초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for computing GPS receiver position without using absolute time information transmitted by the satellite or by an alternative source of timing available at the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver is contained in an integrated receiver that also includes a wireless communication tra

A method and apparatus for computing GPS receiver position without using absolute time information transmitted by the satellite or by an alternative source of timing available at the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver is contained in an integrated receiver that also includes a wireless communication transceiver, but does not have access to an accurate source of absolute time information. The wireless transceiver communicates through a wireless network to a server. The GPS receiver measures satellite pseudoranges and uses the wireless communication transceiver to send the pseudoranges to the server. The server fits the pseudoranges to a mathematical model in which the GPS receiver position and the absolute time are unknown parameters. The server then computes a position and absolute time that best fit the model, thus yielding the correct position for the GPS receiver, and the absolute time at which the pseudorange measurements were made.

대표청구항 ▼

A method and apparatus for computing GPS receiver position without using absolute time information transmitted by the satellite or by an alternative source of timing available at the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver is contained in an integrated receiver that also includes a wireless communication tra

A method and apparatus for computing GPS receiver position without using absolute time information transmitted by the satellite or by an alternative source of timing available at the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver is contained in an integrated receiver that also includes a wireless communication transceiver, but does not have access to an accurate source of absolute time information. The wireless transceiver communicates through a wireless network to a server. The GPS receiver measures satellite pseudoranges and uses the wireless communication transceiver to send the pseudoranges to the server. The server fits the pseudoranges to a mathematical model in which the GPS receiver position and the absolute time are unknown parameters. The server then computes a position and absolute time that best fit the model, thus yielding the correct position for the GPS receiver, and the absolute time at which the pseudorange measurements were made. n the controller; outputting a health condition signal from the controller; transmitting the health condition signal to a person at a location remote from the vehicle to enable the person to determine a suitable type of response; monitoring for a response signal from the person at the remote location and communicating the response signal to the controller; and altering at least one operational characteristic of the vehicle with at least one control device, the at least one control device being connected to the controller so as to be responsive to both the health condition signal and the response signal. 9. The method as set forth in claim 8 further including the step of: communicating an alarm signal derived from the first output signal to the vehicle occupant for informing the vehicle occupant that the at least one health condition requires a change in conduct by the occupant. 10. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the step of sensing at least one health condition further includes the step of sensing audible characteristics of the vehicle occupant.11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the step of sensing audible characteristics of the vehicle occupant further includes the step of sensing at least one of breathing characteristics, speech characteristics, and heart rate characteristics of the occupant with an audio sensor.12. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the step of sensing at least one health condition further includes the step of sensing a body temperature of the vehicle occupant with an infrared sensor.13. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the step of sensing at least one health condition further includes the step of sensing eye blink duration of the vehicle occupant by use of a visual sensor.14. The method as set forth in claim 8 further including the following steps: detecting obstacles external to the vehicle; and determining whether a collision by the vehicle with the obstacles is imminent. 15. The method as set forth in claim 8 further including the following steps: recording the at least one operational characteristic of the vehicle; and developing a profile for defining a normal operating pattern the vehicle occupant. 16. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: means for non-intrusively sensing at least one health condition of the occupant of the vehicle and for producing a first output signal indicative of the health condition of the vehicle occupant; a controller operatively connected to the means for non-intrusively sensing at least one health condition of the occupant and for receiving the first output signal, the controller analyzing the first output signal and outputting a health condition signal that indicates the at least one health condition of the occupant; transceiver means for transmitting the health condition signal to a person at a location remote from the vehicle to enable the person to determine a suitable type of response, the transceiver means further being adapted for receiving and communicating a response signal from the person at the remote location to the controller; at least one control device connected to the controller so as to be responsive to both the health condition signal and the response signal for altering at least one operational characteristic of the vehicle; means for sensing the at least one operational characteristic of the vehicle and for producing a second output signal indicative of the at least one operation characteristic of the vehicle; and means for communicating a vehicle operation signal, which is derived in the controller from the second output signal, to the at least one control device, the at least one control device, in response to the vehicle operation signal, altering the at least one operational characteristic of the vehicle. 17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16 further including: means for transmitting the vehicle operation s