—~
`
`
`
`LEDIGLICH ZUR INFORMATION
`
`Codes zur Identifizierung von PCI'-Verlragsstaatcn auf den Kopfbégen der Schxiften, die internationals
`Anmeldungen gemfiss dem PCI' vexfiffentlichen.
`
`AT
`bstmcicn
`GA
`Gabon
`Mwnanim
`MR
`AU
`Australian
`GB
`Vcteinimcl Khigreich
`Malawi
`MW
`BB
`Barbados
`GE
`Georgim
`Nigw
`NE
`BE
`Belgian
`GN
`Guinea
`Niederlnnde
`NL
`BF
`Burkina Faso
`GR
`Griechcnlnnd
`Norwegcn
`NO
`HG
`Bulgarian
`EU
`Ungarn
`Neuseelmd
`NZ
`BJ
`Benin
`IE
`Irland
`Palm
`PL
`BR
`Brazilian
`IT
`Imlien
`Portugal
`PT
`BY
`Beluus
`JP
`Japan
`Rnmxnien
`R0
`CA
`Knnada
`KE
`Kenya
`Russische Fédsafion
`RU
`CF
`Zcntrale Afrikaniscbe Repuhlik
`KG
`Kirglsisun
`Sudan
`SD
`CG
`Kongo
`KP
`Dcmohatisdne Volksrepublik Kmu
`Schweden
`SE
`CH
`Schweiz
`KR
`Republik Korea
`Sloweniea
`SI
`CI
`CM: d'Ivoire
`KZ
`Knachmn
`Slownkei
`SK
`CM
`Knmetun
`LI
`Liechccnmin
`Senegal
`SN
`CN
`Chin
`[K
`Sri Lnnkn
`Tschad
`TD
`CS
`Tscbechoslownkei
`LU
`Luxemhurg
`Togo
`TG
`CZ
`Tschechische Rcpublik
`LV
`Lettlnnd
`TJ T
`DE
`Dcutschlnnd
`MC
`Monaco
`TI‘
`Tfinidad und Tobago
`DK
`Dmanuk
`MD
`Republik Moldau
`UA
`Uh-ainc
`ES
`Spanicn
`MG
`Mndagasur
`US
`Vereinigtc Smtm van Ame-ikn
`Fl
`Fumlnnd
`ML
`Mali
`UZ
`Usbckismn
`FR
`Ftanhvich
`MN
`Mungolei
`VN
`Vietmm
`
`
`Page 000793
`
`

`
`W0 M18645
`
`1
`
`V
`
`.
`
`PCT/EP94/00152
`
`Unfalldatenspeicher
`
`Die Erfindung betrifft einen Unfalldatenspeicher geméfi dem
`
`Oberbegriff des Anspruchs l. Unfalldatenspeicher sind in ihrem
`Aufbau als solche bekannt.
`
`Der Zweck eines Unfalldatenspeichers besteht in der Erfassung
`
`und Registrierung Von Daten, die ffir die objektive Klérung der
`
`Schuldfrage nach einem Unfallereignis sachdienlich’sind. Es ist
`
`stand der Technik, die Bewegunqsdaten sowie die Zustandsdaten
`
`einiger Fahrzeugaggregate wéhrend des Fahrbetriebs des mit
`
`einem Unfalldatenspeicher ausgerfisteten Fahrzeugs zu
`
`registrieren.
`
`Im Unfalldatenspeicher geméfi der EP 0 118 818 B1
`
`endet die Datenaufzeichnung mit dem Fahrzeugstillstand.
`
`Die Detektion eines Unfallereignisses erfolgt fiblicherweise
`
`zumindest durch eine Auswertung der vom Unfalldatenspeicher
`
`erfafiten Beschleunigungssignale. Da Strafienunebenheiten, die
`
`normale Fahrdynamik oder das Zuschlagen einer Fahrzeugtfir nicht
`
`zur Auslésung der speziell ffir eine Unfallsituation
`
`vorgesehenen Speicherverfahren ffihren dfirfen, weisen die
`
`bekannten Unfalldatenspeicher Auslbsekriterien auf, die die
`
`Registrierung von kleineren "Rempeleien" nicht gestatten. Wird
`
`ein parkendes Fahrzeug zB bei dem Rangiermanéver eines
`
`Fremdfahrzeugs angefahren, kann ein derartiger Unfall Von den
`
`bisher bekannten Unfalldatenspeichern nicht registriert werden.
`
`Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, diesen Nachteil
`zu beseitigen. Sie wird durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des
`
`ersten Anspruchs gelbst. Die weiteren Ansprfiche zeigen
`
`R‘.
`
`vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen.
`
`Erfindungsgemafl wird vorgeschlagen, zusatzlich zu den wéhrend
`
`des Fahrbetriebs erforderlichen héheren Ansprechschwellen ffir
`
`die Auslésung der speziell zur unléschbaren Registrierung einer
`
`Unfallsituation vorgesehenen Speicherverfahren Mittel
`
`Page 000794
`
`

`
`WO 94/13645
`
`.
