613 results about "Location technology" patented technology

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. Accordingly, the traditional MS location difficulties, such as multipath, poor location accuracy and poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with strategies for: (a) automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes; (b) automatically capturing location signal data for continual enhancement of a self-maintaining historical data base retaining predictive location signal data; (c) evaluating MS locations according to both heuristics and constraints related to, e.g., terrain, MS velocity and MS path extrapolation from tracking and (d) adjusting likely MS locations adaptively and statistically so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

A method and apparatus to confine and constrain an animal or human subject to a specific area has the capability to change the borders of the restraint area remotely to maximize an area's utility. A collar or support is placed on the subject; the collar carries an electronic module to receive and send signals and to activate a restraining or feedback mechanism. In its simplest form, the collar receives and transmits Global Positioning System (GPS) data to be matched against a preset group of boundary coordinates. The system of the present invention utilizes GPS location technology to define the boundary. When the input matches the boundary coordinates set into the receiver, an impulse is delivered to the subject or wearer. This impulse becomes increasingly severe as the wearer moves farther away from the boundary point. Upon return to the boundary location the impulse ceases and, as long as the wearer stays within the boundaries, no further impulse is imparted. Terrain of the designated area is not a factor in the operation of the system since it can be programmed for use anywhere. The coordinates of the boundaries can either be preset or remotely changed to redefine the permitted areas.

A Wide Area Sensor Network (WASN) is disclosed that utilizes wideband software defined radios (SDRs) to monitor RF energy over a wide frequency range, detect when critical frequencies are being jammed or otherwise interfered with, and locate the source of the interference so that the interference can be eliminated. The WASN may use one or more geolocation techniques In addition, the WASN may detect and locate unauthorized transmitters as well as estimate the transmitted power of authorized transmitters to assure they are not transmitting more power than authorized.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a three-dimensional (3-D) energy-based emitter geolocation technique determines the geolocation of a radio frequency (RF) emitter based on energy or received signal strength (RSS) of transmitted signals. The technique may be employed with small unmanned air vehicles (UAV), and obtains reliable geolocation estimates of radio frequency (RF) emitters of interest.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

A portable RFID reader (or reader / writer) that also employs a location determination subsystem that facilitates determination of the reader (or reader / writer) location. The location subsystem can employ a satellite-based GPS (Global Positioning System) location technology where such signals are unimpeded by structures. Additionally, the location subsystem can employ other terrestrial location technologies that operate inside structures such as warehouses and the factory automation environment.

A new system design of multimedia recognition, processing, and indexing utilizes several new researches and technologies in the field of multi-media processing. The system integrates mature technologies being used in video security surveillance, media post-production, digital video storage and management, military visual and tacking technologies. The system makes unique integration of these existing, new, and upcoming technologies that have not been used in this combined fashion before, therefore providing new usage and applications beyond the simple sum of the functions of each technology. These technologies as components in a system that is open standard, and therefore can improve itself by modifying and replacing the technology components. The design of the system targets primarily heavily produced media contents from news, entertainment, and education and training, but not limited to these contents. Other digital contents, from live broadcast, to web broadcast, to home video, web cam, etc. can certainly use many different components of the system, and to utilize the open standard platform for various usages.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

Methods for overseeing and assessing a locate and marking operation. A ticket is received including ticket information regarding the operation, and a first locate technician is dispatched to perform the operation pursuant to the ticket information. A locate manifest is received that includes at least one digital image associated with a dig area in which the locate technician performed the operation. The locate manifest is compared to the ticket information, and a determination is made if the operation is 1) satisfactory, 2) unsatisfactory and requires further quality control assessment and / or at least partial re-performance, or 3) satisfactory but the first locate technician requires coaching. One or more electronic indications of one of 1), 2) and 3) are provided so as to generate an electronic record of a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation.

Methods and apparatus for assessing a locate and marking operation. Ticket information is received as provided to a first locate technician prior to performing the operation. A locate manifest is received including a digital marked-up image of a geographic area surrounding a dig area in which the operation was performed, on which image at least one digital representation of at least one locate mark is electronically overlaid. The locate manifest, at least some of the ticket information, and a plurality of icons representing different possible quality assessments of the locate and marking operation are displayed. The plurality of icons includes an approved icon representing a satisfactory locate and marking operation, a QC icon representing an unsatisfactory locate and marking operation, and a coach icon representing that the first locate technician requires coaching. One of the displayed icons is selected so as to provide a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

A mobile station location server determines the mobile station's location through various location techniques or by receiving the location information from the mobile station over an encrypted channel. The server stores the location in memory that may be access by authorized client access devices. A requesting client access device transmits a request to the server over the Internet. The server authenticates the request to verify that the client access device is authorized to receive the location information. If the client access device is authorized, the server can then transmit the information in either an encrypted or decrypted form to the device.

The invention relates to a positioning of an assembly 1. An assembly 1 comprises a GNSS receiver 3 and a wireless communication module 2 and may exchange GNSS information with other assemblies 1 using cellular or non-cellular links. Relative positions between assemblies 1 are determined based on GNSS measurements at the assemblies 1. An API 70 supports a communication between a GNSS receiver 3 and a wireless communication module 2. A positioning is made controllable by a user interface 122. A positioning server 4, 6 may forward information from one assembly 1 to the other or take care of the position computations for assemblies 1. An absolute positioning is enabled by means of a GNSS receiver 7 arranged at a known location and coupled to such a server 4. A network of positioning servers enables an information exchange between positioning servers 4, 5, 6.

