System, method and apparatus for communicating position data

• US 20090201199A1
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Universal Systems & Technology, Inc. (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Penner, Thomas Hans, Preston, Steven Gordon, Kaprocki, Edward Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,498,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.420
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A method on a computer unit for calculating and transmitting position data is disclosed. The method includes monitoring motion of the unit. If motion of the unit is detected, the method further includes initiating a start sequence of the unit, calculating current position data of the unit using the Global Positioning System (GPS), calculating a difference between the current position data of the unit and a previous position data of the unit and transmitting the current position data of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

Claims

1. A method on a computer unit for calculating and transmitting position data, comprising:

monitoring motion of the unit;

if motion of the unit is detected,

initiating a start sequence of the unit, comprising;

initiating a cold start sequence of the unit if an amount of time that has passed since a previous step of calculating position data is greater than a first threshold value;

initiating a warm start sequence of the unit if the amount of time is less than the first threshold value but greater than a second threshold value;

initiating a hot start sequence of the unit if the amount of time is less than a the second threshold value;

calculating current position data of the unit using the Global Positioning System (GPS);

calculating a difference between the current position data of the unit and a previous position data of the unit; and

transmitting the current position data of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a message indicating that the unit has not moved, if motion of the unit is not detected during a predetermined period of time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring comprises:

monitoring motion of the unit using a motion detector.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first step of calculating comprises:

calculating current position data of the unit using a plurality of previous position data and a current reading from the GPS.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step before the step of transmitting of:

compressing the current position data and a current time of the unit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting the current position data and the current time of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step before the step of transmitting of:

determining a direction of the unit based on the current position data of the unit a plurality of previous position data.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step before the step of transmitting of:

compressing the current position data and the direction of the unit.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting the current position data and the direction of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

4. (canceled)

11. A computer unit for calculating and transmitting position data, comprising:

a motion detector for monitoring motion of the unit;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna for receiving GPS signals;

a processor configured for initiating a start sequence of the unit, calculating current position data of the unit using received GPS signals and calculating a difference between the current position data of the unit and a previous position data of the unit, only if motion of the unit is detected; and

a transmitter for transmitting the current position data of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

12. The computer unit of claim 11, wherein the transmitter transmits a message indicating that the unit has not moved, if motion of the unit is not detected during a predetermined period of time.

13. The computer unit of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured for calculating current position data of the unit using a plurality of previous position data and a current received GPS signal.

14. The computer unit of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured for compressing the current position data and a current time of the unit.

15. The computer unit of claim 14, wherein the step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting the current position data and the current time of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

16. The computer unit of claim 12, wherein the GPS antenna for receiving GPS signals comprises a double helix antenna.

17. A system on a computer, comprising:

a central controller for storing position data for a plurality of computer units, the central controller including a transmitter and a receiver; and

at least one computer unit for calculating and transmitting position data, the computer unit comprising;

a motion detector for monitoring motion of the unit;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna for receiving GPS signals;

a processor configured for initiating a start sequence of the unit, calculating current position data of the unit using received GPS signals and calculating a difference between the current position data of the unit and a previous position data of the unit, only if motion of the unit is detected; and

a transmitter for transmitting the current position data of the unit to the central controller if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmitter transmits a message indicating that the unit has not moved, if motion of the unit is not detected during a predetermined period of time.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured for calculating current position data of the unit using a plurality of previous position data and a current received GPS signal.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured for compressing the current position data and a current time of the unit.