2847 results about "Gps receiver" patented technology

An Integrated Routing / Mapping Information System (IRMIS) links desktop personal computer cartographic applications to one or more handheld organizer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or "palmtop" devices. Such devices may be optionally equipped with, or connected to, portable Global Positioning System (GPS) or equivalent position sensing device. Desktop application facilitates user selection of areas, starts, stops, destinations, maps and / or point and / or route information. It optionally includes supplemental online information, preferably for transfer to the PDA or equivalent device. Users' options include route information, area, and route maps. Maps and related route information are configured with differential detail and levels of magnitude. Used in the field, in conjunction with GPS receiver, the PDA device is configured to display directions, text and map formats, the user's current position, heading, speed, elevation, and so forth. Audible signals identifying the next turn along the user's planned route are also provided. The user can pan across maps and zoom between two or more map scales, levels of detail, or magnitudes. The IRMIS also provides for "automatic zooming," e.g., to show greater detail or closer detail as the user approaches a destination, or to larger scale and lower resolution to show the user's overall planned route between points of interest. The IRMIS also enables the user to mark or record specific locations and / or log actual travel routes, using GPS position information. These annotated location marks and / or "breadcrumb" or GPS log data can be saved, uploaded, displayed, or otherwise processed on the user's desktop geographic information or cartographic system. The IRMIS application and data may be distributed online and / or in tangible media in limited and advanced manipulation formats.

An Integrated Routing / Mapping Information System (IRMIS) links desktop personal computer cartographic applications to one or more handheld organizer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or "palmtop" devices. Such devices may be optionally equipped with, or connected to, portable Global Positioning System (GPS) or equivalent position sensing device. Desktop application facilitates user selection of areas, starts, stops, destinations, maps and / or point and / or route information. It optionally includes supplemental online information, preferably for transfer to the PDA or equivalent device. Users' options include route information, area, and route maps. Maps and related route information are configured with differential detail and levels of magnitude. Used in the field, in conjunction with GPS receiver, the PDA device is configured to display directions, text and map formats, the user's current position, heading, speed, elevation, and so forth. Audible signals identifying the next turn along the user's planned route are also provided. The user can pan across maps and zoom between two or more map scales, levels of detail, or magnitudes. The IRMIS also provides for "automatic zooming," e.g., to show greater detail or closer detail as the user approaches a destination, or to larger scale and lower resolution to show the user's overall planned route between points of interest. The IRMIS also enables the user to mark or record specific locations and / or log actual travel routes, using GPS position information. These annotated location marks and / or "breadcrumb" or GPS log data can be saved, uploaded, displayed, or otherwise processed on the user's desktop geographic information or cartographic system. The IRMIS application and data may be distributed online and / or in tangible media in limited and advanced manipulation formats.

A time / location information delivery system that provides focused advertising and / or other information to individuals based on the time and their location. A wireless identification device is carried by an individual and can be read from or written to when the individual passes by interrogators in a specific geographic location. The detectors read ID information embedded in the wireless identification device. A computer uses the ID and location information to select, from a list of information providers, those information providers which provide information content identifiable or correlated to a location and / or time, and is of interest to the individual. The information content can be forwarded to the individual by a variety of information channels. One channel uses conventional Internet email to deliver advertisements and other information to the individual's Internet mailbox. The email can be delivered to a conventional PC, a portable computer, a PDA, an intelligent telephone, pager or other suitable device. For ease of discussion, a pager and a PDA will be referred to collectively as a PDA. The wireless identification device can be an RFID tag embedded in a card, or even a wireless telephone. The RFID tag is read or written to by fixed interrogators and the location of the wireless telephone is detected by triangulating information from cell towers or by embedding the GPS receiver in the wireless telephone thereby providing the location information directly from the telephone. Of course, other nearly identical location determination means, such as quadrangulation could also be used. The location determination can be performed through similar means with other devices such as PDAs, laptops, pagers, etc.

