Importance

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Abstract

A global synchronization unit (GSU) for time and space (TS) stamping of input data elements. The GSU comprises a GPS Receiver and an associated antenna for receiving GPS signals from signal sources associated with a GPS system symbolically embedded within a global reference system, and processing received GPS signals so as to automatically produce time and space (TS) stamp data element representative of the time and space coordinates of the GSU with respect to said global reference system at each data sampling instant occurring within the GSU. The GSU further comprises a central processor, operably connected to the GPS Receiver, and also a data input port, operably connected to a data input device and the central processor, for receiving an input data element from the data input device, at each data sampling instant. During GSU operation, the central processor (i) connects the input data element received at the data input port at each data sampling instant, with the TS-stamp data element generated at the sampling instant so as to produce a TS-stamped input data element, and (ii) stores each TS-stamped input data element in memory. By virtue of the present invention, the GSU enables collection of TS-coordinate information aboard the GSU for storage and subsequent transmission to a host computing device, which may be connected to an information network. The GSU can be used in diverse user applications, in which TS-stamping operations are required.

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First Claim