: 20130328716
    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. The system includes an AISG compliant tilt sensor system mounted in-line between a telecommunications antenna enclosure and a communications cable, and positioned to measure the elevation tilt and slant of a telecommunications antenna enclosure relative to a reference axis. The system includes the ability to connect to and remotely control a plurality of remote electrical tilt control units through only a single connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Hendrikus A. Le Sage