Location Estimation Using Time-Proportional Transmitter Data

The patent introduces base stations as intermediary elements to establish indirect location determination paths. When direct GPS reception is blocked by environmental obstacles, the system uses signals from multiple base stations as mediators to calculate device location through triangulation methods, thereby maintaining location accuracy without requiring direct line-of-sight GPS signals.

The patent segments the location determination process into multiple independent measurement paths: direct GPS measurement, base station signal strength measurement, and angle of arrival measurement. This segmentation allows the system to switch between different measurement methods depending on environmental conditions, ensuring reliable location determination even when GPS signals are blocked.

The patent implements partial action by allowing location estimation with fewer than the ideal three base station signals when environmental conditions permit. The system can determine location using available signals (even one or two base stations) combined with other measurement data such as GPS coordinates or previous location information, rather than requiring the complete set of three signals in all situations.

The patent merges multiple types of measurement data including GPS coordinates, base station signal strengths, angle of arrival measurements, and temporal information into a unified location determination system. This combination allows the system to compensate for missing base station signals by integrating information from other sources, maintaining location estimation accuracy even when the minimum number of base station signals is not received.

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors signal strength from multiple base stations and adjusts location calculations based on observed variations. By comparing expected signal strengths with actual measurements and using temporal patterns of signal variations, the system can compensate for environmental obstacles that cause signal strength fluctuations, maintaining accurate location determination despite unstable signal conditions.

The patent uses partial action by combining signal strength measurements with other available information such as GPS coordinates, angle of arrival data, and previous location estimates. When signal strength varies due to obstacles, the system relies on supplementary measurement methods to maintain location accuracy, rather than depending solely on signal strength which may be unstable in certain environments.