`
`PCT/EP94/00152
`
`vorzusehen, die die Betriebsbereitschaft des
`
`Unfalldatenspeichers nach dem Ausschalten des Antriebsaggregats
`des Fahrzeugs fur eine begrenzte Zeit mit einer erhfihten
`
`Empfindlichkeit fur die Detektion und Registrierung von
`
`Unfallereignissen fortzusetzen.
`
`Die Erhéhung der Empfindlichkeit kann dadurch erfolgen, dafi der
`
`zur Auslésung der Unfallregistrierung festgesetzte Schwellwert
`
`der Amplitude der Beschleunigungssignale um etwa 90 %
`
`herabgesetzt wird bei gleichzeitiger Verléngerung des
`
`Betrachtungszeitraums der zur Auslbsung ffihrenden
`
`Einwirkungsdauer des Beschleunigungssignals. Dadurch, dafi der
`
`Unfalldatenspeicher mit Mitteln zur Durchffihrung dieser
`
`Mafinahme erweitert wird, werden am geparkten Fahrzeug auch
`leichte St6Be detektierbar.
`
`Um Fehlauslbsungen zu vermeiden, ist eine Umschaltung des
`
`Unfalldatenspeichers auf diese erhéhte Empfindlichkeit nur bei
`
`stillstehendem Fahrzeug sinnvoll. Zur Steuerung der Umschaltung
`
`benétigt der Unfalldatenspeicher die Information darfiber,
`
`in
`
`welchem Betriebszustand sich das Antriebsaggregat des Fahrzeugs
`
`befindet. Diese Abfrage erfolgt vorzugsweise fiber eine
`
`Erfassung der Schaltstellung des Zfindstartschalters des
`
`Fahrzeugs.
`
`Um Fehlauslbsungen unmittelbar nach dem Ausschalten des
`
`Antriebsaggregats des Fahrzeugs zu vermeiden, die
`
`beispielsweise durch das Verlassen des Fahrzeugs durch die
`
`Fahrzeuginsassen oder das Entladen des Fahrzeugs hervorgerufen
`
`werden kénnten, empfiehlt es sich, die Umschaltung auf die
`
`erhfihte Empfindlichkeit zeitverzagert durchzuffihren. Eine
`
`Verzégerung Von ca.
`
`5 Minuten erscheint im allgemeinen
`
`praxisgerecht. Dadurch kann sichergestellt werden, dafi sich das
`
`Fahrzeug in Ruhe befindet.
`
`Um ermittlungsdienliche Aussagen zum Unfallereignis machen zu
`
`kénnen, ist es vorteilhaft, den erfindungsgeméfi erweiterten
`
`Unfalldatenspeicher mit Zeitzéhlmitteln auszustatten, so daB
`
`der Unfallzeitpunkt genau bestimmt werden kann. Die
`
`Page 000795
`
`

`
`wo 94/18645
`
`3
`
`_
`
`,
`
`PCT/EP94l00152
`
`Zeitzéhlmittel kénnen in einer als vollsténdiges Kalendarium
`
`ausgebildeten Echtzeituhr oder nur aus einem Relativzeitmesser
`
`bestehen.
`
`In jedem Fall kann auf diese Weise zusétzlich zu den
`
`durch die Beschleunigungssignale erfafiten Stofidaten eine
`
`Zeitmarke in dem registrierten Datensatz abgelegt werden.
`
`Page 000796
`
`

`
`wo 94/18645
`
`,
`
`.
`
`PCT/EP94/00152
`
`Patentansprfiche
`
`1. Unfalldatenspeicher
`
`a) mit Mitteln zur Erfassung Von
`
`Beschleunigungssignalen,
`
`b) mit Mitteln zur Analyse der erfafiten
`
`Beschleunigungssignale hinsichtlich ihrer Amplitude
`
`und ihrer Einwirkungsdauer fur die Detektion einer
`
`Unfallsituation,
`
`C) mit Mitteln zur Abfrage des Betriebszustandes des
`
`Antriebsaggregats des Fahrzeugs,
`
`in welchem der
`
`Unfalldatenspeicher installiert ist, und
`
`d) mit Mitteln zur Speicherung der erfafiten signale
`
`und/oder der daraus ermittelten Daten,
`
`gekennzeichnet durch Mittel, die den Unfalldatenspeicher
`
`nach dem Ausschalten des Antriebsaggregats des Fahrzeugs
`
`ffir eine begrenzte Zeit mit einer gegenfiber dem Zustand des
`
`eingeschalteten Antriebsaggregats erhbhten Empfindlichkeit
`in einer fortdauernden Bereitschaft ffir die Detektion und
`
`Registrierung einer Unfallsituation aktiv erhalten.
