Patent ID: 7310138
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. A method of augmenting a mobile radio positioning system (Mobile RADPS) by using a stationary fan laser transmitter; wherein a rover comprises said mobile radio positioning system (Mobile RADPS) integrated with a mobile laser detector; and wherein said stationary fan laser transmitter is integrated with a stationary radio positioning system (Stationary RADPS); said method comprising: (A1, 1) self-surveying said stationary fan laser transmitter to determine its position coordinates by using said stationary radio positioning system (Stationary RADPS); (A2) rotating said fan laser transmitter about its vertical axis at a substantially constant angular rate; (A3) generating an electronic timing pulse every time a known position of said laser beam passes a reference mark in said laser transmitter; (A4) time-tagging each said electronic timing pulse by using said stationary radio positioning system (Stationary RADPS); (A5, 1) generating a low-passed filtered estimate of said angular rate of said laser beam by using said plurality of time tags; wherein each said time tag is indicative of a time instant when said reference mark is crossed by one said electronic timing pulse; (A6) transmitting said estimate of said angular rate of said laser beam and said plurality of time tags to said rover via a wireless communication link; wherein said wireless communication link is selected from the group consisting of: {a cellular link; a radio; a private radio band; a SiteNet 900 private radio network; a wireless Internet; a satellite wireless communication link; and an optical wireless link}; (B) detecting said single sloping fan beam generated by said stationary fan laser transmitter by using said mobile laser detector; and (C) timing said fan laser beam strike at said rover's location and using said timing of said fan laser beam strike at said rover's location to improve accuracy in determination of position coordinates of said rover.