[Satellite Today 10-09-08] Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) has been awarded several patents for network-assisted GPS  methods and terminals by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, MSV announced Oct. 9.
    The patent involves technology that improves the efficiency of GPS capabilities when using future hybrid satellite-terrestrial phones and devices. 
    "This technique will reduce the computing complexity and processing time it takes to receive an accurate GPS location when using a satellite-terrestrial phone, similar to the devices that will use MSV’s emerging ancillary terrestrial component technology,” the patent’s inventor, Gary Churan, director of systems analysis and optimization for MSV, said in a statement.
    The Patent and Trademark Office also awarded MSV a patent for technology that entails methods of monitoring and measuring transmission power and signals that enable communications over integrated satellite-terrestrial networks.