Patent US5385887A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3906204A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3906204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Satellite positioning apparatus
Assignee: Seiscom Delta Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-20
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved apparatus for determining the position of a vehicle or vessel on the earth''s surface by processing signals sent from a satellite, based on the doppler shift in frequency of the signals so sent, and the orbit description data encoded in the signals.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Rigdon
- 👤 Saburo Ifune
- 👤 Leroy D Graber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/02; G01S11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for processing data, sent from a satellite in the form of a fixed frequency signal containing phase modulated pulse doublets or orbit definition data, to determine a position of a vehicle on the earth, comprising: a. receiver means for receiving the signal from the satellite, said receiver means comprising: 1. intermediate frequency means for domodulating the fixed frequency signal for processing; 2. phase detector means for determining the phase of the demodulated signal from said intermediate frequency means; 3. phase lock loop means receiving an output of said phase detector means for regulating the frequency of said intermediate frequency means; 4. doppler demodulator means responsive to an output of said phase lock loop means for determining the doppler shift in frequency of the signal sent from the satellite; 5. local oscillator means for forming a reference frequency signal; 6. synthesizer means for forming demodulating frequency signals for said intermediate frequency means, said phase detector means, and said doppler demodulator means from said reference frequency signal; 7. bit phase detector means for determining the phase of the orbit definition data phase doublets; 8. bit rate phase lock loop means for contrOlling the phase of the orbit definition data pulse doublets; and 9. data decoder means for decoding the orbit definition data from the phase modulated pulse doublets; b. computer means for processing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to determine the location of the vehicle; c. interface circuit means for providing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to said computer means, said interface circuit means including doppler counter means for counting the doppler shift; and d. display means for indicating the location of the vehicle determined by said computer means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for processing data, sent from a satellite in the form of a fixed frequency signal containing phase modulated pulse doublets or orbit definition data, to determine a position of a vehicle on the earth, comprising: a. receiver means for receiving the signal from the satellite, said receiver means comprising: 1. intermediate frequency means for domodulating the fixed frequency signal for processing; 2. phase detector means for determining the phase of the demodulated signal from said intermediate frequency means; 3. phase lock loop means receiving an output of said phase detector means for regulating the frequency of said intermediate frequency means; 4. doppler demodulator means responsive to an output of said phase lock loop means for determining the doppler shift in frequency of the signal sent from the satellite; 5. local oscillator means for forming a reference frequency signal; 6. synthesizer means for forming demodulating frequency signals for said intermediate frequency means, said phase detector means, and said doppler demodulator means from said reference frequency signal; 7. bit phase detector means for determining the phase of the orbit definition data phase doublets; 8. bit rate phase lock loop means for contrOlling the phase of the orbit definition data pulse doublets; and 9. data decoder means for decoding the orbit definition data from the phase modulated pulse doublets; b. computer means for processing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to determine the location of the vehicle; c. interface circuit means for providing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to said computer means, said interface circuit means including doppler counter means for counting the doppler shift; and d. display means for indicating the location of the vehicle determined by said computer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein the satellite transmits a synchronization pattern code before sending the orbit data definition bits, and wherein said receiver means further comprises: message synchronization counter means for detecting the synchronization pattern code and indicating receipt of same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
phase detector means for determining the phase of the demodulated signal from said intermediate frequency means;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
phase detector means for determining the phase of the demodulated signal from said intermediate frequency means;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
phase lock loop means receiving an output of said phase detector means for regulating the frequency of said intermediate frequency means;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
phase lock loop means receiving an output of said phase detector means for regulating the frequency of said intermediate frequency means;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 1, further including: tape reader means for reading an operation controlling program into said computer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said receiver means further includes: gain control means for limiting the gain of said intermediate frequency means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
doppler demodulator means responsive to an output of said phase lock loop means for determining the doppler shift in frequency of the signal sent from the satellite;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
doppler demodulator means responsive to an output of said phase lock loop means for determining the doppler shift in frequency of the signal sent from the satellite;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
9 words
local oscillator means for forming a reference frequency signal;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
local oscillator means for forming a reference frequency signal;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said interface circuit means further includes: data multiplexer means for multiplexing the decoded orbit description data and the doppler count from said doppler counter means for processing by said computer means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein the satellite sends messages of orbit definition data at repeated time intervals, and wherein said interface circuit means includes: interrupt means for notifying said computer means of receipt of a new message of orbit definition data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
synthesizer means for forming demodulating frequency signals for said intermediate frequency means, said phase detector means, and said doppler demodulator means from said reference frequency signal;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
synthesizer means for forming demodulating frequency signals for said intermediate frequency means, said phase detector means, and said doppler demodulator means from said reference frequency signal;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
bit phase detector means for determining the phase of the orbit definition data phase doublets;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
bit phase detector means for determining the phase of the orbit definition data phase doublets;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein said interface circuit means comprises: message reject means for suppressing output signals from said data decoder means in response to a message reject signal from said computer means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said receiver means includes: error detection means for detecting errors in the data received from the satellite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
bit rate phase lock loop means for contrOlling the phase of the orbit definition data pulse doublets; and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
bit rate phase lock loop means for contrOlling the phase of the orbit definition data pulse doublets; and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
data decoder means for decoding the orbit definition data from the phase modulated pulse doublets; b. computer means for processing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to determine the location of the vehicle; c. interface circuit means for providing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to said computer means, said interface circuit means including doppler counter means for counting the doppler shift; and d. display means for indicating the location of the vehicle determined by said computer means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
80 words
data decoder means for decoding the orbit definition data from the phase modulated pulse doublets; b. computer means for processing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to determine the location of the vehicle; c. interface circuit means for providing the doppler shift and orbit definition data to said computer means, said interface circuit means including doppler counter means for counting the doppler shift; and d. display means for indicating the location of the vehicle determined by said computer means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein said receiver means includes: counter means for counting a predetermined number of valid data before transmitting such data to said computer means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 1, further including: means for entry of data and requests therefor into said computer means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |