Location system with swept digital beacon
View Patent ↗A detection system includes a fixed-position transmitter and a mobile unit. The transmitter digitally transmits a data packet including angle information associated with the transmitter, and the mobile unit includes a receiver for receiving the transmitted data packet. The mobile unit is configured to detect a plurality of data packets from a single transmitter, the plurality of data packets including non-identical angle information. The mobile also determines new angle information from the non-identical angle information in the plurality of data packets and determines a location of the mobile unit relative to the transmitter using the new angle information. Also, the mobile unit is configured to indicate information associated with the determined location to a user.
1. A detection system, comprising:
a fixed-position transmitter for digitally transmitting a data packet including angle information associated with the transmitter; and
a mobile unit including a receiver for receiving the transmitted data packet, wherein
the mobile unit is configured to
detect a plurality of data packets from a single transmitter, the plurality of data packets including non-identical angle information,
determine new angle information from the non-identical angle information in the plurality of data packets, and
determine a location of the mobile unit relative to the transmitter using the new angle information.
2. The detection system according to claim 1 , wherein detection system includes a plurality of fixed-position transmitters, each of the plurality of transmitters digitally transmitting a respective data packet including angle information.
3. The detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to calculate a three-dimensional location of the mobile unit relative to the plurality of transmitters.
4. The detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to indicate information associated with the determined location to a user.
5. The detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter transmits the data packet within a broadcast angle.
6. The detection system according to claim 5 , wherein the transmitter sequentially steps the broadcast angle by a stepping angle.
7. The detection system according to claim 6 , wherein the stepping angle is less than or equal to one-half the broadcast angle.
8. A mobile unit for receiving a transmitted data packet including angle information from a fixed-position transmitter, wherein
the mobile unit is configured to
detect a plurality of data packets from a single transmitter, the plurality of data packets including non-identical angle information associated with the single transmitter,
determine new angle information from the non-identical angle information in the plurality of data packets, and
determine a location of the mobile unit relative to the transmitter using the new angle information.
9. The mobile unit according to claim 8 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to calculate a three-dimensional location of the mobile unit relative to a plurality of fixed-position transmitters.
10. The mobile unit according to claim 8 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to indicate information associated with the determined location to a user.
11. The mobile unit according to claim 8 , wherein the transmitter transmits the data packet within a broadcast angle.
12. A method for determining a location of a mobile unit, comprising the steps of:
receiving a transmitted data packet including angle information from a fixed-position transmitter and associated with the transmitter;
detecting a plurality of data packets from a single transmitter, the plurality of data packets including non-identical angle information associated with the single transmitter,
determining new angle information from the non-identical angle information in the plurality of data packets, and
determining a location of the mobile unit relative to the transmitter using the new angle information.
13. The mobile unit according to claim 12 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to calculate a three-dimensional location of the mobile unit relative to a plurality of fixed-position transmitters.
14. The mobile unit according to claim 12 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to indicate information associated with the determined location to a user.
15. The mobile unit according to claim 12 , wherein the transmitter transmits the data packet within a broadcast angle.
16. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes a location system to determine a location of a mobile unit, comprising the steps of:
receiving a transmitted data packet including angle information from a fixed-position transmitter and associated with the transmitter;
detecting a plurality of data packets from a single transmitter, the plurality of data packets including non-identical angle information,
determining new angle information from the non-identical angle information in the plurality of data packets, and
determining a location of the mobile unit relative to the transmitter using the new angle information.
17. The computer program product according to claim 16 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to calculate a three-dimensional location of the mobile unit relative to a plurality of fixed-position transmitters.
18. The computer program product according to claim 16 , wherein the mobile unit is configured to indicate information associated with the determined location to a user.
19. The computer program product according to claim 16 , wherein the transmitter transmits the data packet within a broadcast angle.