Target positioning within a mobile structure

• US 9,026,134 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Edge, Stephen William
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAHEED, KHALID W
• Application Number:
  US13/335,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20120172055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.6, 455/414.1, 455/440.1, 455/440, 455/404.2
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0236 Assistance data, e.g. base station almanac
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0249 Determining position using measurements made by a non-stationary device other than the device whose position is being determined
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0284 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Method and apparatus for determining position of a target device relative to a mobile structure are disclosed. The method includes obtaining measurements by the target device with respect to a plurality of radio beacons, determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure using the measurements, and determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure using the measurements. The method of determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure includes at least one of comparing motion of target device with motion of mobile structure, detecting mobile radio beacon(s) on the mobile structure from the target device over a period of time, comparing velocity and location of the target device with respect to velocity and location of the mobile structure, comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons, and comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons.

Claims

1. A method for determining location of a target device relative to a mobile structure, comprising:

obtaining measurements by the target device with respect to a plurality of radio beacons;

determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure using the measurements, wherein the determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure comprises at least one of;

comparing motion of target device with motion of mobile structure, detecting one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure from the target device over a period of time, comparing velocity and location of the target device with respect to velocity and location of the mobile structure, comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons, or comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons; and

determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure using the measurements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radio beacons include one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure, and wherein the one or more mobile radio beacons include at least one of a base station, femtocell, Bluetooth node or a wireless local area network access point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radio beacons includes at least one of a fixed radio beacon or a GNSS satellite.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more mobile radio beacons remain substantially unchanged; and

comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more fixed radio beacons have changed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

comparing whether relative location of the target device with respect to the one or more mobile radio beacons remains substantially unchanged; and

comparing whether absolute location of the target device with respect to the one or more fixed radio beacons has changed.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein location is determined using at least one measurement of signal strength, signal quality and signal timing in a local coordinate system of the mobile structure.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining an absolute location of the target device in absolute coordinates from the measurements; and

converting the absolute location to a relative location using the absolute location and orientation of the mobile structure.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining location of the target device comprises:

determining location of the target device using X,Y,Z coordinates for the mobile structure.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

communicating location information between the target device and a location server using a positioning protocol, wherein the positioning protocol includes at least one of 3GPP LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) or OMA LPP Extensions (LPPe), and wherein the location information comprises at least one of the obtained measurements and the determined location of the target device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the location information comprises assistance data configured to assist the target device to obtain the measurements, wherein the assistance data comprises at least one of information of the mobile structure or information of a mobile reference point.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information of the mobile structure identifies one or more mobile radio beacons or network cells supported by the one or more mobile radio beacons.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile structure comprises at least one of:

a ship;

a plane;

a train;

a vehicle;

a submarine;

a mobile home;

a mobile office;

a space craft;

a space station;

or

an oil drilling platform.

13. A location server, comprising:

one or more processors;

a target device positioning module configured to work with the one or more processors, wherein the target positioning module include logic for obtaining measurements by the target device with respect to a plurality of radio beacons;

logic for determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure using the measurements, wherein the logic for determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure comprises at least one of;

logic for comparing motion of target device with motion of mobile structure, logic for detecting one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure from the target device over a period of time, logic for comparing velocity and location of the target device with respect to velocity and location of the mobile structure, logic for comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons, or logic for comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons;

logic for determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure using the measurements; and

a memory configured to store the location of the target device relative to the mobile structure.

14. The location server of claim 13, wherein the plurality of radio beacons include one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure, and wherein the one or more mobile radio beacons include at least one of a base station, femtocell, Bluetooth node or a wireless local area network access point.

15. The location server of claim 13, wherein the plurality of radio beacons includes at least one of a fixed radio beacon or a GNSS satellite.

16. The location server of claim 13, wherein logic for comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

logic for comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more mobile radio beacons remain substantially unchanged; and

logic for comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more fixed radio beacons have changed.

17. The location server of claim 13, wherein logic for comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

logic for comparing whether relative location of the target device with respect to the one or more mobile radio beacons remains substantially unchanged; and

logic for comparing whether absolute location of the target device with respect to the one or more fixed radio beacons has changed.

18. The location server of claim 14, wherein logic for determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure comprises:

logic for obtaining at least one measurement of signal strength, signal quality and signal timing by the target device; and

logic for determining location in a local coordinate system of the mobile structure.

19. The location server of claim 15, further comprising:

logic for determining an absolute location of the target device in absolute coordinates from the measurements; and

logic for converting the absolute location to a relative location using the absolute location and orientation of the mobile structure.

20. The location server of claim 13, wherein logic for determining location of the target device comprises:

logic for determining location of the target device using X,Y,Z coordinates for the mobile structure.

21. The location server of claim 13 further comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate location information with the target device using a positioning protocol, wherein the positioning protocol includes at least one of 3GPP LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) or OMA LPP Extensions (LPPe), and wherein the location information comprises at least one of the obtained measurements and the determined location of the target device.

22. The location server of claim 21, wherein the location information comprises assistance data configured to assist the target device to obtain the measurements, wherein the assistance data comprises at least one of information of the mobile structure or information of a mobile reference point.

23. The location server of claim 22, wherein the information of the mobile structure identifies one or more mobile radio beacons or network cells supported by the one or more mobile radio beacons.

24. The location server of claim 13, wherein the mobile structure comprises at least one of:

a ship;

a plane;

a train;

a vehicle;

a submarine;

a mobile home;

a mobile office;

a space craft;

a space station;

or

an oil drilling platform.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors;

a mobile target positioning module configured to work with the one or more processors, wherein the mobile target positioning module include means for obtaining measurements by the target device with respect to a plurality of radio beacons;

means for determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure using the measurements, wherein the means for determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure comprises at least one of;

means for comparing motion of target device with motion of mobile structure, means for detecting one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure from the target device over a period of time, means for comparing velocity and location of the target device with respect to velocity and location of the mobile structure, means for comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons, or means for comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons;

means for determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure using the measurements; and

a memory configured to store the location of the target device relative to the mobile structure.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of radio beacons include one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure, and wherein the one or more mobile radio beacons include at least one of a base station, femtocell, Bluetooth node or a wireless local area network access point.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of radio beacons includes at least one of a fixed radio beacon or a GNSS satellite.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein means for comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

means for comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more mobile radio beacons remain substantially unchanged; and

means for comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more fixed radio beacons have changed.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein means for comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

means for comparing whether relative location of the target device with respect to the one or more mobile radio beacons remains substantially unchanged; and

means for comparing whether absolute location of the target device with respect to the one or more fixed radio beacons has changed.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein means for determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure comprises:

means for obtaining at least one measurement of signal strength, signal quality and signal timing by the target device; and

means for determining location in a local coordinate system of the mobile structure.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

means for determining an absolute location of the target device in absolute coordinates from the measurements; and

means for converting the absolute location to a relative location using the absolute location and orientation of the mobile structure.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein means for determining location of the target device comprises:

means for determining location of the target device using X,Y,Z coordinates for the mobile structure.

33. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising:

means for communicating location information with a location server using a positioning protocol, wherein the positioning protocol includes at least one of 3GPP LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) or OMA LPP Extensions (LPPe), and wherein the location information comprises at least one of the obtained measurements and the determined location of the target device.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the location information comprises assistance data configured to assist the target device to obtain the measurements, wherein the assistance data comprises at least one of information of the mobile structure or information of a mobile reference point.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the information of the mobile structure identifies one or more mobile radio beacons or network cells supported by the one or more mobile radio beacons.

36. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the mobile structure comprises at least one of:

a ship;

a plane;

a train;

a vehicle;

a submarine;

a mobile home;

a mobile office;

a space craft;

a space station;

or

an oil drilling platform.

37. A computer program product for determining location of a target device relative to a mobile structure, comprising a non-transitory medium storing computer programs for execution by one or more computer systems, the computer program product comprising:

code for obtaining measurements by the target device with respect to a plurality of radio beacons;

code for determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure using the measurements, wherein the code for determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure comprises at least one of;

code for comparing motion of target device with motion of mobile structure, code for detecting one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure from the target device over a period of time, code for comparing velocity and location of the target device with respect to velocity and location of the mobile structure, code for comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons, or code for comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons;

or

code for determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure using the measurements.

38. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the plurality of radio beacons include one or more mobile radio beacons on the mobile structure, and wherein the one or more mobile radio beacons include at least one of a base station, femtocell, Bluetooth node or a wireless local area network access point.

39. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the plurality of radio beacons includes at least one of a fixed radio beacon or a GNSS satellite.

40. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein code for comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

code for comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more mobile radio beacons remain substantially unchanged; and

code for comparing whether measurements obtained by the target device with respect to one or more fixed radio beacons have changed.

41. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein code for comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons comprises:

code for comparing whether relative location of the target device with respect to the one or more mobile radio beacons remains substantially unchanged; and

code for comparing whether absolute location of the target device with respect to the one or more fixed radio beacons has changed.

42. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein location is determined using at least one measurement of signal strength, signal quality and signal timing in a local coordinate system of the mobile structure.

43. The computer program product of claim 39, further comprising:

code for determining an absolute location of the target device in absolute coordinates from the measurements; and

code for converting the absolute location to a relative location using the absolute location and orientation of the mobile structure.

44. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein code for determining location of the target device comprises:

code for determining location of the target device using X,Y,Z coordinates for the mobile structure.

45. The computer program product of claim 37 further comprising:

code for communicating location information between the target device and a location server using a positioning protocol, wherein the positioning protocol includes at least one of 3GPP LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) or OMA LPP Extensions (LPPe), and wherein the location information comprises at least one of the obtained measurements and the determined location of the target device.

46. The computer program product of claim 45, wherein the location information comprises assistance data configured to assist the target device to obtain the measurements, wherein the assistance data comprises at least one of information of the mobile structure or information of a mobile reference point.

47. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein the information of the mobile structure identifies one or more mobile radio beacons or network cells supported by the one or more mobile radio beacons.

48. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the mobile structure comprises at least one of:

a ship;

a plane;

a train;

a vehicle;

a submarine;

a mobile home;

a mobile office;

a space craft;

a space station;

or

an oil drilling platform.