Automated differential correction processing of field data in a global positioning system
Granted: May 21, 2002
Patent Number:
6392589
A system and method for automated differential correction processing of field data in a global positioning system (GPS). In one embodiment, the present invention retrieves GPS field data collected by one or more GPS receivers from a storage device, and then automatically selects the most appropriate differential correction scheme to generate a solution without user intervention. More specifically, the present invention executes a code-based correction scheme to generate a code-based…
User-controlled GPS receiver
Granted: May 7, 2002
Patent Number:
6384777
A system and method which enables a user platform to perform low level control of a channel unit which performs acquisition and tracking of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals processing the measurement platform which includes the channel and that performs all satellite tracking functions which are driven by interrupts. Intermediate measurements data generated therefrom, for example code phase, carrier phase and Doppler, are communicated to a user platform which computes receiver…
Accurate vehicle navigation
Granted: May 7, 2002
Patent Number:
6385532
Method and system for accurate vehicle navigation and tracking within a selected lane on a roadway or a waterway. A location determination (LD) receiver, carried on the vehicle, receives LD signals from satellite-based LD signal sources, receives LD signal correction information from one or more other wide area LD correction sources, estimates a corrected vehicle location (good to within 10-50 cm) and velocity (optional) relative to one or more lane boundaries that define the selected…
Non-linear method of guiding to arbitrary curves with adaptive feedback
Granted: April 23, 2002
Patent Number:
6377889
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a vehicle guidance system. In one embodiment, the vehicle guidance system includes a navigation system capable of providing vehicle location information including the vehicle position. In the present embodiment, the vehicle guidance system further includes data storage means capable of storing at least one pre-determined course having a preferred direction of travel. The present embodiment also includes processing means capable of…
User interface for global positioning system receiver
Granted: April 23, 2002
Patent Number:
6377891
A control system for a GPS receiver allows adjustment of a number of data collection (i.e., configuration) parameters for the receiver. Preferably, a single interface allows for setting multiple parameters at the same time. Setting the configuration parameters may be in response to a user input specifying a desired quality of position estimate to be provided by the receiver and may be accomplished using a slide bar control. The slide bar control may be a graphical representation…
Differential global positioning system using almanac data for a fast time to first fix
Granted: April 16, 2002
Patent Number:
6373429
A DGPS system using GPS almanac data for determining the locations-in-space and the DGPS corrections for GPS satellites for providing a differentially corrected location of a remote GPS user receiver. A GPS reference receiver determines almanac-based DGPS corrections from the differences between ranges that are measured to GPS satellites and ranges that are calculated to the GPS almanac-based locations-in-space of the GPS satellites from the known location of the GPS reference receiver.…
Integrated SATPS total survey station
Granted: April 9, 2002
Patent Number:
6369755
Apparatus for measuring surveying parameters, such as distances and angular displacements between an instrument survey station and a mobile survey station, with improved accuracy. The invention combines a differential satellite positioning system (DSATPS), available with positioning systems such as GPS and GLONASS, with electromagnetic measurements of distances and optically encoded angles by a conventional electro-optical survey instrument to provide survey measurements that can be…
Interpolation of survey coordinate differences
Granted: April 9, 2002
Patent Number:
6370476
A system for improving the accuracy of location coordinate determined in a survey of a chosen region. A grid of spaced apart points is imposed on the region, and a set of survey control points is provided. A “near set” of nearest survey control points is associated with each grid point, and the number of elements in this new set may vary with the grid point. Definition of a near set can vary from one grid point to the next. For each grid point, a transformation T from a first…
Fast acquisition of spread-spectrum signals by dynamically varying spacing of search bins
Granted: April 2, 2002
Patent Number:
6366599
A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver employs variable spacing of Doppler offset bins and code offset bins when acquiring a P(Y) code, to improve signal acquisition characteristics with respect to a search region having a plurality of Doppler offset bins and code offset bins. The receiver includes an acquisition module in which an input signal representative of a received P(Y) code is received and applied to a first programmable rate mixer. An output of the first programmable rate…
Noise estimator for seismic exploration
Granted: April 2, 2002
Patent Number:
6366857
A method of generating a noise estimate during seismic surveying, including measuring noise energy having a plurality of frequencies in a second time interval. The second time interval having a second start time delayed from a first start time of a first time interval during which a first plurality of reflected seismic signals are present. The plurality of reflected seismic signals having the plurality of frequencies. The second time interval approximately concurrent with the first time…
