Iso-chronic Type Patents (Class 342/387)
  • Patent number: 9519046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining signal source location in wireless local area networks are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, from a first signal reader, a first time-of-arrival measurement for a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by a first wireless local area network (WLAN) signal source located at a first known location, the first time-of-arrival measurement being relative to a first clock of the first signal reader; receiving, from a second signal reader, a second time-of-arrival measurement for the RF signal, the second time-of-arrival measurement being relative to a second clock of the second signal reader, wherein the first clock is not synchronized with the second clock; defining a first time relationship between the first clock and a system time based on the first time-of-arrival measurement; and defining a second time relationship between the second clock and the system time based on the second time-of-arrival measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Robert W. Boyd
  • Patent number: 9465096
    Abstract: A determining method includes obtaining by each monitoring apparatus among plural monitoring apparatuses disposed encompassing a given area having plural wireless communications apparatuses, hop count information that indicates a hop count of a wireless signal transmitted by one wireless communications apparatus among the wireless communications apparatuses and received by the monitoring apparatus via multi-hop communication by the wireless communications apparatuses; calculating by each monitoring apparatus, an estimated line that represents candidates of a position of the one wireless communications apparatus, the estimated line being calculated from an estimated distance between the monitoring apparatus and the one wireless communications apparatus, based on the hop count; correcting by each monitoring apparatus, the calculated estimated line based on information indicating a node-less area in which no wireless communications apparatus of the given area is present; and determining the position of the one w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshiya Otomo, Koichiro Yamashita, Takahisa Suzuki, Hiromasa Yamauchi, Koji Kurihara, Yuta Teranishi
  • Patent number: 9465892
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a method for associating metadata with a media object is provided. The method provides the ability to tag, or bookmark, a point in time for future use. The method includes receiving the metadata, an associated time condition, and an associated user identification. The method further includes storing at least the time condition. The at least stored time condition is used, at least in part, for associating the metadata with the media object. The media object is then provided to the user. In some embodiments the media object is not available for association with the metadata at the time the metadata is received. In other embodiments, the media object is provided by an external application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: David Ayman Shamma
  • Patent number: 9438454
    Abstract: Various embodiments associated with synchronization of signal editions from multiple sensors are described. A plurality of sensors can be deployed in an environment. Different copies of a desired signal can be present in the environment and there can be a desire to identify this signal even if the signal is unknown (and a demodulation scheme of the desired signal is not known). The plurality of sensors can sense weak editions of the desired signal and transfer those signals to a master sensor or to a separate location, such as a fusion center. The weak editions may be asynchronous due to the editions being captured at different locations, different channels, different devices, etc. At the master sensor or separate location, the weak editions can be post-synchronized together and then fused together into a strong signal. From the strong signal, a demodulation scheme can be determined and the signal can be demodulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Wei Su
  • Patent number: 9439046
    Abstract: A radio apparatus transmits a radio signal including identification information for identifying the radio apparatus. A reception terminal receives the radio signal transmitted form the radio apparatus. A positional information management server obtains radio information in which the identification information included in the radio signal and radio field intensity of the radio signal are associated with each other and determines a position of the reception terminal using the obtained radio information. The radio apparatus includes an antenna that transmits the radio signal having directivity toward a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamaguchi, Toru Utsuki, Yasunori Sato
  • Patent number: 9424583
    Abstract: Techniques for displaying virtual objects on devices in differential situations are provided. Augmented reality authoring ensures that users have a consistent experience with virtual objects, including augmented reality images, by delivering the same versions of the virtual objects to devices that are close in terms, for instance, of at least distance and/or time. Devices that are not sufficiently close may receive different versions of the virtual object, thus ensuring that the users of devices that are sufficiently near each other do not experience different versions of the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 9415745
