Abstract: An RFID localization system includes RFID tags positioned at known locations in a local frame of reference. Each RFID tag generates an RF signal indicative of its unique identity. RF antennas are mounted on a mobile vehicle at known positions/orientations relative to a reference point thereon. Each antenna has a range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith and detects each RF signal generated by any of the RFID tags within its range-bounded field-of-view. A processor coupled to the antennas stores information to include (i) each of the known locations of the RFID tags along with their unique identification, (ii) each known position and orientation of the antennas, and (iii) each range-bounded field-of-view associated with each antenna. The processor implements an evolutionary optimization scheme using the stored information based on each RF signal so-detected in order to determine a position and orientation of the mobile vehicle in the local frame of reference.

Abstract: The navigation system method described herein could guide people around urban environments, detect guide and navigate them to destinations, add-on to the portable phone. We have focused on the task of detecting and navigating even in situations in which Global Positioning Systems (GPS) cannot provide this information, such as when the person is indoors or in crowded urban areas where there is no line of site to the GPS satellites. The information will be received directly from RF sensors and will display on the existing cellular phone as Bluetooth application.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus may receive a first direction from a reference target to an external apparatus and a first distance from the reference target to a position of the external apparatus. A direction acquiring unit acquires a second direction from the reference target to the position, and a distance acquiring unit acquires a second distance between the reference target and the position. A computing unit computes a direction and a distance from the position to the external apparatus based on the first direction, the first distance, the second direction and the second distance, in order to output a computation result from an output unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an interface between application software and an SPS sub-system embedded in a location-enabled device is described. In one example, the location-enabled device includes a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver, a hardware communication port coupled to the SPS receiver, a central processing unit (CPU), and a memory. The memory stores program code for execution by the CPU. The program code includes application software, SPS control software, and a driver. The application software is configured to communicate using the hardware communication port. The SPS control software is configured to control the SPS receiver. The driver is configured to provide a virtual communication port between the application software and the SPS control software.

Abstract: In an example implementation, an autonomous vehicle is configured to detect closures and lane shifts in a lane of travel. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode and determine a presence of an obstacle substantially positioned in a lane of travel of the vehicle using a sensor. The lane of travel has a first side, a second side, and a center, and the obstacle is substantially positioned on the first side. The autonomous vehicle includes a computer system. The computer system determines a lateral distance between the obstacle and the center, compares the lateral distance to a pre-determined threshold, and provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the comparison.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a main board, wherein the main board includes: a first pad; a second pad connected to the first pad; and a third pad connected to both the first pad and the second pad. The disclosure also discloses a method of implementing network/card locking, wherein the method includes: transmitting, by an encryption chip, a blocking request to a central processing unit when the encryption chip detects authentication-related information that is provided by a user identification unit to the central processing unit, and determines that the authentication-related information does not meet a preset network/card locking requirement from a mobile operator; blocking, by the central processing unit, the mobile terminal from normal operation when receiving the blocking request. Meanwhile, the disclosure also discloses a mobile terminal in which network/card locking is implemented, wherein the mobile terminal includes a central processing unit, a user identification unit and an encryption chip.

Abstract: A method of modifying calibration data used to geo-locate a mobile station located in an indoor environment is disclosed. When a mobile station is located indoors, the signal strength of signals received and/or transmitted by the mobile station have the tendency to be lower than the strength of the signals received by a mobile station located outdoors. As a result of these lower signal strengths, geo-location efforts which rely on signal strengths may result in unsatisfactory location accuracy. Modifying pre-existing calibration data obtained outdoors may provide a way to simulate indoor calibration data characteristics.

Abstract: When active software makes a request for measuring position information, during roaming, a control unit does not execute GPS measurement, but notifies the software of an error indicating that, for example, measurement is failed, and thereby prevents establishment of communication for a function which cannot be executed by the software.

Abstract: System and method for traffic mapping service are disclosed for allowing plurality of users having each a navigation device to transmit their locations to a server and optionally to signal to the server their requested destination. The system and method are further capable of calculating traffic parameters such as current traffic speed at a given road based on the momentary locations of the users. The system and method of the invention may also calculate and advise the users of preferred roads to take in order to arrive at the requested location with minimum delay.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the cellular range of communications using a vehicle telematics unit. The system includes the vehicle telematics unit which is connected with other vehicle hardware and includes wireless cellular capability for communicating from the vehicle to a call center or other facilities via a wireless communication system. The method carried out by the system includes identifying a cellular base station in wireless communication with a vehicle telematics unit; attempting an emergency call via the identified cellular base station using the vehicle telematics unit; determining that a forward link portion of a cellular signal between the vehicle telematics unit and the identified cellular base station lacks sufficient strength to place the attempted emergency call; and transmitting emergency communications via the identified cellular base station using a reverse link portion of the cellular signal based on the determination.