`
`2. Unfalldatenspeicher nach Anspruch 1,
`
`dadurch gekennzeichnet,
`
`dafi die Erfassung des Betriebszustandes des
`
`Antriebsaggregats des Fahrzeugs durch eine Abfrage der
`
`Schaltstellung des Zfindstartschalters erfolgt.
`
`3. Unfalldatenspeicher nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
`
`dadurch gekennzeichnet,
`
`dafi die Umschaltung in die erhfihte Empfindlichkeit ffir die
`
`Detektion und Registrierung einer Unfallsituation
`
`zeitverzbgert nach dem Ausschalten des Antriebsaggregats
`
`des Fahrzeugs erfolgt.
`
`Page 000797
`
`

`
`wo 94/13545
`
`.
`
`PCT/EP9-M00152.
`
`4. Unfalldatenspeicher nach Anspruch 1,
`
`2 oder 3,
`
`dadurch gekennzéichnet,
`
`dafi die nach dem Ausschalten des Antriebsaggregats des
`
`Fahrzeugs fortdauernd betriebsbereiten Mittel zur Detektion
`
`und Registrierung einer Unfallsituation zur Registrierung
`
`des Zeitpunktes eines Unfallereignisses mit Zeitzéhlmitteln
`
`ausgestattet sind.
`
`Page 000798
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`'
`
`lmematgonai application No,
`PCT/EP
`94/Q0152
`
`A.
`
`CLASSIFICATION or SUBJECT MATFER
`
`G01P1/12
`GO7C5/O8
`Int.Cl.5
`According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`B.
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
`
`Int.C1.5
`
`G07C
`
`G01P
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
`
`C. V DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`~
`
`Citation of document, with indimtion, where appropriate, of the relevant passages
`W0, A, 91 17447 (CORDIER)
`-
`14 November 1991
`
`see page 6,
`
`line 3 - page 9,
`
`line 8;
`
`figures
`
`Relevant to claim No_
`
`EP, A, 0 118 818 (ZOTTNIK)
`19 September 1984
`cited in the application
`see abstract;
`claims;
`
`figures
`
`FR, A, 2 615 624 (CURTI)
`25 November 1988
`
`‘
`
`see page 1,
`
`line 27 - page 3,
`
`line 13; figure
`
`DE, A, 36 43 203 (GRUNDIG)
`30 June 1988
`see column 2,
`
`line 10 - line 50; figure
`
`DE, A, 41 36 968 (MANNESMANN KIENZLE)
`12 November 1992
`see abstract;
`claims;
`
`figures
`
`.
`
`E Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. D See patent family annex.
`Special categories of cited docuints:
`"T"
`later document published after the international filing date or priority
`.
`.
`.
`.
`date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand
`:?§"en;?:adr§§:|"hnrg[:lh:‘?:;nl sum’ °fme an when '5 no‘ °9“5"’°'°‘
`the principle or theory underlying the invention
`earlier document but published on or after the international filing date
`"X" d°°“||1¢D' °f P3"i°“13" T°1°‘’3fl°¢5 “"5 °l3i|D°d ilwellliofl 933110‘ 5°
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`'dened novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive
`document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is
`ans‘
`-
`cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other
`smp when the documem is “ken alone
`special reason (as specified)
`"Y" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
`- dowmem “fining ‘D an on‘ disciosun’ us,‘ exhibition 0, “he,
`considered to involve an inventive step when the document is
`means
`combined with oneor more other such documents, such combination
`document published prior to the international filing date but later than
`being obvious to 8 pawn skilled in the an
`the priority date claimed
`“&" document member of the same patent family
`
`Date of the actual completion of the international search
`29 April 1994
`(29.04.94)
`
`Date of mailing of the international search report
`24 May 1994
`(24.05.94)
`
`Name and mailing address of the ISA/
`
`Authorized officer
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
`
`Facsimile No.
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 1992)
`
`Telephone No.
`
`Page 000799
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`
`
`,
`
`International applimtion No.
`
`A
`
`US, A, 4 992 943 (MCCRACKEN)
`12 February 1991
`see abstract;
`claims;
`
`figures
`
`DE, A, 33 14 036 (KEHRBERG)
`25 October 1984
`see claim 1;
`figures
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (continuation of second sheet) (July 1992)
`
`Page000800
`
`

`
`INTEFNAHONA: S1EARbCH REPORT
`ormau
`on Elfin mm mm
`°“
`”
`’
`"‘
`
`International application No.