Methods and apparatus for non-contact thermal measurement which are capable of providing sub micron surface thermal characterization of samples, such as active semiconductor devices. The method obtains thermal image information by reflecting a light from a surface of a device in synchronous with the modulation of the thermal excitation and then acquiring and processing an AC-coupled thermoreflective image. The method may be utilized for making measurements using different positioning techniques, such as point measurements, surface scanning, two-dimensional imaging, and combinations thereof. A superresolution method is also described for increasing the resultant image resolution, based on multiple images with fractional pixel offsets, without the need to increase the resolution of the image detectors being utilized. The thermoreflective method provides a spatial resolution better than current infrared cameras, operates within a wide temperature range, and is capable of a thermal resolution on the order of 10 mK.degree..

Provided is a system and method that acquires and aggregates information to determine the location of a user. Information from multiple sources is collected and evaluated. Location sources include mobile electronic devices such as mobile telephones, cell phones, hand-held computers, personal digital assistants, pagers, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and other pervasive computing devices. Satellite-based or network-based positioning technologies make it possible to determine the geographic location of these wireless electronic devices and their corresponding user. Location sources also include computer-based models, schedules or calendars that give a particular user's expected location depending on the date and time. Provided is a method for aggregating information to determine a user's location. Also provided is a system for executing the claimed method. Also provided is as a set of instructions on a computer-usable medium, or resident in a computer system, for executing the claimed method.

According to an embodiment of the present invention jamming energy is allocated to a plurality of emitters based on a three-dimensional (3-D) emitter geolocation technique that determines the geolocation of radio frequency (RF) emitters based on energy or received signal strength (RSS) and / or time differences of arrival (TDOAs) of transmitted signals. The three-dimensional (3-D) emitter geolocations are used to rank emitters of interest according to distance and available radio frequency (RF) jamming energy is allocated to the emitters in rank order. The techniques may be employed with small unmanned air vehicles (UAV), and obtains efficient use of jamming energy when applied to radio frequency (RF) emitters of interest.

A model construction module (MCM) for constructing a probabilistic model (PM) of a wireless environment (RN) in which a target device (T) communicates using signals that have a measurable signal value (x), such as signal strength. The model construction module forms several submodels (611-631) of the wireless environment (RN). Each submodel indicates a probability distribution (F1-F3) for signal values at one or more locations (Q1-QY) in the wireless environment. The module combines the submodels to a probabilistic model (PM) of the wireless environment (RN), such that the probabilistic model indicates a probability distribution for signal values at several locations in the wireless environment. Alternatively, the model may insert new locations to a single model based on a combination of existing locations. The combination of submodels or existing locations comprises combining the inverse cumulative distribution functions of the submodels or existing locations.

A target device's location is estimated by a location estimation module (LEM) that comprises a probabilistic model (PM) for a plurality of sample points, each of which comprises a sample location and an expected distribution of signal values at that sample point. The location estimation module (LEM) makes a sequence (OS) of observations on, n=1, 2, 3 . . . , of signal values. Each observation corresponds to a respective location qn along the target device's path. The sequence of observations and the respective location constitute a hidden Markov model. The module estimates the target device's location qn based on the probabilistic model (PM) and the sequence of observations, wherein the sequence of observations comprises one or more future observations on+m for which m is a positive integer. In other words, the target device's location is estimated, at least partially, based on knowledge of its future.

A method and apparatus to confine and constrain an animal or human subject to a specific area has the capability to change the borders of the restraint area remotely to maximize an area's utility. A collar or support is placed on the subject; the collar carries an electronic module to receive and send signals and to activate a restraining or feedback mechanism. In its simplest form, the collar receives and transmits Global Positioning System (GPS) data to be matched against a preset group of boundary coordinates. The system of the present invention utilizes GPS location technology to define the boundary. When the input matches the boundary coordinates set into the receiver, an impulse is delivered to the subject or wearer. This impulse becomes increasingly severe as the wearer moves farther away from the boundary point. Upon return to the boundary location the impulse ceases and, as long as the wearer stays within the boundaries, no further impulse is imparted. Terrain of the designated area is not a factor in the operation of the system since it can be programmed for use anywhere. The coordinates of the boundaries can either be preset or remotely changed to redefine the permitted areas.

A portable RFID reader (or reader / writer) that also employs a location determination subsystem that facilitates determination of the reader (or reader / writer) location. The location subsystem can employ a satellite-based GPS (Global Positioning System) location technology where such signals are unimpeded by structures. Additionally, the location subsystem can employ other terrestrial location technologies that operate inside structures such as warehouses and the factory automation environment.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

A wireless telecommunications network uses a wireless location technology to determine the locations of mobile stations. As part of a location accuracy analysis process, the wireless location technology is used to obtain a measured latitude and longitude for a mobile station located at a test site having a known latitude and longitude. A data analysis system calculates the radial location error, expressed as a distance, between the measured and known latitude and longitude values. The process is repeated a number of times sufficient to calculate the mean radial location error to within a predetermined uncertainty at a predetermined confidence level.

Provided is a distributed system and method for enabling new and useful location dependent features and functionality to mobile data processing systems. Mobile data processing systems interact with each other as peers in communications and interoperability. Indirectly located mobile data processing systems are located relative other mobile data processing systems, and are automatically located using whereabouts data of directly located mobile data processing systems and / or whereabouts data of other indirectly located mobile data processing systems. A mobile data processing system may dynamically take on roles of being directly located or indirectly located, depending on the environment and capabilities available at a particular time. Reference whereabouts data is appropriately shared between mobile data processing systems to carry out automatic location techniques ensuring mobile data processing systems are kept up to date with their own whereabouts and whereabouts of others, regardless of the freely moving travels of any of the mobile data processing systems involved, and the location technologies that may or may not be available when needed. A confidence is associated to whereabouts data shared for facilitating selection of the best candidate data used in determining new whereabouts information.