Abstract: A system for naming a location includes a mobile communication device equipped with a position locator system that is configured to identify a location of the device, a first data store for storing general information that is managed by or for an entity other than the user and that is related to the location, a second data store for storing user-specific information that is managed by or for the user, and a name generation module. According to aspects of one embodiment, the name generation module is configured to receive the location of the mobile communication device, to retrieve from the first data store general information relating to the location, and to generate a name for the location based on an atemporal correlation between the general information and the user-specific information.

Abstract: The mobile radio unit (phone, smartphone) comprises body 16 with an incorporated processor 1. The processor 1 is connected with memory 2, display 3, audible alarm aids 4, keyboard 5, power unit 6, navigator 9, and transceiver 15. The radio unit is equipped with radiation detector 8, electronic amplifier 7 and interface 10 connected to the processor 1. The detector 8 provides measuring alpha-, beta-, gamma- and neutron emissions and solar radiation levels. The processor 1 is provided with software, which ensures both communication functions and control, warning of exposure levels, measuring background radiation, building diagrams illustrating state of human organs. The keyboard 5 comprises keys for dosimeter and/or radiometer mode control. The detector 8, the interface 10 and the amplifier 7 can be placed in the mobile unit body 16 or in separate detachable unit. Thus, there was constructed an efficient mobile unit, which ensures an extended functionality.

Abstract: A navigation system for motor vehicles includes a receiving unit for receiving traffic messages to which a location information object is in each case assigned. A display unit for displaying a digital road map and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the receiving unit and the display unit, and is operatively configured such that cutouts of a digital road map to which the traffic messages relate are successively displayed of the display.

Abstract: A set of location fixes is obtained for a plurality of mobile stations, wherein each mobile station is served by a serving area of a wireless network at a respective date and time of day. The set of location fixes is used to determine different geographic parameters that apply to the serving area for different time periods (e.g., different days of the week and/or times of day). A location server may receive a request to locate a mobile station that is being served by the serving area at a current date/time. The location server may select a representative location and at least one uncertainty parameter based on the geographic parameters that apply to the serving area for the time period corresponding to the current date/time, and report the representative location and at least one uncertainty parameter in response to the request.

Abstract: Probe data is analyzed to derive Longitudinal Speed Profiles (LSPs) and an Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) for each road segment or link in a digital map network. The Longitudinal Speed Profiles (LSPs) profiles are calculated during defined time spans whereas the Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) is based on the LSP for the time span corresponding only to free flow traffic conditions. All of the LSPs can used to create a respective energy cost for each time span, or only the OLSP (18) can be used (or alternatively the RRDSL 16 or LRRDSL 17) to calculate an energy cost for the free flow conditions only. The energy cost can be used to predict the energy required by a vehicle to traverse the link. Navigation software can use the energy cost to plan the most energy efficient route between two locations in the digital map. Sensory signals can be activated if a driver strays from the Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) to achieve extremely high levels of energy efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system transmits a location measure signal for determining a location of a user equipment to the user equipment by allocating the location measure signal to at least one of symbols to which a synchronization signal is transmitted conventionally. In this case, a location related parameter of the user equipment can be measured with higher accuracy.

