US5959580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications localization system
Assignee: Qualcomm Inc
•
Filing: 1994-11-03
•
Granted: 1999-09-28
•
Expires: 2014-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular-telephone or cell-like communications system uses a simplified system for passive monitoring of the signals emitted by the transceiver. A single base station can determine a line of bearing to the remote transceiver. This line of bearing is then combined with collateral, position-sensitive information to determine the likely location of the transceiver. The present invention has particular applicability to roadway transportation in that it facilitates enhanced emergency (9-1-1) services and roadside assistance in response to calls for assistance, and it permits the passive monitoring of traffic flow.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Maloney
- 👤 Charles J. Hinkle, Jr.
- 👤 James O. Stevenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W64/00; G; G01; G01S; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/01; G01S2205/06; G01S5/00; G01S5/02; G01S5/04; G01S5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 96
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in an operating environment served by a wireless communications system, comprising: at least a single sensor station having a directionally sensitive receiving antenna to receive a radio signal from the mobile transceiver, a signal characterization processing unit for determining, from the radio signal, at least one directional line of bearing from the single sensor station to the mobile radio transceiver, a source of collateral information about the operating environment of the mobile transceiver, a multidimensional parametric correlation processing unit for determining a probable position of the mobile transceiver directly from (1) the line of bearing information from the single sensor station and (2) the collateral information, and an output indicative of the probable position of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in an operating environment served by a wireless communications system, comprising: at least a single sensor station having a directionally sensitive receiving antenna to receive a radio signal from the mobile transceiver, a signal characterization processing unit for determining, from the radio signal, at least one directional line of bearing from the single sensor station to the mobile radio transceiver, a source of collateral information about the operating environment of the mobile transceiver, a multidimensional parametric correlation processing unit for determining a probable position of the mobile transceiver directly from (1) the line of bearing information from the single sensor station and (2) the collateral information, and an output indicative of the probable position of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multidimensional parametric correlation processing unit comprises a means for determining the relative motion of the radio transceiver from the line of bearing signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collateral information comprises databased information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the databased information comprises topological information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the topological information comprises map information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the topological information comprises roadway configuration information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the roadway configuration information comprises speed limit information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the topological information comprises information concerning landmarks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the databased information comprises signal propagation characteristics of the operating environment of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the databased information comprises traffic flow characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the traffic flow characteristics comprise speed distribution information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the databased information comprises localized event information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the databased information comprises descriptions of users of the wireless communication system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collateral information comprises communicated information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communicated information comprises input from an operator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communicated information comprises information on traffic conditions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communicated information comprises road identification information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collateral information comprises a measured physical characteristic of the radio signal in addition to the line of bearing information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises signal strength.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises two way signal travel time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises a time of arrival of the signal from the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collateral information comprises information supplied by the wireless communication system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the information supplied by the wireless communication system comprises signal strength information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor station has a transportable configuration.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver operating in an environment served by a cellular communications system, comprising: measuring at least one line of bearing from at least a single sensor station to the mobile transceiver based on radio emissions from the mobile transceiver, inputting collateral information related to the operating environment of the mobile transceiver, correlating a probable position of the mobile transceiver directly from (1) the line of bearing information from the single sensor station and (2) the collateral information, and indicating a probable position of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver operating in an environment served by a cellular communications system, comprising: measuring at least one line of bearing from at least a single sensor station to the mobile transceiver based on radio emissions from the mobile transceiver, inputting collateral information related to the operating environment of the mobile transceiver, correlating a probable position of the mobile transceiver directly from (1) the line of bearing information from the single sensor station and (2) the collateral information, and indicating a probable position of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the collateral information comprises databased information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the databased information comprises signal propagation characteristics of the operating environment of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the databased information comprises traffic flow characteristics.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the traffic flow characteristics comprise speed distribution information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the databased information comprises localized event information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the databased information comprises descriptions of users of the wireless communication system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the databased information comprises inputting topological information.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the topological information comprises map information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the topological information comprises information concerning landmarks.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the topological information comprises roadway configuration information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the topological information comprises speed limit information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the collateral information comprises communicated information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the communicated information comprises input from an operator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the communicated information comprises information on traffic conditions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the collateral information comprises a measured physical characteristic of the radio signal in addition to the line of bearing information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 40, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises signal strength information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 40, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises two way signal travel time.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 40, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises measuring a time of arrival of the signal from the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the collateral information comprises information supplied by the wireless communication system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 44, wherein the information supplied by the wireless communication system comprises signal strength information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
