Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons are supplied from a central database maintained by a central facility to a wireless computing device, the identification information and positional information usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. The central facility receives a contribution from the wireless computing device of identification information and positional information for at least one wireless beacon, the positional information of the at least one wireless beacon estimated based on the position of the wireless computing device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons are supplied from a central database maintained by a central facility to a wireless computing device, the identification information and positional information usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. The central facility receives a contribution from the wireless computing device of identification information and positional information for at least one wireless beacon, the positional information of the at least one wireless beacon estimated based on the position of the wireless computing device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons are supplied from a central database maintained by a central facility to a wireless computing device, the identification information and positional information usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. The central facility receives a contribution from the wireless computing device of identification information and positional information for at least one wireless beacon, the positional information of the at least one wireless beacon estimated based on the position of the wireless computing device.

Abstract: Monitoring technique includes identifying objects in images and associating color characteristics with each identified object. When the color characteristics of an object in one image are above a color resemblance threshold to the color characteristics of an object in another image, the object in both images is considered the same. Otherwise, the respective object in both images are considered to be different. Data about time that each image including an identified object was obtained and location of each object when each image including an identified object was obtained is derived. An information conveyance system is activated to convey the time and location-related data about identified objects relative to defined areas of the site or movement of the identified objects or people into, between or out of the defined areas of the site or a communication resulting from such data satisfying one or more conditions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons is downloaded to a local database of a wireless computing device from a central database. The local database is usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. A receiver unit of the wireless computing device may receive signals from wireless beacons that include a least one new wireless beacon not included in the local database. The wireless positioning system estimates positional information of the at least one new wireless beacon based on the position of the wireless computing device. Identification information and positional information for the at least one new wireless beacon is added to the local database. Thereafter, a contribution may be uploaded to the central database for the at least one wireless beacon, to further build the central database.

Abstract: Method for controlling movement of a mobile device includes obtaining an analyzeable video from an imager on the device during its movement by obtaining at least one video from the imager, and analyzing, using a processor, each video to determine presence of a fixed-in-position object in multiple sequentially obtained frames until a video is obtained including at least one fixed-in-position object in multiple sequentially obtained frames which constitutes the analyzeable video. This video is analyzed on a frame by frame basis to determine distance and direction moved by the device, which is analyzed relative to predetermined distance and direction intended for movement of the device to determine any differences, which result in changes in movement of the device. Relocation of the device is achieved by recognizing a previously imaged, fixed object in subsequent frames and comparing the position of the device at both times, with a deviation resulting in relocation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein identification information and positional information about wireless beacons is downloaded to a local database of a wireless computing device from a central database. The local database is usable by a wireless positioning system of the wireless computing device to estimate a position of the wireless computing device. A receiver unit of the wireless computing device may receive signals from wireless beacons that include a least one new wireless beacon not included in the local database. The wireless positioning system estimates positional information of the at least one new wireless beacon based on the position of the wireless computing device. Identification information and positional information for the at least one new wireless beacon is added to the local database. Thereafter, a contribution may be uploaded to the central database for the at least one wireless beacon, to further build the central database.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein locations of Wi-Fi access points included in a collaborative database are both consumed to estimate the position of a wireless computing device and updated based on the position of the wireless computing device. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each one or more first Wi-Fi access points in signal reception range of the wireless computing device is determined based on a unique or semi-unique identification of each first Wi-Fi access point. A wireless positioning system estimates a position of the wireless computing device based on the geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points. It may be determined that a Wi-Fi access point of one or more second Wi-Fi access points in signal reception range of the wireless computing device is a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database.

Abstract: Method for determining position of a mobile device having an imaging device includes obtaining an image of a mark on a known-position object from the imaging device, the mark having an encoded position, decoding the mark to derive data about the position of the mark using a database of marks and their positions, and analyzing appearance of the mark in the image in combination with the derived data about the position of the mark to determine the position of the mobile device. Mark appearance analysis may involve analyzing an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging device and a surface of the mark.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein locations of Wi-Fi access points included in a collaborative database are both consumed to estimate the position of a wireless computing device and updated based on the position of the wireless computing device. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each one or more first Wi-Fi access points in signal reception range of the wireless computing device is determined based on a unique or semi-unique identification of each first Wi-Fi access point. A wireless positioning system estimates a position of the wireless computing device based on the geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points. It may be determined that a Wi-Fi access point of one or more second Wi-Fi access points in signal reception range of the wireless computing device is a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database.