Abstract: A vehicle can be controlled in a first autonomous mode of operation by at least navigating the vehicle based on map data. Sensor data can be obtained using one or more sensors of the vehicle. The sensor data can be indicative of an environment of the vehicle. An inadequacy in the map data can be detected by at least comparing the map data to the sensor data. In response to detecting the inadequacy in the map data, the vehicle can be controlled in a second autonomous mode of operation and a user can be prompted to switch to a manual mode of operation. The vehicle can be controlled in the second autonomous mode of operation by at least obtaining additional sensor data using the one or more sensors of the vehicle and navigating the vehicle based on the additional sensor data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for processing a remote lock command message. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a mobile device, a remote lock command message comprising a lock command and specifying a passcode to be set by the mobile device, locking the mobile device in response to the received remote lock command message, setting an unlock passcode associated with the mobile device to the specified passcode, and generating an acknowledgement message in response to the remote lock command message. Further, receiving the remote lock command message can include accessing a subscribed topic hosted on a notification service, the subscribed topic being associated with a lock command, and retrieving the remote lock command message from the subscribed topic. Additionally, locking the mobile device can include locking a display such that access to information stored on the mobile device and device functionality are blocked.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for processing a remote command message. In one aspect, a method includes accessing a subscribed topic hosted on a notification service, the subscribed topic corresponding to a mobile device, retrieving a remote command message included in the subscribed topic that identifies a command to be executed by the mobile device, determining whether the command can be executed by the mobile device, publishing a result message associated with the command, and executing, by the mobile device, the command based on the determining. Publishing the result message further can include identifying in the remote command message a result topic corresponding to the notification service and publishing the result message to the identified result topic. Additionally, the subscribed topic can be uniquely associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for providing a communication assistance service by a communication assistance service provider includes receiving a communication at the communication assistance service provider from a first person seeking a contact information to communicate with a second person and receiving from the first person identifying information associated with the second person. A profile of the second person is retrieved including at least one contact information and at least one contact preference associated with the contact information. Communication is provided between the first person and the second person in accordance with the contact preferences.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recommending a navigation destination based upon recent updates are provided. The apparatus and methods include, in one or more aspects, receiving a request from a user communication device for a desired item, and associating a user location of the user communication device with a destination location of a provider of the desired item. Further, the one or more aspects include identifying a destination communication device at the destination location, and querying the destination communication device for a human-originating response to obtain a current accessibility status of the desired item. Additionally, the one or more aspects include reporting the destination location of the provider and the current accessibility status to the user communication device.

Abstract: A base station for use in a mobile communications network includes a frequency synthesizer for generating signals at desired frequencies and a packet data interface for transmitting and receiving packet data signals over a wide area network. The basestation is configured to determine an elapsed time since it last synchronized the frequency synthesizer to a master device. The basestation is also configured to request synchronization packet data signals from the master device when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined holdover period.

Abstract: A wireless ranging system for determining a range of a remote wireless device may include a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless ranging system may also include a ranging controller to cooperate with the wireless transmitter and receiver to generate a multi-carrier base waveform, transmit a sounder waveform to the remote wireless device including concatenated copies of the multi-carrier base waveform, and receive a return waveform from the remote wireless device in response to the sounder waveform. The ranging controller may also generate time domain samples from the return waveform, convert the time domain samples into frequency domain data, and process the frequency domain data to determine the range of the remote wireless device.

Abstract: A method for a safety system of a mining vehicle. The method comprises scanning the surroundings of the mining vehicle while the mining vehicle is driven and giving a collision warning if an obstacle is detected in a safety zone of the mining vehicle. In the system, there is stored obstacle information comprising at least location information of predetermined obstacles. Location information of the obstacle detected on the basis of the scanning is compared with the location information determined in the obstacle information. Stopping of the mining vehicle, caused by the safety system due to the detected obstacle, is prevented in response to the detected obstacle being determined safe on the basis of checking the obstacle information.

Abstract: Vehicle control system and method in which restrictions on travel of the vehicle are determined based on an indication of the visibility of a driver and information about objects moving in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle are considered. The travel restrictions include preventing a passing maneuver on a two-lane road when an oncoming vehicle precludes safely initiating or completing an already-initiated passing maneuver. A warning system is provided to warn a driver about the travel restrictions so that the driver will, hopefully, not attempt an unsafe maneuver.

Abstract: A method of and system for vessel authentication and location validation. The method includes detecting a radio transmission from a target vessel in a vessel control area; determining a time and date of the radio transmission; generating a triangulated geographical location of the radio transmission; extracting a maritime mobile service identity from the radio transmission; extracting from the radio transmission a frequency, a power level and a waveform of the radio transmission; and authenticating or not authenticating the target vessel based on the triangulated geographical location and one or more of the frequency of the radio transmission, the power level of the radio transmission and the waveform of the radio transmission.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting/identifying a location based on local communication. The apparatus, includes: a location information calculating unit for receiving a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal from a GPS satellite and calculating location information; own location transmitting unit for transmitting a signal, in which the calculated location information and recognition information are inserted, through a local communication antenna; a counterpart location receiving unit for receiving a signal transmitted from another location transmitting/identifying apparatus located in a close range through the local communication antenna; and a counterpart location identifying unit for checking the received signal and identifying a location of another location transmitting/identifying apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points are provided. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device, and retrieving attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with other wireless devices related to the designated wireless device, and/or statistical information. The statistical information includes a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the set or a subset of the reference points. The method further includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic based on attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with the reception of signals, and/or the statistical information.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided, by which location data and possibly other information from a wireless personal tracking device carried by an individual is transmitted to an administrative hub for processing and action according to defined rules. Simultaneous monitoring of a plurality of individuals with diverse tracking units and effective event recording and reporting can be implemented.

