Method of estimating the location of a device

• US 7,262,733 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Breakwaters Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Dooley, Saul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moazzami; Nasser
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parthasarathy; Pramila
• Application Number:
  US09/772,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,405 Days
• Field of Search: 713/193, 380/258, 342/458
• US Class Current: 342/458
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems

Abstract

Methods of providing an estimate of the location of a first device are discloses comprising the steps of determining the location of a separately housed, second device located near to the first device; providing the location of the second device to the first device; and using the location of the second device as an estimate of the location of the first device. Either the second device is arranged to perform a function based on its location other than providing its location as an estimate of the location of the first device, or the location of the second device is provided to the first device using a wireless communications link.

Claims

1. A method of providing an estimate of the location of a first device comprising the steps of determining the location of a separately housed, second device located near to the first device;

determining that the first device is unable to determine its location;

sending a request from the first device to the second device that the second device provide its location to the first device;

providing the location of the second device to the first device; and

using the location of the second device as the location of the first device, wherein the location of the second device is provided to the first device using a wireless communications link.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first device comprises location determining means to determine its location;

and wherein the request is sent when the location determining means is inoperative.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the request is sent only when the location determining means is inoperative.

4. A combination of first and second separately housed devices wherein the second device comprises location determining means for determining the location of the second device and providing the location to the first device;

wherein the first device is arranged to send a request to the second device that the second device provide its location to the first device;

wherein the first device uses the location of the second device as its location; and

wherein the location of the second device is provided to the first device using a wireless communications link.

5. A combination according to claim 4 wherein the first device comprises location determining means to determine its location;

and wherein the request is sent when the location determining means is inoperative.

6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein the request is sent only when the location determining means is inoperative.

7. A combination of first and second separately housed devices according to claim 4 wherein the first and second devices are interchangeable such that they may reciprocate assistance provided by the other.

8. A device comprising a transmitter for sending a request for location information to a recipient external to the device in the event that the device is unable to determine its location;

a receiver for receiving location information from that recipient; and

a processor for processing received location information to generate the device'"'"'s own location.

9. A device according to claim 8 further comprising location determining means to determine its location;

and wherein the request is sent when the location determining means is inoperative.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the request is sent only when the location determining means is inoperative.