Abstract: A vehicle comprises a base station for wireless transmission of locating support information to support locating, supported on a locating satellite, as well as a key for the vehicle, in which the key includes a locating module to determine the position of the key as a function of a signal of at least one locating satellite and locating support information sent from the vehicle. A locating system and a method for determination of the position of a mobile device separable from the vehicle, comprise that the locating system includes a base station arranged in the vehicle for wireless transmission of locating support information and a locating module arranged in the mobile device to determine the position of the mobile device as a function of a signal of at least one locating satellite and the locating support information. The mobile device, for example, can be a key for a vehicle.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for improving accuracy of radio timing measurements. According to some embodiments, a wireless terminal or other wireless device can make adjustments to a measurement made from a radio transmission source by adjusting timing measurements using a weighted average and/or synchronizing its timing to the timing of this or some other radio transmission source. The adjusted measurements can be obtained for times other than when the original measurements are made. Measurements for multiple radio transmission sources can then be adjusted to a common time wherein adjustment errors due to unknown timing drift in the radio sources and wireless terminal and Doppler errors due to unknown relative velocities can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: In a position detection system for detecting a position of a terminal apparatus of a radio communications system, a position detection time is shortened using a position detection method for determining signal times-of-arrival between the terminal apparatus and base stations neighboring the terminal apparatus. According to the present invention, means for generating a database in which received power information about signals transferred between the terminal apparatus and the base stations neighboring the terminal apparatus corresponds to position information about the terminal apparatus, and for determining the position information by searching received power information obtained in the position detection from the database, and means for determining the position by use of signal times-of-arrival are executed in parallel. Then, the use of a result of the means which has detected the position earlier than another means shortens the position detection time.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for globally referenced positioning in a shielded environment includes integrating and correlating information from a UWB receiver, a GPS receiver, and a bent-path GPS receiver adapted to extract a GPS radio frequency wave from a heterodyned GPS signal. The method, apparatus, and system is resistant to interference and can be used in a shielded environment such as indoors or behind a line-of-sight barrier.

Abstract: A positional information service server selects a measuring system most suitable for measuring quality conditions received from a terminal requesting measurement when able to measure position of a designated mobile unit to be measured by a plurality of measuring systems. The positional information service server acquires the positional information of the mobile unit based on the selected measuring system, and transmits it to the terminal designated as the one to be notified.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include a plurality of wireless communications devices and a wireless device locator. More particularly, the wireless device locator may include at least one antenna and a transceiver connected thereto, and a controller for cooperating with the transceiver for transmitting a plurality of location finding signals to a target wireless communications device from among the plurality thereof. The target device may transmit a respective reply signal for each of the location finding signals. Additionally, the controller may also cooperate with the transceiver for receiving the reply signals, and it may determine a propagation delay associated with the transmission of each location finding signal and the respective reply signal therefor based upon a known device latency of the target device. As such, the controller may estimate a range to the target device based upon a plurality of determined propagation delays.

Abstract: Inexpensive position sensing devices that allow widespread use and availability of position information are disclosed. One embodiment of the position-sensing device acquires, down converts and extracts raw position data from position signals. Then, the position-sensing device wirelessly transmits the raw position data to a position-computing device, which converts the raw position data into the position of the device. The position-computing device can also receive auxiliary information from auxiliary sensors, and perform analyses based on the position and the auxiliary information. The position-computing device can re-transmit the position and auxiliary information to a remote site for further analysis and/or central storage. The remote site can also download information to the position-computing device. The position-computing device can also control an actuator to perform an operation.

Abstract: A navigational system provides information on unmapped terrain based on a waypoint positioned between a point of departure and a destination. The navigational system includes position data stored in a memory and communication logic. The position data represents a current position and a waypoint position in an unmapped space. The memory includes navigational information about the waypoint. The communication logic audibly communicates the navigational information to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A remote tracking device for use in a remote tracking system is described. The remote tracking device includes a positioning system receiver, such as GPS, operable to receive signals indicative of the location of the remote tracking device, a cellular transceiver operable to communicate with the central monitoring center, and a processor connected to the positioning system receiver and the cellular transceiver, the processor operable to monitor at least one environmental condition for the remote tracking device, and to adjust the frequency of an operation of the remote tracking devices based on the at least one environmental condition. The environmental condition may include the devices rate of movement, proximity to an area of interest, time of day, or other condition in response to which it would be desirable to alter the frequency of operation of the remote tracking device.

Abstract: A method of determining a geographical location of an asset tracking device, includes searching, by the asset tracking device, for available location determination schemes at the geographical location, selecting one of the available location determination schemes, and determining coordinates of the geographical location using the selected location determination scheme. Some embodiments also include making a decision based, at least in part, upon the geographical location coordinates determined by using the selected location determination scheme. Some embodiments include transmitting a location message, the location message including the coordinates of the geographical location and an indication as to the selected location determination scheme.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of a mobile wireless station comprises means for determining the position of the mobile wireless station in accordance with a position of a first reference wireless station, a position of a second reference wireless station, a first relative angular direction between the mobile wireless station and the first reference wireless station, and a second relative angular direction between the mobile wireless station and the second reference wireless station.

Abstract: A location system is disclosed for commercial wireless telecommunication infrastructures. The system is an end-to-end solution having one or more location centers for outputting requested locations of commercially available handsets or mobile stations (MS) based on, e.g., CDMA, AMPS, NAMPS or TDMA communication standards, for processing both local MS location requests and more global MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location centers. The system uses a plurality of MS locating technologies including those based on: (1) two-way TOA and TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) distributed antenna provisioning; and (4) supplemental information from various types of very low cost non-infrastructure base stations for communicating via a typical commercial wireless base station infrastructure or a public telephone switching network.

Abstract: A Communication processing device, a communication processing method, and a computer program are provided. A configuration is provided wherein multiple access points are set as slaves, a mobile device is set as a master, so as to enable use of multiple resources at different access points. A mobile communication processing device searches access points, generates pico-cell information from communication settings information for each searched access point, generates a mapping table storing available address information conforming to a communication protocol applied to communication with each access point set in the pico-cell information. An address corresponding to a communication protocol is set based on the mapping table, and communication status setting processing is performed based on the pico-cell information to perform communication with each slave. According to this configuration, data processing using various resources connected to multiple access points set as slaves can be performed.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for activating an in-vehicle wireless communication device. A mobile identification number associated with the wireless communication device is provided. A broadcast signal containing the mobile identification number and a satellite radio subscriber identifier is received at an in-vehicle satellite radio receiver. The mobile identification number is stored in the wireless communication device based on the satellite radio subscriber identifier.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for tracking and maintaining a highly accurate inventory of shipping containers that are stored within container storage facilities. The invention includes using multiple complementary real-time and post-processing positioning techniques associated with various positioning sensors that are associated with inventory pieces or equipment. Examples of such positioning techniques are DGPS, GPS with RTK, DGPS loosely-coupled with INS, DGPS tightly-coupled with INS, and DGPS deeply-coupled with INS. Data correction and fusion techniques are applied to these positioning stages to re-compute a calibrated position with an improved accuracy. An additional trajectory can be iteratively determined using the fusing technique until the position data becomes statistically trustworthy. Further, combinations of multiple real-time positioning techniques combined with past position error correction algorithms provide a high accuracy needed for inventory tracking.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for locating people or objects. In particular, a system and method for locating a wireless mobile station using a plurality of mobile station location estimators is disclosed. The system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas. Additionally, a computational system and method for calibrating the relative performance of multiple models for various application domains is disclosed (e.g., medical, vehicle, communication diagnosis, robotics, seismic signal processing, recognition of terrestrial and/or airborne objects from satellites), wherein each such model may generate hypotheses (e.g., estimates and/or predictions) of an unknown condition. Additionally, the computational system and method may be distributed across a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: An Applications Processor (14) including a centralized database system is used in a wireless location system (WLS). The APs 14 may be used to manage resources in the WLS, including signal collection systems (SCSs 10) and TDOA location processors (TLPs 12). Each AP 14 contains a database containing triggers for the WLS. The WLS can be programmed to locate only certain pre-determined types of transmissions. When a transmission of a pre-determined type occurs, then the WLS is triggered to begin location processing. Each AP 14 also contains applications interfaces that permit a variety of applications to securely access the WLS. These applications may access location records in real time or non-real time, create or delete certain types of triggers, or cause the WLS to take other actions. Each AP 14 is also capable of certain post-processing functions.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the presence of persons, particularly security personnel, at a predetermined location within a prescribed window of time. Persons input information at predetermined locations and this input information is transmitted to a central server. The input information is compared to predetermined parameters and alerts are provided if the input information does not fall within permissible parameters.

Abstract: A locator system for processing commercial 911 requests is disclosed. An e911-enabled wireless network including a switching center is configured to route emergency 911 calls to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP); and is further configured to receive a commercial 911 request from the mobile station, and then route the commercial request to a location other than the PSAP. The routing of the commercial 911 request may be accomplished using a protocol indicating that the 911 request is of a commercial nature.

