239 results about "Global positioning system receiver" patented technology

The present invention relates to a personal multimedia electronic device, and more particularly to a head-worn device such as an eyeglass frame having a plurality of interactive electrical / optical components. In one embodiment, a personal multimedia electronic device includes an eyeglass frame having a side arm and an optic frame; an output device for delivering an output to the wearer; an input device for obtaining an input; and a processor comprising a set of programming instructions for controlling the input device and the output device. The output device is supported by the eyeglass frame and is selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a bone conduction transmitter, an image projector, and a tactile actuator. The input device is supported by the eyeglass frame and is selected from the group consisting of an audio sensor, a tactile sensor, a bone conduction sensor, an image sensor, a body sensor, an environmental sensor, a global positioning system receiver, and an eye tracker. In one embodiment, the processor applies a user interface logic that determines a state of the eyeglass device and determines the output in response to the input and the state.

An exemplary auto white balance system for an image sensor includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a memory, a setting determining unit, and a white balance unit. The GPS receiver is configured for receiving signals from a satellite, and calculating its position and local time using signals received from at least four satellites. The memory is configured for storing a number of white balance settings. The setting determining unit is configured for determining which one of the white balance settings is suitable for the current ambient light conditions based on the received signal of the global positioning system receiver. The whit balance unit is configured for adjusting the color temperature of a current image captured by the image sensor using the determined white balance setting.

A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.

Systems and methods for recording and reporting data collected from a remote location are disclosed. A work order, defining infrastructure to be inspected at a remote site and including an inspection plan for collecting inspection information, is generated on a first computer system and transferred to a portable computing system. Inspection data is collected pursuant to the inspection plan on the portable computing system. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver associated with the portable computing system provides location information related to inspected infrastructure during the inspection. After collection, inspection data is transferred from the portable computing system to the first and / or to a second computing system for storage and the generation of related reports. The location information obtained during the inspection can be used to determine dimensional measurements of the infrastructure and to generate visual depictions of infrastructure components and defects.

A portable GPS unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit (10A-10E). The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location and receive similar radio signals from the other units (10A-10E). The unit (10) is operable to calculate and display a route that may be followed to go to a moving waypoint such as one of the other units (10A-10E).

A portable electronic device, like a cellular telephone is capable of detecting collisions between vehicles and notifying the proper authorities. The device includes a microprocessor and memory, in addition to an accelerometer and global positioning systems receiver. The memory includes at least one filter for screening out false positives, which are false collision detections. In one embodiment, the device determines its velocity. It then checks to see if its velocity falls within a range associated with moving vehicles. If so, the device monitors the accelerometer. When acceleration values in excess of a predetermined threshold are detected, the device pauses and again checks its velocity. If the velocity has fallen from the range associated with moving vehicles to a range associated with a vehicle that has sustained a collision, the device notifies emergency personnel that a collision has occurred. Another filter includes an operability check of the keypad, coupled with a notification message that the authorities will be called if the keypad has not been actuated within a predetermined time. Another embodiment includes a detector capable of detecting a vehicular cradle, such that the notification only occurs when high acceleration values are detected in a vehicle.

A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver located at a base station of a cellular telephone network determines the location of the base station and obtains GPS ephemeris and, if available, timing information. A server uses the obtained information to calculate auxiliary information for use by a GPS receiver. The base station transmits the auxiliary information to the GPS receiver which is located within a cellular telephone operating within the service area of the base station. The cellular telephone GPS receiver uses the auxiliary information to determine the location of the cellular telephone and transmits location information to the cellular telephone network via the cellular telephone and the base station.

A system that performs a method is disclosed. The system receives a current vehicle position from a position sensor. The system autonomously navigates a vehicle along a stored navigational path based on a comparison between the current vehicle position and one or more of a plurality of waypoints associated with the stored navigational path. While autonomously navigating the vehicle along the stored navigational path, the system determines, using the proximity sensor, whether an obstacle is present proximate to the vehicle. In accordance with a determination that the obstacle is present proximate to the vehicle, the system halts the autonomous navigation of the vehicle. In some examples, the position sensor includes a global positioning system receiver and the proximity sensor is an ultrasonic proximity sensor.

