Accurate time standard for vehicle operation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for providing timing signals for operation of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) signal antenna and SATPS signal receiver/processor, connected together and positioned on a vehicle, to receive and process SATPS signals from at least three SATPS satellites and to determine and issue a first sequence of timing pulse signals and a second sequence of pulse time signals, where each pulse time signal in the second sequence indicates the time at which a timing pulse signal in the first sequence is issued;
timing pulse modification means for receiving the first sequence of timing pulse signals and the second sequence of pulse time signals and for generating and issuing a third sequence of timing pulse signals, where any two consecutive timing pulse signals in the third sequence are spaced apart by a time interval Δ
t3 that is approximately equal to a selected time difference Δ
tincr ; and
timing pulse distribution means for receiving the third sequence of timing pulse signals and for delivering these signals to a timing-controlled instrument that is positioned on the vehicle, where the timing-controlled instrument is drawn from the class of such instruments consisting of;
an engine to provide motional power for the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to transmit a telecommunications signal from the vehicle to a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to receive a telecommunications signal at the vehicle from a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a computer microprocessor that is positioned on and can be used on the vehicle;
a computer clock that provides timing signals for a computer that is positioned on the vehicle;
a visually perceptible or audibly perceptible clock that is positioned on the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for providing timing control signals for operation of an engine and other devices on a vehicle and/or operation of telecommunications equipment and/or computer equipment on the vehicle. A Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) antenna and receiver/processor receive and process signals from three or more SATPS satellites and determine and issue SATPS-determined timing pulses and time signals that indicate the time associated with each timing pulse. The pulse-to-pulse time separation Δtpp of these timing pulses is adjusted to provide a separation approximately equal to a selected pulse separation Δtincr. Alternatively, a supplementary timing device provides a sequence of timing pulses with pulse-to-pulse spacing that is adjustable by varying an environmental parameter θ, such as temperature or electrical field, for this timing device. The supplementary timing device pulse-to-pulse separation is determined by the SATPS-determined time signals and the environmental parameter θ is varied so that Δtpp becomes approximately equal to a selected value Δtincr that can be used for timing signals on the vehicle. The supplementary timing device pulses can also be used where the SATPS-determined time signals and timing pulses are not available. The SATPS may be a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System (GLONASS) or any other suitable satellite-based system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. Apparatus for providing timing signals for operation of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) signal antenna and SATPS signal receiver/processor, connected together and positioned on a vehicle, to receive and process SATPS signals from at least three SATPS satellites and to determine and issue a first sequence of timing pulse signals and a second sequence of pulse time signals, where each pulse time signal in the second sequence indicates the time at which a timing pulse signal in the first sequence is issued; timing pulse modification means for receiving the first sequence of timing pulse signals and the second sequence of pulse time signals and for generating and issuing a third sequence of timing pulse signals, where any two consecutive timing pulse signals in the third sequence are spaced apart by a time interval Δ
t3 that is approximately equal to a selected time difference Δ
tincr ; andtiming pulse distribution means for receiving the third sequence of timing pulse signals and for delivering these signals to a timing-controlled instrument that is positioned on the vehicle, where the timing-controlled instrument is drawn from the class of such instruments consisting of;
an engine to provide motional power for the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to transmit a telecommunications signal from the vehicle to a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to receive a telecommunications signal at the vehicle from a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a computer microprocessor that is positioned on and can be used on the vehicle;
a computer clock that provides timing signals for a computer that is positioned on the vehicle;
a visually perceptible or audibly perceptible clock that is positioned on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for providing timing signals for operation of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) signal antenna and SATPS signal receiver/processor, connected together and positioned on a vehicle, to receive and process SATPS signals from at least three SATPS satellites and to determine and issue a first sequence of time signals at which a time fix is made; supplementary timing means, for generating and issuing a second sequence of timing pulses that are spaced apart in time by a selectable time interval Δ
t2, for receiving the first sequence of time signals from the SATPS receiver/processor, for using the first sequence of signals to adjust the selectable time interval value Δ
t2 so that this time interval value is approximately equal to a selected time difference Δ
tincr,2 ; andtiming pulse distribution means for receiving the third sequence of timing pulse signals and for delivering these signals to a timing-controlled instrument that is positioned on the vehicle, where the timing-controlled instrument is drawn from the class of such instruments consisting of;
an engine to provide motional power for the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to transmit a telecommunications signal from the vehicle to a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to receive a telecommunications signal at the vehicle from a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a computer microprocessor that is positioned on and can be used on the vehicle;
a computer clock that provides timing signals for a computer that is positioned on the vehicle;
a visually perceptible or audibly perceptible clock that is positioned on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing timing signals for operation of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) signal antenna and SATPS signal receiver/processor, connected together and positioned on a vehicle, to receive and process SATPS signals from at least three SATPS satellites and to determine and issue a first sequence of timing pulse signals and a second sequence of pulse time signals, where each pulse time signal in the second sequence indicates the time at which a timing pulse signal in the first sequence is issued; receiving the first sequence of timing pulse signals and the second sequence of pulse time signals, and generating and issuing a third sequence of timing pulse signals, where any two consecutive timing pulse signals in the third sequence are spaced apart by a time interval Δ
t3 that is approximately equal to a selected time difference Δ
tincr ; anddelivering this third sequence to a timing-controlled instrument that is positioned on the vehicle, where the timing-controlled instrument is drawn from the class of such instruments consisting of;
an engine to provide motional power for the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to transmit a telecommunications signal from the vehicle to a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to receive a telecommunications signal at the vehicle from a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a computer microprocessor that is positioned on and can be used on the vehicle;
a computer clock that provides timing signals for a computer that is positioned on the vehicle;
a visually perceptible or audibly perceptible clock that is positioned on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing timing signals for operation of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) providing a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) signal antenna and SATPS signal receiver/processor, connected together and positioned on a vehicle, to receive and process SATPS signals from at least three SATPS satellites and to determine and issue a first sequence of timing pulse signals and a second sequence of pulse time signals, where each pulse time signal in the second sequence indicates the time at which a timing pulse signal in the first sequence is issued; (2) generating and issuing a second sequence of timing pulses that are spaced apart in time by a selectable time interval Δ
t2 ;(3) receiving the first sequence of time signals from the SATPS receiver/processor, and using the first sequence of signals to adjust the selectable time interval value Δ
t2 so that this time interval value is approximately equal to a selected time difference Δ
tincr,2 ; and(4) delivering this third sequence to a timing-controlled instrument that is positioned on the vehicle, where the timing-controlled instrument is drawn from the class of such instruments consisting of;
an engine to provide motional power for the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to transmit a telecommunications signal from the vehicle to a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a telecommunications instrument to receive a telecommunications signal at the vehicle from a telecommunications instrument that is spaced apart from the vehicle;
a computer microprocessor that is positioned on and can be used on the vehicle;
a computer clock that provides timing signals for a computer that is positioned on the vehicle;
a visually perceptible or audibly perceptible clock that is positioned on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification