Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Nxp B.v.

U-blox Ag

Geotate B.v.

Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.v.

Telit Automotive Solutions Nv

Andrew Thomas Yule

Saul Robin Dooley

Christopher Brian Marshall

Martin S Wilcox

Johan Peeters

Simon Royce Turner

Bryan D Young

Amites Sarkar

Stephen Townsend

Graham Gordon Thomason

Iwo-Martin Mergler

Chris Marshall

Ian Michael Simmons

Jamie Matthew Higgins

Peter Saraga

Ian Simmons

Richard Houldsworth

A file creation method comprising: creating file content at a particular location and time using a portable device; and obtaining data from wireless communication devices detectable by the portable device at the particular location and time thereby to obtain a set of data. The set of data identifies or enables identification of the wireless communication devices. The method further comprises associating the set of data and time with the file content to enable subsequent analysis to determine the particular location using a time-dependent database.

File creation method and system

A method of processing signals from a satellite positioning system, comprises receiving () recorded blocks of data samples of satellite broadcast, each block including one or more timestamps generated within a receiver at which the samples were recorded, and processing () the recorded blocks of data samples using a first set of processing parameters to identify satellite transmissions contained within the blocks. Based on the results of the processing (), one of the blocks is selected (). The selected block is processed () using a second set of processing parameters to derive at least position and satellite broadcast timing information. The timestamp of the selected block and the timing information obtained from the processing () of the selected block is used to assist in the processing () of the other blocks. The method associates timestamps with satellite data to improve the offline processing of the positioning data (for example by providing accurate relative timing information between data samples), and this can reduce the processing power and/or time to process the data.

Processing of satellite positioning system signals

A method of determining an indication of the position of an electronic device. The method includes: obtaining () information relating to a radio signal received by the device. The received radio signal are transmissions from one or more satellites of a satellite-positioning system from which information an inference can be made about the true position of the device at the time the signal was received. The method also involves obtaining () a plurality of hypotheses about the true position of the device; and evaluating () the plurality of hypotheses by assessing a degree of consistency between the information relating to the radio signal and the hypotheses. Using the outcome of the evaluations, the method also includes selecting () one or more of the hypotheses; and outputting () an indication of the selected one or more hypotheses.

Position validation

A method of calculating two position fixes, using satellite positioning. The method comprises: using an RF front-end (), receiving satellite positioning signals; using an analogue-to-digital converter (), sampling the received signals to generate signal samples; using a processor (), processing a first set of the samples as they are generated, to calculate a first position fix; storing information associated with the calculation in a memory (); storing a second set of the samples, or ranging measurements derived from the second set of samples, in the memory () for later processing to calculate a second position fix; and later, processing the second set of samples to calculate the second position fix, wherein the calculation of the second position fix is assisted by the information associated with the calculation of the first position fix. Also disclosed are other related methods and apparatus.

Hybrid satellite positioning with prediction

A method of acquiring a received spread spectrum signal comprises receiving a spread spectrum signal, analyzing the received signal to detect interference within the received signal, and adapting the baseband processing of the received signal to reduce power consumption during periods of detected interference. This allows the GPS processing resources to be focussed on areas of signal where there is little or no interference, and this is possible without modification to the source of interference. The interference is detected from an analysis of the received signal, and in particular before the baseband digital signal processing.

Method of acquiring a received spread spectrum signal

A method of determining a GPS position fix is disclosed together with a corresponding GPS receiver and server for the same. The method comprising the steps of: (i) providing standard GPS ephemeris corresponding to that transmitted by a GPS satellite; (ii) providing supplemental GPS ephemeris including at least one parameter describing the fluctuation over time of at least one satellite orbit parameter of standard GPS ephemeris; (iii) measuring psuedoranges to GPS satellites; and (iv) determining a GPS position fix from both the standard and supplemental GPS ephemeris provided in steps (i) and (ii) respectively and the psuedoranges measured in step (iii).

Method of determining a GPS position fix and a GPS receiver for the same

A method of appending a position stamp to an image file of a photo or video clip taken with a digital camera having a GPS antenna and a GPS RF front-end including an analogue to digital converter for receiving GPS signals and outputting GPS signal samples together with a digital camera and computer for the same.

Method of position stamping a photo or video clip taken with a digital camera

A method of creating an image file and a digital camera for the same. The method comprised the steps of: (i) generating and storing image data corresponding to a photo or video clip; (ii) sampling received GPS signals and storing the resultant GPS signal samples (hereafter 'raw GPS data'); and (iii) creating a single file containing both the image data and the raw GPS data.

Method of creating an image file with combined image data and raw GPS data and a digital camera for the same

A GPS RF front-end is disclosed comprising an antenna for receiving GPS signals, an analog to digital converter for sampling received GPS signals and interface circuitry for outputting the GPS signal samples. The GPS RF front-end is configured to vary the sample resolution of GPS signal samples outputted. Also disclosed is a corresponding method of providing a position fix, storage medium and apparatus for the same.

GPS RF front end and related method of providing a position fix, storage medium and apparatus for the same

A mobile device comprising a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals; a communications receiver for receiving historical ephemeris data from an external server; and a processor configured to determine later ephemeris data from the historical ephemeris data and to determine a GPS position fix from the later ephemeris data. In particular, the later ephemeris data may be valid for a time period greater than any single set of the historical ephemeris data.

Mobile device comprising a GPS receiver

A GPS receiver () is disclosed comprising a GPS antenna and a GPS RF front-end including an analogue to digital converter for sampling received GPS signals; and a processor for outputting, including to an external device, the GPS signal samples together with ancillary information either directly or indirectly describing characteristics of the GPS signal samples and/or the GPS signals contained therein. Also disclosed is a corresponding method of providing a position fix and a computer program, computer-readable storage medium and apparatus for the same.

GPS receiver and related method and apparatus

A computer is disclosed comprising a processor able to support multithreading and concurrently programmed in at least two threads with respective GPS signal processing programs which are each capable of processing GPS signal samples outputted from the same source.

Computer programmed with GPS signal processing programs

The present invention provides for a method of receiving a signal spread over a frequency range, and in particular a direct sequence spread spectrum signals including the step of employing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in the Doppler search. In particular, the invention relates to the receipt of spread spectrum signals such as those transmitted as part of a GPS system.

Method and apparatus for signal receipt and acquisition

A method of determining a location of an event of interest by processing signals from a satellite positioning system. The method comprises receiving recorded blocks of data samples of a satellite broadcast including blocks recorded at the approximate location of the event of interest, each block including one or more timestamps generated within a first portable device at which the samples were recorded; receiving a time of occurrence of the event recorded independently of the samples; comparing the timestamps and the time of occurrence to identify at least one block corresponding to the event; and processing the data samples of the identified at least one block to derive position information approximating the location of the event.

Growing community of inventors

East Grinstead, United Kingdom

Andrew Thomas Yule