A portable GPS / radio unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit (10A-10E). The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location and receive similar radio signals from other such units. The unit (10) is operable to display an indication of the distance between two or more units, an indication of the amount of time that has elapsed since location data was last received from another unit, a track log or track back information for another unit, and an indication if the unit (10) is about to lose communications with another unit. The unit (10) also may be operated to gather and transmit to other units location data corresponding to way points. The perspective or vantage point from which location data and other information is viewed may be selected or changed by the user of the unit (10).

A radar detector for alerting an operator of a motor vehicle to an incoming police radar signal. This radar detector includes a microprocessor; a circuit coupled to the microprocessor for detecting the incoming police radar signal; and a global positioning system receiver coupled to the microprocessor. Upon detection of an incoming radar signal, the radar detector can utilize the position, velocity, and / or heading data from the global positioning system receiver to determine whether to generate an alert.

Methods and apparatus are described for a navigation system. A method includes providing a global positioning system fix having a plurality of tracking parameters; providing a theater positioning system fix; monitoring the plurality of tracking parameters for predetermined conditions; and, when the predetermined conditions are met, sending a notifying signal and switching to the theater positioning system fix as a primary fix. An apparatus includes a system controller; a global positioning system receiver coupled to the system controller; a radio frequency locating receiver coupled to the system controller; and an operator interface coupled to the system controller.

A network distributed seismic data acquisition system comprises seismic receivers, connected to remote acquisition modules, receiver lines, line tap units, base lines, central recording system and a seismic source event generation unit. Global positioning system receivers of full or partial capability are combined with some of these modules and units and a master global positioning receiver aids the distributed receivers. The global positioning receivers may be used to synchronize high precision clocks as well as to provide positioning information. A master clock is designated and one or more high precision clocks is added to the network to correct for timing uncertainty associated with propagation of commands through the network. Seismic receivers and seismic sources are thereby synchronized with greater accuracy than otherwise possible, thus enabling an improvement in subsurface geologic imaging.

A method and apparatus for conditioning the access of a user of a remotely-accessible device, which tracks and monitors objects, by using a preprogrammed expiration time and date and comparing that to a reliable time and date source, such as a time and date received from a global positioning system receiver, and disabling the processing of signals of the remotely-accessible device if the time and date comparison reveals that the license, service, lease, rental or commodity agreement has expired.

A container for locally determining a container state using a state device. The state device detects unexpected events by comparing expected event information with actual event information related to a container condition. The container condition includes, for example, environmental conditions, logistical or location conditions, and physical or security conditions. Thus, the container is able to intelligently monitor its state and raise an alert without intervention from a central system. The container can also be programmed and reprogrammed with updated logic, states, and / or expected event information. A sensor in the state device gathers input information for comparison to expected event information. A communication port in the state device receives event information. For example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver can determine a current location for comparison to an expected location at the current time. In another example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) receiver and transmitter automatically uploads state information to a central system.

A personal alarm system includes a monitoring base station and one or more remote sensing units in two-way radio communication. An electronic handshake between the base station and each remote unit is used to assure system reliability. The remote units transmit at selectable power levels. In the absence of an emergency, a remote unit transmits at a power-conserving low power level. Received field strength is measured to determine whether a remote unit has moved beyond a predetermined distance from the base station. If the distance is exceeded, the remote unit transmits at a higher power level. The remote unit includes sensors for common hazards including water emersion, smoke, excessive heat, excessive carbon monoxide concentration, and electrical shock. The base station periodically polls the remote units and displays the status of the environmental sensors. The system is useful in child monitoring, for use with invalids, and with employees involved in activities which expose them to environmental risk. Alternative embodiments include a panic button on the remote unit for summoning help, and an audible beacon on the remote unit which can be activated from the base station and useful for locating strayed children. In another embodiment, the remote unit includes a Global Positioning System receiver providing location information for display by the base station.

Systems and methods are described for a GPS receiver capable of functioning in the presence of interference. A method includes detecting an interfering signal including: tuning a band pass filter over a frequency range; and at each of a plurality of incremental frequencies: computing a set of band pass filter coefficients; sending the set of band pass filter coefficients to a digital filter; repeatedly transforming an analog-to-digital converter output having a quantization level in excess of 2 bits into a band pass filter output with the digital filter to obtain a plurality of samples; computing an average of the plurality of samples; and comparing the average to a threshold to detect peaks that exceed a threshold. An apparatus, comprising: an analog radio frequency circuit; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the analog radio frequency circuit, the analog-to-digital converter providing a quantization level in excess of 2 bits; a digital filter coupled to the analog-to-digital converter; and a digital circuit coupled to the digital filter.

