Method and apparatus for GPS positioning, filtering and integration

Patent 5740048 Issued on April 14, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 14, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Application

No. 927936 filed on 08/07/1992

US Classes:

701/200, NAVIGATION701/213Using Global Positioning System (GPS)

Examiners

Primary: Teska, Kevin J.
Assistant: Walder, S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Limbach & Limbach L.L.P.

International Class

G01C 023/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing data from a positioning or navigation system, such as global positioning system (GPS) navigation system data. In preferred embodiments, the invention is a method and apparatus for estimating position based on GPS measurements and optionally, measurements from other types of navigation sensors combined with GPS navigation system data. The apparatus of the invention includes a point position estimator (which preferably approximates a maximum likelihood estimator) for processing data from a positioning or navigation system to generate point position estimate data, and a smoothing filter for smoothing the point position estimate data. The smoothing filter can be a linear Kalman filter.

Other References

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"A Divide and Conquer Approach to Least-Squares Estimation," Abel, IEEE Trans. AES, vol. AES-26, No. 2, Mar. 1990 (12 pages)
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