Abstract: A mobile radio direction finding (RDF) calibrator, and a method of using it to calibrate an RDF system aboard a vehicle. The calibrator has a GPS (global positioning satellite) or other GNSS (global navigation satellite system) receiver, which permits the calibrator to make its location known to the calibration process of the RDF-equipped vehicle. During calibration, the calibration process controls the calibrator remotely. As the RDF-equipped vehicle moves in a circle, it collects calibration response data, as well as location data, so that the calibration response data can be mapped to the correct azimuth.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a position estimation device includes an acquirer that acquires wheel rotation information as information on rotation of wheels of a mobile structure and object information on an object, and an estimator that estimates a position of the mobile structure by calculating a directional deviation of a mobile structure as change in a direction of the mobile structure from the wheel rotation information and a predetermined direction parameter and calculating the direction of the mobile structure from the directional deviation of the mobile structure, and corrects the direction parameter on the basis of the directional deviation of the mobile structure and an object directional deviation as variation in a direction of the object relative to the mobile structure by calculating the object directional deviation from the object information.

Abstract: In an example, a method may read, at a first timestamp using a first reader device and a second reader device of a first vehicle, a first marker position from a first marker device located on a road segment at the first marker position and a second marker position from a second marker device located on the road segment at the second marker position that is different from the first marker position. The method may determine a vehicle position of the first vehicle on the road segment at the first timestamp based on the first marker position of the first marker device and the second marker position of the second marker device.

Abstract: Tracking movements of mobile devices may provide insight into parking space availability for transports deemed to be associated with those mobile devices. One example method of operation may include tracking movements of mobile devices within a predefined geographical area, identifying a first movement of a first mobile device as being limited to a predetermined threshold distance, identifying a second movement of the first mobile device as having a movement speed that is greater than a movement speed of the first movement, and designating the mobile device as being inside a transport leaving a parking spot.

Abstract: Sensors coupled to a vehicle are calibrated using a dynamic scene with sensor targets around a motorized turntable that rotates the vehicle to different orientations. The sensors capture data at each vehicle orientation along the rotation. The vehicle's computer identifies representations of the sensor targets within the data captured by the sensors, and calibrates the sensor based on these representations, for example by comparing these representations to previously stored information about the sensor targets and generating a correction based on differences, the correction applied to post-calibration sensor data.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a short range communication module configured to establish a communication channel for collecting device-related information on at least one other electronic device. The electronic device also includes a communication module configured to establish a communication channel with a service supporting device. The electronic device also includes a control module configured to transmit a message requesting function-related information installable or updatable on the other electronic device to the service supporting device in correspondence to the device-related information and configured to control transmitting identification information for receiving the function-related information and the device-related information.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.

Abstract: Devices and methods for pedestrian navigation are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device includes an accelerometer sensor configured to sense acceleration components associated with a device motion in a plurality of axes of the accelerometer sensor. The acceleration components include stride frequency components and step frequency components. The device includes a processing module communicably associated with the accelerometer sensor. The processing module is configured to process at least a portion of the acceleration components to determine an estimated attitude associated with the device motion with respect to the accelerometer sensor. The processing module is configured to filter out the step frequency components by blocking the stride frequency components. The processing module is further configured to determine the estimated attitude based on the step frequency components to thereby mitigate a bias in the estimated attitude associated with a lateral sway of the device motion.

Abstract: A driving assistance device that performs steering operation of a vehicle. The device includes a travel track creation device having a curvature waveform creator that creates a waveform representing a curvature of a reference travel track. A first changer changes first and second edge portions of the waveform to a ramp shape and provides the waveform with first and second ramp-shaped portions. A second changer changes each of the first and second ramp-shaped portions to a curve and provides the waveform with first, second, third, and fourth curve portions. A travel track creator creates the travel track based on the waveform. A controller provides a steering signal according to the travel track.

Abstract: A forest-inventory management apparatus is for a forest image having forest information associated with a forest. The forest image is acquired from an in-flight vehicle. The forest-inventory management apparatus includes a server system. The server system includes a processor assembly and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium configured to tangibly store a processor-executable programmed code. The processor-executable programmed code is configured to urge the processor assembly to execute the following operations: (A) read data representing the forest image having the forest information associated with the forest; (B) compute data representing a supply of forest inventory of hardwood and softwood trees expected to be available for harvesting based on the forest information associated with in the forest image; and (C) provide the data representing the supply of forest inventory expected to be available for harvesting from the forest associated with the forest image.