A horizontal navigation system aided by a carrier phase differential Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and a Laser-Scanner (LS) for an Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV). The high accuracy vehicle navigation system is highly demanded for advanced AGVs. Although high positioning accuracy is achievable by a high performance RTK-GPS receiver, the performance should be considerably degraded in a high-blockage environment due to tall buildings and other obstacles. The present navigation system is to provide decimetre-level positioning accuracy in such a severe environment for precise GPS positioning. The horizontal navigation system is composed of a low cost Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) and a precise odometer. The navigation errors are estimated using a tightly coupled Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). The measurements of the EKF are double differenced code and carrier phase from a dual frequency GPS receiver and relative positions derived from laser scanner measurements.

A monitoring system for a refrigerated container carrying temperature-sensitive cargo. The system includes sensors disposed throughout the container and / or an associated vehicle for measuring parameters of the container or vehicle, including temperature, motion, and fuel efficiency, among many others. The system optionally includes a global positioning system receiver to monitor geographic location. The system communicates with a command center to allow real-time tracking and monitoring of the container. To reduce false positive alerts, the system buffers alerts by at least 30 minutes and blocks signal transmission when the container is located within specified geofences such as loading and unloading sites.

A system and method by which construction tools, electronics, and other electrically powered devices are protected from theft and unauthorized use is disclosed. A tool or electronic device is equipped with an electronic receiver that receives an authorization code from a remote transmitter. Should the item be stolen, the rightful owner can disable it remotely, rendering it worthless. Additionally, the system provides for a Global Positioning System Receiver (GPS) that allows the invention to determine its physical location to within a few feet anywhere on the face of the earth, and transmit its location to the original owner such that it may be recovered. The use of the present invention allows for increased security of portable tools and electronics in a manner that is quick, easy and effective.

A vehicle crash is detected by detecting a crash condition of the vehicle using a Positioning System (PS) receiver (such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) on the vehicle. A wireless emergency signal may be generated responsive to detection of the crash condition using the PS receiver.

A portable GPS / radio unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit. The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location. The unit (10) includes a single, push-to-talk button (38) that may be pressed to both transmit a voice communication and to initiate transmission of location data. The unit (10) also includes a “polling” function that requests location data from other units, an auxiliary coding system that codes or encrypts all transmitted data, and an emergency message feature that facilities the transmission and receipt of emergency messages.

An on-vehicle system for identifying and reporting external conditions is presented. The system has an operator-selectable user interface to identify occurrence of an external condition, a global positioning system receiver; and, a wireless communications system. The unit may be used to assist in discovering localized roadway conditions that adversely affect safety and travel. The unit is placeable into a vehicle of a volunteer, is manually operated whenever a hazard is detected. Reportable hazards include potholes, obstacles or debris in the highway, snow or ice patches, fog, unusual traffic or pedestrian activity, and localized incidences, such as presence of disabled or emergency vehicles. Nature of the hazard is indicatable by manual activation of additional push buttons or other suitable devices. A GPS receiver is incorporated to estimate position, speed, and heading of the hazard. The information is encoded as a message sent to a central server.

A method and apparatus for communicating auxiliary information between a cellular telephone network and a GPS receiver positioned within a mobile station and identifying the location of the mobile station. A dedicated channel between the mobile station and the network is assigned by the network and uplink timing between the mobile station and the network is adjusted. The network requests auxiliary information and also requests the GPS receiver to perform a GPS code shift search at a common reference time. Upon receiving the auxiliary information, the network transmits the auxiliary information to the GPS receiver which then performs the GPS code shift search. The GPS receiver incorporates a bank of correlators and accumulators to perform multiple parallel searches for various Doppler frequency shifts resulting from a moving GPS receiver. The mobile station subsequently transmits the location information to the cellular telephone network.

A method and apparatus for selecting radio stations for reception based on a preferred program content. A list of radio station identifiers is stored in a memory and organized according to program content specifiers. When a presently received signal fades, the memory is searched for an alternate radio station with similar program content. If none is available, a prioritized list of alternative program content preferences is accessed and used to index other preferred radio stations for searching. In one embodiment, radio station geographic location information is stored in the memory, and the searching operation considers both program content preference and geographic proximity. The memory can be manually programmed, pre-programmed, updated by subscription, or programmed over-the-air by radio transmission. In one embodiment, a global positioning system receiver is employed to provide instantaneous radio location information.