An method for locating a mobile radio communications transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 25, further comprising measuring a plurality of lines of bearing from the sensor station and determining the relative motion of the plurality of lines of bearing.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver operating in an environment served by a wireless communications system, comprising: at least a single sensor station, means for determining at least one line of bearing from the sensor station to the mobile radio communications transceiver, and means for directly combining (1) the collateral information about the operating environment of the mobile radio transceiver with (2) the line of bearing from the single sensor station to determine the location of the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver operating in an environment served by a wireless communications system, comprising: at least a single sensor station, means for determining at least one line of bearing from the sensor station to the mobile radio communications transceiver, and means for directly combining (1) the collateral information about the operating environment of the mobile radio transceiver with (2) the line of bearing from the single sensor station to determine the location of the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the collateral information comprises databased information.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the databased information comprises signal propagation characteristics of the operating environment of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the databased information comprises descriptions of users of the wireless communications system.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the collateral information comprises topological information.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 51, wherein the topological information comprises map information.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 51, wherein the topological information comprises roadway configuration information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 53, wherein the roadway configuration information comprises speed limit information.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 51, wherein the topological information comprises landmark information.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the databased information comprises traffic flow characteristics.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the traffic flow characteristics comprise speed distribution information.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the databased information comprises localized event information.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the collateral information comprises communicated information.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 59, wherein the communicated information comprises operator input information.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 59, wherein the communicated information comprises information traffic condition information.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 59, wherein the communicated information comprises road identification information.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the collateral information comprises a measured physical characteristic of the radio signal in addition to the line of bearing information.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 63, wherein the collateral information comprises signal strength information.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 63, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises two way signal travel time.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 63, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises a time of arrival of the signal from the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the collateral information comprises information supplied by the wireless communication system.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 67, wherein the information supplied by the wireless communication system comprises signal strength information.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 47, wherein combining means comprises a means for determining multiple lines of bearing and means for determining any motion of the radio transceiver from the directional signal.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 47, wherein the sensor station has a transportable configuration.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver operating in an environment served by a wireless communications system, comprising: determining at least one line of bearing to the mobile radio communications transceiver from a single sensor station, and directly combining (1) collateral information with (2) the line of bearing from the single sensor station to determine the location of the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver operating in an environment served by a wireless communications system, comprising: determining at least one line of bearing to the mobile radio communications transceiver from a single sensor station, and directly combining (1) collateral information with (2) the line of bearing from the single sensor station to determine the location of the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 71, wherein the collateral information comprises databased information.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 72, wherein the databased information comprises signal propagation characteristics of the operating environment of the mobile transceiver.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 72, wherein the databased information comprises traffic flow characteristics.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 74, wherein the traffic flow characteristics comprise speed distribution information.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 72, wherein the databased information comprises localized event information.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 72, wherein the databased information comprises descriptions of users of the wireless communication system.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 72, wherein the databased information comprises topological information.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 78, wherein the topological information comprises map information.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 78, wherein the topological information comprises roadway configuration information.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 80, wherein the roadway configuration information comprises speed limit information.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 78, wherein the topological information comprises information concerning landmarks.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 71, wherein the collateral information comprises communicated information.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 83, wherein the collateral information comprises operator input information.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 83, wherein the communicated information comprises traffic condition information.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 71, wherein the collateral information comprises a measured physical characteristic of the radio signal in addition to the line of bearing information.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a wireless communications system as claimed in claim 86, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic of the radio signal comprises signal strength information.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 86, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises two way signal travel time.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 86, wherein the additional measured physical characteristic comprises measuring a time of arrival of the signal from the mobile radio transceiver.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 71, wherein the collateral information comprises information supplied by the wireless communication system.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 90, wherein the information supplied by the wireless communication system comprises signal strength information.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
43 words
An method for locating a mobile radio transceiver in a cellular communications system as claimed in claim 71, further comprising measuring a plurality of lines of bearing from the sensor station and determining the relative motion of the plurality of lines of bearing.
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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) | 2002-09-27 | 2003-03-29 | 2003-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | 2007-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-27 | 2011-03-29 | 2011-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |