Using Millimeter Waves to Map Your Surroundings for Better Location
This patent describes a way for a mobile device to use millimeter wave signals to understand its environment and pinpoint its location by analyzing how those signals bounce off surfaces.
Original patent title: “System, method and computer-accessible medium for real time imaging using a portable device”
This patent describes a way for a mobile device to use millimeter wave signals to understand its environment and pinpoint its location by analyzing how those signals bounce off surfaces. Owned by New York University NYU with 22 claims and 2 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2043.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This invention uses millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequency signals to create a map and determine a device's location. A transmitting device sends out these signals, which then bounce off surfaces like walls or furniture, creating 'multipath components.' The device receives these bounced signals and analyzes information from them, such as the angle they arrived (AoA) or when they arrived (time of arrival). Using this data, along with a stored map, a ray tracing process calculates the device's precise location. It can then generate images or video of the surroundings, potentially showing other objects in the environment. For example, a phone could use this to show a user exactly where they are in a large building or to highlight obstacles.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Methods that do not use millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequency signals.
- Systems that do not analyze multipath components of the RF signal.
- Methods that do not determine at least two pieces of information like AoA, AoD, time of arrival, RTA, or phase.
- Techniques that do not use a stored 2D or 3D map of the environment.
- Processes that do not employ a ray tracing calculation to determine location.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in combining mmWave signal analysis with existing map data and ray tracing. This allows for precise localization by understanding how the signals interact with the physical environment, rather than relying solely on satellite signals which fail indoors.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Advanced indoor navigation systems
Augmented reality applications requiring precise spatial awareness
Robotics and autonomous systems needing environmental mapping
Smartphones with enhanced location services
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Accurate indoor positioning is a long-standing challenge. This technology offers a potential solution by leveraging readily available millimeter wave frequencies, which are key to modern high-speed wireless communication like 5G. It could enable new location-aware applications and improve existing ones that struggle with GPS indoors.
Filed
March 10, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies involved in 5G infrastructure and device development, as well as those creating advanced spatial computing and augmented reality platforms, are likely exploring similar mmWave positioning technologies. This includes major telecommunications equipment providers and smartphone manufacturers.
Market impact
If successfully implemented, this technology could significantly enhance indoor location services, moving beyond the limitations of GPS. It could spur the development of new applications in retail, logistics, and personal navigation, creating a more seamless integration of digital information with the physical world.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This invention uses millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequency signals to create a map and determine a device's location. A transmitting device sends out these signals, which then bounce off surfaces like walls or furniture, creating 'multipath components.' The device receives these bounced signals and analyzes information from them, such as the angle they arrived (AoA) or when they arrived (time of arrival). Using this data, along with a stored map, a ray tracing process calculates the device's precise location. It can then generate images or video of the surroundings, potentially showing other objects in the environment. For example, a phone could use this to show a user exactly where they are in a large building or to highlight obstacles.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in combining mmWave signal analysis with existing map data and ray tracing. This allows for precise localization by understanding how the signals interact with the physical environment, rather than relying solely on satellite signals which fail indoors.
What it does not cover
- Methods that do not use millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequency signals.
- Systems that do not analyze multipath components of the RF signal.
- Methods that do not determine at least two pieces of information like AoA, AoD, time of arrival, RTA, or phase.
- Techniques that do not use a stored 2D or 3D map of the environment.
- Processes that do not employ a ray tracing calculation to determine location.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$70K – $225K
Midpoint $140K · 16.4 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Rappaport, T. S. Using Millimeter Waves to Map Your Surroundings for Better Location (U.S. Patent No. 20,230,213,647). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230213647/system-method-and-computer-accessible-medium-for-real-time-imaging-using-a-porta
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Using Millimeter Waves to Map Your Surroundings for Better Location cover?
This patent describes a way for a mobile device to use millimeter wave signals to understand its environment and pinpoint its location by analyzing how those signals bounce off surfaces.
Who owns patent US 20230213647?
This patent is owned by New York University NYU.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 10, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20230213647 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Accurate indoor positioning is a long-standing challenge. This technology offers a potential solution by leveraging readily available millimeter wave frequencies, which are key to modern high-speed wireless communication like 5G. It could enable new location-aware applications and improve existing ones that struggle with GPS indoors.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Methods that do not use millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequency signals.
Patent monitoring