US 5,523,761 A · Differential GPS smart antenna device · patentgrep

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Abstract

Integrated antenna apparatus for determination of the location of an observer and/or of the time of observation by use of a GPS or a GLONASS or other Satellite Positioning System that uses differential corrections of the pseudorange, the location and/or the observation time. The apparatus includes an antenna module and a display module, connected by a communication link. In one embodiment, the antenna module includes: a GPS antenna to receive the GPS signals; a signal frequency downconverter; a Differential GPS (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna and receiver to receive GPS correction information; a GPS/DGPS signal processor to receive the GPS antenna and DGPS antenna output signals and to determine at least one of (i) the present GPS antenna location, as corrected by the DGPS signals, and (ii) the observation time of such location; and a communication link to communicate GPS processor output signals to the display unit. The display module in this embodiment includes: a display processor to receive signals from the communication link and to process these signals for display of location or time information; and display means to visibly or audibly display the location or time information. In other embodiments, these components are repositioned. The communication link may be one or more cables or wires or may be a wireless link.

Claims61

Dependent claims

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

an antenna module comprising:
a GPS signal antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue a GPS antenna output signal;
a frequency downconverter to receive the GPS antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a selected lower frequency;
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna and receiver positioned to receive DGPS radiowave signals, to provide GPS information for correction of the GPS antenna location from a DGPS radiowave signal source, and to issue a DGPS antenna output signal;
a GPS/DGPS signal processor to receive the downconverter output signal and the DGPS antenna output signal, to process these signals to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna, as corrected by the DGPS signals, and (ii) the present time of observation of a satellite by the GPS antenna, and to issue information on this present location or this present time of observation as an output signal;
a commlink to receive the output signal from the GPS/DGPS signal processor, to communicate this signal to a selected signal receiver;
and
a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the GPS antenna, the downconverter, the GPS/DGPS signal processor, the DGPS antenna and the commlink;
and
a display module, spaced apart from the antenna module and comprising:
a display processor to receive the commlink signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal;
display means for receiving the display processor output signal and for visually or audibly displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and the (ii) present time of observation by the GPS antenna;
and
a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the commlink, the display processor and the display means,
where at least one of the antenna module and the display module is capable of being held in the hand.

12 more elements

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

an antenna module comprising:
a GPS signal antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue a GPS antenna output signal;
a frequency downconverter to receive the GPS antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a selected lower frequency;
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna positioned to receive DGPS radiowave signals, which provide GPS information for correction of the GPS antenna location from a DGPS radiowave signal source, and to issue a DGPS antenna output signal;
a GPS signal processor to receive the downconverter output signals, to process these signals to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna, and (ii) the present time of observation of a satellite by the GPS antenna, and to issue information on this present location or this present time of observation as an output signal;
a commlink to receive the GPS signal processor output signal and the DGPS antenna output signal and to communicate these signals to a selected signal processor and a selected signal receiver, respectively;
and
a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the GPS antenna, the downconverter, the GPS signal processor, the DGPS antenna and the commlink;
and
a display module, spaced apart from the antenna module and comprising:
a DGPS signal receiver to receive the DGPS antenna output signal from the commlink and to issue a DGPS receiver output signal;
a GPS post-processor to receive the GPS processor output signal from the commlink, to receive the DGPS receiver output signal, to determine at least one of (1) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the time of observation of a GPS satellite, as corrected by the DGPS antenna output signal, and to issue this corrected information as an output signal;
a display processor to receive the GPS post-processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal;
display means for receiving the display processor output signal and for visually or audibly displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and the (ii) present time of observation by the GPS antenna;
and
a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to sat least one of the commlink, the DGPS signal receiver, the GPS post-processor, the display processor and the display means,
where at least one of the antenna module and the display module is capable of being held in the hand.

14 more elements

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

an antenna module comprising:
a GPS signal antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue a GPS antenna output signal;
a frequency downconverter to receive the GPS antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a selected lower frequency;
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna and receiver positioned to receive DGPS radiowave signals, which provide information for correction of the GPS antenna location, from a DGPS radiowave signal source and to issue a DGPS antenna output signal;
a GPS signal processor to receive the downconverter output signals, to process these signals to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the time of observation of a satellite by the GPS antenna, and to issue information on this present location or this present time of observation as an output signal;
a commlink to receive the GPS signal processor output signal and the DGPS antenna output signal and to communicate these signals to a selected signal processor;
and
a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the GPS antenna, the downconverter, the GPS signal processor, the DGPS antenna and receiver and the commlink;
and
a display module, spaced apart from the antenna module and comprising:
a GPS post-processor to receive the DGPS antenna output signal and the GPS processor output signal, to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the time of observation of a GPS satellite, as corrected by the DGPS antenna output signal, and to issue this corrected information as an output signal;
a display processor to receive the GPS post-processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal;
display means for receiving the display processor output signal and for visually or audibly displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the present time of observation by the GPS antenna;
and
a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the commlink, the GPS post-correction processor, the display processor and the display means,
where at least one of the antenna module and the display module is capable of being held in the hand.

