A method involves selecting a set of altitude envelope distribution constraints for a building and generating a set of altitude envelope distributions for the building in accordance with the constraints. Each altitude envelope distribution includes one or more first altitude envelopes. An aggregate altitude envelope distribution is generated for the building using the set of altitude envelope distributions and in accordance with the constraints. The aggregate altitude envelope distribution includes one or more second altitude envelopes. A reference altitude of the building is determined, and an absolute aggregate altitude envelope distribution is determined using the reference altitude and the aggregate altitude envelope distribution. The aggregate altitude envelope distribution includes one or more third altitude envelopes, each corresponding to a respective estimated floor number of the building.
A method (300) includes a server (102) receiving (302) a plurality of data packets (118) from a mobile device (104). Each data packet comprises a user pressure measurement corresponding to an estimated user position at a time indicated by an associated timestamp. The server (102) identifies (304) a plurality of reference pressure measurements associated with the estimated user positions and the associated timestamps. The server (102) determines (306) one or more of a user pressure stability metric, a combined stability metric, and a combined accuracy metric. The server (102) determines (308) a likelihood value by comparing one or more of the metrics to a respective threshold. The server (102) determines (310) that one or more of the estimated user positions are unlikely accurate when the likelihood value exceeds a likelihood threshold and determines (312) that one or more of the estimated user positions are likely accurate when the likelihood value does not exceed the likelihood threshold.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
3.
IDENTIFYING ERRONEOUS CALIBRATION VALUES OF A BAROMETRIC AIR PRESSURE SENSOR
A method involves identifying multiple calibration values and corresponding calibration confidence values of an initial calibration dataset in which one or more calibration values were derived using an atmospheric pressure measurement from a barometric air pressure sensor of a mobile device. A calibration metric is determined for each calibration value. One or more of the calibration values are filtered out from the initial calibration dataset based on the calibration metric to generate a filtered calibration dataset. A filtered calibration value is determined using the filtered calibration dataset. The barometric air pressure sensor of the mobile device is calibrated using the filtered calibration value.
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
4.
TRIGGERING THE COLLECTING AND/OR USING OF CALIBRATION DATA
An alert indicates that a situation conducive to calibrating a barometric pressure sensor (112) of the user device (102) might have occurred. In response, calibration data is collected for calibrating the barometric pressure sensor (112). The calibration data is used to perform a calibration process and generate a calibration value for the barometric pressure sensor (112).
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
Field calibration of a pressure device involves collecting simultaneous pressure data or pressure and temperature data at two devices for multiple time points. Pressure differences between pairs of simultaneous data points of the collected pressure data are calculated. A model is fitted to the pressure differences and the temperatures and/or pressures, and model parameters are used to correct measurements from the second device. Alternatively, a pressure gradient is estimated for a region that encompasses the two devices for each time point. A distance is determined between the two devices. A pressure gradient difference is determined between the two devices for each time point. A pressure difference offset is obtained for one of the pairs of simultaneous data points for each time point. An average pressure difference offset is determined between the two devices and is used to correct measurements from one of the devices.
A method involves determining an estimated position of a mobile device within a region. Atmospheric data measurement stations are identified within the region. A geographical anomaly is identified within the region that physically intervenes between the mobile device and a first atmospheric data measurement station. Based on a positional relationship between the mobile device, the geographical anomaly, and the first atmospheric data measurement station, it is determined that atmospheric pressure measurements collected at the first atmospheric data measurement station should be conditionally used for determining a reference pressure estimate. The reference pressure estimate is determined using a plurality of atmospheric pressure measurements collected at the atmospheric data measurement stations and conditionally using the atmospheric pressure measurements collected at the first atmospheric data measurement station. An estimated altitude of the mobile device is determined using a measurement of atmospheric pressure at the mobile device and the reference pressure estimate.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01W 1/18 - Testing or calibrating meteorological apparatus
7.
