Laser based reflectors for GPS positioning augmentation
First Claim
1. An integrated satellite-laser positioning system comprising:
- a mobile unit;
wherein said mobile unit further comprises;
a scanning and rotating laser beacon generating a laser beam;
a satellite positioning system (SATPS) further comprisinga SATPS receiver; and
a SATPS antenna; and
an integrated SATPS/laser navigational computer; and
a plurality of targets;
wherein said plurality of targets further comprises;
a plurality of SATPS satellites further comprising a plurality of visible SATPS satellites; and
a plurality of laser reflectors further comprising a plurality of visible laser reflectors;
wherein said mobile unit detects a range information between said mobile unit and each said visible target;
and wherein said integrated SATPS/laser navigational computer utilizes aid range information between said mobile unit and each said visible SATPS satellite and each said visible laser reflector to obtain said mobile unit positional information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The mobile unit equipped with the satellite positioning system augmented by the laser positioning system is disclosed. The usage of the satellite positioning system allows the user to determine the coordinate of the laser reflectors prior to the range measurements. The range measurements are performed by the navigational computer using the laser scanning and rotating beam to obtain the range data between the mobile unit and a plurality of laser reflectors, and using the satellite positioning system to obtain the range data between the mobile unit and a plurality of visible navigational satellites. The obtained range data and the laser reflector coordinate data allows the user to perform the navigation of the mobile unit.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An integrated satellite-laser positioning system comprising:
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a mobile unit;
wherein said mobile unit further comprises;a scanning and rotating laser beacon generating a laser beam; a satellite positioning system (SATPS) further comprising a SATPS receiver; and a SATPS antenna; and an integrated SATPS/laser navigational computer; and a plurality of targets;
wherein said plurality of targets further comprises;a plurality of SATPS satellites further comprising a plurality of visible SATPS satellites; and a plurality of laser reflectors further comprising a plurality of visible laser reflectors; wherein said mobile unit detects a range information between said mobile unit and each said visible target; and wherein said integrated SATPS/laser navigational computer utilizes aid range information between said mobile unit and each said visible SATPS satellite and each said visible laser reflector to obtain said mobile unit positional information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of navigation of a mobile unit comprising the steps of:
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determining the range data between said mobile unit and at least two visible laser reflectors with known position coordinates; determining the range data between said mobile unit and at least two visible navigational satellites; and utilizing said range information for three-dimensional navigation of said mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of navigation of a mobile unit comprising the steps of:
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determining the range data between said mobile unit and at least one visible laser reflectors with known position coordinates; determining the range data between said mobile unit and at least two visible navigational satellites; and utilizing said range information for two-dimensional navigation of said mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of navigation of a mobile unit comprising the steps of:
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obtaining the range information between said mobile unit and a plurality of laser reflectors placed in locations with known coordinates, wherein each said laser rejector includes an intelligent reflector and ID; obtaining the range information between said mobile unit and a plurality of visible navigational satellites; and utilizing said range data and said laser ID data for navigation of said mobile unit.
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Specification