Inexpensive position sensing device

• US 7,321,774 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Lau, Chung, Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quynh H.
• Application Number:
  US10/397,640
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/404.2, 455/414.2, 455/440, 340/539.13, 340/825.49, 340/988, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.07, 342/357.13, 342/457, 701/213, 701/214, 701/215
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/09 providing processing capability normally carried out by the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Inexpensive position sensing devices that allow widespread use and availability of position information are disclosed. One embodiment of the position-sensing device acquires, down converts and extracts raw position data from position signals. Then, the position-sensing device wirelessly transmits the raw position data to a position-computing device, which converts the raw position data into the position of the device. The position-computing device can also receive auxiliary information from auxiliary sensors, and perform analyses based on the position and the auxiliary information. The position-computing device can re-transmit the position and auxiliary information to a remote site for further analysis and/or central storage. The remote site can also download information to the position-computing device. The position-computing device can also control an actuator to perform an operation.

Claims

1. A position sensing system comprising:

a GPS position-sensing device, wherein the position-sensing device includes;

a position antenna configured to receive high-frequency signals;

a down converter coupled to the position antenna and configured to convert the high-frequency signals to low-frequency signals;

a position baseband circuit coupled to the down converter and configured to extract raw position data from the low-frequency signals; and

a communication baseband circuit coupled to the position baseband circuit and configured to transmit the raw position data to a portable position-computing device, which converts the raw position data into the location of the position-sensing device,

wherein the raw position data is GPS information that needs additional processing for identification of the data'"'"'s corresponding position, and

wherein the raw position data is processed by the portable position-computing device into the location of the position-sensing device.

2. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the position-computing device is a personal digital assistant.

3. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the position-computing device is a pager.

4. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the position-computing device is a cell phone.

5. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1,

Wherein the position sensing device wirelessly transmits the raw position data to the portable position-computing device, and

wherein the position-computing device receives the transmitted raw position data through Bluetooth protocol.

6. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1,

Wherein the position sensing device wirelessly transmits the raw position data to the portable position-computing device, and

wherein the position-computing device receives the transmitted raw position data through Wi-Fi protocol.

7. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the position-computing device is wirelessly coupled to a headset to provide voice output to a user.

8. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary sensor configured to sense auxiliary information.

9. A position sensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the auxiliary information is transmitted to the position-computing device.

10. A position sensing system as recited in claim 9 wherein the position-computing device analyzes the auxiliary information and the location of the position-sensing device to determine an action.

11. A position sensing system as recited in claim 9 wherein the position-computing device wirelessly transmits the auxiliary information and the location of the position-sensing device to a remote site.

12. A position sensing system as recited in claim 11 wherein the remote site analyzes the auxiliary information and the position-sensing device location to determine an action.

13. A position sensing system as recited in claim 12 wherein, based on the analysis, a signal is transmitted to the position-computing device to perform the action.

14. A position sensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the auxiliary sensor is configured to capture information related to the environment where the position-sensing device is located.

15. A position sensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the auxiliary sensor is configured to capture information pertaining to the position-sensing device.

16. A position sensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the auxiliary sensor is configured to capture information regarding a living being associated with the position-sensing device.

17. A position sensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein at least a part of the circuitry of the auxiliary sensor is integrated with at least a part of the circuitry of the position-sensing device.

18. A position sensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the position-computing device wirelessly transmits the location of the position-sensing device to a remote site.

19. A position sensing system as recited in claim 18 wherein the remote site transmits a piece of information back to the position-computing device based on at least the location of the position-sensing device that was received from the position-computing device.

20. A position sensing system as recited in claim 18 wherein the remote site includes a website.

21. A position sensing system as recited in claim 10 further comprising an actuator coupled to the position-computing device and configured to perform an action based on the analysis.

22. A position sensing system as recited in claim 12 further comprising an actuator configured to perform an action based on the analysis.

23. A position sensing system as recited in claim 22 wherein the action performed includes providing a message to a user.

24. A position sensing system as recited in claim 22 wherein the action performed includes providing a message to a system.

25. A position sensing system as recited in claim 22 wherein the action performed includes an action directly on a user.

26. A position sensing system as recited in claim 22 wherein the action performed includes an action on the environment of the position-sensing device.

27. A position sensing system as recited in claim 22 wherein the action is modified in view of subsequent auxiliary information from the auxiliary sensor.

28. A mobile device for acquiring status information pertaining to an object, said mobile device being proximate to the object, said mobile device comprising:

a wireless communication module for receiving or transmitting signals in a wireless manner;

a GPS receiver for receiving GPS data;

at least one auxiliary sensor for acquiring auxiliary data; and

a controller operatively connected to said wireless communication module, said GPS receiver, and said at least one auxiliary sensor;

wherein said controller controls operation of said mobile device including acquisition of the GPS data and the auxiliary data, and causes said wireless communication module to at least transmit information related to the GPS data and information related to the auxiliary data to a remote server or another mobile device,

wherein said wireless communication module and said GPS receiver share at least a portion of their circuitry,

wherein the object is not a living object, and

wherein the auxiliary data pertains to the object, said mobile device, or an environment of the object or said mobile device.

29. A mobile device as recited in claim 28, wherein said wireless communication module supports a plurality of wireless networks.

30. A mobile device as recited in claim 29, wherein the plurality of wireless networks include at least a local area network, a wide area or global network.

31. A mobile device as recited in claim 30, wherein the local area network is one of a Bluetooth network and a Wi-Fi network, and wherein the wide area or the global network is a SMS network.

32. A mobile device as recited in claim 28, wherein said mobile device further comprises an actuator.

33. A mobile device as recited in claim 28, wherein the wireless communication module and the GPS receiver are formed on a single integrated circuit.

34. A mobile device for acquiring status information pertaining to an object, said mobile device being proximate to the object, said mobile device comprising:

a wireless communication module for receiving or transmitting signals in a wireless manner;

a GPS receiver for receiving GPS data;

at least one auxiliary sensor for acquiring auxiliary data; and

a controller operatively connected to said wireless communication module, said GPS receiver, and said at least one auxiliary sensor;

wherein said controller controls operation of said mobile device including acquisition of the GPS data and the auxiliary data, and causes said wireless communication module to at least transmit information related to the GPS data and information related to the auxiliary data to a remote server or another mobile device,

wherein said wireless communication module and said GPS receiver share at least a portion of their circuitry,

wherein the object is a living object, and

wherein the auxiliary data pertains to a health condition of the object, said mobile device, or an environment of the object or said mobile device.