    Abstract: A high intensity light source blocking system for a vehicle operated by a crew member within a cockpit includes an crew member position or eye-position detection system, a transparent dynamic-darkening display covering a window in the crew member cockpit, and a scene imager configured to detect a presence of a high intensity light source and an emanation direction relative to the crew member cockpit. A computing device is connected to the position or eye-position detection system, the transparent dynamic-darkening display and the scene imager, and controls the darkening of a portion of the dynamic-darkening display upon the occurrence of either the high intensity light source having an intensity value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or the crew member position or eye-position being subject to either a direct portion of the high intensity light source or a substantial reflection thereof off a surface within the crew member cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Clemen, Jr., Alan F. Stewart, Keith John Davis, Mark Stewart Wilenski
  • Patent number: 9404998
    Abstract: A computerized device for use with an object location system and method thereof is provided. The computerized device includes at least one processor in communication with a memory device, the memory device storing a quantity of programmable code having a plurality of processor-executable instructions. A communication element is connected between the processor and at least one monitoring unit. The at least one monitoring unit is positioned remote from the computerized device and a locating circuit substantially secured to an object intermittently communicates an omnidirectional signal to the at least one monitoring unit. A calculator is in communication with the processor. The calculator directs the processor to determine a duration of transmission time of the omnidirectional signal communicated from the locating circuit to the at least one monitoring unit directs the processor to calculate a location of the locating circuit using the determined duration of transmission time of the omnidirectional signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Secure Care Products, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Larose, Doug Richard, Matthew Cammack, Christopher D. Stevens, Mike Singer, Sam Corliss, Vijaya Kodali, Ray Scott
  • Patent number: 9386550
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described synchronizing communications frames and their respective time slots for satellite communications architectures having multiple satellites in the same orbital slot in such a way that addresses inter-satellite inter-beam interference. In some embodiments, the first and second satellites communicate with a respective number of ground terminals (e.g., gateway and user terminals) according to first and second satellite time slots, respectively. The satellites maintain relative positions in their orbital slot to manifest a maximum path delay difference between first and second path delays, the first path delay being between the first ground terminals and the first satellite, and the second path delay being between the first ground terminals and the second satellite. A synchronization system can offset the first satellite time slots from the second satellite time slots as a function of the maximum path delay difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: VIASAT INC.
    Inventor: Donald W. Becker
  • Patent number: 9372252
    Abstract: A system and method for locating an object is provided. A locating circuit substantially secured to the object. A plurality of monitoring units are positioned remotely from the locating circuit, each positioned in a different location, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of monitoring units are positioned in an outdoor environment. An omnidirectional signal is intermittently communicated between the locating circuit and the plurality of monitoring units. A calculator is in communication with each of the plurality of monitoring units. The calculator determines a duration of transmission time of the omnidirectional signal for each of the plurality of monitoring units, and the locating circuit. The calculator calculates a location of the locating circuit using the determined duration of transmission time for each of the plurality of monitoring units and the locating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Secure Care Products, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Larose, Doug Richard, Matthew Cammack, Christopher D. Stevens, Mike Singer, Sam Corliss, Vijaya Kodali, Ray Scott
  • Patent number: 9372646
    Abstract: A device registration program causes a computer in a mobile terminal to function as a device detecting section, a designated device discriminating section, a display control section, and a device registration section. The device detecting section detects any devices communicable with the mobile terminal. The designated device discriminating section discriminates a device designated according to an orientation of the mobile terminal on the basis of location information and orientation information of the mobile terminal and location information of each of the detected devices. The display control section causes display of a list of icons indicating models of the detected devices and display of an icon of the discriminated device in a different manner than the other icons in the list. The device registration section registers the discriminated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kohei Konishi
  • Patent number: 9338626
    Abstract: The accuracy of a location determination mechanism may be determined as compared to another location determination mechanism. Dialing 9-1-1 on a mobile communication device may trigger location determination of the device via a GPS-based mechanism. The location information may be time stamped. The location and time information may be provided to a network. The network may determine the location of the device via network infrastructure. The network may time stamp this second set of locations. The determination of the locations of the device via GPS and via the network infrastructure may occur approximately during the same time frame. The first set of locations and the second set of locations may be time aligned, and the differences between the two sets may be utilized to determine the accuracy of network-infrastructure-based location determination mechanism as compared to the GPS-based location determination mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, Rick Tipton, William Cottrill
  • Patent number: 9338609
    Abstract: A system that combines an indoor positioning system (IPS), virtual network computing (VNC), and at least one mobile processing device, e.g., a tablet computer. The IPS determines the location of the mobile processing device, from which information a most proximate instrument, device, and/or system can be determined. Once the most proximate instrument, device, and/or system is determined, the mobile processing device is adapted to launch a remote desktop session with the instrument, device, and/or system via the VNC. Advantageously, the launched remote desktop session automatically authenticates with the software of the instrument, device, and/or system and, moreover, displays data from the instrument, device, and/or system on the at least one mobile processing device in a format with which an operator is most familiar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Heydlauf
  • Patent number: 9319840
    Abstract: A method for estimating the distance (d) of a receiver (102) from a radio transmitter (101) includes the steps of: receiving (602) radio signals (103, 701) irradiated by the transmitter (101), which include components from which at least three tones (1,2,3,4) are extracted, each having a different frequency; measuring (606) a first phase difference (??21) between first two tones (1, 2) of the at least three tones, whose frequencies (f1, f2) have a first spacing, and measuring a second phase difference (??43) between second two tones (3, 4) of the at least three tones, whose frequencies (f3, f4) have a second spacing, wherein one of the first spacing or second spacing is greater than the other; estimating (607, 611, 613) the distance (d) on the basis of the first phase difference (??21) and the second phase difference (??43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SISVEL TECHNOLOGY S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pietro Porzio Giusto
  • Patent number: 9306727
    Abstract: A system and method of synchronizing clocks within a system having a plurality of base stations, wherein each base station includes a frequency locked clock. A fast moving emitter transmits pulses that are received at each base station. A time of arrival for each pulse received by each base station is recorded and the recorded times of arrival are communicated to at least one of the other base stations. The clocks are synchronized as a function of the recorded times of arrival received from each base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Wilkinson, Ulvi Yurtsever
  • Patent number: 9274220
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for locating an aircraft (Ak), the said aircraft (Ak) being equipped with at least one device for sending and receiving ADS-B signals, a set of ADS-B communication beacons being deployed on the ground, the position of each of the said ADS-B beacons being known, the said locating method comprising: a step of calibrating the time biases of the ADS-B beacons with a view to correcting the synchronization discrepancies when sending, by means of the calculation of the time discrepancy existing between the ADS-B beacons (B1, B2) upon reception of downgoing ADS-B signals sent by a set of aircraft equipped with at least one device for sending ADS-B signals; a step of calculating the pseudo-distances between the said aircraft (Ak) and the said ADS-B beacons deployed on the ground, on the basis of the upgoing ADS-B signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Marc Revol, Pierre Bouniol, Christophe Picco
  • Patent number: 9270358
    Abstract: A communication system includes first and second transmitters, which are coupled to transmit respective first and second Radio Frequency (RF) signals carrying first and second data over a wireless communication channel. The transmitters are coupled to select an operational mode from a group of operational modes and to operate in the selected operational mode. The group of the operational modes includes at least two of a protection mode, wherein the second transmitter serves as backup to the first transmitter, a spatial multiplexing mode, in which the first data is different from the second data and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously, and a beam-forming mode, in which the first data is identical to the second data, the second RF signal includes a phase-shifted replica of the first RF signal, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Semiconductors Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Ahikam Aharony, Ragfi Ravid, Jonathan Friedmann
  • Patent number: 9182474
    Abstract: A method for localizing an object, including the acts of: transmission of a first signal by a first transmitter assigned to the object and of a second signal by at least one second transmitter; reception of the first and of the second signal by at least three receivers; in each receiver and for the first and the second signal: a) generation of a first and of a second reference signal; b) correlation between the first signal and the first reference signal and between the second signal and the second reference signal; c) interpolation of samples resulting from the correlation; d) deduction of the propagation time of the first and of the second signal; e) calculation of the difference between the propagation times of the first and of the second signal; and, by triangulation, deduction of the position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.A., STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
    Inventors: Thierry Michel, Bruno Paille
  • Patent number: 9163943
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using magnetic field readings to refine device location estimates are provided. As an example, a plurality of magnetic field readings can be collected by a device as it travels along a path. A positioning system (e.g., GPS) or other sensors can be used to provide a coarse location for the device at each reading. A contribution to each of the magnetic field readings by the Earth's magnetic field can be removed to obtain a plurality of residual readings and a plurality of regions of interest along the path can be identified based at least in part on the residual readings. The regions of interest can be compared to each other to identify a plurality of correspondences between magnetic field readings or residual readings and the plurality of correspondences can be used to refine the location estimates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Miller
  • Patent number: 9155063
    Abstract: A method of determining a position in a wireless communication system and apparatus thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving system information including information on a reference cell and at least one neighbor cell from a location server, receiving positioning reference signals (PRSs) from the reference cell and the at least one neighbor cell using the system information, measuring reference signal time difference (RSTD) of each of the at least one neighbor cell for the reference cell, and transmitting the at least one measured RSTD to the location server. And, the RSTD is a relative timing difference between two cells. Moreover, the system information includes at least one cell for obtaining a system frame number (SFN) by the UE, as the reference cell or the at least one neighbor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyungsoo Woo, Sukhyon Yoon, Hyowon Bae, Seunghee Han, Hyungsung Jung, Joonseok Maeng
  • Patent number: 9137680
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for locationing using differential phase measurements of IEEE 802.11 preambles. A first step includes providing a local clock at the same frequency as the IEEE 802.11 preambles. This step includes synchronizing the local clocks at multiple receivers with a reference clock, for example, using Synchronous Ethernet. A next step includes receiving IEEE 802.11 packets from a transmitter by at least three fixed receivers. A next step includes determining a phase offset between the local clock and any nearest cycle of a preamble in the received packets in each of the receivers. A next step includes locating the transmitter using each of the phase offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohanan Pisharody, John Kramer
  • Patent number: 9125168
    Abstract: Embodiments of a communication station and method for time-of-flight (ToF) location determination in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a responding communication station receives a ToF measurement request. The responding communication station transmits an acknowledgment of the ToF measurement request. The responding communication station also transmits a response to the ToF measurement request that includes an indication of a time period for an initiating communication station to poll the responding communication station for a ToF result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shani Ben-Haim, Yuval Amizur, Jonathan Segev
  • Patent number: 9100055
    Abstract: A radio apparatus comprising: a radio frequency processing module for converting radio frequency signals from an antenna to intermediate frequency signals; an intermediate frequency processing module located remotely from the radio frequency processing module, for receiving intermediate frequency signals and processing said signals according to at least one communications protocol; and a digital data link for connecting the radio frequency processing module and the intermediate frequency processing module, for transfer of the intermediate frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Thales Holding UK PLC
    Inventor: Philip J. Harris
  • Patent number: 9085310
    Abstract: A method of determining the position of a vehicle moving along a guideway is disclosed wherein signals from groups of transponders located beside the guideway are detected as the vehicle moves along the guideway to create a footprint in the time domain corresponding to the time the vehicle is in communication with that transponder. The transponders of each group are spaced a known distance apart from each other. An estimate of the position of the moving vehicle is computed by matching the point in the time domain that bears the same geometric relationship to the footprints corresponding to the transponders of the group to a point in the spatial domain that bears a known geometric relationship with the transponders of each group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: THALES CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Boyd McKillican, Abe Kanner
  • Patent number: 9069057
    Abstract: A system and method for locating an object is provided. A locating circuit substantially secured to the object. A plurality of monitoring units are positioned remotely from the locating circuit, each positioned in a different location. An omnidirectional signal is intermittently communicated between the locating circuit and the plurality of monitoring units. A calculator is in communication with each of the plurality of monitoring units. The calculator determines a duration of transmission time of the omnidirectional signal for each of the plurality of monitoring units, and the locating circuit. The calculator calculates a location of the locating circuit using the determined duration of transmission time for each of the plurality of monitoring units and the locating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Secure Care Products, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Larose, Doug Richard, Matthew Cammack, Christopher D. Stevens, Mike Singer, Sam Corliss, Vijaya Kodali, Ray Scott
