Apparatus and methods for determining range and bearing using time-stamped messaging
US7187622B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S3/8083
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An exemplary apparatus includes one or more “communicators” that are worn, carried by, or otherwise associated with a person or location in an environment. Each communicator includes a synchronizable clock and a transmitter configured to transmit a message including a respective time stamp that is based on a time determined by the synchronizable clock. The message can be transmitted acoustically or in another manner such as by RF signal, optical signal, etc. The clock can be synchronized based on, e.g., a standard clock, another synchronizable clock associated with one or more transceivers, or a selected transceiver. The time stamp can be digital or analog, and can be configured to permit estimation of distance and bearing between synchronized communicators.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.