Abstract: The method employs a computer interconnected with a GPS transceiver and a distance measurement means and operatively interconnected with a digital camera, all provided on a moving vehicle, in order to acquire a plurality of geographic location related images. A first geographic position is obtained from the GPS transceiver and a plurality of distance measurements are then received before a second geographic position is taken. A photo request is generated after a pre-determined distance has been traveled and is transmitted to the digital camera. The camera takes a photo based on the request and the photos, photo requests, first and second positions and distance measurements are stored for post-processing. The post-processing determines a path traveled by the vehicle using the positions and distance measurements and assigns an accurate geographic location and orientation to each photo. The method is useful in building a database of geographically related images.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to estimating an initial position and navigation state associated with a vehicle using odometry and/or other data obtained from the vehicle to support dead reckoning at start-up. In particular, a last known position and last known heading at a first odometer value associated with the vehicle may be stored and compared to a current odometer value after linking a mobile device with the vehicle. The last known position and last known heading may be used to estimate the initial position and navigation state associated with the vehicle based on a difference between the compared odometer values. For example, the estimated initial position and/or navigation state may substantially correspond to the last known position and last known heading if the difference between the odometer values indicates no change, or a non-zero difference may define a radius to limit an estimated error associated with the initial position estimate.

Abstract: Provided are a method for determining a moving direction of a terminal and correcting a position thereof, and a positioning apparatus using the same. Relative direction information is estimated based on N pieces of position information of the terminal, and distortion information is removed from the relative direction information to acquire relative direction information without direction integrity. Further, the relative direction information is transmitted into absolute direction information to acquire a moving path direction of the terminal. Next, the position information of the terminal is corrected based on the moving path direction of the terminal.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle driving assist device, said device being capable of reliably and accurately warning any driver, regardless of the perception or skill thereof, to avoid collisions with obstacles. Said driving assist device, which uses a monitor in the vehicle to display images taken of the surroundings of the vehicle, has: an imaging unit that is mounted in the vehicle and takes the aforementioned images; an information-acquisition unit that acquires vehicle-speed information; and an image-processing unit that processes image signals configured by the images outputted from the imaging unit. Said image-processing unit contains an image-superimposition unit that superimposes, onto the taken images, images pertaining to the braking distance corresponding to the vehicle-speed information acquired by the information-acquisition unit.

Abstract: In an image processing method, an object is located within an image. An area around the object is determined and divided into at least first and second portions based upon image information within the area. The object can then be classified based upon both image information in the first portion of the area and image information in the second portion of the area.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide a system, a wheel localizer, a wheel localization device, a method or a computer program for locating a position of wheel. The system for locating the position of the wheel on the vehicle includes a detector for obtaining information related to a steering angle of the vehicle and a locator for determining the position of the wheel based on the information related to the steering angle of the vehicle. Embodiments further provide a device, a method and a computer program configured to determine information related to one or more expected rotational frequencies of one or more wheels of a vehicle. The device includes a path detector configured to determine expected path lengths of the one or more wheels of the vehicle based on information related to a path of the vehicle.

Abstract: Accurate longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration (perpendicular to the principal direction of motion, and velocity, is inferred by processing raw data from a commodity three-axis accelerometer that may be oriented arbitrarily in a moving vehicle (or carried by a moving user), and whose orientation and position may change arbitrarily during the motion. The approach is applicable to a range of applications, including insurance telematics, driver behavior and risk assessment, and road surface quality assessment.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to navigation and calendar integration are described. In one implementation, confidence ratings are calculated for one or more destinations. Each destination has an associated confidence rating and confidence ratings are based on a match between the current time and time data for each destination. A destination is selected based on confidence rating and displayed. A calendar event is created based upon the selected destination.

Abstract: A mobile device is described. The mobile device includes an electronic compass that generates compass data corresponding to an orientation of the mobile device relative to true north. A global positioning system (GPS) module receives a GPS signal from multiple satellites. The GPS module determines a heading direction of a vehicle transporting the mobile device relative to true north based on the position data when the vehicle is moving above a threshold velocity. A motion sensor generates motion data corresponding to a motion of the mobile device when the mobile device is moved. A processor adjusts the heading direction of the vehicle relative to true north based on the compass data when the vehicle is moving below the threshold velocity.