`PCT/EP 94/00152
`
`W0-A-9117447
`
`14-11-91
`
`2661765
`7887991
`2064019
`0481062
`4507297
`
`3405757
`8403359
`60500637
`4638289
`
`08-11-91
`27-11-91
`08-02-94
`22-04-92
`17-12-92
`
`04-10-84
`30-08-84
`02-05-85
`20-01-87
`
`JP-T-
`US-A-
`
`2895092
`9310510
`0566716
`6500182
`
`15-06-93
`27-05-93
`27-10-93
`06-01-94
`
`Form PCTIISNZIIJ (punnv. family u-mu) (July I992)
`
`Page 000801
`
`

`
`
`INTERNATIONALER RECHERCHENBERICHT
`Intemationales Akuenzeichen
`PCT/EP 94/00152
`
`A. KLASSIFIZIERUNG mas ANMELDUNGSGEGENSTANDES
`
`IPK 5
`GO7C5/08
`G01P1/12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Nach der Intemauonalen Patentklass1fikauon(IPK) ode: mch der nauonalen Klamfikauon und der [PK
`8. RECHERCHIERTE GEBIETE
`Rechercmener Mindestprufstoff (xlasnfileauonssystem und Klasnfikauonsnnbole )
`IPK 5
`GO7C G01P
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Recherchxene aber mcht zum Mxndescprufstoff gehorende Veroffenuxehungen, sowext clxese unuer due rechercmenen Gebiete fallen
`
`Wa'hx-end dcr mternauonalen Recherche konsuluerte eleku-omsche Datznbank (Name der Datenbank und evtl. verwendete Suchbep-xffe)
`
`C. ALS WESENTLICH ANGESEHENE UNTERLAGEN
`
`Kategone’
`
`Bczexchnung der Vetoffenmchung. soweu erfordcrlieh unner Angahe der m Betrach: kommenden Teile
`
`Betr. Anspruch Nr.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`W0,A,91 17447 (CORDIER) 14. November 1991
`siehe Seite 6, Zei1e 3 - Seite 9, Zeile 8;
`Abbi1dungen
`
`A
`
`A
`
`EP,A,0 118 818 (ZOTTNIK) 19. September
`1984
`in der Anme1dung erwfihnt
`siehe Zusammenfassung; Ansprfiche;
`Abbi1dungen
`
`FR,A,2 615 624 (CURTI) 25. November 1988
`siehe Seite 1, Zeile 27 - Seite 3, Zeile
`13; Abbi1dung
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A
`
`i
`.
`
`DE,A,36 43 203 (GRUND1G) 30. Juni 1988
`siehe Spalte 2, Zei1e 10 - Zei1e 50;
`Abbi1dung
`
`../__
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Waiter: Veréffentlxchmgen smd der Fomelzung Von Feld C zu
`E Siehe Anhang Pawntfamilie
`emnehmen
`
`° Besondere Kategonen Von angegebenen Veroffenuichungen
`'1" Spin: Vegflzngwg. dle
`InlEr:cafl9l':a1m€1l‘l1
`m
`-
`.
`4-
`»
`-
`-
`oder em on
`mvero en c wo
`nxs
`A Verotfenflxchung, dne den allgememen Stand der Technzk defimen.
`Ammldu“ “mm komdl-gm sondzm mu. zumvemfindms dc; dc,
`abet mcht als baonders bedeusarn anzusehen In
`.
`.
`.
`.
`
`
`en
`E1-find
`d 11
`de Pnnz
`ode :1
`tn:
`1 e
`‘E’ élteres Dokument. das yedoeh erst un oder nach dem inten-maanakn
`Theongnans§="§'§§"en°.sf‘°" n
`P:
`1. er
`zugnmdc I ‘end
`
`
`
`A’“'“°ld‘damm ""°m““'d“ “’°'d‘‘'“ “‘
`‘X’ Veréffcndichung van besondeter Bedeutung‘, die beanspruehte Erfl
`;.
`
`
`
`'L' Verotfmtlichmzg. die geelgnet 1st. emen Pnormirsanspmch zwelfelhafl; er-
`kann allein aufgrund clicser Verfiffendichung mcht als neu ode: auf
`
`
`sdaexnen zu fiasm, older durcx:-A dxe das Ver$ffmf?icgJm ennerm
`crfindenschcr Téfigkat beruhend bevnchlet woman
`3“ °’‘“ "7? “cm” ‘“b‘"° ‘ 3°"“’“““" "5 °“ 1°
`3
`*3‘ “'9 “‘ ‘Y’ Veréffetmichun van besonderer Bedeumn
`die beans
`chte Erfmdun :4
`
`
`5°" °dF" d“ ‘"5 °‘“°"‘ ““d‘"“ b°5°“d‘”“ Gm“ "‘“3‘3°b°“ m (“"‘°
`kann mcht als ail‘ erfindmseher Titigkeit geruhend begmachtet
`
`
`
`
`3|15s_‘f|1h|"_)
`4
`_
`‘
`_
`warden, wenn due Veréffenuichung rmt einer oder mehreren endeten
`0' Vcmffenthchuns. the sub auf em: mundhche Offenbarunz.