A guard tour system comprising a computer running a computer program that enables a variety of electronic hardware components to function as the guard tour system. It is contemplated that the computer program be multi-user and / or network compatible. The electronic hardware includes one or more touch button readers, or one or more positioning system receivers (such as a global or local positioning system receiver), or both; one or more downloaders for use with the touch button readers and global positioning system receivers; and optionally a plurality of touch memory buttons located along a guard tour. Each touch memory button includes preprogrammed information specific to its particular location. As a guard or night watchman progresses through the guard tour he or she either obtains a global positioning system location reading manually or automatically or reads the information stored within each touch memory button or both, using a hand-held, battery operated reader. The Global Positioning System allows for collection of various guard positioning information.

A system and method for tracking a user. The system is adapted for use in a wireless communication system and creates a plurality of beams within a coverage area. A first beam is directed at a user in a first microcell and a number of additional beams illuminate microcells immediately adjacent the first microcell. The system is equipped with a mechanism for detecting movement of the user from the first microcell to one of the immediately adjacent microcells. On the detection of movement of the user, the system redirects the first beam from the first microcell to a second microcell, the second microcell being one of the adjacent microcells. In the illustrative embodiment, the system is implemented in a stratospheric platform based communication system including a hub adapted to communicate with a stratospheric platform. A transceiver and a phased array antenna are disposed on the platform to communicate with the hub and with the user. A second antenna is provided on the platform to communicate with the hub. Beamforming and direction are implemented on the hub and communicated to the platform. The user's position is detected with a global positioning system receiver, by measuring the strength of a signal received from the user, or by other suitable means. On detection of user movement from the first microcell, the beamforming system redirects the beam to follow the user into a second microcell. Additional beams around the user's microcell are illuminated to facilitate detection of the users movement.

An arrangement (20) for locating at least one device (22) utilizes an assisted global positioning system technique based upon Internet communications. In a disclosed example, a network server (26) detects the presence of a device (22) on the Internet (24). The network server (26) makes an initial estimate of a location of the device based upon Internet information regarding the device (22). The initial estimate is used by a location server to generate an assisted global positioning system communication that is provided to the device (22). An assisted global positioning system receiver (72) associated with the device (22) uses the received communication for interacting with a global positioning system (32). An indication of that interaction can then be used by the network server (26) or the location server (28) for making an actual device location determination.

A system and method for tracking a user. The system is adapted for use in a wireless communication system and creates a plurality of beams within a coverage area. A first beam is directed at a user in a first microcell and a number of additional beams illuminate microcells immediately adjacent the first microcell. The system is equipped with a mechanism for detecting movement of the user from the first microcell to one of the immediately adjacent microcells. On the detection of movement of the user, the system redirects the first beam from the first microcell to a second microcell, the second microcell being one of the adjacent microcells. In the illustrative embodiment, the system is implemented in a stratospheric platform based communication system including a hub adapted to communicate with a stratospheric platform. A transceiver and a phased array antenna are disposed on the platform to communicate with the hub and with the user. A second antenna is provided on the platform to communicate with the hub. Beamforming and direction are implemented on the hub and communicated to the platform. The user's position is detected with a global positioning system receiver, by measuring the strength of a signal received from the user, or by other suitable means. On detection of user movement from the first microcell, the beamforming system redirects the beam to follow the user into a second microcell. Additional beams around the user's microcell are illuminated to facilitate detection of the users movement.

An aircraft aeroelasticity measurement system according to the invention can be used to perform in-flight wing twist measurements of an aircraft or any moving vehicle or structure on which its sensors can be mounted. The system includes a centralized processing unit, a reference navigation unit mounted in the aircraft body, a plurality of measurement navigation units mounted in the aircraft wings, and a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver that generates GPS data for enhancing the accuracy of the navigation data. The system collects navigation data from the reference navigation unit and the measurement navigation units, generates navigation solutions from the navigation data, and performs a stochastic alignment and flexure estimation procedure to generate a corrected measurement solution that indicates the aeroelasticity of the aircraft. Wing twist and wing deflection information can be derived from the corrected measurement solution.