The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 16, 2017
Filed:
Mar. 03, 2015
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Boston, MA (US);
Gregory P. Blasche, Burlington, MA (US);
Paul Bohn, Brighton, MA (US);
Robin Mark Adrian Dawson, Waltham, MA (US);
Walter Foley, Colton, NY (US);
Benjamin F. Lane, Grafton, MA (US);
Sean McClain, Somerville, MA (US);
Erik L. Waldron, Concord, MA (US);
Stephen P. Smith, Acton, MA (US);
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus ascertain a geographic position based on topographic contours of ocean surfaces. Observed ocean topographic contours are matched to predicted ocean topography and/or ocean topographic information stored in a database. Such systems and methods do not necessarily require INS, GPS, RF beacons, optical beacons or celestial sightings. These systems and methods may be used as references to correct INS. These systems and methods may be used to ascertain a geographic location of an aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, landcraft (vehicle), person or the like. Similarly, these systems and methods may be used as part of a guidance system for guiding a craft to a destination. These systems and methods may be used in tandem with, or as backups for, other types of navigation or guidance systems or as one input to a navigation filter.