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US6657584B2
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US
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Locating an object using GPS with additional data
Assignee: Sportsmedia Technology Corp
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Filing: 2001-06-22
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Granted: 2003-12-02
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Expires: 2021-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed that uses GPS and additional data to determine the location of an object. Typically, GPS receivers need valid data from four satellites to accurately determine a three dimensional location. If a GPS receiver is receiving valid data from fewer than four satellites, then additional data is used to compensate for the shortage of satellites in view of the GPS receiver. Examples of additional data includes a representation of the surface that the object is traveling on, an accurate clock, an odometer, dead reckoning information, pseudolite information, and error correction information from a differential reference receiver. An exemplar use of the disclosed system is to concurrently track a set of one or more automobiles during a race. The determined locations of the automobile can be used to provide route information, to generate statistics and/or to edit video of one or more of the automobiles.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Cavallaro
- 👤 Stanley K. Honey
- 👤 Kenneth A. Milnes
- 👤 Marvin S. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/38; G01S19/39; G01S19/42; G01S19/50; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/28; G01S19/01; G01S19/03; G01S19/10; G01S19/11; G01S19/13; G01S19/14; G01S19/19; G01S19/40; G01S19/41; G01S19/421; G01S19/426; G01S19/45; G01S19/46; G01S19/47; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/0018; G01S5/0027; G01S5/0036; G01S5/0045; G01S5/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of tracking a moving object using GPS, comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data; receiving information about said object from a data sensor associated with said object, wherein said information is not GPS data; accessing a representation of a surface, said object traveling on said surface; and using at least said representation of said surface and said information about said object with GPS data from no more than three useful satellites to determine a location of said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of tracking a moving object using GPS, comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data; receiving information about said object from a data sensor associated with said object, wherein said information is not GPS data; accessing a representation of a surface, said object traveling on said surface; and using at least said representation of said surface and said information about said object with GPS data from no more than three useful satellites to determine a location of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein: said representation of said surface is a three dimensional representation of said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein: said representation of said surface is a two dimensional ribbon in three dimensional space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein: said object is an automobile; and said surface is a road.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: creating said representation of said surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein: said GPS data is received from a satellite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein: at least a subset of said GPS data is from a pseudolite.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: receiving an error signal from a reference receiver, said step of using also uses said error signal to determine said location of said object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: transmitting information based on said GPS data to a processor location, said processor location is different than said location of said object, said steps of using said representation and receiving an error signal are performed at said processor location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: receiving timing information from a high quality clock device, said step of using also uses said timing information for a short period of time if GPS data is only accurately available for two useful satellites.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 10 , wherein: said high quality clock device is a quartz oscillator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 10 , wherein said information about said object is odometer information, and said step of using uses said odometer information if GPS data is only accurately available for one useful satellite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 12 , further including the step of: predicting a path of said object, said step of using also uses said path if GPS data is not accurately available.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: predicting a path of said object, said step of using also uses said path if GPS data is only accurately available for two useful satellites.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said information about said object is odometer information, and said step of using uses said odometer information if GPS data is only accurately available for two useful satellites.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: communicating said determined location to a GPS receiver, said received GPS data is received from said GPS receiver, said GPS receiver uses said location to lock in a fix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 , further including the steps of: receiving video of said object; converting said location of said object to a position in said video; and adding an image to said video based on said position.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of tracking a moving object using GPS, comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data; and determining a location of said object based on said GPS data, first additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than three GPS sources, second additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than two useful GPS sources, and third additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of tracking a moving object using GPS, comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data; and determining a location of said object based on said GPS data, first additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than three GPS sources, second additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than two useful GPS sources, and third additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein: said first additional data is based on a representation of a surface, said object travels on said surface; said second additional data is from a timing device; and said third additional data is from an odometer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein: said step of determining includes using fourth additional data if said GPS data does not include valid data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 20 , wherein: said first additional data is from a representation of a surface, said object traveling on said surface; said second additional data is from a timing device; said third additional data is from an odometer; and said fourth additional data is based on a prediction of a path of said object.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of tracking a moving object using GPS, comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data from a GPS receiver; receiving error correction data from at least one non-GPS source, wherein said at least one non-GPS source includes a data sensor associated with said object, wherein said data sensor acquires at least a portion of said error correction data from said object; determining a location of said object based on said GPS data and said error correction data; and communicating said location to said GPS receiver.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of tracking a moving object using GPS, comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data from a GPS receiver; receiving error correction data from at least one non-GPS source, wherein said at least one non-GPS source includes a data sensor associated with said object, wherein said data sensor acquires at least a portion of said error correction data from said object; determining a location of said object based on said GPS data and said error correction data; and communicating said location to said GPS receiver.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein: said GPS data is based on valid information received by said GPS receiver from no more than three useful GPS sources.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 22 , further including the step of: using said location to fix on said location using new valid information from GPS sources.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 22 , wherein: said error correction data includes three dimensional information about a surface, said object traveling on said surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein: said error correction data includes timing information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 22 , wherein: said error correction data includes timing information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
108 words
One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data; and determining a location of said object based on said GPS data, first additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than three GPS sources, second additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than two useful GPS sources, and third additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data; and determining a location of said object based on said GPS data, first additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than three GPS sources, second additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than two useful GPS sources, and third additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28 , wherein: said first additional data is based on a representation of a surface, said object travels on said surface; said second additional data is from a timing device; and said third additional data is from an odometer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
81 words
One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28 , wherein: said step of determining includes using fourth additional data if said GPS data does not include valid data; said first additional data is from a representation of a surface, said object traveling on said surface; said second additional data is from a timing device; said third additional data is from an odometer; and said fourth additional data is based on a prediction of a path of said object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28 , wherein: said step of determining uses information based on a prediction of a path of said object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28 , wherein: said first additional data, said second additional data and said third additional data includes data from one or more of a representation of a surface, a timing device and an odometer, said object travels on said surface.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for tracking moving objects, comprising: a GPS receiver; and a processing unit, said processing unit performs a method comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data from said GPS receiver, and determining a location of said object based on said GPS data, first additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than three GPS sources, second additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than two useful GPS sources, and third additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for tracking moving objects, comprising: a GPS receiver; and a processing unit, said processing unit performs a method comprising the steps of: receiving GPS data from said GPS receiver, and determining a location of said object based on said GPS data, first additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than three GPS sources, second additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than two useful GPS sources, and third additional data if said GPS data only includes valid data from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 33 , wherein: said step of determining uses information based on a prediction of a path of said object.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 33 , wherein: said first additional data, said second additional data and said third additional data includes data from one or more of a representation of a surface, a timing device and an odometer, said object travels on said surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 33 , wherein: said first additional data is based on a representation of a surface, said object travels on said surface; said second additional data is from a timing device; and said third additional data is from an odometer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein: said step of determining includes using fourth additional data if said GPS data does not include valid data; said first additional data is from a representation of a surface, said object traveling on said surface; said second additional data is from a timing device; said third additional data is from an odometer; and said fourth additional data is based on a prediction of a path of said object.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein: said first additional data is based on a said representation of a surface, said object travels on said surface, said representation of said surface is a three dimensional representation of said surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein: said first additional data is based on a said representation of a surface, said object travels on said surface, said representation of said surface is a two dimensional ribbon in three dimensional space.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein: said step of determining uses information based on a prediction of a path of said object.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein: said first additional data, said second additional data and said third additional data includes data from one or more of a representation of a surface, a timing device and an odometer, said object travels on said surface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said information about said object is odometer information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said data sensor is mounted on said object.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of using is performed with GPS data from no more than one useful satellite.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 22 , wherein: said GPS data is based on valid information received by said GPS receiver from no more than one useful GPS source.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 22 , wherein said information about said object is odometer information.
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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) | 2006-12-01 | 2007-06-02 | 2007-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-01 | 2011-06-02 | 2011-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-01 | 2015-06-02 | 2015-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |