Local positioning system

• US 20040056798A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NorthStar Systems LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gallitzin Allegheny LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Dominik J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,995,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.14
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system

Abstract

A method to determine position of a user includes sniffing for one or more earth-based media; and if the one or more earth-based media exists, using an earth-based positioning system (PS) receiver associated with one of the media and otherwise using a satellite-based PS receiver.

Claims

1. A method to determine position of a user, comprising:

sniffing for one or more earth-based media; and

if the one or more earth-based media exists, using an earth-based positioning system (PS) receiver associated with one of the media and otherwise using a satellite-based PS receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the media conforms to an 802.11 specification.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the media conforms to a Bluetooth specification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the media operates at approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sniffing comprises checking for a Bluetooth media.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising checking for an 802.11 media.

7. A method to determine position of a user, comprising:

enabling a Bluetooth positioning receiver if a Bluetooth personal area network (PAN) is accessible;

otherwise enabling an 802.11 positioning receiver if an 802.11 local area network (LAN) is accessible;

otherwise enabling a cellular positioning receiver if a cellular signal is accessible; and

otherwise enabling a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.