Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining the misalignment between a device and a pedestrian, wherein the pedestrian can carry, hold, or use the device in different orientations in a constrained or unconstrained manner, and wherein the device includes an optical sensor or camera. The optical sensors have a corresponding frame for the optical sensors' axes. The misalignment between the device and the pedestrian means the misalignment between the frame of the optical sensor assembly or camera in the device and the frame of the pedestrian. The present method and apparatus can work whether in the presence or in the absence of absolute navigational information updates (such as, for example, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or WiFi positioning).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for integrating online, dynamic wireless system modeling with a navigation solution. The building of wireless dynamic online models for wireless positioning does not require pre-existing information such as pre-surveys and is capable of providing relatively better accuracy. Integration of the wireless positioning using dynamic online models with other navigation systems/solutions is proposed whereby the other navigation system/solution can benefit and enhance the building of wireless dynamic online models. In addition, the wireless dynamic online models can be optimally integrated with the other navigation system/solution for enhanced positioning performance.

Abstract: The navigation solution of a portable device may be enhanced using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive navigation solutions at a plurality of epochs over a first period of time. Position information for the device may be estimated at a time subsequent to the first period of time using the navigation solutions. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the portable device may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, estimated position information for at least one epoch during the first period of time may be updated. An enhanced navigation solution for the at least one epoch may be provided using the updated estimated position information and an uncertainty measure may be derived for the enhanced navigation solution.

Abstract: A navigation module for providing a real-time INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving object comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source and an assembly of self-container sensors for generating navigational information. The module also contains a processor coupled to receive the output information from the receiver and sensor assembly, and integrate the output information in real-time to produce an overall navigation solution. The overall navigation solution will contain a main navigation solution task, and at least one other task, where the other task is used to enhance the overall navigation solution.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing a navigation solution of a device within a platform (such as for example person, vehicle or vessel), wherein the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform, and wherein the device can be tilted to any orientation including vertical or near vertical orientations, while still providing a seamless navigation solution. This method can enhance navigation solutions utilizing measurements from sensors (such as, for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, etc.), whether in the presence or in the absence of absolute navigational information (such as, for example, GNSS or WiFi positioning).

Abstract: The navigation solution of a portable device may be enhanced using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive navigation solutions at a plurality of epochs over a first period of time. Position information for the device may be estimated at a time subsequent to the first period of time using the navigation solutions. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the portable device may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, estimated position information for at least one epoch during the first period of time may be updated. An enhanced navigation solution for the at least one epoch may be provided using the updated estimated position information.

Abstract: The positioning/navigation solution of a portable device may be enhanced by obtaining motion sensor data, estimating a trajectory for the portable device from the motion sensor data, obtaining map information for an environment encompassing locations of the portable device, representing the estimated trajectory using a set of connected vectors and performing global shape matching for the set of connected vectors as an aggregate whole from start to end of the trajectory to the map information as a global optimization problem to derive a solution path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an enhanced navigation solution for cycling applications is described herein. The navigation solution is about a device within a platform, which is a cycling platform such as for example a bicycle, a tricycle, or a unicycle amongst others. The device can be in any orientation with respect to the platform (such as for example in any location or orientation on the body of the cyclist). The device includes a sensor assembly. The sensors in the device may be for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, barometer among others. The present method and apparatus can work whether in the presence or in the absence of navigational information updates (such as, for example, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or WiFi positioning).

Abstract: One or more sets of anchor points may be assigned to one or more trajectories of a portable device by scoring each anchor point set with respect to each trajectory. The score for an anchor point set may be determined by cumulating the differences between each anchor point in the set with its closest trajectory segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a plurality of navigation solutions using a portable sensor device associated with a user. Motion sensor data may be used to derive a first navigation solution using the obtained sensor data under a first set of processing conditions navigation solution and to derive at least a second navigation solution using the sensor data under a second set of processing conditions, wherein the second navigation solution is refined as compared to the first navigation solution. As such, the second navigation solution may represent a more accurate or more complete solution, with the first navigation solution may represent a reduced expenditure of resources. The system includes the portable sensor device and optionally may include an auxiliary device associated with the user and/or remote processing resources.

Abstract: Anchor points associated with point of sale information may be ordered by segmenting a trajectory derived from sensor data defined by adjacent turns to generate candidate links for each segment from which possible paths for the trajectory are derived. Each derived possible path may be scored with a multi-objective function using a global optimization algorithm to select a solution path from the derived possible paths that may be used to order a plurality of anchor points.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining the misalignment between a device and a platform (such as for example a vessel or vehicle) using acceleration and/or deceleration of the platform, wherein the device can be strapped or non-strapped to the platform, wherein in case of non-strapped the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform. In case of non-strapped, the device may be moved or tilted to any orientation within the platform and still provide a seamless navigation solution without degrading the performance of this navigation solution. When the device is in a holder in the platform, it is still considered non-strapped, as it may move with respect to the platform. The present method can utilize measurements (readings) from sensors (such as for example, accelerometers, odometer/wheel encoders, gyroscopes, etc.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to enhancing the navigation solution of a portable device using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive a navigation solution. Position information for the device may be estimated using the navigation solution. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the user may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, updated estimated position information may be provided. The updated estimated position information may be provided as output or feedback to enhance the navigation solution.

Abstract: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a device that can either be tethered or move freely within a moving platform is provided, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g. such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the device, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver and sensor assembly, and operative to integrate the output information to produce an enhanced navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by benefiting from nonlinear models and filters that do not suffer from approximation or linearization and which enhance the navigation solution of the device.

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: The navigation solution of a portable device may be enhanced using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive navigation solutions at a plurality of epochs over a first period of time. Position information for the device may be estimated at a time subsequent to the first period of time using the navigation solutions. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the portable device may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, estimated position information for at least one epoch during the first period of time may be updated. An enhanced navigation solution for the at least one epoch may be provided using the updated estimated position information and an uncertainty measure may be derived for the enhanced navigation solution.

Abstract: The navigation solution of a device may be enhanced by perforating multiple pass smoothing. Forward and backward processing of the input data may be performed to derive interim navigation solutions. One or more quantities of the interim navigation solutions may be combined to smooth the quantities. At least one additional pass of forward and backward processing may then be performed using quantities of the navigation solution that were combined to enhance the interim navigation solutions. Next, at least one uncombined quantity of the navigation solution from the enhanced interim navigation solution is combined to provide an enhanced smoothed navigation solution. Additional passes may be performed to combine other quantities of the navigation solution as desired.

Abstract: The navigation solution of a portable device may be enhanced using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive navigation solutions at a plurality of epochs over a first period of time. Position information for the device may be estimated at a time subsequent to the first period of time using the navigation solutions. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the portable device may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, estimated position information for at least one epoch during the first period of time may be updated. An enhanced navigation solution for the at least one epoch may be provided using the updated estimated position information.