Abstract: An inclination angle compensation system for determining an inclination angle of a machine is disclosed. The inclination angle compensation system may have a non-gravitational acceleration estimator configured to estimate a non-gravitational acceleration of a machine based on an estimated inclination angle and an acceleration output from a forward acceleration sensor. The inclination angle compensation system may also have an inclination angle sensor corrector configured to receive an inclination angle output from an inclination angle sensor, determine an inclination angle sensor acceleration based on the inclination angle output, and calculate a corrected inclination angle of the machine based on the non-gravitational acceleration and the inclination angle sensor acceleration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining geographical location data from multiple sources and aggregating the geographical location data are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving geo-location data from a plurality of geo-location data collectors, at least one of the plurality of geo-location data collectors being in data communication with an in-vehicle geo-location data source, at least one of the plurality of geo-location data collectors being in data communication with a geo-location data source in a mobile device; collecting reliability data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of geo-location data sources corresponding to the plurality of geo-location data collectors; collecting map data including information related to geographical features associated with the geo-location data; and aggregating, by use of a data processor, the geo-location data from the plurality of geo-location data collectors based on the reliability data and the map data to produce a resulting geo-location fix.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of a mobile object is provided. The system determines the location of the mobile object by determining distances between a plurality of sensors provided on a first and second movable parts of the mobile object. A stride length, heading, and separation distance between the first and second movable parts are computed based on the determined distances and the location of the mobile object is determined based on the computed stride length, heading, and separation distance.

Abstract: A system and method for location detection is disclosed. The system and method may derive estimates of a user's location by interfacing with other sources of location data. In one aspect of the invention, a client device may determine the user's location by using locally configured location services. The client device may also query a remote server that contains recent geolocation data of the user. Both the local and remote estimates may be presented to a user. The user may also be allowed to select the location that most accurately represents the user's current location.

Abstract: A moving body position detection system including an unit acquiring dead reckoning navigation information including a moving body direction; a unit identifying a moving body position based on the dead reckoning navigation information on the moving body; a unit predicting a predicted arrived position of the moving body after a predetermined interval from the position of the moving body based on the dead reckoning navigation information on the moving body; a unit calculating a difference direction angle between a direction from the position of the moving body to the predicted position and the direction of the moving body; a unit correcting the difference direction angle if it is equal to or larger than a threshold; and a unit updating the moving body position based on the difference direction angle.

Abstract: A navigation system and method for determining a location of a navigator in a navigation environment using coded markers located within the navigation environment. In one example, the navigation system includes a camera apparatus configured to obtain an image of a scene containing images of at least one coded marker in a navigation environment, video analytics configured to read the at least one coded marker, and a processor coupled to the video analytics and configured to determine a position fix of a navigator based on a known location of the at least one coded marker.

Abstract: The initialization of an inertial navigation system is performed using information obtained from an image of an object. Positional and orientational information about the object in a global reference frame and positional and orientational information about the camera relative to the object are obtained from the image. Positional and orientational information for the camera in the global reference frame is determined along with a transformation matrix between inertial sensor reference frame and a navigation coordinate frame. The inertial navigation system is initialized using the positional and orientational information for the camera, the transformation matrix and the velocity of the camera when the object was imaged, i.e., zero. Using the initialized data with measurements from the inertial sensors the position of the mobile platform may be updated during navigation and provided, e.g., on a digital map. Inertial navigation errors may be corrected using information obtained from images of different objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of determining a heading of travel of a navigation device, comprising determining a reference heading for a roadway system and determining a current heading of navigation device travel, wherein the current heading is determined as an integer multiple of a predetermined lock angle in combination with the reference heading.

Abstract: A method for supporting location services in a mobile radio communications system, in which method a mobile station receives from at least one network element involved in location services, for the implementation of a position measurement procedure, at least one information element indicating if the method type required for that position measurement procedure is a “Conventional GPS” method type where the mobile station behaves as a conventional satellite positioning system receiver.