IDENTIFYING PROBLEMATIC 2D POSITIONS FROM MOBILE DEVICES
A method to identify a problematic 2D position of a mobile device can include: determining a reported 2D position of the mobile device; determining a piece of information about the mobile device; and comparing the reported 2D position and the piece of information about the mobile device. Upon determining that the reported 2D position and the piece of information about the mobile device are consistent with each other, the reported 2D position of the mobile device is used as an estimate of the actual 2D position of the mobile device, or upon determining that the reported 2D position and the piece of information about the mobile device are not consistent with each other, the reported 2D position is determined to be problematic, and the reported 2D position of the mobile device is removed from a list of reported 2D positions of the mobile device.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
G01S 19/39 - Determining a navigation solution using signals transmitted by a satellite radio beacon positioning system the satellite radio beacon positioning system transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
8.
DETERMINATION OF ALTITUDE UNCERTAINTY INCLUDING TEMPERATURE LAPSE RATE
A calculated current lapse rate is determined for a geographical area that includes a location of a mobile device. The calculated current lapse rate provides an estimated air temperature variation with respect to altitude variation for the location of the mobile device. An altitude of the mobile device is estimated. An uncertainty of the altitude of the mobile device is estimated based on a reference pressure and a reference temperature for a reference plane that is within the geographical area, a device pressure for the mobile device, and the calculated current lapse rate.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
9.
DEVICE BASED BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR CALIBRATION
Device-based barometric pressure sensor calibration involves determining a specific location of the mobile device; determining a general location of the mobile device that encompasses and obfuscates the specific location; transmitting the general location to a server; receiving general calibration data for the general location; determining specific calibration data based on the general calibration data and the specific location; determining a calibration value based on the specific calibration data, the calibration value being for calibrating the barometric pressure sensor.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
H04W 12/02 - Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
10.
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR CALIBRATION BASED ON ACTIVITY CONTEXT
A wholistic activity context is used to determine whether to calibrate a barometric pressure sensor of a mobile device. A pair of activity transitions are determined from three activities of the mobile device. A time relationship and a position relationship between the activity transitions is determined. An opportunity to calibrate the barometric pressure sensor occurs between the activity transitions. A calibration of the barometric pressure sensor is performed in response to determining that the time relationship and the position relationship indicate that the wholistic activity context surrounding the opportunity to calibrate the barometric pressure sensor is conducive to calibration.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
A method involves determining, at a mobile device or a service, an uncertainty in height above a reference altitude, an estimated 2D position of the mobile device, and an uncertainty in terrain height above the reference altitude using the estimated 2D position. An uncertainty in height above terrain, of the mobile device, is determined at the mobile device or a server using the uncertainty in height above the reference altitude and the uncertainty in terrain height above the reference altitude.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
12.
CONSTRAINING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR CALIBRATION WITH SPORADIC DATA COLLECTION
Multiple calibration results for calibrating a barometric pressure sensor based on data received from a device containing the sensor are determined and stored in a table. The table is updated based on rules regarding a relationship between each calibration result and a current calibration value. The calibration results are weighted and combined to determine a combined calibration result. The calibration value for calibrating the sensor is selected from the calibration results, the combined calibration results, or the current calibration value based on a selection criteria.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
13.
FLOOR HEIGHT ESTIMATION AND CALIBRATION OF A MOBILE DEVICE
Methods and machines involve detecting when a mobile device is in a first area and a second area at different times, collecting pressure data from the mobile device and reference sensor(s) to estimate altitudes of the mobile device within the first area and the second area, collecting terrain altitudes associated with the first area and the second area, and using a difference between the estimated altitudes and a difference between the terrain altitudes to determine a height of a floor. The estimated floor height may be used to calibrate a pressure sensor of a mobile device.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
14.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING CONTEXTS OF MOBILE DEVICES
Determining contexts of mobile devices. Particular embodiments described herein include machines that determine two estimated positions of a mobile device that respectively correspond to first and second locations at first and second times, acquire sets of terrain or structural information for first and second areas that respectively include the first and second estimated positions, use the acquired sets of information and the estimated positions to determine if the mobile device was within a structure at the first and second times, determine one or more values that are indicative of vertical movement by the mobile device during a period of time between the first time and the second time, compare the one or more values to one or more threshold conditions, and determine a context of the mobile device based on the comparison.