`_
`Veréffendichungen dieser Kate
`e m Vex-hxndung gehrachlwlrd und
`
`
`eme Benutzung, eme Ausscellung oder andere Maflnahmen bezteht
`die“ Vcrblndung fin» amen Fa
`nahdiegend. 151
`.
`.
`'P‘ Vcréffenuichung d1e var dem1ntemauonalenAmneldedau.1m. abet nach .
`..
`.
`1
`.
`.
`.
`.
`
`
`dem beansprucrften Pnonuitsdazum veroffentlicht Worden 1st
`& v"°fi°"u'°h“'“3’ G“ Mltgmd d‘“°lb°“ Pa'mm‘”ml" m
`
` Absendedatnm des mnemanonalen Reeherchenbenchts
`Datum des Absduusses der mternanonalen Remerche
`
`
`2 4 -05- 1391+
`
`29. April 1994
`Bevollméchngter Bediensutcr
`Name und Poslanschnft der Internauonale Recherchenbehorde
`
`
`Europaxsches Patemamt. P.B. 5Bl 8 Patentlaan 2
`NL - 2280 HV Rnswuk
`Tel. (+31-70) 3402040, '15:. 31651 epo nl,
`
`Mey1, D
`Fazc (-r 31-70) 340-3016
`Fnrmblau. PCTIISA/210 (am: 2) (Juli 1992)
`
`_
`
`-
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Seite 1 von 2
`
`Page 000802
`
`
`
`

`
`Irrtemationales Akbenzeichen
` INTERNATIONALER RECH ERCHENB ERICHT
`
`PCT/EP 94/00152
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`t Em. Anspruch Nr.
`
`0
`
`1
`
`1
`
`2
`
`
`
`C.(ForEclzung) AL5 WESENTLICH ANGESEHENE UNTERLAGEN
`Ic
`Kanegone’ | Baexmxumg der Vcréftcnuxchung, sown: erfordahch umnr Angabe der 1n Betracht kornmenden Tale
`
`'
`
`A
`
`A
`
`
`DE,A,41 36 968 (MANNESMANN KIENZLE) 12.
`
`November 1992
`siehe Zusammenfassung; Ansprfiche;
`
`Abbi1dungen
`US,A,4 992 943 (MCCRAEREN) 12. Februar
`
`:?Z%e Zusammenfassung; Anspruche;
`Abbi1dungen
`
`A
`or-:,A,33 14 035 (KEHRBE§E) 25. Oktober 1984
`
`siehe Anspruch 1; Abbildungen
`
`Fnrmbluv. PCT/ISA/210 (Fnruuzun; van Blm. 3) (Juli 1992)
`
`Seite 2 von 2
`
`Page 000803
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONALER RECHERCHENBERICI-IT
`Angaben zu Vervliffcntlxcbungen, the zux sclben Paumtfarmlxc gchéren
`
`mumwuammsflmmmkh
`
`PCT/EP 94/00152
`
`Im Recherchenbericht
`angefiihrtes Patentdckument
`
`Datum der
`Veréffentlichung
`
`Mitg1ied(er) der '
`Patentfarnilie
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Datum der
`Veroffentlichung
`
`
`
`W0-A-9117447
`
`14-11-91
`
`FR-A-
`AU-A-
`CA-C-
`EP-A-
`
`08-11-91
`2661765
`27-11-91
`7887991
`08-02-94
`2064019
`22-04-92
`0481062
`4507297
`17-12-92
`
`3405757
`04-10-84
`
`WO-A-
`8403359
`30-08-84
`JP-T-
`60500637
`02-05-85
`4638289
`20-01-87
`
`
`
`
`
` 2895092 15-06-93
`
`
`W0-A-
`9310510
`27-05-93
`
`EP-A-
`0566716
`27-10-93
`6500182
`06-01-94
`
`.
`
`
`
`———__———__...____—.....——_—.—————————__————————__.__-__.....__.._———---—————__-.--.
`
`Fomnmu pcr/xsA/no (Anhnnn P|umfImilie)(Juli 1992)
`
`Page 000804
`
`

`
`P
`
`WORLD INTE.I..L.ECTUA.L PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`(51) International Patent Classification 5 :
`(11) International Publication Number:
`GOIS 5/02
`
`Al
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`8 December 1994 (0812.94)
`
`WO 94128434
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`19 May 1994 (l9.05.94)
`
`(81) Designated States: CA, JP, European patent (AT; BE, CH, DE,
`DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`065,839
`
`21 May 1993 (2105.93)
`
`US
`
`(71) Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIIVIITED [US/US];
`645 Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor: LAU, Chung; 859 Russet Drive, Sunnyvale, CA
`94087 (US).
`
`(74) Agent: SCHNECK, Thomas; Schneck & Mcl-Iugh, P.O. Box
`2-E, San Jose, CA 95109-0005 (US).
