SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A GPS DEVICE

• US 20100109947A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konecranes Finland Oy (Konecranes Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Savcor One Oy (Konecranes Oyj)
• Inventors: Rintanen, Kari
• Granted Patent: US 8,253,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.230
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/46 Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/0755 Position control; Position detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/41 Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/50 whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks

Abstract

A system and a method for determining the correct position for a GPS device from a predefined set of alternatives are provided. Based on the known positions of the visible GPS satellites and of the predefined alternative locations, the system determines theoretical distances between each satellite and each location and/or differences thereof These distances are related to the distance measured between the GPS device antenna and each GPS satellite in order to choose the location from among the predefined location alternatives. Also disclosed are a system and a method for identification of predefined container slots on a freight yard.

Claims

1. A system by which, through the use of GPS measurement, the correct location of a GPS antenna (A), connected to a GPS device, is selected from a plurality of previously known alternative locations, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A), the system determines theoretical ranges between GPS satellites and the alternative locations and/or differences between these ranges, on the basis of positional data of the GPS satellites as well as positional data of the alternative 10 locations.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, which, for improved reliability, makes use of a second, stationarily mounted GPS antenna B and a GPS device, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the system determines theoretical ranges between GPS satellites and the stationary GPS antenna (B) and/or differences between these ranges, on the basis of positional data of the GPS satellites as well as positional data of the stationary GPS antenna (B).

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the system compares the calculated theoretical ranges and/or differences between these ranges with ranges and/or differences measured by a GPS device between GPS satellites and the GPS antenna (A) connected to a GPS device.

4. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the system compares the calculated theoretical ranges and/or differences between these ranges with ranges and/or differences measured by GPS devices between GPS satellites and the GPS antenna (A) connected to a GPS device and/or between GPS satellites and a stationary GPS antenna (B).

5. A service application for a system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the system is used for a correct identification of storage slots for containers or other general cargo.

6. A service application as set forth in claim 5, wherein the system is operated by mounting a GPS antenna (A), connected to a GPS device, on a vehicle carrying containers or other general cargo.

7. A method by which, through the use of GPS measurement, the correct location of a GPS antenna (A) connected to a GPS device is selected from a plurality of previously known alternative locations, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the theoretical ranges between GPS satellites and the alternative locations and/or differences between these ranges are determined on the basis of positional data of the GPS satellites as well as positional data of the alternative locations.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7, comprising, for improved reliability, the use of also a second, fixed-location mounted GPS antenna (B) and a GPS device, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the theoretical ranges between GPS satellites and the stationary GPS antenna (B) and/or differences between these ranges are determined on the basis of positional data of the GPS satellites as well as positional data of the stationary GPS antenna (B).

9. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the calculated theoretical ranges and/or differences between these ranges are compared with ranges and/or differences measured by a GPS device between GPS satellites and the GPS antenna (A) connected to a GPS device.

10. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein, in order to select the correct location of the antenna (A) connected to a GPS device, the calculated theoretical ranges and/or differences between these ranges are compared with ranges and/or differences measured by GPS devices between GPS satellites and the GPS antenna (A) connected to a GPS device and/or between GPS satellites and a stationary GPS antenna (B).

11. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the method is used for a correct identification of 10 storage slots for containers or other general cargo.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the method is operated by mounting a GPS antenna (A), connected to a GPS device, on a vehicle carrying containers or other general cargo.

13. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the method is used for a correct identification of 10 storage slots for containers or other general cargo.

14. A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the method is used for a correct identification of 10 storage slots for containers or other general cargo.

15. A method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the method is used for a correct identification of 10 storage slots for containers or other general cargo.