Handheld global positioning system device

• US 8,717,232 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2012
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Javad GNSS, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Javad GNSS, Inc.
• Inventors: Ashjaee, Javad, Rapoport, Lev B., Gribkov, Mikhail, Gribkov, Alexander I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keith, Jack W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mull, Fred H
• Application Number:
  US13/353,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20120188122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.52, 342/357.34, 342/357.3, 342/357.24, 342/357.44, 348/116, 348135-142, 382/106, 382/275, 382286-287, 356/4.03, 356/20
• US Class Current: 342/357.23
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/00 Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/43 using carrier phase measurements, e.g. kinematic positioning; using long or short baseline interferometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/47 the supplementary measurement being an inertial measurement, e.g. tightly coupled inertial
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

A handheld GNSS device includes a housing, handgrips integral to the housing for enabling a user to hold the device, and a display screen integral with the housing. The device has a GNSS antenna and a communication antenna, both integral with the housing. The GNSS antenna receives position data from GNSS satellites. The communication antenna receives positioning assistance data from a base station. The GNSS antenna has a first antenna pattern, and the communication antenna has a second antenna pattern. The first and second antenna patterns are substantially separated. Coupled to the GNSS antenna, within the housing, is at least one receiver. Further, the device includes, within the housing, orientation circuitry for generating orientation data, imaging circuitry for obtaining image data, and positioning circuitry for determining a position for the point of interest based on the position data, the positioning assistance data, the orientation data, and the image data.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining position data for a point of interest, comprising:

a display screen configured to display image data and orientation data to assist a user in positioning the apparatus;

a GNSS antenna configured to receive position data from a plurality of satellites;

at least one communication antenna configured to receive positioning assistance data related to the position data from a base station;

at least one receiver coupled to the GNSS antenna;

orientation circuitry configured to generate orientation data of the apparatus based upon a position of the apparatus related to the horizon;

a camera configured to obtain image data concerning the point of interest for display on the display screen; and

positioning circuitry, coupled to the at least one receiver, the camera, and the orientation circuitry, configured to;

determine a GNSS antenna height estimation based on a size of the point of interest in the image data;

determine an alignment error between an optical axis of the camera and the point of interest based on the image data; and

determine a position for the point of interest based on at least the position data, the positioning assistance data, the orientation data, the GNSS antenna height estimation, and the alignment error between the optical axis of the camera and the point of interest.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one communication antenna is an antenna selected from a group consisting of:

a GSM antenna, a UHF antenna, and a WiFi/Bluetooth antenna.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one communication antenna comprises three communication antennas.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orientation of the GNSS antenna is substantially orthogonal to the display.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a GNSS antenna connector for connecting a second GNSS antenna.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one handgrip, wherein the at least one handgrip enables the user to hold the apparatus at substantially the user'"'"'s eye level.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a monopod connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning assistance data includes raw position data of the base station for comparing with the position data received by the GNSS antenna to determine the position of the point of interest.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning assistance data includes correction data for compensating for errors in the position data in determining the position of the point of interest.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one handgrip, wherein the at least one handgrip is positioned with respect to the at least one communication antenna to enable a user to grasp the at least one handgrip without substantially interfering with receiving the positioning assistance data by the at least one communication antenna.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to acquire image data of the point of interest, wherein the image data is stored in a memory.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the image data includes information about the point of interest to determine orientation and position data of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a GNSS antenna cover that is transparent to a GNSS signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display screen is configured to face the user when the user uses the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a headset;

a speaker; and

a microphone.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the camera and the microphone begin operating without a user input.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the microphone is operable for recording voice comments from the user.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an orientation indicator for assisting the user in positioning the apparatus relative to the point of interest.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image data includes at least one image, and the at least one image represents a view of the point of interest viewed from the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orientation data represents an orientation of the apparatus with respect to a plane parallel with a horizon.