`
`
`
`(54) Title: RAPID SATELLITE SIGNAL ACQUISITION IN A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM
`
`‘(57) Abstract
`
`A method for fast acquisition of Satellite Positioning System (SA'I'PS) signals that does not require permanent storage of satellite
`almanac information at a ground station. A nearby reference SATPS station (13), whose posifion is lmown, provides a new SATPS station
`(14) with differential positioning SATPS information and optionally with SATPS satellite ephemeride information on each visible satellite
`(15, 17, 19, 21). By limiting the search to the frequency range and code-phase attributes corresponding to the visible satellites, the ranges
`to be searched are decreased. When a first SATPS satellite signal is acquired and locked onto by the new station, the frequency range for
`searching is narrowed to a range corresponding to the Doppler shift frequency range for the visible satellites, and acquisition of additional
`SATPS satellite signals proceeds quickly. The system allows the use of less accurate timing sources for the new stations.
`
`
`
`Page 000805
`
`

`
`'.2-'
`
`“~¢Cx,‘
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PC!‘ on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international
`applications under the PCI‘.
`Ausria
`Al.l$‘alil
`Barbados
`Belgium
`aumm Faso
`
`United Kingdom
`Georgi-I
`
`Democratic People's Rqnxbnc
`of Koxea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakhstan
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Repualh: of Moldova
`Madagascar
`Mali
`Mongolia
`
`
`
`§E§§§2EE=E§l’58§'-‘vmfiéfifififii
`
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Fedauion
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukrllnc
`United States of Amuim
`Uzbekistan
`Via Nun
`
`aaasasazasaagg
`
`SN
`
`TJ
`
`UA
`US
`UZ
`
`Page 000806
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`RAPID SATELLITE SIGNAL ACQUISITION
`
`IN A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`.
`
`When a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) receiver/processor
`powers up, or when the receiver/processor experiences SATPS signal
`interruption, if the receiver/processor has no almanac that indicates the
`
`present location of the visible SATPS satellites, the receiver/processor and
`associated SATPS antenna will perform a blind satellite search to find a
`
`sufficient number of SATPS satellites, usually three or more, to begin
`establishing the antenna's SATPS-determined location and/or proper time.
`The SATPS antenna and receiver/processor will usually select SATPS
`
`I
`
`satellite numbers at random for the search. This procedure will often
`
`consume several minutes before "lock" on an adequate number of SATPS
`
`satellite signals is achieved. Several workers in electrical communications
`
`have disclosed methods and/or apparati for reducing the time or difficulty
`of acquiring signals communicated from satellites.
`
`United States Patent No. 4,384,293, issued to Deem et al, discloses
`
`apparatus for providing pointing information, using one or more GPS
`
`satellites and two antennas spaced apart about ten carrier signal
`
`wavelengths. The difference in phase of GPS signals received by the two
`
`antennas determines the pointing direction determined by the line of sight
`
`between the two antennas. Phase differences of GPS signals received by
`
`arrays of three or more collinear or non-collinear antennas are used to
`
`determine the attitude of an object on which the antennas are mounted in
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,021,792, issued to Hwang, and in U.S. Patent No.
`
`5,101,356, issued to Timothy et al.
`
`Sekine discloses GPS receiver/processor apparatus that quickly
`
`maximizes correlation between a received GPS pseudo-random noise
`
`(PRN) code and an internally stored GPS code, in U.S. Patent No.
`
`4,968,981. This approach uses a separate channel for each of N PRN
`
`codes and shifts the phase of the internally stored code n/2 bits at a time (n
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Page 000807
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`2
`
`= 1, 2,
`value.
`
`, N), in a search for a position of increased code correlation
`
`In U.S. Patent No. 5,036,329, Ando discloses. a satellite
`
`reacquisition or initial acquisition method applicable to GPS satellites.
`Using an estimate of the average Doppler shifted frequency favg
`manifested by the GPS signals received from a visible GPS satellite, a
`narrow band search is first performed in the frequency range favg - 8600
`Hz S f S favg + 8600 Hz. If no GPS satellite signals are found in this
`
`gr
`
`range within 3.75 minutes, the search range is widened until at least one
`
`10
`
`GPS satellite signal is found.
`
`A simultaneous multi-channel search for reacquisition of GPS
`
`satellite signals after signal interruption occurs is disclosed by Sakaguchi
`
`and Ando in U.S. Patent No. 5,059,969. This method first searches for
`
`the GPS satellite with the highest elevation angle relative to the GPS
`
`antenna. Two or more sequences of signal frequency ranges are swept
`
`over in parallel until at least one GPS signal is reacquired.
`
`United States Patent No. 5,061,936, issued to Suzuki, discloses
`
`attitude control for a rotationally mobile antenna. If the strength of the
`
`initial signal received by the antenna from a spacecraft (whose position is
`
`yet unknown) is below a first selected threshold and above a second ‘
`
`selected threshold, the antenna attitude is scanned over a relatively small
`
`range, to increase the signal strength toward or above the first threshold
`
`value. If the signal strength is initially below the second threshold, the
`
`antenna attitude is scanned over a larger range, to increase the signal
`
`strength above the second threshold value so that a smaller range antenna
`
`scan can be implemented.