Abstract: An electronic map device apparatus, and an associated method, creates a route between a route source and a route destination for display at the electronic map device. Locations, area, and features that a user does not desire to encounter during travel along the route are identified and form exclusion information. The exclusion information is entered by way of a user interface. The exclusion information is utilized in the formation of the selected route. A mapping that identifies the selected route is displayed at a display device of the user interface.

Abstract: A destination analysis module is described which estimates at least one destination of a user given a partial path taken by the user within a geographic area. The destination analysis module operates by detecting a mode of transportation that a user uses to traverse the path (e.g., automobile, public transportation, walking, etc.). The destination analysis module then loads a model associated with the mode of transportation into a destination prediction module and estimates at least one destination based on the path and the model. The model has various components that depend on the mode of transportation, such as routing network information and prior probability information.

Abstract: A vehicle can be controlled in a first autonomous mode of operation by at least navigating the vehicle based on map data. Sensor data can be obtained using one or more sensors of the vehicle. The sensor data can be indicative of an environment of the vehicle. An inadequacy in the map data can be detected by at least comparing the map data to the sensor data. In response to detecting the inadequacy in the map data, the vehicle can be controlled in a second autonomous mode of operation and a user can be prompted to switch to a manual mode of operation. The vehicle can be controlled in the second autonomous mode of operation by at least obtaining additional sensor data using the one or more sensors of the vehicle and navigating the vehicle based on the additional sensor data.

Abstract: A facility-around-route retrieval device includes a map disk 3 for storing map data and facility data, a route calculation unit 13 for calculating a route to a destination by using the map data stored in the map disk, a facility retrieval condition setting unit 16 for setting a facility retrieval condition, and a facility-around-route retrieval unit 17 for retrieving, in a case where a facility around the route calculated in the route calculation unit is retrieved in accordance with the condition set in the facility retrieval condition setting unit, the facility present only on a side of a traveling lane of a vehicle of a divided road from the facility data stored in the map disk when the route includes the divided road.

Abstract: To determine whether a mobile terminal of a communications system has moved outside a locale, the terminal measures relative time offsets of signals received by the terminal from transmitters of the network, relative to each other or a reference. At a first time when the terminal is within a given locale, the time of receipt of signals received by the terminal from a plurality of the transmitters relative to a reference or each other are measured to create a first set of receive time offsets. At a second time, a second set of receive time offsets is measured. Change(s) in receive time offsets is/are calculated, and change(s) between the first and second times in transmission time offsets of the signals transmitted by at least one transmitter is/are obtained to determine movement indicators that are compared with threshold valuets to determine whether the mobile terminal has moved outside the locale.

Abstract: This invention builds on previous industry techniques to correlate data from a variety of sources for the purposes of tracking and identifying aircraft, vehicles, and marine vessels in real time over a variety of different areas including oceans and mountainous terrain. Passive broadband tracking of aircraft emitters, and electronic fingerprinting of emitters, correlated with audio, video, infrared, primary radar and other information is employed to provide a comprehensive assessment of an aircraft's position, track and identification for a variety of applications including homeland security and search and rescue.

Abstract: Techniques for contextual based determination of accuracy of position fixes, and modification of the position fixes in accordance with the accuracy are disclosed. In one aspect, a position fix for an asset is received. The first position fix corresponds to a location of an event during shipment of the asset. If it is determined that the position fix is inaccurate, the position fix is modified in accordance with a type of the event.

Abstract: The invention relates to a localization system for determining a state of a device that can move on a floor, comprising a floor transceiver system having a plurality of floor transceivers which each have floor antennas for marking position points within the plane of the floor, and a transceiver tablet which is connected to the movable device and has a transmitting/receiving surface which is located opposite the floor and is suitable for continuously determining the position of at least two floor antennas within the transmitting/receiving surface simultaneously.

Abstract: Traffic management reports are created by providing vehicle sensor devices at different location in a region. Each device captures data of vehicles that pass the device. The vehicle data is communicated to a central computer database. At the central computer database, a user interface selects one or more criteria from a plurality of criteria for filtering the vehicle data. Traffic management reports are then automatically created from the filtered vehicle data using the selected criteria.