13 more elements

Apparatus or determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

a first antenna module comprising:
a GPS signal antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue a GPS antenna output signal;
a frequency downconverter to receive the GPS antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a selected lower frequency;
a GPS signal processor to receive the downconverter output signed, to process this signal to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the present time of observation of a satellite by the GPS antenna, and to issue information on this present location or this present time of observation as an output signal;
a commlink to receive the GPS signal processor output signal and to communicate this signal to a selected signal receiver;
and
a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the GPS signal antenna, the downconverter, the GPS signal processor and the commlink;
and
a second antenna module, spaced apart from the first antenna module and comprising:
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna and receiver positioned to receive DGPS radiowave signals, to provide information for correction of the location of the GPS antenna, from a DGPS radiowave signal source and to issue a DGPS antenna output signal;
a GPS correction post-processor to receive the DGPS antenna output signal and the GPS processor output signal, to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the time of observation of a GPS satellite, as corrected by the DGPS antenna output signal, and to issue this corrected information as an output signal;
a display processor to receive the GPS post-processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal;
display means for receiving the display processor output signal and for visually or audibly displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the present time of observation by the GPS antenna;
and
a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the commlink, the DGPS radiowave signal antenna and receiver, the GPS post-correction processor, the display processor and the display means,
where at least one of the first antenna module and the second antenna module is capable of being held in the hand.

13 more elements

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

a first antenna module comprising:
a GPS antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue an antenna output signal;
a first frequency converter to receive the antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a first selected frequency;
a commlink to receive the output signal from the first frequency translator and to communicate this signal to a selected signal receiver;
and
a first power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the GPS antenna, the first frequency converter and the commlink;
and
a second antenna module, spaced apart from the first antenna module and comprising:
a second frequency converter to receive the commlink signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a second selected frequency;
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna and receiver positioned to receive DGPS radiowave signals, to provide information for correction of the location of the GPS antenna, from a DGPS;
radiowave signal source and to issue a DGPS antenna output signal;
a GPS/DGPS signal processor to receive the second frequency converter output signal and the DGPS antenna output signal, to process these signals to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the time of observation of a GPS satellite by the GPS antenna, as corrected by the DGPS signals, and to issue information on the present location of the GPS antenna or the present time of observation as an output signal;
a display processor to receive the GPS/DGPS signal processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal;
display means for receiving the display processor output signal and for visually or audibly displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the time of observation of a GPS satellite;
and
a second power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the commlink, the second frequency converter, the DGPS antenna and receiver, the GPS/DGPS signal processor, the display processor and the display means,
where at least one of the first antenna module and the second antenna module is capable of being held in the hand.

14 more elements

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

a GPS signal antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue a GPS antenna output signal;
a frequency downconverter to receive the GPS antenna output signal and to issue this signal as an output signal at a selected lower frequency;
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) radiowave signal antenna and receiver positioned to receive DGPS radiowave signals, which provide GPS information for correction of the GPS antenna location from a DGPS radiowave signal source, and to issue a DGPS output signal;
a GPS/DGPS signal processor to receive the downconverter output signal and the DGPS output signal, to process these signals to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the present time of observation of a satellite by the GPS antenna, as corrected by the DGPS output signal and to issue this information as an output signal;
a display processor to receive the GPS/DGPS signal processor output signal, to process this signal for display of information contained in the signal received, and to issue the processed signal as an output signal;
display means for receiving the display processor output signal and for visually or audibly displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and the (ii) present time of observation by the GPS antenna;
and
a power supply, positioned to supply operating power to at least one of the GPS antenna, the downconverter, the DGPS antenna and receiver, the GPS/DGPS signal processor, the display processor and the display means,
where the apparatus is capable of being held in the hand.

6 more elements

Apparatus for determination of the location of an observer or the time of observation by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the apparatus comprising:

a GPS reference station, whose location is known with high accuracy, to receive GPS signals, to compute the GPS-determined location of the reference station, to compare this location with the known location of the reference station, and to transmit GPS correction signals containing information that allows correction of a computed location of another GPS station, based upon the corrections required to reconcile the GPS-determined location of the reference station with the known location of the reference station;
and
an antenna module, whose dimensions are not greater than 20 cm in diameter by 20 cm in height and that is spaced apart from the reference station, which comprises:
a GPS signal antenna positioned to receive GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites, where each satellite issues a distinct GPS signal, and to issue a GPS antenna output signal;
a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) signal antenna and receiver positioned to receive GPS correction signals, which provide GPS information for correction of the location of the GPS antenna on the Card, and to issue a DGPS antenna output signal;
a GPS/DGPS signal processor to receive the GPS output signal and the DGPS antenna output signal, and to process these signals to determine at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna, as corrected by the GPS correction signals, and (ii) the present time of observation of a satellite by the GPS antenna, and to issue information on this present location or this present time of observation as an output signal;
display means for receiving and processing the GPS signal processor output signal and for displaying at least one of (i) the present location of the GPS antenna and (ii) the present time of observation by the GPS antenna;
and
a power supply to supply power to at least one of the GPS signal antenna, the DGPS signal antenna and receiver, the GPS/DGPS signal processor, and the display means,
where the antenna module is capable of being held in the hand.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/157,609Filed 23 Nov 1993 · continuation in part
Priority: 12 Jan 1993
Granted: 4 Jun 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H01Q 1/3275
Characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle: mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
G01S 19/36
Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain: relating to the receiver frond end
Y10T 29/5124
Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling: with means to feed work intermittently from one tool…
Y10T 29/5137
Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work: including assembling or disassembling station

Family

Serial31,135Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Jan 1993
US 5,345,244 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,523,761 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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