Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for a mobile mapping system are described. In an embodiment, a method includes capturing a plurality of images of an object point using a mobile computing platform. The method may also include determining an initial set of orientation parameters in response to one or more orientation sensors on the mobile computing platform. Additionally, the method may include calculating a corrected set of orientation parameters by matching object points in the plurality of images. Further, the method may include estimating a three-dimensional ground coordinate associated with the captured images in response to the corrected set of orientation parameters.

Abstract: An integrated navigation solution is provided for a device within a moving platform. Motion sensor data from a sensor assembly of the device is obtained, optical samples from at least one optical sensor for the platform are obtained and map information for an environment encompassing the platform is obtained. Correspondingly, an integrated navigation solution is generated based at least in part on the obtained motion sensor data using a nonlinear state estimation technique, wherein the nonlinear state estimation technique uses a nonlinear measurement model for optical sensor data. Generating the integrated navigation solution includes using the sensor data with the nonlinear state estimation technique and integrating the optical sensor data directly by updating the nonlinear state estimation technique using the nonlinear measurement model and the map information. The integrated navigation solution is then provided.

Abstract: Vehicle body tilt, representing a difference between a vehicle body frame of reference and a wheel-base frame of reference, is determined by obtaining information from sensor assemblies for the vehicle body and for the wheel-base. Navigational solutions are generated for the sensor assemblies using motion sensor data from the assemblies and absolute navigational information. Correspondingly, vehicle body tilt is determined based at least in part on the vehicle body navigation solution and the wheel-base navigation solution.

Abstract: An integrated navigation solution is provided for a device within a moving platform. Motion sensor data is obtained from a sensor assembly of the device, radar measurements for the platform are obtained and map information for an environment encompassing the platform is obtained. Correspondingly, an integrated navigation solution is generated based at least in part on the obtained motion sensor data using a nonlinear state estimation technique, wherein the nonlinear state estimation technique uses a nonlinear measurement model for radar measurements. Generating the integrated navigation solution includes using the sensor data with the nonlinear state estimation technique and integrating the radar measurements directly by updating the nonlinear state estimation technique using the nonlinear measurement models and the map information. The integrated navigation solution is then provided.

Abstract: An integrated navigation solution is provided for a device within a moving platform. Motion sensor data from a sensor assembly of the device is obtained, optical samples from at least one optical sensor for the platform are obtained and map information for an environment encompassing the platform is obtained. Correspondingly, an integrated navigation solution is generated based at least in part on the obtained motion sensor data using a nonlinear state estimation technique, wherein the nonlinear state estimation technique uses a nonlinear measurement model for optical sensor data. Generating the integrated navigation solution includes using the sensor data with the nonlinear state estimation technique and integrating the optical sensor data directly by updating the nonlinear state estimation technique using the nonlinear measurement model and the map information. The integrated navigation solution is then provided.

Abstract: Vehicle body tilt, representing a difference between a vehicle body frame of reference and a wheel-base frame of reference, is determined by obtaining information from sensor assemblies for the vehicle body and for the wheel-base. Navigational solutions are generated for the sensor assemblies using motion sensor data from the assemblies and absolute navigational information. Correspondingly, vehicle body tilt is determined based at least in part on the vehicle body navigation solution and the wheel-base navigation solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a navigational constraint for a portable device using an optical sensor. The navigational constraint may be used to supplement other navigational solutions or may be used independently. The optical sensor may capture a plurality of samples to be processed to determine the constraint. Determining the constraint may include any or all of determining a context for usage, distinguishing usage modes, estimating an orientation of the portable device, determining an absolute and/or relative elevation, determining a direction of motion and determining a speed of the portable device from the samples.

Abstract: An integrated navigation solution is provided for a device within a moving platform. Motion sensor data is obtained from a sensor assembly of the device, radar measurements for the platform are obtained and map information for an environment encompassing the platform is obtained. Correspondingly, an integrated navigation solution is generated based at least in part on the obtained motion sensor data using a nonlinear state estimation technique, wherein the nonlinear state estimation technique uses a nonlinear measurement model for radar measurements. Generating the integrated navigation solution includes using the sensor data with the nonlinear state estimation technique and integrating the radar measurements directly by updating the nonlinear state estimation technique using the nonlinear measurement models and the map information. The integrated navigation solution is then provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for categorizing a device use case for on foot motion with a portable device. Motion sensor data corresponding to motion of the portable device may be obtained, such as from a sensor assembly of the device. The motions sensor data is processed. Further, a use case characteristic may be determined from the processed and/or raw motion sensor data, an effective frequency may be determined from the processed and/or raw motion sensor data and/or an Eigen use case may be determined. The device use case may then be classified using the processed and/or raw motion sensor data and at least one of the use case characteristic, the effective frequency and the Eigen use case.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cart navigation using a portable device that is conveyed by the cart, but may be tethered or untethered and wherein mobility of the portable device may be constrained or unconstrained within the cart. The cart may be any apparatus propelled by on foot motion of a user. The portable device may have an integrated sensor assembly integrated with at least one sensor outputting data representing motion of the portable device. From the motion sensor data, it may be determined if the portable device is in a cart motion mode, if the cart is moving and an effective motion frequency for the portable device. Further, the motion sensor data may be reconstructed, a heading misalignment angle calculated and steps taken by the user detected. From this information, dead reckoning for the cart may be performed so that a navigation solution may be provided.

Abstract: A survey for building fingerprint maps for an area may be achieved using map information to generate a grid of nodes and links, then transforming the grid to a directed graph, generating an improved tour that entirely traverses the directed graph and providing at least one survey route based at least in part on the tour to a surveyor that will perform the survey route. The provided survey route may be traversed with at least one device having an integrated sensor assembly that outputs data representing motion of the device and recording signal measurements with each device at a plurality of positions to generate a fingerprint map. The traversal of the provided survey route may be assessed through in-route assessment and/or post-route assessment. Depending on the assessment, the provided survey route may be re-traversed or a next survey route may be scheduled.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating speed and/or velocity for a portable device using an optical sensor. The optical sensor may capture a plurality of samples to be processed to estimate speed. The speed or velocity may be estimated based on a determined context and/or usage of the portable device. The estimated speed or velocity may be used to supplement other navigational solutions or may be used independently.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for determining a navigational constraint for a portable device using an ultrasonic sensor. The navigational constraint may be used to supplement other navigational solutions or may be used independently. The ultrasonic sensor may provide a plurality of samples to be processed to determine the constraint. Processing the ultrasonic samples may include performing a flow analysis regarding detected external objects. Determining the constraint may include any or all of determining a context for usage, distinguishing usage modes, estimating relative heading changes, and estimating misalignment angle between device and platform needed to determine direction of motion of the platform and determining a speed of the portable device from the samples.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cart navigation using a portable device that is conveyed by the cart, but may be tethered or untethered and wherein mobility of the portable device may be constrained or unconstrained within the cart. The cart may be any apparatus propelled by on foot motion of a user. The portable device may have an integrated sensor assembly integrated with at least one sensor outputting data representing motion of the portable device. From the motion sensor data, it may be determined if the portable device is in a cart motion mode, if the cart is moving and an effective motion frequency for the portable device. Further, the motion sensor data may be reconstructed, a heading misalignment angle calculated and steps taken by the user detected. From this information, dead reckoning for the cart may be performed so that a navigation solution may be provided.

Abstract: This disclosure is about a method and apparatus for estimating heading misalignment between a device and a person, where the device/apparatus comprises an optical sensor, the optical sensor capable of capturing an image of the person. At least one physical feature of the person is extracted from the image. A misalignment angle is estimated using the at least one physical feature of the person extracted from the image.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to heading misalignment estimation with a portable device and more specifically to estimating misalignment between a portable device having a sensor assembly and a platform transporting the portable device when the platform is undergoing motion having periodic characteristics. In one aspect, a suitable method includes obtaining inertial sensor data for the portable device and determining an effective frequency characteristic of the inertial sensor data representing the motion having periodic characteristics. The inertial sensor data may be processed using the determined frequency characteristic so that a heading misalignment may be estimated between the heading of the portable device and the platform.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for a mobile mapping system are described. In an embodiment, a method includes capturing a plurality of images of an object point using a mobile computing platform. The method may also include determining an initial set of orientation parameters in response to one or more orientation sensors on the mobile computing platform. Additionally, the method may include calculating a corrected set of orientation parameters by matching object points in the plurality of images. Further, the method may include estimating a three-dimensional ground coordinate associated with the captured images in response to the corrected set of orientation parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for determining a navigational constraint for a portable device using an ultrasonic sensor. The navigational constraint may be used to supplement other navigational solutions or may be used independently. The ultrasonic sensor may provide a plurality of samples to be processed to determine the constraint. Processing the ultrasonic samples may include performing a flow analysis regarding detected external objects. Determining the constraint may include any or all of determining a context for usage, distinguishing usage modes, estimating relative heading changes, and estimating misalignment angle between device and platform needed to determine direction of motion of the platform and determining a speed of the portable device from the samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating speed and/or velocity for a portable device using an optical sensor. The optical sensor may capture a plurality of samples to be processed to estimate speed. The speed or velocity may be estimated based on a determined context and/or usage of the portable device. The estimated speed or velocity may be used to supplement other navigational solutions or may be used independently.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to heading misalignment estimation with a portable device and more specifically to estimating misalignment between a portable device having a sensor assembly and a platform transporting the portable device when the platform is undergoing motion having periodic characteristics. In one aspect, a suitable method includes obtaining inertial sensor data for the portable device and determining an effective frequency characteristic of the inertial sensor data representing the motion having periodic characteristics. The inertial sensor data may be processed using the determined frequency characteristic so that a heading misalignment may be estimated between the heading of the portable device and the platform.