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
G01C 21/28 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups specially adapted for navigation in a road network with correlation of data from several navigational instruments
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
15.
METHOD AND MACHINE-READABLE MEDIUM FOR DETERMINING, BROADCASTING AND USING REFERENCE ATMOSPHERIC DATA IN A NETWORK OF TRANSMITTERS
Determining, broadcasting and using reference pressure data in a network of transmitters. Particular embodiments described herein include machines that select atmospheric data from weather stations within a transmitter network, use the selected atmospheric data to determine a reference atmospheric value, and transmit the reference atmospheric value from a transmitter to a mobile device for use in estimating an altitude of the mobile device. The atmospheric data may include any of reference pressures form the weather stations, measured temperatures from the weather stations, or reference temperatures from the weather stations. The reference atmospheric value may include a reference pressure value of a reference altitude, or a reference temperature value.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
16.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A PRESSURE SENSOR OF A MOBILE DEVICE TO IMPROVE THE RELIABILITY OF DETERMINED CONTEXTS
Using a pressure sensor of a mobile device to improve the reliability of determined contexts. Particular embodiments described herein include machines that determine a context of a mobile device, and determine if the determined context is accurate using one or more measurements of pressure from a pressure sensor of the mobile device.
Determining one or more heights of one or more mobile devices above surfaces. Particular embodiments described herein include machines that retrieve first data (e.g., measurement value(s) determined by sensor(s) of a mobile device or estimated position(s) of the mobile device), determine a location context based on the first data, identify second data (e.g., measurement value(s) determined by sensor(s) of the mobile device or status indicator value(s) of feature(s) of the mobile device) to retrieve for use in determining an estimated height above a surface at which the mobile device is located based on the determined location context, retrieve the second data, and determine an estimated height above a surface at which the mobile device is located based on the retrieved second data
G01C 5/00 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
18.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING A DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT BETWEEN TWO FLOORS IN A BUILDING FOR USE IN ESTIMATING A HEIGHT OR AN ALTITUDE OF ONE OF THE TWO FLOORS
Estimating a difference in height between two floors in a building for use in estimating a height or an altitude of one of the two floors. Particular embodiments estimate a height difference between a first floor and a second floor based on a first outdoor temperature of a first time period, a second outdoor temperature of a second time period, a third temperature that is based on an indoor temperature of the first time period or the second time period, a first estimated difference in height between the first and second floors that is based on measurements of pressure from mobile devices when those mobile devices were on the first and second floors during the first time period, and a second estimated difference in height between the first and second floors that is based on measurements of pressure from mobile devices when those mobile devices were on the first and second floors during the second time period.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
19.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR CALIBRATION AND LOCATION DETERMINATION
Sensor calibration and location determination. Aspects of this disclosure relate to determining when an estimated altitude of a mobile device can be used for calibration or location determination, determining when to calibrate a pressure sensor of a mobile device, and determining whether a mobile device is inside an environment experiencing adverse pressure variation conditions.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
20.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING A POSITION OF A RECEIVER
Estimating a position of a mobile device. Particular systems and methods for estimating a position of a mobile device using information from two positioning technologies determine different position estimates for the mobile device using different positioning technologies, and determine a final position estimate for the mobile device using a weighted combination of the different position estimates. In some implementations, the weighted combination is a weighted average or a weighted median of the different position estimates. Weights may be determined using respective uncertainty metrics corresponding to the respective position estimates.
