Position location system and method

• US 6,581,000 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
• Original Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
• Inventors: Rappard, Mitchell A., Hills, Alexander H., Schlegel, Jon P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/754,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20020087264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/200, 701/208, 701/211, 701/213, 731/78.R, 340/988, 340/990
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A system for determining a position of a user. The system includes a distance sensor in communication with a position tracking device. The distance sensor is for detecting movement by the user, and the position tracking device is for determining the position of the user based on detection of movement by the user and a relative change in direction input from the user.

Claims

1. A method for determining a position of a user, comprising:

receiving a relative change in direction input from the user via a graphical user interface;

determining a distance traversed by the user, wherein determining the distance traversed by the user is selected from the group consisting of detecting rotation of a wheel and detecting a stride by the user;

determining the position of the user based on the relative change in direction input from the user and the distance traversed by the user; and

displaying the position of the user via the graphical user interface.

2. A method for determining a position of a user, comprising:

receiving a relative change in direction input from the user via a graphical user interface;

determining a distance traversed by the user;

determining the position of the user based on the relative change in direction input from the user and the distance traversed by the user, wherein determining the position of the user includes determining the position of the user relative to a reference point based on the relative change in direction input from the user and the distance traversed by the user, wherein the reference point is selected from the group consisting of an initial reference point and a waypoint; and

displaying the position of the user via the graphical user interface.

3. A method for determining a position of a user, comprising:

receiving a relative change in direction input from the user via a graphical user interface;

determining a distance traversed by the user;

determining the position of the user based on the relative change in direction input from the user and the distance traversed by the user;

displaying the position of the user via the graphical user interface;

receiving a radio signal transmitted by a radio transmitter; and

determining a radio coverage pattern of the radio transmitter based on a strength of the received radio signal and the position of the user.

4. A system for determining a position of a user, comprising:

a distance sensor for detecting stride movement by the user based on rotation of a wheel pushed by the user; and

a position tracking device in communication with the distance sensor for determining the position of the user based on detection of stride movement by the user and a relative change in direction input from the user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the distance sensor includes an odometer.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the distance sensor is in communication with the position tracking device via a hard-wired communications link.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the distance sensor is in communication with the position tracking device via a wireless communications link.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the position tracking device includes a graphical user interface for allowing the user to enter the relative change in direction input and for displaying the position of the user.

9. The system of claim 4, further comprising a radio receiver in communication with the position tracking device.

10. The system of claim 4, further comprising a support connected to the position tracking device.