Arrangement and method for mapping a road during travel of a vehicle having two data acquisition modules arranged on sides of the vehicle, each including a GPS receiver and antenna for enabling the vehicle's position to be determined and a linear camera which provides one-dimensional images of an area on the respective side in a vertical plane perpendicular to the road such that information about the road is obtained from a view in a direction perpendicular to the road. A processor unit forms a map database of the road by correlating the vehicle's position and the information about the road. Instead of or in addition to the linear cameras, scanning laser radars are provided and transmit waves downward in a plane perpendicular to the road and receive reflected waves to provide information about distance between the laser radars and the ground for use in forming the database.

A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.

A light weight compact portable GPS receiver and transmitter for use on the person during outdoor activity, data logging receiver, data logging software supported by battery pack and modified active GPS patch antenna with chips, download connector, download docking station, charging units, mapping software to transfer the GPS data onto various maps including ortho-rectified, flat topographical maps, 3-D projection view topographical maps and street maps.

A system for instantaneously monitoring traffic congestion including a plurality of monitoring electronic devices located in motor vehicles traveling on roadways in a selected region. Each monitoring electronic device is coupled to a GPS receiver that provides physical location to a wireless modem capable of connecting to a wireless communication network. The system also includes a central computer connected to a wide area network that is able of continuously downloading physical location information from a plurality of monitoring electronic devices also connected to the wide area network. The central computer uses a traffic monitoring software program and a mapping database containing roadway information for a region and the movement information from the monitoring electronic devices to create a continuously updated traffic congestion database. Authorized users of the system are able to log onto the central computer to a portion of the database that contains specific traffic flow and congestion information. Using the system, users are also able to obtain estimated times of arrival for a specific trip, and recommendations on alternative route information. The system can also take into consideration current or anticipated events that may affect traffic congestion.

A method including providing a PDA having a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a GPS receiver coupled to the processor and a RF transponder capable of communicating using Internet Protocol; storing user identification information in the memory; storing medical history information in the memory; determining location using the GPS receiver; transmitting the determined location to a service using the RF transponder; and in response to a request of emergency service by a user of the PDA, contacting the service and transmitting an emergency request to the service using the RF transponder. A PDA comprising a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a GPS receiver coupled to the processor; and a wireless transponder capable of communicating using Internet Protocol, the PDA being configured to store user identification information in the memory, store medical history information in the memory, determine location using the GPS receiver, transmit the determined location to a service using the wireless transponder, and, in response to a request of emergency service by a user of the PDA, contact the service and transmit an emergency request to the service using the wireless transponder.

A computer apparatus such as a mouse, keyboard, or PC headset with additional devices disposed within the apparatus enclosure, which can enhance the functionality of such computer apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the additional devices are disposed within or along the length of a mouse apparatus. The additional devices typically function independently of the mouse apparatus. However, the additional components may share one or more wired or wireless paths to a host PC and to other devices, or to a network. The additional devices either integrated within the mouse enclosure or removable from the mouse enclosure, include a wireless adapter (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, GSM, etc. . . . ), RAM, ROM, a mini hard drive, a GPS receiver module, a flash memory, flash memory drive reader, a USB Hub, a Trackpoint™ device, a keyboard or keypad, a fingerprint reader, or a SIM card reader. Also disclosed, are software controls for mapping the mouse velocity to a cursor velocity and for controlling the function and settings of the Trackpoint device. Further disclosed is a method for assigning the mouse's data output to a variety of devices connected to a wired or wireless network.