Abstract: Wing load alleviation methods and apparatus are disclosed. An example method includes collecting data related to a condition of an aircraft; and when a condition identifier implemented via a logic circuit indicates that the condition comprises a high load condition, automatically generating a plurality of control signals to coordinate a first deflection of a first control surface of a configurable winglet and a second deflection of a second control surface of a wing adjacent to the winglet.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and other techniques for a wearable navigation device are described. For example, an apparatus may comprise a wristband comprising a plurality of haptic feedback devices arranged around a circumference of the wristband and logic to wirelessly receive navigation information from a computing device and to output the navigation information using one or more of the plurality of haptic feedback devices, the output comprising a mechanical representation of the navigation information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the location of a terminal obtains definite location information of the terminal, estimates a dead reckoning location of the terminal using finally obtaining definite location information when definite location information of the terminal is not obtained for a set time, and combines positioning information of an adjacent terminal, definite location information of the terminal, and dead reckoning location information of the terminal with each other when reliability of dead reckoning location information of the adjacent terminal is higher than reliability of dead reckoning of the terminal to estimate combinatorial location information of the terminal.

Abstract: An underwater navigation system for indicating a return direction from an underwater return position to a starting position includes a processor and a power source, a three-dimensional compass, a timer, a water speed sensor and a display interfacing with the processor. The processor is adapted to determine a direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position based on data received from the three-dimensional compass, the timer and the water speed sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a predetermined portion of terrain elevation maps in a database for aiding in computing a three-dimensional position of a wireless station. Instead of using the entire terrain model of the earth or an entire country, the database consists of an incomplete model, which includes only the most populous areas or specific regions. This reduces the size of the information in the database, which in turn reduces the amount of time to compute the positions of the wireless device.

Abstract: A navigation system for a machine is disclosed. The navigation system may have a navigation unit configured to measure a position of a machine at a first time and at a second time, and at least a first sensor configured to generate at least a first signal indicative of a speed and a heading of the machine during a time period from the first time to the second time. The navigation system may also have a controller configured to estimate a position of the machine at the second time based on the measured position of the machine at the first time and the at least a first signal, and to make a comparison of the measured position of the machine at the second time with the estimated position of the machine at the second time. The controller may also be configured to determine an integrity of the navigation unit based on the comparison.

Abstract: An underwater navigation system for indicating a return direction from an underwater return position to a starting position includes a processor and a power source, a three-dimensional compass, a timer, a water speed sensor and a display interfacing with the processor. The processor is adapted to determine a direction of the starting position relative to the underwater return position based on data received from the three-dimensional compass, the timer and the water speed sensor.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a vehicle in an environment provided with at least two landmarks whose location is known. The system includes at least one scanning distance sensor installed in the vehicle and configured to measure distance and direction from the vehicle to the at least two landmarks, as well as a data processing device configured to store in its memory the location of the at least two landmarks; and determine the location of the vehicle on the basis of at least the location of the at least two landmarks as well as the distance and direction from the vehicle to the at least two landmarks.

Abstract: Vector Field SLAM is a method for localizing a mobile robot in an unknown environment from continuous signals such as WiFi or active beacons. Disclosed is a technique for localizing a robot in relatively large and/or disparate areas. This is achieved by using and managing more signal sources for covering the larger area. One feature analyzes the complexity of Vector Field SLAM with respect to area size and number of signals and then describe an approximation that decouples the localization map in order to keep memory and run-time requirements low. A tracking method for re-localizing the robot in the areas already mapped is also disclosed. This allows to resume the robot after is has been paused or kidnapped, such as picked up and moved by a user. Embodiments of the invention can comprise commercial low-cost products including robots for the autonomous cleaning of floors.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus mounted to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus determines whether an amount of change in tire wheel speed of each tire wheel of the vehicle exceeds a threshold. The apparatus specifies a tire wheel crossing order, which is an order in which the tire wheels of the vehicle cross over a level difference between a road and a parking lot when the vehicle crosses over the level difference. The apparatus determines whether or not the vehicle has crossed over the level difference between the road and the parking lot, based on whether a threshold-exceeding order is identical to the specified tire wheel crossing order. The threshold-exceeding order is an order in which the amounts of change in the tire wheel speed of the respective tire wheels exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A mobile computing device, including a main body, a processor and associated memory housed within the main body, a display screen housed within the main body and responsive to signals from the processor, an optical sensor fixed to the main body for capturing successive images and providing image signals representative of the captured images to the processor, and a navigation module associated with the processor for determining, based on the image signals, a relative movement between the main body and a reference surface and moving a pointer on the display screen based on the determined relative movement.