  • Patent number: 9055527
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for time synchronization of an RBS which has lost its GPS signal. The method in the time synchronization device comprises retrieving from the first radio base station a first timing advance value (710) used by the user equipment to adjust its transmission timing before the handover, and a measurement of a reception timing (720) of a random access preamble. The random access preamble is transmitted from the user equipment to the second radio base station during synchronization. The method also comprises retrieving (730) from the second radio base station a second timing advance value used by the user equipment to adjust its transmission timing after the handover, and determining (740) a time synchronization offset between the first and second radio base station based on the retrieved first timing advance value, the second timing advance value, and the measurement of the reception timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Chunhui Zhang, Youping Su, Jacob Österling
  • Patent number: 9037155
    Abstract: Techniques for determining time of arrivals (TOAs) of signals in a wireless communication network are described. Each cell may transmit (i) synchronization signals on a set of contiguous subcarriers in the center portion of the system bandwidth and (ii) reference signals on different sets of non-contiguous subcarriers distributed across the system bandwidth. A UE may determine TOA for a cell based on multiple signals transmitted on different sets of subcarriers. The UE may perform correlation for a first signal (e.g., a synchronization signal) from the cell to obtain first correlation results for different time offsets. The UE may perform correlation for a second signal (e.g., a reference signal) from the cell to obtain second correlation results for different time offsets. The UE may combine the first and second correlation results and may determine the TOA for the cell based on the combined correlation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Sven Fischer, Muhammad Awais Amin, Douglas Neal Rowitch, Avneesh Agrawal, Raja S. Bachu, Ashwin Sampath
  • Patent number: 9026074
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed computing between communication devices. A femto node is treated as a trusted extension of a user equipment and performs processing tasks on behalf of the user equipment. The femto node is also treated as a trusted extension of network servers and performs services on behalf of the network servers. Tasks are thus distributed between the network servers, the femto node and one or more user equipments. The tasks include processing data, filtering incoming messages, and caching network service information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dilip Krishnaswamy, Subbarao V. Yallapragada, Sanjiv Nanda, Soumya Das, Samir Salib Soliman, Peerapol Tinnakornsrisuphap, Vidya Narayanan
  • Patent number: 9019159
    Abstract: Method for determining an arrival time of a RF ranging signal at a ranging receiver, comprising receiving at least one RF ranging signal via a plurality of antennas comprised by the ranging receiver, providing a plurality of antenna signals, each comprising at least a section of the ranging signal as received either by a respective one of the antennas or by a linear combination of at least two of the antennas, determining respective candidate arrival times of the at least one ranging signal from at least two of the antenna signals and determining the arrival time of the at least one ranging signal as the earliest candidate arrival time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nanotron Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cornelis Adrianus Henricus Maria van Puijenbroek, Rainer Hach
  • Patent number: 8981996
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining position location information in a wireless network. In one embodiment, timing offset information is communicated between multiple transmitters and one or more receivers. Such information enables accurate position or location determinations to be made that account for timing differences throughout the network. In another embodiment, transmitter phase adjustments are made that advance or delay transmissions from the transmitters to account for potential timing differences at receivers. In yet another embodiment, combinations of timing offset communications and/or transmitter phase adjustments can be employed in the wireless network to facilitate position location determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Fuyun Ling, Gordon Kent Walker, Krishna Kiran Mukkavilli
  • Patent number: 8963775
    Abstract: A method and system of determining the position of a radio signal transmitter are described. The method includes determining the type of radio signal being transmitted from the radio signal transmitter by analysing radio signal characteristics and correlating different sets of information to determine the position of the radio signal transmitter. Each set of information corresponds to a different relative position of at least one receiver to the transmitter and includes radio signal data derived from radio signals received by the at least one receiver from the transmitter at each respective relative position and positioning data containing information about the position of the at least one receiver at each respective relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: Ramsey Michael Faragher