Abstract: Transponders capable of providing identification information and possibly additional information are detected from wireless access points of a computer network as a substitute for closed radio frequency identification (RFID) systems while providing numerous additional functionalities and applications. Total asset visibility or responses to more limited queries are provided by inclusion of a geographic information system software application. Location reporting of proximity of devices/transponders to access points can be enhanced to a fine-grained level by triangulation or other algorithms including neural networks.

Abstract: A detection system includes a fixed-position transmitter and a mobile unit. The transmitter digitally transmits a data packet including angle information associated with the transmitter, and the mobile unit includes a receiver for receiving the transmitted data packet. The mobile unit is configured to detect a plurality of data packets from a single transmitter, the plurality of data packets including non-identical angle information. The mobile also determines new angle information from the non-identical angle information in the plurality of data packets and determines a location of the mobile unit relative to the transmitter using the new angle information. Also, the mobile unit is configured to indicate information associated with the determined location to a user.

Abstract: A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are traits of electromagnetic signals that are dependent on topography, the receiver, the location of the transmitter, and other factors. For example, if a particular radio station is known to be received strongly at a first location and weakly at a second location, and a given wireless terminal at an unknown location is receiving the radio station weakly, it is more likely that the wireless terminal is at the second location than at the first location.

Abstract: In a system wherein, a point value is set as a consideration for a service to be offered, a point value to be received as a consideration when a service is given is informed to a service user who desires to receive the service and when the service has been offered, the service provider receives the point value from the service user as the consideration of the service offering, thereby, a service providing system or a processing method of providing services is realized which can provides services more easily to service users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electronically tracking the progress of teams as they cover an assigned geographic area are described herein. A server computer establishes a coverage area, divides the coverage area into a plurality of regions, and assigns each region to a team. Each team carries a tracking device capable of autonomously determining its present location without user assistance, thus allowing the team to focus on the assigned task, such as searching for a missing person, plowing a field, paving a road, etc. The server monitors the location of each tracking device as each team covers its assigned region, and updates on a visually displayed geographic map a historical path associated with each tracking device based on the monitored location of each tracking device. In this manner, users can quickly view the visual depiction of the historical to determine as yet uncovered areas.

Abstract: A Real-time Emitter Locating (EL) System and Method is disclosed. The system provides a technique for taking in data sets (lines of bearing) from DF receivers and characterizing those signals with their respective probabilities of error. Then using a unique method, the preferred system applies a recursive processing technique to this continuous stream of data, displaying transmitter positions with significantly less uncertainty. Furthermore, the preferred system is able to perform these functions in real-time. The system is further capable of being fully automated to reduce the processing time and reduce the necessity of human intervention. Still further, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention the system can be remotely controlled over a communications network whereby collected locating data from a single DF set, or alternatively from more than one DF sets can be combined to arrive at estimated positions for a transmitter.

Abstract: A system for locating a vehicle includes a hand-held unit with data transceiver operation to generate a location request signal. The system also includes a location element in the vehicle, which is operative upon receipt of the location request signal to determine a location of the vehicle relative to the hand-held unit. The locator element in the vehicle sends an indication of the location to the vehicle. The data transceiver in the hand-held unit is further operative to receive the indication of the location of the vehicle and to send the indication to a location indicator. Upon receipt of the indication of the location, the location indicator alerts an operator of the hand-held unit.

Abstract: A first image (200) of a transmitted signal is detected within a received signal containing a plurality of images of the transmitted signal. This is accomplished by detecting a second image (210) of the transmitted signal. A set of characteristics of the second image of the transmitted signal is determined, and subsequently used to detect the first image (200) of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning mobile units using angle measurements taken by neighboring mobile units is disclosed. A selected mobile unit and mobile units in the vicinity of the selected mobile unit are selectively instructed to measure and report information related to the position of the selected mobile unit. The reported information is used to compute a position of the selected mobile unit.

Abstract: A location-relevant service system provides location-relevant information to, or performs location-relevant service for, a first mobile unit based on the location of a second mobile unit. In one instance, the first mobile unit is fixed on a vehicle, while the second mobile unit can be provided as a cellular phone. In another instance, the first mobile unit is provided with a display panel, so that authentication can be achieved through providing the displayed location information to a location-relevant service server using the second mobile unit.

Abstract: An appliance located states accumulating method includes the steps of, receiving state information indicating operating state changes of the appliances constituted of a distributed computer through a network, calculating an occurrence time difference from the state changes occurred in the appliances in accordance with occurrence time information indicative of occurrence times of the state changes included in the state information, and calculating the positional relation of the positions, where the appliances occur the state changes, from the calculated occurrence time difference, thereby accumulating the positional relation of the installed appliances.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to analyze and present location information in an easy-to-digest manner are disclosed. In one embodiment, each piece of location information can include a piece of location-designating information and a piece of location-related information. Location-designating information is primarily for identifying location. Location-related information is information related to location-designating information. The location-designating information and the location-related information can be supplied by a mobile device. With the help of location-related information, each piece of location-designating information can be more accurately transformed into a label to help identify a location. The amount of location information can be reduced. All of the location-designating information pertaining to a given area can be consolidated into one piece of location-designating information related to the label.

Abstract: Improved approaches for monitoring status of articles being shipped are disclosed. The monitoring can produce notifications to interested parties. The notifications typically contain status information pertaining to the articles being shipped. Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to status information pertaining to the articles being shipped via a website. According to one embodiment, the status information includes at least position (location) information and shipping conditions information.

Abstract: A base station transmitter and a method of operating the same for use in a wireless telecommunications network are described. The transmitter is used for transmitting messages to at least one user equipment, the transmitter being adapted to transmit a paging request on a paging channel to page a user equipment. The message includes a representation from which the paged user equipment can determine whether its present position is within a geographical area. By using geographical coordinates the user equipment can deny paging requests which are of no local interest.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for globally referenced positioning in a shielded environment includes integrating and correlating information from a UWB receiver, a GPS receiver, and a bent-path GPS receiver adapted to extract a GPS radio frequency wave from a heterodyned GPS signal. The method, apparatus, and system is resistant to interference and can be used in a shielded environment such as indoors or behind a line-of-sight barrier.

Abstract: A location name server is disclosed, that comprises a database for storing peripheral information and location names that have been correlated with each other as a plurality of sets, a means for transmitting a request for peripheral information to an objective cellular phone terminal unit when a request for the name of a location at which the object cellular phone terminal unit is located is received, a means for searching the database for the name of the location corresponding to peripheral information (i.e. electric field level) received from the objective cellular phone terminal unit corresponding to the request for the peripheral information, and a means for transmitting the obtained name of the location to a transmission source of the request therefor.

Abstract: A vehicle-based navigation system is described including a position locator that establishes the geographic position of the vehicle and a map database located external to and remote from the vehicle. The system determines at least one of a vehicle parameter and a personal parameter, and transfers data from the remote map database to the vehicle and displays the data in the vehicle at a resolution that is a function of at least one of a vehicle parameter and a personal parameter.

Abstract: A radio-parameter control method allowing fine radio-parameter setting to improve communication quality is disclosed. Fixed stations are distributed at predetermined locations in a service area. A fixed station monitors reception condition of a pilot channel signal and transmits the monitored condition data back to a corresponding base station. A radio network control station statistically analyzes the monitored condition for each fixed station and estimates a future location of a mobile station. Radio parameters for use in radio communication between the mobile station and a base station corresponding to the future location of the mobile station are controlled based on statistical condition data at the future location of the mobile station.

Abstract: In a position detection system for detecting a position of a terminal apparatus of a radio communications system, a position detection time is shortened using a position detection method for determining signal times-of-arrival between the terminal apparatus and base stations neighboring the terminal apparatus. According to the present invention, means for generating a database in which received power information about signals transferred between the terminal apparatus and the base stations neighboring the terminal apparatus corresponds to position information about the terminal apparatus, and for determining the position information by searching received power information obtained in the position detection from the database, and means for determining the position by use of signal times-of-arrival are executed in parallel. Then, the use of a result of the means which has detected the position earlier than another means shortens the position detection time.

Abstract: A system for providing an advisory communication to a user via a mobile unit includes locating means for locating the position of the mobile unit and sending means for sending a communication to the mobile unit. The mobile unit includes alerting means for alerting the user of the communication. The advisory communication can include information relating to an approaching emergency vehicle, an accident scene, road conditions, a traffic signal, traffic conditions, or weather conditions.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include a plurality of wireless communications devices and a wireless device locator. More particularly, the wireless device locator may include at least one antenna and a transceiver connected thereto, and a controller for cooperating with the transceiver for transmitting a plurality of location finding signals to a target wireless communications device from among the plurality thereof. The target device may transmit a respective reply signal for each of the location finding signals. Additionally, the controller may also cooperate with the transceiver for receiving the reply signals, and it may determine a propagation delay associated with the transmission of each location finding signal and the respective reply signal therefor based upon a known device latency of the target device. As such, the controller may estimate a range to the target device based upon a plurality of determined propagation delays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and reporting the status of a mobile asset are described, where the mobile asset may be moved by a transport vehicle from a starting location to a destination location. The method includes providing destination information to a tracking device on the mobile asset, and setting a boundary about the destination location which is also referred to herein as a geoboundary. As the mobile asset moves from the starting location to the destination location, the current location of the mobile asset is determined, and a determination is made whether the current location is within the geoboundary. If the current location of the mobile asset is within the geoboundary, an arrival message is transmitted from the tracking device. Preferred embodiments of the invention include the step of transmitting a departure message from the tracking device if the current location of the mobile asset moves from within the geoboundary to outside the geoboundary.

