Underwater positioning system
AssigneeVulcan Inc.
InventorsRusty Allen Gerard, Richard Earl Simpkinson, Omer Rosenbaum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An underwater positioning system comprises a plurality of underwater beacons. A beacon, in response to a signal sent by an underwater vehicle, responds with a signal comprising one or more characteristics to identify the beacon. Components of an access algorithm are provided to the underwater vehicle. The access algorithm determines a location of the beacon based on the beacon's identity. A position of the vehicle is determined based at least in part on the location of the beacon.
Claims19
A method, comprising:
- placing a plurality of beacons underwater, wherein a first beacon, of the plurality of beacons, generates a signal comprising information indicative of an identity of the first beacon, wherein the signal is to be generated based at least in part on a permutation of at least two or more of shape, coating, texture, or material that are unique among beacons within an operating area;
- and
- providing information indicative of a mapping between the information indicative of the identity of the first beacon and a location of the first beacon, wherein the information indicative of the location of the first beacon is usable to a device when the device is underwater to determine a location of the device.
A device, comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- a memory comprising instructions that, in response to execution by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least:
- receive a signal comprising information indicative of an identity of a beacon, wherein the signal generated by reflection from the beacon based, at least in part, on a permutation of at least two or more of shape, coating, texture, or material that are unique among beacons within an operating area;
- and
- use, while underwater, a mapping between the information indicative of an identity of the beacon and a location of the beacon, to determine a location of the device.
A non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions that, when performed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to:
- receive a signal comprising information indicative of an identity of a beacon, wherein the received signal is based, at least in part, on a permutation of at least two or more of shape, coating, texture, or material that are unique among beacons within an operating area;
- and
- determine a location of the beacon based, at least in part, on information indicative of a mapping between the information indicative of the identity of the beacon and a location of the beacon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.