Seamless sensory system

• US 20030182077A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nicholas Jon Emord
• Original Assignee: Nicholas Jon Emord
• Inventors: Emord, Nicholas Jon
• Granted Patent: US 6,876,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/1652 with ranging devices, e.g. LIDAR or RADAR
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/49 whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled

Abstract

The Seamless Sensory System (3S), the invention, integrates state-of-the-art sensor technology with modern software engineering practices to create seamless positioning. The invention can include the incorporation of GPS/Inertial Navigation/IR and other technologies into a handheld/man wearable/mounted system that will not be compromised in hostile environments. The invention continues accurate navigation in the absence of GPS satellite signals. The invention utilizes a “continuous calibration” Kalman Filter methodology and motion sensor(s) to maintain “GPS-like” accuracy after GPS signals are no longer available. A proprietary technology called an Ultrasonic Doppler Velocity Measurement (UVM) Sensor is the invention'"'"'s ‘key component’ to create “GPS like performance” under any GPS denied condition. Additional sensors are included to complete the picture of the local environment.

Claims

1. A system for determining a parameter related to position comprising:

sensing means for sensing motion, the sensing means generating a measurement signal indicative of a parameter of motion; and

a processor that receives the measurement signal and uses the measurement signal to determine the parameter related to position

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensing means is an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

3. The system of claim 1, where in the motion sensing means is an Ultrasonic Velocity Measurement (UVM) sensor

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensing means is an acoustic sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, where the processor incorporates a Kalman filtering method

6. The system of claim 1, where the processor incorporates a real-time positioning method

7. The system of claim 1, where the processor incorporates a near-real-time positioning method

8. The system of claim 1, where the processor incorporates a positioning method using Zero Velocity Updates (ZUPT)

9. The system of claim 1, where the processor incorporates a positioning method using Fixed Position Updates

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Magnetometer

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Barometer Altimeter

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Spectrometer

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Biological Sensor

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Chemical Sensor

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising an Infrared Sensor

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Radiation Sensor

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Video Sensor

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a map-making system

20. The system of claim 1, further configured as a motion sensor suite

21. The system of claim 1, attached to a human

22. The system of claim 1, attached to a vehicle

23. The system of claim 1, attached to a weapon

24. The system of claim 1, attached to munitions

25. The system of claim 1, located and non-invasively attached externally to the lower back of a human.

26. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means to send signals to an external device

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means to receive signals from an external device

10. The system of claim, further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver