Texas Instruments Corporation

Alan Martin Gilkes

Carl Michael Panasik

Marvin Wayne Cowens

Mohammad Atiqur Rahman

Larry A Taylor

Methods and apparatus to share time and frequency data between a host processor and a satellite position system (SPS) receiver in a satellite positioning system are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein generates a host processor local time based on a real-time clock associated with the host processor; adjusts the host processor local time to synchronize with a SPS time received from the SPS receiver and to correct a local frequency error of the real-time clock of the host processor; calculates an estimated SPS time based on the adjusted real-time clock signal of the host processor; and attempts to fix a SPS time and a position of the SPS receiver from SPS signals received from a plurality of SPS satellites based on the estimated SPS time.

Apparatus and methods to share time and frequency data between a host processor and a satellite positioning system receiver

Methods and apparatus to detect integrity failures in satellite position system (SPS) receivers are disclosed. An example method comprises estimating a position fix from a plurality of pseudoranges, computing a zero-mean error vector based upon the position fix; and determining if an integrity failure has occurred based on the zero-mean error vector.

Methods and apparatus to detect and correct integrity failures in satellite positioning system receivers

System and method for enabling signal acquisition in a satellite positioning system (SPS) when signals from SPS satellites are attenuated by the operating environment of a SPS receiver. A preferred embodiment comprises a communications server (for example, communications server) coupled to a SPS receiver (for example, SPS receiver) at one end and a time server (for example, time server) by a public network (for example, the Internet). Preferably, the communications serveris coupled to the Internetvia a wireless network to facilitate maximum mobility and flexibility. The communications serverqueries the time serverfor the current time and then provides the current time to the SPS receiver. The SPS receivermakes use of the current time to assist it in signal acquisition.

System and method for providing time to a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver from a networked time server

System and method for enabling signal acquisition in a satellite positioning system (SPS) when signals from SPS satellites are attenuated by the operating environment of a SPS receiver. A preferred embodiment comprises a communications server (for example, communications server ) coupled to a SPS receiver (for example, SPS receiver ) at one end and a time server (for example, time server ) by a public network (for example, the Internet ). Preferably, the communications server is coupled to the Internet via a wireless network to facilitate maximum mobility and flexibility. The communications server queries the time server for the current time and then provides the current time to the SPS receiver . The SPS receiver makes use of the current time to assist it in signal acquisition.

The phase difference between a known stable reference signal ( ) and a known signal output by a wireless mobile communication device ( B) is determined at several known locations ( B- B). The location of the wireless mobile communication device is then determined from the phase difference information. Also, the approximate location of a wireless mobile communication device ( A) can be estimated by transmitting a message from the device at a predetermined power level ( ), and determining where among a plurality of predetermined locations ( A- A) the transmitted message has been received.

Location estimation in narrow bandwidth wireless communication systems

This is a Braille display device which comprises: a plurality of cavities; and circuitry to individually excite the plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities contain a positive and a negative electrode 18, 22, 26 and are filled with a quantity of polar organic gel 24 sensitive to electric fields. The cavities are sealed by an elastomeric film 14. The elastomeric film is held generally flat, by its own tension, in the absence of any voltage applied to the electrodes 18, 22, 26 in the plurality of cavities. The display device can also include circuitry to determine whether the cavity has been touched by person who is reading the display. The display device can also include circuitry to individually vibrate each cavity. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Alan Martin Gilkes