User interface for global positioning system receiver

• US 6,377,891 B1
• Filed: 02/12/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US09/249,495
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 342/357.03, 342/357.02, 342/357.06, 342/357.12, 455/154.1, 455/268, 455/161.3, 455/200.1, 455/254, 345/184
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position

Abstract

A control system for a GPS receiver allows adjustment of a number of data collection (i.e., configuration) parameters for the receiver. Preferably, a single interface allows for setting multiple parameters at the same time. Setting the configuration parameters may be in response to a user input specifying a desired quality of position estimate to be provided by the receiver and may be accomplished using a slide bar control. The slide bar control may be a graphical representation displayed to the user and may allow the user to choose from a number of predetermined settings, each corresponding to a set of different configuration parameters for the receiver. Distribution of the settings over the range of a slide bar control need not be linear. Preferably, each set of the configuration parameters includes a setting for a PDOP mask, a signal to noise ratio mask, an elevation mask and a minimum number of satellites to be used by the receiver in making a position computation.

Claims

1. A method comprising setting a plurality of configuration parameters for a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in response to a single input specifying a desired quality of position estimate to be provided by the receiver.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is received using a slide bar control.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the slide bar control is a graphical representation displayed.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the slide bar control allows selection of a setting from a number of predetermined settings, each corresponding to a set of GPS receiver configuration parameters.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the GPS receiver configuration parameters are chosen from a group comprising position dilution of precision (PDOP), signal-to-noise ratio, satellite elevation and a minimum number of satellites.

6. A method of claim 4 wherein each set comprises two or more GPS receiver configuration parameters.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the distribution of the predetermined settings of the slide bar control is non-linear.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein each set of GPS receiver configuration parameters includes one or more settings for GPS receiver parameters chosen from a group comprising a position dilution of precision (PDOP) mask, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) mask, an elevation mask and a minimum number of satellites.

9. A method for controlling the performance of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver comprising:

receiving a single input indicating a slide bar setting between a minimum slide bar setting and a maximum slide bar setting representing relative quality of position estimates to be provided by the GPS receiver; and

adjusting a plurality of GPS operating parameters of the receiver in response to the slide bar setting.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the operating parameters are selected from the group consisting of a signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), PDOP, elevation and minimum number of satellites.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the slide bar settings are selected from a group consisting of quantity measures, quality of position measures, and speed of acquisition measures.

12. A control system comprising a control means for concurrently adjusting a plurality of global positioning system (GPS) configuration parameters for a GPS receiver in response to a single input specifying a desired quality of position estimate and a processing means for determining a position of the receiver.

13. The control system of claim 12, wherein the single input is generated by a slide bar.

14. The control system of claim 13, wherein the slide bar comprises a graphical representation of a slide bar.

15. The control system of claim 12, wherein the GPS configuration parameters are chosen from a group comprising position dilution of precision (PDOP), single-to-noise ratio, satellite elevation and a minimum number of satellites.

16. A mechanism for controlling the performance of a positioning system receiver comprising:

a slide bar configured to control the performance of the receiver by allowing specification of desired quality of position estimates to be provided by the positioning system; and

a controller, configured to be responsive to the slide bar setting and to adjust a plurality of positioning system receiver operating parameters according to a single slide bar setting.

17. The mechanism as set forth in claim 16, wherein a plurality of receiver operating parameters are selected from the group comprising a position dilution of precision (PDOP), elevation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and a minimum number of satellites in view.

18. The mechanism as set forth in claim 16, wherein the mechanism is located in a handheld positioning system receiver.

19. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver comprising an interface and a processing means for concurrently adjusting a plurality of GPS receiver configuration parameters in response to a single signal produced by the interface to specify a desired quality of position estimate.

20. The GPS receiver of claim 19, wherein the interface is selected from the group comprising a slide bar and a graphical representation of a slide bar.

21. The GPS receiver of claim 19, wherein the GPS configuration parameters include position dilution of precision (PDOP), signal-to-noise ratio, satellite elevation and a minimum number of satellites.

22. The GPS receiver of claim 19, wherein the interface comprises a number of predetermined setting used to generate a signal, each signal corresponding to a set of the GPS configuration parameters for the receiver.

23. The GPS receiver of claim 22, wherein the sets of GPS configuration parameters corresponding to the predetermined settings of the interface are distributed in a non-linear fashion over a range of settings provided by the interfaces.

24. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver comprising an antenna and a control system which enables adjustment of a plurality of GPS configuration parameters for the receiver via a single adjustment on a user interface to specify a desired quality of position estimate.

25. The GPS receiver of claim 24, wherein the user interface is selected from the group comprising a slide bar and a graphical representation of a slide bar.

26. The GPS receiver of claim 25, wherein the GPS configuration parameters are chosen from a group comprising position dilution of precision (PDOP), signal-to-noise ratio, satellite elevation and a minimum number of satellites.

27. The GPS receiver of claim 25, wherein the interface comprise a number of predetermined settings, each corresponding to a set of the GPS configuration parameters for the receiver.

28. In a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a method comprising:

receiving a single input specifying a relative quality of position estimates to be provided by the GPS receiver; and

simultaneously setting a plurality of GPS configuration parameters in response to the single input.

29. The GPS receiver of claim 28, wherein GPS configuration parameters are associated with one or more selectable relative quality of position estimate values determined empirically and non-linearly.