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: Anchor points associated with point of sale information may be ordered by deriving a trajectory for the portable device, associating known positions of the anchor points with a map encompassing the trajectory, characterizing turns of the trajectory, generating candidate paths by comparing the characterized turns to the map, selecting a solution path that corresponds to the anchor points and ordering the anchor points based at least in part on the solution path.

Abstract: A two-filter based method of detecting and tracking a target that can track an unknown and time-varying number of targets, while keeping continuous track, even in scenarios with large number of false contacts or missing measurements, is provided. More specifically, a first filter provides target detection, a second filter provides target tracking of the detected targets, and a clustering technique that operates after the first filter. The first filter starts with a uniform distribution over the surveillance area and resets periodically after the clustering technique is run. When the clustering technique runs, it detects the clusters corresponding to the different targets and passes them to the second filter that tracks these targets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for user and moving vehicle detection in which sensor data for a portable device is processed to determine whether the portable device is in a moving vehicle. Following a determination the portable device is in a moving vehicle, the sensor data is to characterize an association between the user and the portable device to determine whether the portable device is connected to the user. If the user is connected to the portable device, it is then determined if the portable device is being held in hand. If the portable device is held in hand, it is then determined if the user is operating the moving vehicle. Output from an image sensor of the portable device may be used in determining if the user is the operator.

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: 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: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving platform, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), means for obtaining speed or velocity information and an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g., such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the moving platform, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver, sensor assembly and means for obtaining speed or velocity information, and operative to integrate the output information to produce a navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by using the speed or velocity information to decouple the actual motion of the platform from the readings of the sensor assembly.

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 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: A moving platform INS range corrector (“MPIRC”) module and its method of operation for providing navigation and positioning information. The module comprises: means, such as a receiver, for receiving a first set of absolute navigational information from an external source (such as satellites in case of GNSS); an inertial sensor unit for generating a second set of navigational information at the module; and a transceiver, for receiving and/or transmitting signals and estimating distance measurement from a known position and receiving position coordinates. The navigational information is used by a processor programmed with a core algorithm, to produce a navigation solution (which comprises position, velocity and attitude). The system has the following attributes: the solution is produced seamlessly, even if one source of navigational information is temporarily out of service; the accuracy of the solution is assisted by use of distance and position coordinate measurement from a known position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to detecting non-meaningful motion with a portable device. In one aspect, a suitable method includes detecting motion with a portable device by obtaining inertial sensor data representing motion of the portable device, wherein the inertial sensor data includes accelerometer data and gyroscope data, processing the accelerometer data, processing the gyroscope data and identifying non-meaningful motion of the portable device based, at least in part, on the processed accelerometer data and the processed gyroscope data.

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 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 system and method for integrated navigation integrating wireless measurements including at least angle of arrival (AOA) measurements with a navigation solution. This integrated navigation system provides an enhanced integrated navigation solution of a device within a platform (such as for example person, vehicle, or vessel), wherein the device can be strapped or non-strapped within the platform, wherein the device is non-strapped the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform, and wherein the device can be tilted to any orientation and still provide a seamless navigation solution without degradation in performance of said navigation solution. The device may include sensors such as for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, barometer among others. The present system and method can work whether in the presence or in the absence of absolute navigational information such as, for example, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

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 radius of rotation of the device, wherein mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform. 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. This method can utilize measurements (readings) from sensors (such as for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.) 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: 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 method and system for providing and enhanced navigation solution of a device within a platform (such as for example person, vehicle, or vessel of any type), wherein the device is within the platform and may 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, wherein the enhancement of the navigation solution is through multiple sensor assemblies, wherein the multiple sensors assemblies are not necessarily all on the device, and wherein the multiple sensors assemblies are within the platform. This method works for a navigation solution 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 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: Systems and methods are disclosed for characterizing on foot motion of a user with a portable device by obtaining parameters sufficient to characterize the on foot motion of the user from multiple sensor assemblies. Each additional sensor assembly may be independent of each other. The characterization of on foot motion is provided by synthesizing the parameters from the sensor assemblies. Characterization of on foot motion may include detecting a step, estimating step length, or both.

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.