Positioning system using packet radio to determine position and to obtain information relative to a position
First Claim
1. A mobile positioning system for determining a position of the mobile positioning system and obtaining information about that position comprising:
- a. means for communicating with a reference station having a known position, using a packet radio format, for receiving positioning transmissions and obtaining non-mapping information related to the position from the reference station; and
b. means for determining a position coupled to the means for communicating for determining the position of the positioning system based on the positioning transmissions received from the reference station and the known position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A positioning system includes the ability to receive GPS signals and to receive and transmit packet radio signals. The positioning system receives GPS transmissions to determine its pseudo position. The positioning system also receives differential corrections relative to its pseudo position using packet radio. By combining the GPS transmissions and the differential corrections, the positioning system calculates its actual position. A user has the ability to obtain information relevant to their actual position by transmitting a request to a reference station, using packet radio. The reference station maintains an information system and will transmit the requested information back to the user. The information system includes a data storage memory and retrieval system and a direct link to the internet. The user is able to provide information for storage within the information system or on the internet in order to compile the information available from the reference station. The positioning system also includes the ability to automatically transmit its position periodically allowing the reference station to track and monitor its actual position. Information relative to its location, signals and alerts are transmitted to predetermined locations based on the position of the positioning system relative to a predetermined location or another positioning system. Alternatively, the positioning system determines its position using only packet radio. Reference stations at known locations transmit signals having predetermined amplitudes and signal strengths. A positioning system determines its position relative to the reference stations based on the amplitude and strength of the signals received from the reference stations.
248 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A mobile positioning system for determining a position of the mobile positioning system and obtaining information about that position comprising:
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a. means for communicating with a reference station having a known position, using a packet radio format, for receiving positioning transmissions and obtaining non-mapping information related to the position from the reference station; and
b. means for determining a position coupled to the means for communicating for determining the position of the positioning system based on the positioning transmissions received from the reference station and the known position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining a position of a mobile positioning system and obtaining information about the position comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving positioning transmissions in a packet radio format from a positioning station having a known position;
b. determining a position of the mobile positioning system based on the positioning transmissions received from the positioning station and the known position; and
c. communicating with a reference station using a packet radio format to obtain non-mapping information related to the position from the reference station. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for determining a position of a mobile positioning system and obtaining information about that position comprising:
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a. a plurality of reference stations each having a known position and including a first communications circuit for sending and receiving communications in a packet radio format, wherein the communications include positioning transmissions having a known amplitude and known signal strength; and
b. a mobile positioning system including;
i. a second communications circuit for communicating with the first communications circuit in the packet radio format and receiving the positioning transmissions, which when received have a received amplitude and a received signal strength;
ii. a position determining circuit for determining the position of the mobile positioning system based on the difference between the known amplitude and signal strength and the received amplitude and signal strength of the positioning transmissions received from each of the plurality of reference stations and the known position of each of the plurality of reference stations; and
iii. an interface coupled to the second communications circuit for interfacing with a user and allowing the user to obtain non-mapping information related to the position from one or more of the reference stations and to provide information to one or more of the reference stations. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for determining and monitoring a position of a mobile positioning system comprising:
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a. a mobile positioning system including;
i. a first communications circuit for sending and receiving communications in a packet radio format including receiving positioning transmissions having a received amplitude and a received signal strength and automatically and periodically transmitting a position of the positioning system in a packet radio format; and
ii. a determining circuit coupled to the first communications circuit for determining the position of the positioning system based on the received amplitude and signal strength of the positioning transmissions; and
b. a plurality of reference stations each including;
i. a second communications circuit for communicating with the first communications circuit in the packet radio format, receiving the position and transmitting the positioning transmissions at a known amplitude and known signal strength from a known position;
ii. a monitoring circuit coupled to the second communications circuit for monitoring and tracking the position; and
iii. an alerting device coupled to the monitoring device for sending an alert if the position of the positioning system is equal to a predetermined position.
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Specification