Abstract: A method for use in a mobile communication system for estimating the location of a target mobile station (MS) which includes receiving signals from the target MS (N) at a plurality of receivers (MS1, MS2, MS3) in different locations and calculating the location of the target MS (N) from information obtained from the received signals, wherein at least one of the receivers (MS1) is a searching MS and wherein the calculation of location is carried out by the searching MS (MS1). The method may involve the target MS and the searching MS or MSs communicating by a direct mode of operation (DMO) link. The searching MSs may conveniently have GPS attachments. A mobile station which may be used as the target MS or as a searching MS and a system incorporating the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle alert system for providing information as to a location of an emergency vehicle to a motor vehicle, includes a first GPS receiving unit that is provided on the emergency vehicle and that receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and that determines emergency vehicle location information of the emergency vehicle. The system also includes a radio-wave transmitter unit that is provided on the emergency vehicle and that transmits the emergency vehicle location information by way of an emergency vehicle location signal. The system further includes a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the motor vehicle and that receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and that determines vehicle location information of the motor vehicle. The system also includes a radio-wave receiver unit that is provided on the motor vehicle and that receives the emergency location signal output by the radio-wave transmitter unit of the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a location search system which detects a position coordinate of a data processing device based on received radio wave information transmitted from the data processing device having a wireless communications function. The location search system includes a server including a search unit which searches region information specifying a location of the data processing device from a region information database based on calculated position coordinate information.

Abstract: Signals including a plurality of components representing a phase rotation between antenna elements by combining signals, which have arrived through each path of a first to an m-th paths, for every antenna are generated in RAKE combining sections 104-1 to 104-n; one angle spectrum is obtained in one direction-of-arrival estimation section 105 provided in each communication terminal, using the signals generated in the RAKE combining sections 104-1 to 104-n; and a plurality of directions-of-arrival are estimated en bloc by detecting a plurality of peak positions on the angle spectrum.

Abstract: A child alert system that uses radio transmitters and receivers to provide the location of a child, adult or object to which a transmitter unit of the system is attached. The transmitter unit includes a panic button for allowing the wearer of the transmitter unit to send a panic signal when they feel endangered. The system further includes signaling when the transmitter is submerged, when the vital signs of the wearer fall below a certain threshold, or when the transmitter is tampered or removed from the person.

Abstract: A wireless communication positioning method for determining the position of a mobile station when connecting to a base station. The coordinates of the mobile station are estimated according to the geomagnetic field strength measured by the mobile station, and the distance between the base station and the mobile station. The present invention further provides a method for solving the problem of acquiring two or more possible coordinates using the positioning method. The correct coordinates of the mobile station are determined by relocating the mobile station using the same method when the mobile station moves to another position aided by a direction of movement detected by the mobile station.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of deferred location reporting wherein the reporting is triggered by a trigger location change event. Trigger location change events are either related to a user of a cellular telecommunication network entering, leaving or changing an area, or to an area, which is entered or left by a user.

Abstract: A method determines the position of a mobile object by using at least one radio signal having a rotating transmission characteristic with at least one reference station. The relation between the orientation of the transmission characteristic and reference events is communicated to the mobile object. The orientation of the transmission characteristic and the relative position with respect to the reference station can be determined from the reference event.

Abstract: Arrangement for monitoring an asset including an interior sensor system arranged on the asset to obtain information about contents in the interior of the asset, a location determining system arranged on the asset to monitor the location of the asset and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the interior sensor system and the location determining system. The communication system operatively transmits the information about the contents in the interior of the asset and the location of the asset to a remote facility. The interior sensor system may include at least one wave transmitter arranged to transmit waves into the interior of the asset and at least one wave receiver arranged to receive waves from the interior of the asset. A processor may be provided to compare waves received by the wave receiver(s) at different times or analyze the waves received by the wave receiver(s).