Christopher L Hall

US Patent:

6424837, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/294278

Inventors:

Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL 32937
Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA 30075
Jimmy C. Ray - Denison TX 75020

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455456, 455404, 455 671, 455423, 455560, 455439

Abstract:

A method for automatically testing cellular telephone equipment includes a method for determining a geographic location of a mobile unit. The system includes monitoring sites located, e. g. , at high elevations, so that each monitoring site electronically covers a geographical area including several cellular telephone base stations. Locations of mobile cellular stations, especially of such stations placing emergency 911 calls, are determined by comparing signal time-of-reception and other observable signal parameters at a combination of three cell sites and/or monitoring sites. Testing functions include transmitting gradually increasing power levels on a frequency assigned to a particular base station to determine the power level required to acquire service from that base station. Periodic repetitions are monitored over time to indicate any changes or degradation in performance. A scanner scans a designated group of control-channel frequencies, selecting active channels for measurement of transmission parameters and detection of anomalous transmission characteristics on any particular channel.

US Patent:

6577419, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Dec 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/215986

Inventors:

Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL 32937
Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA 30075
Jimmy C. Ray - Denison TX 75020

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359145, 359152

Abstract:

A communications system for aircraft includes an on-board network using optical frequencies for communications within the aircraft; the network includes personal communications devices and/or other devices such as personal computers communicating via optical ports at infrared or other optical frequencies. Capability of such devices to emit radio-frequency radiation is automatically blocked on sensing the infrared system. The various optical ports are connected to each other and to a controller which includes an interface between the on-board infrared portion of the system and radio-frequency transceivers; the transceivers connect to RF antennas for communication with stations outside the aircraft.

US Patent:

6714779, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

May 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/151521

Inventors:

Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL 32937
Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA 30075
Jimmy C. Ray - Denison TX 75020

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455423, 455424, 455 6711, 455 6714, 4552661, 4552262, 4554042, 4554562

Abstract:

A method for automatically testing cellular telephone equipment includes a method for determining a geographic location of a mobile unit. The system includes monitoring sites located, e. g. , at high elevations, so that each monitoring site electronically covers a geographical area including several cellular telephone base stations. Locations of mobile cellular stations, especially of such stations placing emergency 911 calls, are determined by comparing signal time-of-reception and other observable signal parameters at a combination of three cell sites and/or monitoring sites. Testing functions include transmitting gradually increasing power levels on a frequency assigned to a particular base station to determine the power level required to acquire service from that base station. Periodic repetitions are monitored over time to indicate any changes or degradation in performance. A scanner scans a designated group of control-channel frequencies, selecting active channels for measurement of transmission parameters and detection of anomalous transmission characteristics on any particular channel.

US Patent:

6891500, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Nov 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/292917

Inventors:

Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL, US
Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA, US
Jimmy C. Ray - Denison TX, US

International Classification:

G01S003/02

US Classification:

342465, 342463, 342387

Abstract:

The time difference of arrival for a signal received at two or more receiving sites as transmitted from a wireless communications device, is determined by a frequency domain technique. The constituent frequencies of the signals received at the two or more receiving sites are determined, including the phase, or a value representative of the phase, of each frequency component. The phase values for the same frequency are subtracted to yield a phase difference values as a function of frequency. The slope of the function represents the time difference of arrival for the wireless communications device signal as received at the two receiving sites. To determine the mobile location based on the determined time difference of arrival values, a seed or initial location is first assumed for the wireless communications device and the distance difference of arrival (the time difference of arrival multiplied by the speed of light) is calculated. The calculated time difference of arrival is then used to adjust the distance difference of arrival by continuously iterating the position of the wireless communications device until the calculated distance of arrival and the calculated time difference of arrival (as multiplied by the speed of light) are within a predetermined margin.

US Patent:

7057556, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Apr 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/108216

Inventors:

Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL, US
Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA, US
Jimmy C. Ray - Denison TX, US

International Classification:

G01S 3/02
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

342387, 342451, 342465, 4554565

Abstract:

The time difference of arrival for a signal received at two or more receiving sites as transmitted from a wireless communications device, is determined by a frequency domain technique. The constituent frequencies of the signals received at the two or more receiving sites are determined, including the phase, or a value representative of the phase, of each frequency component. The phase values for the same frequency are subtracted to yield a phase difference values as a function of frequency. The slope of the function represents the time difference of arrival for the wireless communications device signal as received at the two receiving sites. To determine the mobile location based on the determined time difference of arrival values, a seed or initial location is first assumed for the wireless communications device and the distance difference of arrival (the time difference of arrival multiplied by the speed of light) is calculated. The calculated time difference of arrival is then used to adjust the distance difference of arrival by continuously iterating the position of the wireless communications device until the calculated distance of arrival and the calculated time difference of arrival (as multiplied by the speed of light) are within a predetermined margin.

US Patent:

7256737, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Apr 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/407314

Inventors:

Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL, US
Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA, US
Jimmy C. Ray - Denison TX, US

International Classification:

G01S 1/24
G01S 3/02

US Classification:

342387, 342463, 342465

Abstract:

The time difference of arrival for a signal received at two or more receiving sites as transmitted from a wireless communications device, is determined by a frequency domain technique. The constituent frequencies of the signals received at the two or more receiving sites are determined, including the phase, or a value representative of the phase, of each frequency component. The phase values for the same frequency are subtracted to yield a phase difference values as a function of frequency. The slope of the function represents the time difference of arrival for the wireless communications device signal as received at the two receiving sites. To determine the mobile location based on the determined time difference of arrival values, a seed or initial location is first assumed for the wireless communications device and the distance difference of arrival (the time difference of arrival multiplied by the speed of light) is calculated. The calculated time difference of arrival is then used to adjust the distance difference of arrival by continuously iterating the position of the wireless communications device until the calculated distance of arrival and the calculated time difference of arrival (as multiplied by the speed of light) are within a predetermined margin.

US Patent:

7522884, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Apr 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/105184

Inventors:

Clay S. Turner - Roswell GA, US
Christopher J. Hall - Satellite Beach FL, US

International Classification:

H04B 17/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455 6713, 455 6714, 455423

Abstract:

A data check tool useful for processing drive test data for assessing performance of a communications system. After (or during) test data collection, the data check tool processes the test data to determine whether the collected test data meets the requirements of a previously identified list of desired test data. The tool also determines whether the test data was collected using the correct test equipment and whether the test equipment was properly configured during the data collection process.

US Patent:

20070023496, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

Apr 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/403541

Inventors:

Christopher Hall - Satellite Beach FL, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

235375000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining a location of a person or object. A device is affixed to the person or the object and the location of the person/object determined according to various location determining techniques. Location information is sent to a supervising authority directly from a communications element of the device or through intermediate communications elements. Terrestrial-based signals can be used to determine location.