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 wearable electronic device (10) is disclosed comprising a location determining component (12) enclosed by an elongated housing (14) and a strap (16) operable to secure the housing to a user's forearm for use during exercise or other periods of activity. The housing (14) includes a display (30) and at least one input (44). The display (30) communicates information concerning the device (10) and the input (44) controls the operation of the location determining component (12). In a first preferred embodiment, the location determining component (12) is a GPS receiver operable to determine a geographic location of the device (10). In a second preferred embodiment, the device (110) comprises a location determining component (112) and an exercise performance monitor component (162) operable to compute information relative to the user's exercise. In a third preferred embodiment, the device (212) comprises a location determining component (212) and an entertainment component (264) operable to execute at least one game. In a fourth preferred embodiment, the device (310) comprises a location determining component (312), an exercise performance monitor component (362) and an entertainment component (364).

The invention comprises a unit and system for remote monitoring and controlling of various conditions in a container during cargo. The system includes a local wireless or cable (wired) network with a local station and access points positioned in the vicinity of location of containers, a remote central station connected with the Internet and a container-mounted means for monitoring and control of reefer equipment, each of which includes a processor (CPU) and a transceiver of wireless local communication, a GPS-receiver and a transceiver of cellular communication (with all of them being connected to the said processor). In addition the processor (CPU) of the device is connected to the controller of reefer equipment, while the transceiver of wireless local communication is made so that the creation of Personal Area Network (PAN) with mobile electronic devices (e.g., Notebook, Pocket PC, PDA) is possible, and establishment of wireless communication with a communication gateway of the said local network is also possible.

A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location.

A system for determining location of an object, the system including a Master Unit having an RF transceiver and adapted to measure distance to the Tag. The Master Unit has a first input from which it can derive its current position. The Master Unit transmits instructions to the Tag for movement in a predetermined direction. The Master Unit measures distance to the Tag after the movement in the predetermined direction. The Master Unit determines position of the Tag after the movement in the predetermined direction. The Tag can include a compass, a pedometer, and optionally an accelerometer, a solid-state gyroscope, an altimeter inputs for determining its current position by the Master Unit. The Master can optionally include a compass as well as a pedometer, an altimeter, an accelerometer, a solid-state gyroscope, an altimeter and a GPS receiver. Also, the Tag movement does not have to follow the Master's direction. However, the Master Unit still will be able to determine the Tag location(s). Also, the roles of the Master Unit and Tag can be reversed.

A system for facilitating handoff adapted for use with a telecommunications network. The system includes position equipment for determining the location of a mobile transceiver within a region containing a first cell and a second cell. A comparison circuit compares the location with a predetermined handoff area within the region and provides a control signal in response thereto. A handoff initiation circuit initiates handoff of the mobile transceiver between the first cell and the second cell in response to the control signal. In a specific embodiment, the handoff is a hard handoff. The position equipment includes Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment including a mobile unit GPS receiver and signal interface. The comparison circuit includes a positional database that stores latitudinal and longitudinal information corresponding to the predetermined handoff area. The comparison circuit also includes a Code Division Multiple Access selector. The selector begins tracking the position of the mobile transceiver when it is within a predetermined range of the predetermined handoff area. In a specific embodiment, the handoff initiation circuit includes a base station controller. The position equipment includes a base station positional detection system and a mobile unit positional detection system for determining the location of the mobile transceiver. The position database has map information depicting the coverage area of the first and second cells and the predetermined handoff area. The selector runs software for comparing the location to the map information and providing the control signal when the location is within the predetermined handoff area. The base station includes and implements instructions for completing hard handoff in response to the control signal.

A method including providing a PDA having a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a GPS receiver coupled to the processor and a RF transponder capable of communicating using Internet Protocol; storing user identification information in the memory; storing medical history information in the memory; determining location using the GPS receiver; transmitting the determined location to a service using the RF transponder; and in response to a request of emergency service by a user of the PDA, contacting the service and transmitting an emergency request to the service using the RF transponder. A PDA comprising a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a GPS receiver coupled to the processor; and a wireless transponder capable of communicating using Internet Protocol, the PDA being configured to store user identification information in the memory, store medical history information in the memory, determine location using the GPS receiver, transmit the determined location to a service using the wireless transponder, and, in response to a request of emergency service by a user of the PDA, contact the service and transmit an emergency request to the service using the wireless transponder.