Abstract: An inclinometer using a forward speed, a yaw angle rate, a forward acceleration and external altitude information in order to calculate an inclination angle. The inclinometer performs an automatic calibration of an accelerometer bias. The inclinometer may also perform an automatic calibration of an accelerometer position offset. The external altitude information is not required to be continuous.

Abstract: A steering system for a work vehicle towing a towed implement is described. A steering control unit is coupled to a location signal generation arrangement on the vehicle, a steering actuator, a memory for storing desired path data of the implement and a slope sensor for detecting a lateral inclination of the work vehicle or the implement. The steering control unit calculates a lateral offset compensation value to steer the work vehicle such that the implement is moved on the desired path and a slope offset compensation value based upon a signal from the tilt sensor to compensate for slope forces pulling the implement down a lateral slope. A steering signal is sent to the steering actuator based upon the lateral offset compensation value and the slope offset compensation value.

Abstract: An absolute-movement-path calculating apparatus includes a direction acquiring part detecting a movement direction of the terminal at a given timing; a movement-distance calculating part calculating a movement distance of the terminal at the given timing; a relative-movement-path calculating part calculating a relative movement path based on the number of steps and a user's step length and storing the relative movement path; an absolute-position acquiring part acquiring an absolute position of the terminal, and storing the absolute position; and an absolute-movement-path calculating part calculating, each time the absolute positions are stored, a correction value from the relationship between at least two absolute positions and the relative positions corresponding to the absolute positions and calculating an absolute movement path of the terminal indicated by the absolute coordinate from the correction value and the relative movement path.

Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described. Various parts of the navigation systems may be implemented in a smart-phone.

Abstract: A method for collaborative navigation comprises initializing a conditionally independent filter on a local platform, propagating the conditionally independent filter forward in time, and when a local measurement has been made, updating the conditionally independent filter with the local measurement. When a common measurement has been made, the conditionally independent filter is updated with the common measurement, and a determination is made whether a remote conditioning node has arrived from a remote platform. If a remote conditioning node has arrived, a determination is made whether the remote conditioning node needs to be fused with a local conditioning node of the conditionally independent filter. If the remote conditioning node needs to be fused, a node-to-node fusion is performed in the conditionally independent filter to merge the remote conditioning node with the local conditioning node to produce a merged conditioning node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for setting a desired destination in a navigation terminal. A position information message is received. Position coordinates corresponding to the position information included in the position information message are set as the position coordinates of a desired destination related to a certain route.

Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described.

Abstract: Methods and architecture systems for controlling vehicle systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of remotely controlling a vehicle includes estimating a position of the vehicle. A position estimation algorithm may estimate the position of the vehicle. A position data packet received from the vehicle may be used to update the estimated position of the vehicle. A display device may display a virtual representation of the vehicle based on the updated estimated position of the vehicle. Command signals may be transmitted to the vehicle based on the displayed virtual representation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database.

Abstract: An identification is made as to when a device is at an anchor location, which can be a proximity zone along an edge of a dead zone or a location where a signal from a beacon is detected. In response to the device being at the anchor location, one or more inertial sensors can be activated and data from the one or more inertial sensors collected to determine a position of the device using dead reckoning. Alternatively, in response to the device being at the anchor location, a determination is made as to when to deactivate one or more inertial sensors from which data is collected to determine the position of the device using dead reckoning.

Abstract: A mobile device is described. The mobile device includes an electronic compass that generates compass data corresponding to an orientation of the mobile device relative to true north. A global positioning system (GPS) module receives a GPS signal from multiple satellites. The GPS module determines a heading direction of a vehicle transporting the mobile device relative to true north based on the position data when the vehicle is moving above a threshold velocity. A motion sensor generates motion data corresponding to a motion of the mobile device when the mobile device is moved. A processor adjusts the heading direction of the vehicle relative to true north based on the compass data when the vehicle is moving below the threshold velocity.