  • Patent number: 8922430
    Abstract: In a network-based Wireless Location System (WLS), geographically distributed Location Measurement Units (LMUs) must be able to detect and use reverse channel (mobile to network) signals across multiple BTS coverage areas. By using Matched Replica correlation processing with the local and reference signals subdivided into discrete segments prior to correlation, the effects of mobile clock drift and Doppler shifts can be mitigated allowing for increased processing gain. By using historical network and real-time data about the radio signal and/or radio channel, the segmentation and computation scheme may be optimized to reduce latency and enhance capacity while maximizing location accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Gander, Rashidus S. Mia
  • Patent number: 8884820
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for determining an angle-of-arrival (AOA) of signals received from a transmitting device are shown. Signals from the transmitting device are received through two or more pairs of spatially-diverse antennas. A non-inverted version of the signals received through a first antenna of a pair is injected into a first input of a surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) device. An inverted version of the signals received through a second antenna of the pair is injected into a second input of the SAW device. Signals present at tap outputs are processed to determine a time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) between the signals received through each pair of antennas. The AOA may be calculated from the TDOAs determined from two or more pairs of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Poisel
  • Patent number: 8855922
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying a location of a mobile computing device. A first location estimate of a mobile computing device and an accuracy of the first location estimate is determined at a mobile computing device based on wireless signals received from one or more beacons. A time period based on the accuracy of the first location estimate is determined. One or more subsequent location estimates of the mobile computing device and respective accuracies are determined. The determination of the subsequent location estimates is stopped at an end of the time period. A preferred location estimate from the determined location estimates is determined at the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Starenky, Alex Kennberg
  • Patent number: 8855703
    Abstract: A method of driving a mobile communication terminal in a cellular network, includes monitoring with a control unit of the mobile communications terminal, reception power levels between the mobile communication terminal and cellular network base stations at a predefined monitoring rate for each base station. Timing information values for a number of base stations are intermittently monitored by the control unit. Drift of the timing information values for at least two of the base stations is monitored and significant motion of the mobile communication terminal is deemed detected if at least one of the timing information values indicates a drift equal to or exceeding a given timing drift threshold. The predefined reception power level monitoring rate is reduced to a reduced reception power level monitoring rate for at least a number of the base stations as long as the motion of the mobile communication terminal is not significant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ericsson Modems SA
    Inventors: Arnaud Rosay, Samuel Lamazure
  • Publication number: 20140266907
    Abstract: A geolocation system includes an originator device configured to transmit a first wireless signal to a transponder device. The transponder device is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to the originator device. The system includes at least one observer device configured to receive the first wireless signal from the originator device and receive the second wireless signal from the transponder device. The system also includes a first processor configured to calculate a transactional difference range at the at least one observer device based on the first wireless signal received at the observer device and the second wireless signal received at the observer device. A corrected transactional difference range value may be calculated by subtracting a time-of-flight of the first wireless signal from the originator device to the transponder device from the transactional difference range. A method of performing geolocation using a transactional difference range is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: David W.A. Taylor, JR., Bradley David Farnsworth, William Todd Faulkner
  • Publication number: 20140253386
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture are disclosed, which may be employed in a mobile device communicating with a transponder via a near field communications channel. In one example, round trip time of a message may be computed to estimate processing latency contributed by processes occurring within the mobile device and/or the transponder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ming Sun, Weihua Gao, Yuhua Hu, Gengsheng Zhang, Sai Pradeep Venkatraman
  • Publication number: 20140253385
    Abstract: Embodiments of a communication station and method for time-of-flight (ToF) positioning in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a ToF cooperation table may be received by a positioning station from an access point. The ToF cooperation table may identify one or more cooperating stations and may include information about each cooperating station for ToF positioning. A ToF positioning protocol may be performed with at least some of the cooperating stations identified in the ToF cooperation table using the information in the ToF cooperation table. During the ToF positioning protocol, a current position and a station positional accuracy may be received from each cooperating station. The current position may be a position when ToF is measured. A location of the positioning station may be determined based on the current positions and the ranges to each of the cooperating stations determined from the ToF positioning protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Yuval Amizur, Leor Banin, Uri Schatzberg, Alexander Sirotkin