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for portable navigation devices with various integrated positioning functionality. The apparatus includes a portable electronic device having a processor in communication with a memory. The memory is adapted to store navigation related data. The navigation related data includes cartographic data including a number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The portable electronic device includes a GPS receiver adapted to communicate with the memory and processor. And, the portable electronic device includes a dead reckoning component, including a rate gyro, pedometer, and / or accelerometer adapted to communicate to memory and processor.

A sensor is used to detect movement of a mobile device. For example, data received from an accelerometer may be averaged together and compared to a threshold value. If the average of the data is greater than a threshold value, the mobile device may be assumed to be moving. This information may be used to control the frequency of data collection by, for example, a GPS receiver in order to maximize utility and minimize power use.

A system and method for determining a position of a remote object comprising inertial sensors and three axis magnetic sensor, together with a target sighting device aligned with the observation platform to determine a target line of sight and a target range finder to determine a distance to the target along the line of sight. A GPS receiver may be included for determining an observation platform position and orientation, The three axis magnetic sensor provides both magnetic north and vertical attitude information for improved rapid initialization and operation in motion. Magnetic anomaly information is detected by comparing IMU and magnetic navigation information and by other methods. Target identification may be determined by a human operator and / or by computer. The system may be integrated with a weapon system to use weapon system sights. The system may be networked to provide target location and / or location error information to another identical unit or a command information system.

Methods and arrangements involving portable devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a system stores information from a sensor sub-system as RDF triples. The sensor sub-system may comprise a physical or logical sensor, such as a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, a GPS receiver, an image classifier, and a user activity sensor. The triples can be stored in a user's smartphone or other portable device, or in the cloud. The stored data can then be acted on by a processor—again, in the user's smartphone, in another portable device, or in the cloud. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link between two stations at least one of which is a mobile station. A millimeter wave transmitter system operating at frequencies higher than 57 GHz with a tracking antenna producing a beam having a half-power beam width of about 2 degrees or less and a millimeter wave receiver also with a tracking antenna having a half-power beam width of about 2 degrees or less. In preferred embodiments each mobile station has a global position system (GPS) and a radio transmitter and both tracking antennas are pointed utilizing GPS information from the mobile station or stations. The GPS information preferably is transmitted via a low frequency, low data rate radio. Each millimeter wave unit is capable of transmitting and / or receiving, through the atmosphere, digital information to / from the other station at rates in excess of 155 million bits per second during normal weather conditions. In preferred embodiments actually built and tested by Applicants digital information has been transmitted at rates of 1.25 gigabits per second. Preferred communication links described here are millimeter wave links operating at frequencies of 71-73 GHz and 74-76 GHz mounted on simple two-axis gimbals. Pointing information of the required accuracy is provided by GPS receivers and standard radio links which send the GPS calculated positions to the millimeter wave systems at the opposite end of the link. In these embodiments there is no need for any complicated closed loop pointing information derived from received signal intensity or phase. On moving platforms locally generated inertial attitude information is combined with the GPS positions to control pointing of the gimbaled transceivers.

A mobile tracking and positioning system includes a plurality of mobile transmit and receive stations that track a mobile target which emits a radio signal in response to the occurrence of a tracking effort initiation event. The tracking stations have a GPS receiver or like means for determining their position, a radio direction finder responsive to the radio signal that determines the vector to the mobile target, a two-way communications system and a computer. The mobile transmit and receive stations exchange their position and direction to target information via the two-way communications systems, enabling the stations to triangulate the location of the target with their computers.