`
`In U.S. Patent No. 5,119,504, Durboraw discloses a satellite-aided
`
`cellular communications system in which a subscriber unit self-determines
`
`its own (changing) location and transmits this information to the satellites
`
`for use in subsequent communications. This requires that each subscriber
`
`unit transmit and receive signals, and one subscriber unit does not
`
`communicate directly with, or provide satellite location information for,
`another subscriber unit.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Page 000808
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`3
`
`An electronic direction finder that avoids reliance on sensing of
`terrestrial magnetic fields for establishing a preferred direction for
`
`_
`
`satellite signal acquisition is disclosed by Ghaem et al in U.S. Patent No.
`
`5,146,231. The apparatus uses a receiver/processor for GPS or similar
`
`navigation signals received from a satellite, and requires (stored)
`
`knowledge of the present location of at least one reference satellite from
`
`which signals are received. The orientation of the finder or its housing
`relative to a line of sight vector from the finder to this reference satellite
`
`10
`
`is determined. This orientation is visually displayed as a projection on a
`horizontal plane. Any other direction in this horizontal plane can then be
`
`determined with reference to this projection from a knowledge of the
`reference satellite location.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Ando, in U.S. Patent No. 5,155,491, discloses a method for tracking
`
`radio signals from GPS satellites that follow a single orbit around the
`
`Earth. At most four GPS satellites follow one of the six GPS orbits, as the
`
`constellation is presently configured. The C/A—code and/or P-code is
`
`known for each of the at—most-four GPS satellites in a single orbit so that
`
`searching along a single orbit requires acquisition of only one of the four
`
`known codes associated with these satellites, and at least one of these four
`
`GPS satellites is not visible at a particular observation time. After
`
`acquisition of whatever GPS satellites on a particular GPS orbit can be
`
`tracked, the system moves sequentially from one GPS orbit to another
`
`orbit until all trackable GPS satellites are found. The system then selects
`
`the three or four GPS satellites that are most suitable for global
`
`25
`
`positioning computations.
`
`These methods either require storage of detailed knowledge of the
`
`satellite trajectories or of satellite signal indicia. This information for
`
`SATPS satellites can be voluminous and is not present in many SATPS
`
`signal receiver/processor systems. What is needed is a method that relies
`
`30
`
`only upon information that is already available within the receiving system
`
`or from another nearby receiving system. Preferably, the method should
`
`provide reasonably accurate information on the present location of any
`
`visible SATPS satellite, should allow rapid acquisition of SATPS signals
`
`Page 000809
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`4
`
`from one or a plurality of visible SATPS satellites, and should not require
`consumption of much additional power for operation.
`
`.3.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`5
`
`The invention focuses on initial acquisition and identification of
`
`visible SATPS satellites by an SATPS signal antenna and
`
`receiver/processor ("SATPS station") at the time of power-up. Receipt of
`differential SATPS signals from another already-operative SATPS station
`
`allows the SATPS station that is now powering up ( the "new" SATPS
`
`1 0
`
`station) to reduce the number of SATPS charmels searched. The new
`
`SATPS Station need not store the SATPS almanac information and may
`use less expensive timing sources. This eliminates the need for a back—up
`battery and allows quicker acquisition of the visible SATPS satellites upon
`power-up.
`
`1 5
`
`In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (1) providing
`
`a reference SATPS station, whose location coordinates are known with
`
`high accuracy, with a transmitter to broadcast differential SATPS
`
`information to other nearby SATPS stations, including the new SATPS
`
`station; (2) providing differential SATPS information from the reference
`
`2 0
`
`station to the new station, including the pseudorange corrections and
`
`satellite index of each SATPS satellite that is visible from the reference
`
`station (the SATPS "reference/visible" satellites); (3) establishing a
`
`selected number of channels at the new station to acquire SATPS signals
`
`from the reference/visible satellites; (4) stepping through the pseudorange
`
`2 5
`
`and code-phase attributes for each of the visible SATPS satellites to
`
`acquire and lock onto the SATPS signals from one or more of the SATPS
`
`satellites; (5) once one SATPS satellite signal is acquired, narrowing the
`
`frequency tuning range of all the other tuning channels to a much smaller
`
`frequency range, based upon the calculated frequency error and Doppler
`
`3 0
`
`shift frequency range; and (6) using this smaller frequency range to more
`
`quickly acquire and lock onto additional SATPS satellite signals, if needed.