Protective junction box
Granted: March 26, 2002
Patent Number:
6362421
The junction box of the present invention allows a user to couple multiple electronic devices to a primary electronic device. The junction box includes a housing assembly made up of an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing fits over the lower housing so as to form an enclosure. A seal assembly forms a seal between the upper housing and the lower housing. The upper housing extends outward on one side so as to form an overhanging portion and an opening. The overhanging…
RF integrated circuit for downconverting a GPS signal
Granted: March 12, 2002
Patent Number:
6356602
A GPS receiver and an RF GPS integrated circuit for receiving a GPS signal. The GPS integrated circuit includes a synthesizer for generating LO signals, first and second downconverters for using the LO signals for downconverting the GPS signal, and a sampler for providing in-phase and quadrature phase sampled output signals representative of the GPS signal. The synthesizer includes a multi-mode divider for providing substantially the same first LO frequency at about the midpoint of the…
Safety system for guidance control system
Granted: March 12, 2002
Patent Number:
6356819
A method and apparatus that allows for safely operating a vehicle when an automatic steering control feature of a guidance control system is in operation. One or more sensors are used to determine whether the operator is in the vehicle. If the sensors detect that the operator has left the vehicle, the vehicle is shut off. The safety system includes one or more software programs that operate to determine whether the guidance control system is operating properly. More specifically, a…
GPS guidance system for use with circular cultivated agricultural fields
Granted: March 5, 2002
Patent Number:
6353409
A GPS (Global Positioning System) aircraft guidance system for use with circular cultivated agriculture fields. The system of the present invention includes a GPS receiver adapted to determine a present position, ground track, and ground speed of an aircraft. The GPS receiver is also adapted to store a configuration of a circular cultivated agricultural field and to compute a desired flight path for achieving an optimal coverage of the field. Deviations of the aircraft from the desired…
Vehicle tracker, mileage-time monitor and calibrator
Granted: March 5, 2002
Patent Number:
6353796
A system for monitoring location and speed of a vehicle, using a location determination system such as GPS, GLONASS or LORAN and an optional odometer or speedometer, for determining and recording the locations and times at which vehicle speed is less than a threshold speed for at least a threshold time (called a “vehicle arrest event”). Vehicle arrest event locations, times and time intervals are stored and/or printed to provide trip and mileage records and for efficiency…
Integrated position and direction system with three-sensor digital compass
Granted: March 5, 2002
Patent Number:
6353798
An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass, wherein the digital compass includes at least three sensors, and a satellite positioning system having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Direction is determined using the digital compass and heading is determined using the SATPOS. When the integrated position and direction system is moving, heading is indicated. When the integrated position and direction system is…
Integrated position and direction system
Granted: February 19, 2002
Patent Number:
6349263
An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass and a satellite positioning system having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Direction is determined using the digital compass and heading is determined using the SATPOS. When the integrated position and direction system is moving, heading is indicated. When the integrated position and direction system is not moving direction is indicated. The integrated position…
System for using differential GPS receivers with autopilot systems for category III precision approaches
Granted: January 29, 2002
Patent Number:
6342853
A precision approach capable dual differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver avionics system. The system of the present invention includes a first and a second DGPS receiver. The first and second DGPS receivers are both adapted to interface with an autopilot in an aircraft. The DGPS receivers each determine the position of the aircraft as the aircraft proceeds along a flight path. Both DGPS receivers are further adapted to employ carrier aiding to smooth the code phase…
Seamless surveying system
Granted: January 29, 2002
Patent Number:
6343254
A survey system and method for determining the best source of position data for a particular application. The system includes both an optical unit and a satellite positioning system (SATPS) unit for obtaining position data. The optical unit includes a theodolite and an electronic distance meter for determining the position of a rover unit. The SATPS unit includes a SATPS antenna and a SATPS receiver for receiving signals from satellites of the SATPS and a radio for coupling the received…
Satellite navigation receiver with map graphics and hypertext driven by a PDF database
Granted: January 1, 2002
Patent Number:
6336074
An improved GPS navigation receiver for converting range and range-rate information from microwave radio transmissions from orbiting satellites and for determining a position of the receiver from a processing of the information and an output connected to provide the determined position on a display. The improvement comprises a database of maps stored in a portable document format (PDF) file independent of any hardware, software and operating system used to create it. The PDF file…