Abstract: A method for locating a misplaced mobile phone, including receiving, by a mobile phone, a transmitted message, identifying, by the mobile phone, the transmitted message as being an alert request, and in response to the identifying, generating, by the mobile phone, an alert. A mobile phone is also described and claimed.

Abstract: Apparatuses are described and disclosed which operate in a first mode to receive non-position signals, for example FM radio signals, and in a second mode of operation to receive land-based position signals, for example LORAN signals.

Abstract: A method of modifying calibration data used to geo-locate a mobile station located in an indoor environment is disclosed. When a mobile station is located indoors, the signal strength of signals received and/or transmitted by the mobile station have the tendency to be lower than the strength of the signals received by a mobile station located outdoors. As a result of these lower signal strengths, geo-location efforts which rely on signal strengths may result in unsatisfactory location accuracy. Modifying pre-existing calibration data obtained outdoors may provide a way to simulate indoor calibration data characteristics.

Abstract: An RFID enabled paper roll includes a tubular core, a paper stock wound around the core, and a radio frequency integrated circuit electrically coupled to an antenna and positioned on the core. A system for reading a radio frequency integrated circuit positioned on an item of inventory in a warehouse comprises a material handling device and an RFID reader coupled to the material handling device. The material handling device has at least member for use in transporting an item of inventory. The reader is configured to read the radio frequency integrated circuit associated with the item of inventory when the item is in proximity to the material handling device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining location of wireless devices using signal strength of signals detected by the wireless devices. The strength of signals received from identifiable sources is typically compared to reference signal strength measurements collected or estimated at known locations. Information identifying the source of the signals is typically obtained from data provided in the signals. Mappers associate combinations of reference signal strengths with geometrically shaped geographical regions such that signal strength measurements can be used as indices to locate a region in which a wireless device can be found. Systems and methods are described for receiving signal strength information from known locations where the information can be used to update and improve mapping system databases.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of vehicles to operate the plurality of vehicles in a platoon includes, within a leader vehicle selected from the plurality of vehicles: monitoring through a vehicle-to-vehicle communication a respective actual position of each of the plurality of vehicles that is not the leader vehicle based upon data from a respective global positioning device within each of the plurality of vehicles that is not the leader vehicle, determining distances to operate the plurality of vehicles in the platoon based upon the respective actual positions of each of the plurality of vehicles, and selecting a respective commanded vehicle position including a respective global positioning coordinate for each of the plurality of vehicles based upon the determined distances.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle upon a roadway includes monitoring a trajectory of a host vehicle based upon a global positioning device within the host vehicle, monitoring a first wireless communication between the host vehicle and a plurality of target vehicles, the first wireless communication including a respective trajectory of each of the target vehicles based upon a respective global positioning device within each of the target vehicles, determining navigational commands for the host vehicle based upon the trajectory of the host vehicle and the trajectory of each of the target vehicles, and operating the host vehicle based upon the navigational commands.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of a mobile device is provided. The method receives a signal with a known radio transmission pattern at the mobile device from each of several transmitting devices. The method correlates each received signal with a corresponding signal that has a same known radio transmission pattern to determine the time the signal traveled between the corresponding transmitting device and the mobile device. The method determines the location of the mobile device based on the time the signal travelled between the corresponding transmitting device and the mobile device. In some embodiments, determining the location of the mobile device does not require calculating a distance between the mobile device and any of the transmitting devices. In some embodiments determining the location of the mobile device includes solving a function that is dependent on the time the signals traveled between each corresponding transmitting device and the mobile device.

Abstract: In a radio location system for vehicles moving along a guideway, a transmitter for energizes a transponder beside the guideway. A first detector for detects a response signal from the energized transponder to determine the transponder identification. A second detector detects a positional signal received from the transponder that is decoupled from the first signal and contains precise positional information. In one embodiment, the second detector picks up a crossover signal from a crossover antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching and generating trajectory content in a navigation device are provided. The method includes establishing a predetermined search region from a current position; extracting information about first parcels included in the established search region and information about second parcels including information about links of specific trajectory content; and determining whether the specific trajectory content is included in the established search region by comparing the information about the first parcels with the information about the second parcels.

Abstract: In a cellular system configuration, the location of a mobile station is determined from the acquisition of cellular network data pertaining to the mobile station, and the translation of such network data into a corresponding geographical position profile. The cellular system includes a mobile station locator entity for receiving from a mobile switching center the network data such as cell and/or sector ID and trunk group member number. The mobile station locator translates the network data into position information such as geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), resolution (radius), and angle values for sectorized cells.