`
`Limiting the search for SATPS satellite signals at the new station to
`
`the visible SATPS satellites for which differential SATPS information is
`
`Page 000810
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`5
`
`available provides the following benefits. First, a station that is not a
`
`reference station does not need battery backup for the random access
`memory in order to store the satellite almanac information. Second, as
`
`each SATPS satellite signal is acquired and identified, the frequency range
`that needs to be searched for that satellite can be narrowed substantially,
`using an estimate of the Doppler shift for signals emitted from that
`
`satellite. Third, an inexpensive time base source for an SATPS
`
`receiver/processor can be used without incurring a large penalty in
`
`satellite signal acquisition time. Once one satellite signal is locked onto,
`the SATPS receiver/processor can correct for the (relatively large)
`frequency error of the associated time base and can search over a smaller
`
`frequency range that covers the appropriate Doppler shifted frequencies
`received.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`Figure 1 is a schematic View of a differential satellite positioning
`
`5 system in operation, showing a reference SATPS station and another
`
`SATPS station that receives differential SATPS information from the
`
`reference station.
`
`Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating acquisition of and lock—on for
`
`one or more SATPS satellites signals by a new SATPS station according to
`one embodiment of the invention.
`
`Description of Best Mode of the Invention
`
`Figure 1 illustrates operation of a differential satellite positioning
`
`system in simplified form. A reference SATPS station 13, including an
`
`SATPS receiver/processor and associated SATPS antenna 23, and a roving
`
`SATPS station 14, including an SATPS receiver/processor and associated
`
`SATPS antenna 25, are spaced apart on or adjacent to the Earth's surface,
`
`where it is assumed that the reference receiver's location is known very
`
`accurately at any time. Presently, an SATPS signal antenna is
`
`approximately omI1i-directional so that SATPS signals can be received
`
`from any area of the sky, except near the horizon, without "pointing" the
`antenna.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Page 000811
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`PCT/US94/05603
`
`6
`
`An SATPS antenna receives SATPS signals from a plurality
`
`5 (preferably four or more) of SATPS satellites and passes these signals to
`an SATPS signal receiver/processor, which (1) identifies the SATPS
`
`satellite source (satellite number or other indicia) for each SATPS signal,
`
`5
`
`'
`
`(2) determines the time at which each identified SATPS signal arrives at
`the antenna, and (3) determines the present location of the SATPS antenna
`
`from this information and from information on the ephemerides, stored in
`
`the receiver/processor, for each identified SATPS satellite. The SATPS
`
`signal antenna and signal receiver/processor are part of the user segment
`
`1 0
`
`of a particular SATPS, the Global Positioning System, as discussed by
`
`Tom Logsdon in The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, Van
`
`Nostrand Reinhold, 1992, pp. 33-90, incorporated by reference herein.
`
`The reference station 13 may be stationary or may be moving with
`
`location coordinates known as a function of time t. Four or more SATPS
`
`1 5
`
`satellites 15, 17, 19 and 21 transmit SATPS signals that are received by the
`
`reference and roving stations 13 and 14 and converted to present location,
`
`velocity and time for that station. The reference and roving stations 13
`
`and 14 also include modems 27 and 29, respectively, or other
`
`communication means that provide a one-way link between the reference
`
`2 0
`
`station 13 and the roving station 14 or a two-way link, as shown.
`
`Optionally, the system shown in Figure 1 may also include one or more
`
`signal repeaters 31, located between the two stations 13 and 14, to
`
`facilitate long distance or non-line-of-sight communication between these
`
`two stations. Optionally, the system may include two or more roving
`stations.
`
`2 5
`
`Assume that a roving station 14 has lost its lock on one or more (or
`
`all) visible SATPS satellites 15, 17, 19 and 21, or that the roving station is
`
`powering up after a period of no activity. This roving station 14
`
`(referred to herein as a "new" station for convenience) will need to
`
`3 0
`
`acquire or reacquire, and to lock onto, one or more of the SATPS
`
`satellites Visible from the reference station 13 (referred to as a
`
`"reference/visible satellite" herein for convenience), in order to provide
`
`location and/or time information for this new station. The reference
`
`Page 000812
`
`

`
`WO 94/28434
`
`.
`
`7
`
`PCTIUS94/05603
`
`station 13 may be moving or may be stationary.
`
`It is assumed that the
`
`'_ reference station 13 is located nearby (i.e., within 250 kilometers)‘ and that
`its location coordinates are known with high accuracy at any time so that
`differential satellite positioning system ("DSATPS") information is
`
`available from the reference station.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`According to one embodiment of the invention, this procedure for
`
`(re)acquisition and lock-on for one or more visible SATPS satellites is
`
`illustrated in Figure 2. In step 41, the new station either powers up or
`senses that it has lost lock on all SATPS satellites. In steps 43 and 45, the
`
`new station 14 receives DSATPS information from the reference station
`
`In step 47, the
`13 and determines the reference/visible SATPS satellites.
`new station 14 sets up a sufficient number of SATPS signal channels to
`
`receive SATPS