Abstract: Method for providing position-based information to a mobile device with at least one imaging device includes obtaining, using the imaging device, an image including a stationary pattern of pixels, searching through a database of pixel patterns for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image, the database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns, and retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image. Data is provided to the mobile device, i.e., to a data output device or functionality thereof, dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image.

Abstract: Monitoring technique includes identifying objects in images and associating color characteristics with each identified object. When the color characteristics of an object in one image are above a color resemblance threshold to the color characteristics of an object in another image, the object in both images is considered the same. Otherwise, the respective object in both images are considered to be different. Data about time that each image including an identified object was obtained and location of each object when each image including an identified object was obtained is derived. An information conveyance system is activated to convey the time and location-related data about identified objects relative to defined areas of the site or movement of the identified objects or people into, between or out of the defined areas of the site or a communication resulting from such data satisfying one or more conditions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein a wireless computing device both consumes and provides geographic locations for Wi-Fi access points to a collaborative database. The wireless computing device receives signals from one or more first Wi-Fi access points. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points is determined and a position of the wireless computing device is estimated. The wireless computing device may receive signals from one or more second Wi-Fi access points. A Wi-Fi access point of the one or more second Wi-Fi access points may be determined to be a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database and the wireless computing device may update the collaborative database based, at least in part, on one or more positions of the wireless computing device.

Abstract: Monitoring technique includes identifying objects in images and associating color characteristics with each identified object. When the color characteristics of an object in one image is above a color resemblance threshold to the color characteristics of an object in another image, the object in both images is considered the same. Otherwise, the respective object in both images are considered to be different. Data about time that each image including an identified object was obtained and location of each object when each image including an identified object was obtained is derived. An information conveyance system is activated to convey the time and location-related data about identified objects relative to defined areas of the site or movement of the identified objects or people into, between or out of the defined areas of the site or a communication resulting from such data satisfying one or more conditions.

Abstract: Method for determining position of a mobile device having an imaging device includes obtaining an image of a mark on a known-position object from the imaging device, the mark having an encoded position, decoding the mark to derive data about the position of the mark using a database of marks and their positions, and analyzing appearance of the mark in the image in combination with the derived data about the position of the mark to determine the position of the mobile device. Mark appearance analysis may involve analyzing an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging device and a surface of the mark.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program for generating a database of pixel patterns includes obtaining images using an imaging system of mobile devices, each image including a pixel pattern, and determining a position of the mobile device using a positioning system at least partly situated on the mobile device when each image is obtained using the imaging system of the mobile device. Positional relationships between a size and/or angular orientation of the pattern of pixels and an associated determined position of the mobile device when the at least one image including the pattern of pixels was obtained are generated and enables retrieval of an estimation of the position of the mobile device upon input of another image including the pattern of pixels. The generated positional relationships between the size and/or angular orientation of the pattern of pixels and the associated determined position of the mobile device are stored in a database.

Abstract: Method for determining position of a mobile device having an imaging device includes obtaining an image of a mark on a known-position object from the imaging device, the mark having an encoded position, decoding the mark to derive data about the position of the mark using a database of marks and their positions, and analyzing appearance of the mark in the image in combination with the derived data about the position of the mark to derive the position of the mobile device. Mark appearance analysis may involve analyzing an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging device and a surface of the mark.

Abstract: Monitoring technique includes identifying objects in images and associating color characteristics with each identified object. When the color characteristics of an object in one image is above a color resemblance threshold to the color characteristics of an object in another image, the object in both images is considered the same. Otherwise, the respective object in both images are considered to be different. Data about time that each image including an identified object was obtained and location of each object when each image including an identified object was obtained is derived. An information conveyance system is activated to convey the time and location-related data about identified objects relative to defined areas of the site or movement of the identified objects or people into, between or out of the defined areas of the site or a communication resulting from such data satisfying one or more conditions.

Abstract: Method for determining position of a mobile device having an imaging device includes obtaining an image of a mark on a known-position object from the imaging device, the mark having an encoded position, decoding the mark to derive data about the position of the mark using a database of marks and their positions, and analyzing appearance of the mark in the image in combination with the derived data about the position of the mark to derive the position of the mobile device. Mark appearance analysis may involve analyzing an angle between an imaging direction of the imaging device and a surface of the mark.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein a wireless computing device both consumes and provides geographic locations for Wi-Fi access points to a collaborative database. The wireless computing device receives signals from one or more first Wi-Fi access points. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points is determined and a position of the wireless computing device is estimated. The wireless computing device may receive signals from one or more second Wi-Fi access points. A Wi-Fi access point of the one or more second Wi-Fi access points may be determined to be a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database and the wireless computing device may update the collaborative database based, at least in part, on one or more positions of the wireless computing device.