G01S 19/48 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 19/20 - Integrity monitoring, fault detection or fault isolation of space segment
21.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AN ALTITUDE ERROR VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF A MOBILE DEVICE
Determining an altitude error value associated with an estimated altitude of a mobile device. In certain disclosed systems and methods for determining an altitude error value associated with an estimated altitude of a mobile device, a first error value related to systematic error and a second error value related to statistical error are determined, and the altitude error value is determined using the first error value and the second error value.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
22.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CALIBRATING UNSTABLE SENSORS
Calibrating an unstable sensor of a mobile device. Systems and methods for calibrating a sensor of a mobile device determine a first estimated position of the mobile device without using any measurement from the sensor of the mobile device, generate a second estimated position of the mobile device using a measurement from the sensor, estimate a sensor error of the sensor using the first estimated position and the second estimated position, and use the sensor error to determine a calibration value for adjusting one or more measurements from the sensor.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/16 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
G01S 19/40 - Correcting position, velocity or attitude
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
23.
USING POSITIONING SIGNALS FROM TRANSMITTERS OF ONE NETWORK TO ESTIMATE POSITIONS OF MOBILE DEVICES OF OTHER NETWORKS
Receiving positioning signals in support of estimating positions of receivers. Systems and methods for receiving positioning signals in support of estimating positions of receivers may receive, at a receiver which is authorized to transmit signals through a first network but is not authorized to transmit signals through a second network, positioning signals from transmitters of the second network. The receiver may receive assistance data associated with the second network and further associated with the positioning signals. The positioning signals and the assistance data may be used to generate an estimated position of the receiver.
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
24.
DESIGNING A CALIBRATION SYSTEM FOR USE IN CALIBRATING UNSTABLE SENSORS
Using a calibration sensor to calibrate an unstable sensor from a network of unstable sensors. Approaches for using a calibration sensor to calibrate the unstable sensor initially identify an unstable sensor in a geographic region to be calibrated by a calibration sensor using a model of environmental conditions for the geographic region, and then use the model to determine how to calibrate the unstable sensor using the calibration sensor.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
G01D 18/00 - Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups
25.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING SIGNALS FROM TERRESTRIAL TRANSMITTERS, AND FOR PROCESSING THE SIGNALS USING GNSS RECEIVER HARDWARE
Generating signals from non-GNSS transmitters, and processing the signals using a GNSS positioning module. Systems and methods identify a chipping rate, identify a PN code length, generate a PN code that has a length equal to the identified PN code length, generate a positioning signal using the identified chipping rate and the generated PN code, and transmit the positioning signal from the transmitter. The PN code length may produce, at the identified chipping rate, a PN code duration that is equal to or is a multiple of a PN code duration used in a GNSS system, the identified chipping rate may be equal to or a multiple of a chipping rate used in a GNSS system, and the identified PN code length may be equal to or a multiple of a PN code length used in a GNSS system.
G01S 19/11 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
Using estimates of a receiver's altitude to determine where a receiver (120) is located and to refine a positioning system's estimate of a receiver's position. Systems and methods determine whether a receiver (120) is inside or outside a building (190), and may use the determination to confirm or adjust an initial estimate of the receiver's position. Various approaches for making the determination and for assessing the initial estimate of the receiver's position are described.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
Estimating one or more positions of a receiver using one or more anchor points. Systems and methods for estimating a position of a receiver using a particular anchor point may identify an area of interest that includes anchor points, identify the particular anchor point, and then use information about the particular anchor point to estimate the position of the receiver.
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 1/02 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
G01S 5/08 - Position of single direction-finder fixed by determining direction of a plurality of spaced sources of known location
28.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTING ATMOSPHERIC DATA OF REFERENCE NODES FOR USE IN COMPUTING THE ALTITUDE OF A RECEIVER
Using atmospheric data from one or more reference nodes to estimate an altitude of a receiver. Assistance data associated with a set of reference nodes within a region is identified (210), and the assistance data is used to identify atmospheric reference data associated with a subset of selected reference nodes (220). An estimate of the receiver's altitude is generated using the atmospheric reference data from the subset of reference nodes (230).
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01S 19/45 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement
29.
POSTIONING SIGNALS FROM LTE BASE STATIONS OVER A M-LMS BAND
A receiver capable of receiving and a transmitter capable of transmitting LTE (Long-Term Evolution) signals. The receiver is capable of executing firmware to determine position location from a received LTE-like position waveform over signals modulated on a carrier in a positioning frequency band. In one embodiment the positioning signals are transmitted in a positioning band continuously for up to 100 ms, allowing the receiver to integrate the received positioning signals over a period of up to 100 ms. In one such embodiment, the signals can be integrated coherently for up to 60 ms, assuming acceptable stability of the clock in the receiver and further assuming that less than a predetermined amount of Doppler shift has been introduced in the received signal. The number of physical resource blocks (PRB) can be determined to optimize the signal allocation for the available bandwidth.
G01S 1/20 - Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems
H04L 5/00 - Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
An interference removal filter that includes a combination of a first filter (315d) and a second filter (310d), where the first filter passes signals over a frequency range of size B with a variation of less than +/- 3 dB, where the peak value of the impulse response of the second filter is displaced in time from the peak value of the impulse response of the first filter by at least 2/B time units, and where the combination of the first filter and the second filter produces a notch in frequency at a frequency location within the frequency range.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04K 3/00 - Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
31.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY RECEIVING AND PROCESSING RF SIGNALS AT AN RF BEACON
Synchronizing the local time of beacons using two way time transfer methods and hardware enabling such methods. Certain systems incorporate receive hardware into beacon circuitry used for transmitting signals so that the beacon can transmit RF signals during transmission periods, and can also receive RF signals from other beacons during non-transmission periods. Receive hardware may be incorporated into beacon circuitry such that the beacon receives an incoming signal and passes that incoming signal to a digital pre-distortion linearization module, which can process that received signal. Methods for controlling whether a beacon transmits RF signals or receives RF signals are also discussed, as are methods for using RF signals received from other beacons for synchronization.
Transmitting positioning signals from transmitters in a positioning system. In certain implementations, one or more positioning signals are generated at a transmitter and transmitted using two or more carrier channels at the same time. In one implementation, only one positioning signal is generated and transmitted on each of the two or more carrier channels at the same time. In another implementation, two or more positioning signals are generated, and each of those positioning signals is transmitted on a different carrier channel at the same time.
G01S 19/10 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals
G01S 1/04 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves - Details
G01S 1/20 - Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems
G01S 19/11 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
33.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING A TWO-DIMENSIONAL POSITION OF A RECEIVER
Estimating a two-dimensional position of a receiver based on an altitude of an object other than the receiver in a geographical region within which the receiver is believed to reside. In one embodiment, when a high-accuracy estimate of the receiver's altitude is available, latitude and longitude coordinates of the receiver are estimated using the high-accuracy estimate of the receiver's altitude. When the high-accuracy estimate of the receiver's altitude is not available, the latitude and longitude coordinates of the receiver are estimated using an alternative altitude value that is based on one or more altitudes of one or more things other than the receiver.
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
G01S 19/45 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement
G01S 19/46 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
34.
MITIGATING EFFECTS OF MULTIPATH DURING POSITION COMPUTATION
Estimating an unknown position of a receiver. In some embodiment, trilateration techniques that quantify uncertainty in the estimate of the unknown position are applied. One such technique for estimating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional position of a receiver uses an L-l norm computation instead of an L-2 norm computation.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
Systems and methods for estimating whether a receiver is indoors or outdoors. Certain approaches evaluate data associated with a network of beacons to determine whether the receiver is indoors or outdoors. Such evaluation may include any of determining whether azimuthal angles corresponding to the beacons meet an azimuthal angle condition, determining whether elevation angles corresponding to the beacons meet an elevation angle condition, determining whether signal strengths corresponding to the beacons meet a signal strength condition, and determining whether other measurements associated with the beacons meet other measurement conditions (710).
Described are methods, systems, means and machine-readable media embodying program instructions for considering water molecules and other mixtures in air when estimating an altitude of a pressure sensor. In at least one implementation, a measurement of humidity is used to compute a gas constant value, and the computed gas constant value is used to estimate an altitude of a pressure sensor. In another embodiment, the measurement of humidity is compared to a threshold condition related to humidity. Depending on the results of the comparison, the measurement of humidity is used to determine the altitude of the pressure sensor.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means
37.
DETERMINING CALIBRATED MEASUREMENTS OF PRESSURE FOR DIFFERENT SENSORS
Systems and methods for calibrating individual pressure sensors using mathematical models to compensate for inaccurate measurements of pressure from those pressure sensors are described. Also described are systems and methods for applying those mathematical models to adjust measurements from those pressure sensors during position computations.
Systems and methods for improving performance in terrestrial and satellite positioning systems are disclosed. Signal processing systems and methods are described for selecting, from among a set of codes, certain codes having desired autocorrelation and/or cross-correlation properties. Systems and methods for generating, encoding, transmitting, and receiving signals using the selected codes are also described.
G01S 1/24 - Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems the synchronised signals being pulses or equivalent modulations on carrier waves and the transit times being compared by measuring the difference in arrival time of a significant part of the modulations
G01S 1/04 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves - Details
G01S 19/10 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals
G01S 19/02 - Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO - Details of the space or ground control segments
39.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOCATION INFORMATION TO IMPROVE LOCATION SERVICES
Described are systems and methods for acquiring three-dimensional location information. Also described are systems and methods for using the acquired three-dimension location information to locate users and enhance their experience in relation to location-based services.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
40.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING TRANSMIT DIVERSITY TO COMBAT MULTIPATH EFFECTS IN POSITION ESTIMATION
Described are systems and methods for estimating a position of receiver using sets of two or more transmitters that share one or more common characteristics with each other. Features may relate to estimating the position of the receiver using signals that were each concurrently transmitted from a different transmitter in a set of co-located transmitters.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 5/10 - Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements
41.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAINTAINING TIME SYNCHRONIZATION
Described are systems and methods for time synching to a network in an environment that contains obstructions disposed between a receiver component and a transmitting device of the network. In particular, an adaptive masking approach and an outage approach may be used to maintain time synchronization to the network. The adaptive masking approach may be used to track satellites above predefined elevation angles that correspond to the obstructions. The outage approach may be used to maintain time synchronization when the transmitting device of the network is not in view of the receiver component.
Described are systems and methods for estimating error associated with one or more range measurements that are used to estimate the position of a receiver. Estimations of range error may be based on surveyed range errors for nearby position estimates. Estimations of range error may alternatively be based on comparisons of actual movement of a receiver to estimated movement between two position estimates.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
43.
DIRECTIONAL PRUNING OF TRANSMITTERS TO IMPROVE POSITION DETERMINATION
Described are systems and methods for estimating a position of receiver using ranging signals from different regions in a network of transmitters. In some embodiments, each ranging signal that exceeds a quality criterion is assigned to one of several defined regions based on a characteristic of that ranging signal. A maximum number of ranging signals per region may be selected and used during trilateration.
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
44.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING TIME OF ARRIVAL DETERMINATION
Devices, systems, and methods for improving performance in positioning systems are disclosed. Signal processing methods to determine first time of arrival signal, along with associated hardware and software apparatus for implementing such methods are described.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
45.
PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS FOR LOCAL NETWORK OF BEACONS
Described are systems and methods for estimating a position of a receiver within a venue using localized networks of beacons. Certain aspects relate to different configurations of the networks. Other aspects relate to estimating the position of the receiver when the receiver approaches an edge of a localized network of beacon.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
46.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUALLY SYNCHRONIZING UNSYNCHRONIZED OR LOOSELY SYNCHRONIZED NETWORKS FOR POSITION LOCATION DETERMINATION
Methods of operating a position network center, which includes at least one server, may include receiving timing-error data corresponding to a plurality of unsynchronized or loosely synchronized transmitters from at least one position network receiver. Moreover, the methods may include transmitting data indicating a plurality of timing errors by the plurality of unsynchronized or loosely synchronized transmitters to a wireless user device that receives signals from the plurality of unsynchronized or loosely synchronized transmitters. Related position network centers, position network receivers, and wireless user devices are also described.
This disclosure relates to systems, methods, computer program products, and means that control access to position information at a receiver, or at another device external to the receiver, based on various considerations, including a requested service type, a user type, a device type, a software application type, a payment, and/or other characteristics associated with a particular software application or distributor of that software application. The disclosure further relates to systems, methods, computer program products and means for carrying out secure data transmissions intended for a particular application among other applications.
Devices, systems, and methods for gathering, calculating and sending positioning information at a user device to one or more networks may be disclosed. In a first implementation the user device transforms pseudorange information relating to terrestrial beacons into GNSS pseudorange information. In a second implementation, the user device sends position information using GNSS information elements. In a third implementation, the user device sends position information using non-GNSS information elements.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 19/10 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals
G01S 19/46 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
49.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING RECEIVER POSITION USING TIMING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH REFERENCE LOCATIONS
System and method for determining a position location estimate for a remote receiver based on one or more time-of-arrival measurements transmitted from one or more transmitters and first timing data associated with the one or more transmitters and further associated with one or more reference locations within a reference area of the remote receiver are described.
G01S 5/14 - Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
50.
CELL ORGANIZATION AND TRANSMISSION SCHEMES IN A WIDE AREA POSITIONING SYSTEM (WAPS)
A position location system comprises transmitters that broadcast positioning signals. Each broadcasted positioning signal comprises a pseudorandom ranging signal. The position location system includes a remote receiver that acquires and measures the time of arrival of the positioning signals received at the remote receiver. During an interval of time, at least two positioning signals are transmitted concurrently by the transmitters and received concurrently at the remote receiver. The two positioning signals have carrier frequencies offset from one another by an offset that is less than approximately twenty-five percent of the bandwidth of each positioning signal of the two positioning signals. Cross-interference between the positioning signals is reduced by tuning the remote receiver to a frequency of a selected signal of the two positioning signals and correlating the selected signal with a reference pseudorandom ranging signal matched to a transmitted pseudorandom ranging signal of the selected signal.
G01S 3/02 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
Devices, systems, and methods for sending positional information from transmitters/beacons (110) are disclosed. In one implementation a transmitter generates a range block including a ranging signal and a hybrid block including positioning data, and sends the range block and hybrid block in predefined slots in a transmit frame. A receiver in a user device (120) receives signals from a plurality of transmitters and generates position/location information using trilateration and measured altitude information in comparison with transmitter altitude information.
G01S 1/04 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves - Details
G01S 19/11 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
Embodiments describe determining position by selecting a set of digital pseudorandom sequences. The magnitudes of the cross-correlation between any two sequences of the chosen set are below a specified threshold. A subset of digital pseudorandom sequences are selected from the set such that the magnitudes of the autocorrelation function of each member of the subset, within a specified region adjacent to the peak of the autocorrelation function, are equal to or less than a prescribed value. Each transmitter transmits a positioning signal, and at least a portion of the positioning signal is modulated with at least one member of the subset. At least two transmitters of the plurality of transmitters modulate respective positioning signals with different members of the subset of digital pseudorandom sequences.
G01S 19/46 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
Positioning systems and methods comprise a network of transmitters that broadcast positioning signals comprising ranging signals and positioning system information. A ranging signal comprises information used to measure a distance to a transmitter broadcasting the ranging signal. A reference sensor array comprising at least one reference sensor unit is positioned at a known location. A remote receiver includes an atmospheric sensor collecting atmospheric data at a position of the remote receiver. A positioning application is coupled to the remote receiver and generates a reference pressure estimate at the position of the remote receiver using the atmospheric and reference data from the reference sensor array. The positioning application computes the position of the remote receiver using the reference pressure estimate and information derived from at least one of the positioning signals and satellite signals that are signals of a satellite-based positioning system. The position includes an elevation.
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