High-sensitivity GPS device with directional antenna
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- performing sequential scanning in multiple directions for global positioning system (GPS) signals via an antenna of an electronic device, the scanning in each of the multiple directions being performed for a time interval;
analyzing the GPS signals obtained from scans in the multiple directions to determine a number of acquired GPS satellites that provided the GPS signals, the GPS signals indicating code phases of the acquired GPS satellites;
computing a location of the electronic device based on the code phases of the acquired GPS satellites in response to determining that the number of acquired GPS satellites meets a threshold number; and
increasing the threshold number in response to a number of directions scanned increasing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The effective use of weak GPS signals that are present in various environments enables an electronic device to pinpoint its location in such environments. The electronic device uses an antenna to perform sequential scanning in multiple directions for global positioning system (GPS) signals. The electronic device further analyzes GPS signals obtained from scanning the multiple directions to determine a number of acquired GPS satellites that provided the GPS signals. The GPS signals include code phases of the acquired GPS satellites. The electronic device then computes a location of the electronic device based on the code phases of the acquired GPS satellites when the number of acquired GPS satellites meets a threshold.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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performing sequential scanning in multiple directions for global positioning system (GPS) signals via an antenna of an electronic device, the scanning in each of the multiple directions being performed for a time interval; analyzing the GPS signals obtained from scans in the multiple directions to determine a number of acquired GPS satellites that provided the GPS signals, the GPS signals indicating code phases of the acquired GPS satellites; computing a location of the electronic device based on the code phases of the acquired GPS satellites in response to determining that the number of acquired GPS satellites meets a threshold number; and increasing the threshold number in response to a number of directions scanned increasing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that upon execution cause one or more processors controlling one or more hardware to perform acts comprising:
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scanning for global positioning system (GPS) signals in a first direction via a directional antenna of an electronic device; obtaining, via the one or more hardware, GPS signals from the first direction over a time interval that includes multiple milliseconds; analyzing, via the one or more hardware, the GPS signals obtained from the first direction to determine a number of acquired GPS satellites that provided the GPS signals at the first direction; switching, via the one or more hardware, the directional antenna to scan for GPS signals in a second direction that is different from the first direction in response to determining that the GPS signals obtained at the first direction are from a first insufficient number of GPS satellites to compute a location; and computing, via the one or more hardware, a location fix for the electronic device based at least on code phases of the GPS signals from the GPS satellites in the first direction in response to determining that the GPS signals obtained at the first direction are from a first sufficient number of GPS satellites to compute the location. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electronic device, comprising:
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a directional antenna; one or more processors; one or more motors; a memory that includes a plurality of computer-executable modules that are executable by the one or more processors, the modules comprising; an antenna control module that controls the one or more motors to sequentially aim the directional antenna in multiple directions to scan for GPS signals; a satellite acquisition module that analyzes the GPS signals obtained from scans in the multiple directions to determine a number of acquired GPS satellites that provided the GPS signals, the GPS signals indicating code phases of the acquired GPS satellites; a location computation module that computes a location of the electronic device based on the code phases of the acquired GPS satellites in response to determining that the number of acquired GPS satellites meets a threshold number; and increasing the threshold number in response to a number of directions scanned increasing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification