Interbuilding and urban canyon extension solution for global positioning systems
AssigneeRockwell Science Center, Inc.
InventorJames P. Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A global positioning system (GPS) and auxiliary receiver receive limited range position signals broadcasted from telemetry transmitters when in an urban canyon environment. The limited range receivers preferably are implemented as part of the lighting infrastructure of the environment. The limited range receivers derive power from light from the lighting infrastructure. The receivers can also include a transmitter for retransmitting the receive position data and an ID code to a central processing center.
Claims20
An extended capability global positioning system comprising:
- a plurality of transmitters disposed at a plurality of positions for transmitting limited range position signals indicative of the plurality of positions;
- a lighting infrastructure whereon the plurality of transmitters are disposed;
- and
- a positioning receiver for receiving GPS signals from the global positioning system for determining a positioning receiver first position in response to the GPS signals, for receiving a limited range position signal from a transmitter in the plurality of transmitters for obtaining a positioning receiver second position in response to the limited range signal indicative of a known transmitter position, and for selecting the positioning receiver second position when the GPS signals are not being accurately received.
An extension system for a global positioning system comprising:
- a plurality of transmitters disposed at a plurality of positions for transmitting limited range position signals indicative of the plurality of positions said transmitters further comprising wireless power circuits for powering the transmitters and programming interfaces for programming the plurality of positions;
- a lighting infrastructure said lighting infrastructure further comprising light apparatuses for disposing the plurality of transmitters thereon and for supplying power to the wireless power circuits for powering the transmitters;
- and
- a positioning receiver for receiving positioning signals said positioning receiver further comprising:
- a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from the global positioning system for determining a positioning receiver first position in response to the GPS signals;
- an auxiliary receiver for receiving a limited range position signal from a transmitter in the plurality of transmitters for determining a positioning receiver second position in response to the limited range signal indicative of a known transmitter position;
- a control circuit for selecting the positioning receiver second position when the GPS signals are not being accurately received;
- and
- a transmitter for transmitting an identification code for the positioning receiver and the positioning receiver first position or positioning receiver second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.