  • Patent number: 8823588
    Abstract: A positioning and ranging system includes a transmitter transmits a plurality of impulses; and a receiver receives the impulses; the receiver includes an initial detection unit records a sensing time of a first impulse among a plurality of impulses transmitted by the transmitter; a sensing margin detection unit for detecting a sensing margin being a difference between a field intensity of the first impulse and a reception limit field intensity of the receiver; a correction unit identifies a sensing error differential time based on a given relationship between the sensing margin and the sensing error differential time, and corrects the sensing time detected by the initial detection unit using the identified sensing error differential time; the system measures a distance between the transmitter and the receiver and a position of the transmitter based on a time the transmitter transmits the first impulse and a time the receiver receives the impulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Asai, Hidenori Sekiguchi, Akira Fujii
  • Patent number: 8810452
    Abstract: Transmitters are located with a network of sensors by measuring signal characteristics at multiple known locations and processing these measurements at a central node. The sensors communicate their location to the central node along with measured characteristics of the transmitter's signal, and may be required to synchronize with other sensors. Often, GNSS receivers are utilized to locate and synchronize the sensors. However, the GNSS signals may be attenuated by obstructions. In this case, the sensors determine their location by making ranging measurements with sensors that can receive the GNSS signals. The waveform for the wireless backhaul permits this ranging. Additionally, many sensors can determine their location and time synchronize with the geolocation network through reception of signals from other sensors even if they do not have a direct connection to sensors that know their location and are time synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey F. Bull
  • Patent number: 8791861
    Abstract: A technique for determining the position of a mobile device includes receiving messages from respective mobile reference devices. Each of the messages is broadcast beginning at one of several predetermined message start opportunity (MSO) times that have known timings relative to a reference time. Each of the messages contains a MSO value identifying the MSO time at which transmission of the message started. The MSO value is used to determine the time of transmission of each of the messages received at the mobile device, and the position of the mobile device is determined via multi-lateration. According to another approach, the mobile device receives a set of ADS-B messages from a respective set of mobile reference devices. The time of transmission of each of the ADS-B messages is supplied in the ADS-B message itself or in a subsequent message and used to determine the position of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Garcia, Robert Mueller, John W. Lambert, John M. Dolan
  • Patent number: 8775065
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods, apparatuses, devices, articles, and means for updating radio models. For certain example implementations, a method for one or more server devices may comprise receiving at one or more communication interfaces at least one measurement that corresponds to a position of a first mobile device within an indoor environment. At least one radio model that is stored in one or more memories may be updated based, at least in part, on the at least one measurement to produce at least one updated radio model. The at least one radio model and the at least one updated radio model may correspond to the indoor environment. The at least one updated radio model may be transmitted to enable a second mobile device to use the at least one updated radio model for positioning within the indoor environment. Other example implementations are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajarshi Gupta, Ayman Fawzy Naguib, Alok Aggarwal, Saumitra Mohan Das, Vinay Sridhara
  • Publication number: 20140176366
    Abstract: A method of providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to a mobile station is disclosed. In some embodiments, the OTDOA assistance information may comprise Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell. In one embodiment, the method may be implemented on a location server for the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sven FISCHER, Peter GAAL, Stephen William EDGE, Arash MIRBAGHERI, Tingfang JI, Guttorm R. OPSHAUG
  • Patent number: 8749433
    Abstract: A position tracking system includes a transmitter constructed and arranged to emit a electromagnetic signal and an array of at least three receiver antennae. Each of the at least three receiver antennae is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal emitted from the transmitter. The position tracking system also includes a receiver channel disposed in electrical communication with each of the at least three receiver antennae. The receiver channel is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal from each of the at least three receiver antennae. The position tracking system also includes a data processing component disposed in electrical communication with the receiver channel. The data processing component is constructed and arranged to calculate the position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Position Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Hill
  • Patent number: 8742986
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses that utilize a wireless time reference system are provided herein. One example method involves calibrating independent, spatially-located clocks of a geoposition system in order to geolocate an object having an associated object tag. The example method may include transmitting an RF pulse pair, receiving the pulse pair at multiple locations, utilizing respective frequencies of first and second spatially-located clocks to produce count values to effect measurement of an interarrival interval at each of multiple locations, determining a ratio of count values relative to said first and second spatially-located clocks, and utilizing said ratio to calibrate time indications of said clocks. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Altan Ameti, Keming Chen, Robert J Fontana, Edward A Richley, Belinda Turner
  • Publication number: 20140104109
    Abstract: A GNSS receiver communicates with any connectivity device, such as a WiFi device that is, in turn, in communication with a wired network having access to the DTI timing. Such connectivity devices may set their timing and frame synchronization to the DTI and thus serve as Geopositioning beacons, thereby enabling the GNSS receiver to accurately determine its position. The GNSS receiver may also use the DTI timing supplied by such a network to perform relatively long integration time so as to achieve substantially improved sensitivity that is necessary for indoor Geopositioning applications. Furthermore, the GNSS data, such as satellite orbital information, may also be propagated by such devices at high speed. By providing this data to the GNSS receivers via such connectivity devices in a rapid fashion, the GNSS receivers are enabled to receive the transmitted data associated with the satellite without waiting for the GNSS transmission from the satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Curtis Ling
  • Patent number: 8692715
    Abstract: A network node such as a positioning node, and a related method of determining an uncertainty of a timing measurement used for positioning of a wireless device are disclosed. The method includes estimating a timing measurement uncertainty, and determining if an uncertainty reducing measurement is available. If an uncertainty reducing measurement is available, the method also comprises determining a timing measurement uncertainty based on the estimated timing measurement uncertainty and the uncertainty reducing measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Iana Siomina, Yang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8688138
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for location determination in wireless assisted positioning systems. In one aspect of the disclosed method and apparatus, a method to determine a position of a mobile device in a positioning system includes: computing a second estimated position of a mobile device using a first assumed geometric relationship for a location of the mobile device in relation to a navigational transmitter (e.g., a basestation, a pseudolite, or a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) satellite). The first geometric relationship is linearly independent from the altitude of the mobile device (e.g., obtained from an altitude aiding) and a second geometric relationship based on range information (e.g., a range from the mobile device to the navigational transmitter, a pseudorange, an arrival time, or a round trip time) measured with respect to the navigational transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Leo Moeglein, Wyatt Thomas Riley
  • Publication number: 20140062791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a localization method of a source of unknown signal based on a TDOA method, comprising a data obtaining step S100 of receiving and obtaining the unknown signal using multiple sensors; an objective function value calculating step S200 of finding a cross-correlation value, and calculating an objective function value; a reference sensor selecting step S300 of selecting a reference sensor for calculating a TDOA measurement value; a TDOA measurement value calculating step S400 of finding a time when a cross-correlation value Rri(?) found by performing cross-correlation of signal received in each of the reference sensor selected and an i-th sensor with respect to a delay time ? becomes maximum; and a location estimating step S500 of localizing the source of unknown signal. Therefore, the present invention can precisely localize the source of the unknown signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • Patent number: 8654010
    Abstract: In one of its aspects the technology concerns a method of determining a position of a wireless terminal in a radio access network using information of the travel time of radio waves between a base station and the wireless terminal, the travel time information being retrieved in a way consistent with SUPL positioning. The method comprises performing, at the wireless terminal, a time of arrival measurement for a respective downlink radio frame received from a node associated with a cell of a radio access network. The method thereafter uses the time of arrival measurement and an estimated time of downlink transmission from the node to make a determination of a distance between the wireless terminal and the node. The distance so determined can be used to generate an ellipsoid arc for describing a round trip time positioning of the wireless terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Torbjörn Wigren