GPS relative position detection system

• US 5,689,269 A
• Filed: 01/25/1995
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LRAD Corporation
• Original Assignee: American Technology Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Norris, Elwood G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US08/377,973
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357, 455/12.1, 364/449.7
• US Class Current: 342/357.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/51 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/12 by co-ordinating position lines of different shape, e.g. hyperbolic, circular, elliptical or radial

Abstract

A system of devices both capable of receiving civilian GPS signals, but also capable of providing a relative distance and direction indication that is accurate to several meters. A first device would be capable of transmitting its GPS determined position to a second device. The second device would include a means for receiving the GPS determined position of the first device, and would also include means for calculating the relative distance and direction between the first and second devices. The system would further include the ability of the first device to selectively transmit telemetry at a desired frequency. By providing the second device with the ability to selectively tune a receiver to receive a telemetry signal broadcast by different devices, a distance and direction to a plurality of first devices is possible.

Claims

1. A relative position indicating system comprising:

a first GPS receiver including means for receiving a plurality of GPS signals from different sources and means for determining a geographical location of the first receiver;

a transmitter associated with the first GPS receiver for sending telemetry data as to the geographical location of the first GPS receiver;

a second GPS receiver including means for receiving a plurality of GPS signals from different sources and means for determining a geographical location of the second receiver;

receiver means associated with the second receiver for receiving the telemetry data from the first GPS receiver;

calculating means associated with the second GPS receiver for comparing the geographical locations represented by the first GPS receiver telemetry data and the geographical location determined by the second GPS receiver, and for calculating an approximate direction, a distance, and a relative height variance between said first GPS and said second GPS receivers; and

a display associated with the second GPS receiver for indicating the approximate distance, the direction and the relative height variance between the first GPS and the second GPS receivers.

2. The relative position indicating system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter associated with the first GPS receiver further comprises means for selectively tuning said transmitter to broadcast on a desired frequency.

3. The relative position indicating system of claim 1, wherein the second GPS receiver further comprises means for selectively tuning said receiver to receive a desired frequency.

4. The relative position indicating system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:

a transmitter means associated with the second GPS receiver for sending telemetry data as to the geographical location of the first GPS receiver;

a receiver means associated with the first GPS receiver for receiving the telemetry data as to the geographical location of the second GPS receiver;

calculating means associated with the first GPS receiver for comparing the geographical locations represented by the second GPS receiver telemetry data and the geographical location determined by the first GPS receiver, and for calculating the approximate distance, the direction, and the relative height variance between said first GPS and said second GPS receivers.

5. A method for determining the relative position between two GPS position determining devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first GPS device capable of determining its position on or above the earth by determining a latitude and longitude, said determined latitude and longitude based on position information received from a plurality of GPS signals by the first GPS device,

b) providing a second GPS device capable of determining its position on or above the earth as in step a),

c) providing a transmitter for the first GPS device for broadcasting the position determined by said device as telemetry data,

d) providing a receiver for the second GPS device for receiving the telemetry data broadcast by the first GPS device, and

e) determining a relative position between said first and second GPS devices and calculating and displaying;

1) a relative distance between the first GPS and the second GPS devices,

2) a direction in degrees from the second GPS device to the first GPS device, and

3) a positive or negative difference in elevation between the first GPS and the second GPS devices.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein determining a position of the first GPS device in step a) further comprises the step of determining a latitude and longitude, said determined latitude and longitude based on similar intentionally introduced errors in position information received from the plurality of GPS signals by the first GPS and the second GPS receivers, rendering said position accurate to within approximately 100 meters.

7. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein determining a position on the earth of the second GPS device in step b) further comprises the step of determining a latitude and longitude, said determined latitude and longitude being based on similar intentionally introduced errors in position information received from the plurality of GPS signals by the first GPS and the second GPS receivers, rendering said position accurate to within approximately 100 meters.

8. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein providing a transmitter for broadcasting the position of the first GPS device in step c) further comprises the step of providing a means for selectively broadcasting telemetry data at a desired frequency.

9. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein providing a receiver in the second GPS device for receiving the broadcast telemetry data of the first GPS device in step d) further comprises the step of providing a means for selectively tuning said receiver to receive a desired frequency.

10. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the method includes the more specific steps of determining the relative position between a golfer and a golf hole both equipped with GPS position determining devices, said method comprising the more specific steps of:

a) disposing the first GPS device near to the golf hole, and

b) enabling the second GPS device to be carried by the golfer.

11. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the method includes the more specific steps of determining the relative position between a parent and a child both equipped with GPS position determining devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) associating the first GPS device with the child, and

b) enabling the second GPS device to be carried by the parent.

12. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the method includes the more specific steps of determining the relative position between a backpacker and rescuers both equipped with GPS position determining devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) enabling the first GPS device to be carried by the backpacker, and

b) enabling the second GPS device to be carried by the rescuers.

13. A method for determining the relative position between two GPS position determining devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) activating a first GPS device capable of determining its position on or above the earth,

b) activating a second GPS device capable of determining its position on or above the earth,

c) activating a transmitter and receiver for the first GPS device for broadcasting the position determined by said first device as telemetry data, and for receiving telemetry data from the second GPS device,

d) activating a transmitter and receiver for the second GPS device for broadcasting the position determined by said second device as telemetry data, and for receiving telemetry data from the first GPS device, and

e) determining a relative position between said first and second GPS devices by calculating and displaying;

a) a relative distance between the first GPS and the second GPS devices,

b) a direction in degrees from the second GPS device to the first GPS device,

c) a direction in degrees from the first GPS device to the second GPS device, and

d) a positive or negative difference in elevation between the first GPS and the second GPS devices.