Position location system and method

• US 20020087264A1
• Filed: 01/04/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
• Original Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
• Inventors: Rappard, Mitchell A., Hills, Alexander A., Schlegel, Jon P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,581,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A system for determining a position of a user. The system includes a distance sensor in communication with a position tracking device. The distance sensor is for detecting movement by the user, and the position tracking device is for determining the position of the user based on detection of movement by the user and a relative change in direction input from the user.

Claims

1. A system for determining a position of a user, comprising:

a distance sensor for detecting movement by the user; and

a position tracking device in communication with the distance sensor for determining the position of the user based on detection of movement by the user and a relative change in direction input from the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor includes an odometer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor includes a stride detector.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the stride detector is adapted for wear by the user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is in communication with the position tracking device via a hard-wired communications link.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is in communication with the position tracking device via a wireless communications link.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the position tracking device includes a graphical user interface for allowing the user to enter the relative change in direction input and for displaying the position of the user.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a radio receiver in communication with the position tracking device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a support connected to the position tracking device.

11. A system for determining a position of a user, comprising:

a distance sensor for detecting movement by the user;

a position tracking device in communication with the stride detector for determining the position of the user based on detection of movement by the user and a relative change in direction input from the user, wherein the position tracking device includes a graphical user interface for allowing the user to input the relative change in direction input and for displaying the position of the user; and

a radio receiver in communication with the position tracking device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the distance sensor includes a stride detector.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a radio receiver; and

a radio coverage mapping module in communication with the radio receiver and the position tracking module.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the radio coverage mapping module is for determining a radio coverage pattern of a radio transmitter based on the position of the user and a strength of a signal received by the radio receiver, wherein the signal is transmitted from the radio transmitter.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising graphical user interface means for allowing the user to enter the relative change in direction input and for displaying the position of the user.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving radio signals; and

means for determining a radio coverage pattern of a radio transmitter based on the position of the user and a strength of a signal received by the means for receiving radio signals, wherein the signal is transmitted from the radio transmitter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a distance traversed by the user is selecting from the group consisting of detecting rotation of a wheel and detecting a stride by the user.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the position of the user includes determining the position of the user relative to a reference point based on the relative change in direction input from the user and the distance traversed by the user, wherein the reference point is selected from the group consisting of an initial reference point and a waypoint.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving a radio signal transmitted by a radio transmitter; and

determining a radio coverage pattern of the radio transmitter based on a strength of the received radio signal and the position of the user.

13. A system for determining a position of a user, comprising:

a distance sensor for detecting movement by the user;

an input device for allowing the user to enter a relative change in direction input;

a position tracking module in communication with the distance sensor and the input device for determining the position of the user based on detection of the movement by the user and the relative change in direction input; and

an output device in communication with the position tracking module for displaying the position of the user.

16. A system for determining a position of a user, comprising:

means for measuring a distance traversed by the user; and

means for determining the position of the user based on the distance traversed by the user and a relative change in direction input from the user.

19. A method for determining a position of a user, comprising:

receiving a relative change in direction input from the user via a graphical user interface;

determining a distance traversed by the user;

determining the position of the user based on the relative change in direction input from the user and the distance traversed by the user; and

displaying the position of the user via the graphical user interface.