A system automatically discovers and maintains geographic location information for entities and devices making up a computer network. The system preferably includes a computing unit and a geographic location generator, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The computing unit includes a location discovery entity and a message generator. The GPS receiver, which is mounted to and in communication with the computing unit, may be augmented with an inertial navigation unit to facilitate the generation of location information inside of buildings where GPS signals can be difficult to receive. The computing unit further includes a network communications facility so that it can communicate with one or more network devices, such as a network switch. The switch includes a location recording / reporting entity and a location database. Physical coordinates of network entities or devices are obtained by the GPS receiver and / or-inertial navigation unit and transmitted to the network switch, and the recording / reporting entity stores the physical coordinates at the location database.

Methods and apparatuses for synchronizing basestations in a cellular network. One exemplary method performs time synchronization between at least two basestations, a first basestation and a second basestation, of a cellular communication system. In this exemplary method, a first time-of-day and a first geographical location of a first mobile cellular receiver station (MS) are determined from a first satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver which is co-located with the first MS, and the first time-of-day and first location are transmitted by the first MS to a first basestation which determines a time-of-day of the first basestation from the first time-of-day and first location and from a known location of the first basestation. Also in this exemplary method, a second time-of-day and a second geographical location of a second MS are determined from a second SPS receiver which is co-located with the second MS, and the second time-of-day and the second location are transmitted to a second basestation which determines a time-of-day of the second basestation from the second time-of-day and the second location and a known location of the second basestation. Other methods and apparatuses are also described for synchronizing basestations in a cellular network.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for integrating GPS receiver technology into a PDA. The systems, devices and methods of the present invention integrate GPS capabilities with PDA functions, and in particular integrate a PDA address book function with an electronic map and GPS capabilities. One aspect provided herein is a method. In one embodiment, a location or feature is identified, and a Personal Digital Assistant. (PDA) address book entry is associated with the location or feature. In one embodiment, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) address book entry is selected, and a location or feature is associated with the PDA address book entry. Other aspects are provided herein.

A system and method of monitoring a plurality of electrical assets comprise an electricity distribution infrastructure, including a plurality of electrical asset sensors coupled to the electrical assets for monitoring an operating condition of the electrical assets as well as any fault conditions. The sensors may include a current transformer for obtaining a current waveform, a GPS receiver for applying a synchronized time-stamp to the waveform data, and a mesh network radio for transmitting the time-stamped waveform data. Data from the plurality of sensors may be encrypted and transmitted over a mesh network to one or more gateways that are in communication with a central command processor. In response to an abnormal operating condition of any electrical asset, the central command processor may determine a probable fault location, a probable fault type, and a fault response.

A signal collection system (SCS) is used in a wireless location system that determines the geographical locations of mobile wireless transmitters. The SCS includes a first receiver module, a first digital signal processing (DSP) module, a control and communications module, a timing signal generator including an enhanced GPS receiver, and a bus coupling the DSP module to the communications and control module. The receiver module receives RF signals from the mobile transmitters via a plurality of antennas and digitizes said RF signals, and provides digitized RF data to the first DSP module.

A method apparatus for orienting a map display in a mobile or portable device. An electronic compass is integrated with a hand-held portable or mobile mapping device and an electronic compass bearing is used to calculate an offset value with respect to the map default orientation. The map is thus reoriented in the display to the direction of the device. In an alternative embodiment, a GPS receiver is also integrated with the device. A heading fix is calculated from two or more GPS position fixes to determine orientation of the device. When a heading fix is unavailable, such as at initial start-up of the device, a compass heading is used in lieu of the GPS heading fix to orient the map on a display.

A mobile device for enhanced navigation and orientation including a visualization interface, a first sensor for providing signals indicative of a movement of the mobile device, a second sensor for providing further signals indicative of a movement of the mobile device, and a processor receiving signals from the first and second sensors, calculating a position and an orientation of the mobile device from the received signals, and generating a real time simulation of an environment via the visualization interface based on the position and orientation of the mobile device. According to an embodiment, the first and second sensors are implemented as an inertial sensor and a GPS receiver, respectively.