Abstract: Music-based positioning (MP) provides positioning service only sporadically. To continuously provide positioning service, the present invention discloses music-based positioning aided by dead reckoning (MP-DR). At each signature burst (i.e., a highly unique short musical segment suitable for positioning), sounds of a music piece or a human speech are used for positioning. Between signature bursts, dead reckoning (DR) is used.

Abstract: The present invention combines the strengths of the background-subtraction and edge-detection algorithm for parking detection. Being computationally efficient, the background-subtraction algorithm is used whenever possible. On the other hand, being robust, the edge-detection algorithm is used at calibration points, or when the background-subtraction algorithm cannot reliably determine the parking state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detecting parked vehicles based on edge detection. For each parking space, its boundary comprises an exposed edge, which is not occluded by any parked vehicle. Its primary detected edges are the detected edges that are substantially parallel to the exposed edge. A parking space is detected as occupied if its primary detected edges satisfy at least one of these conditions: (1) their total number is more than a pre-determined minimum number; and/or, (2) their total length is more than a pre-determined minimum length.

Abstract: Music-based positioning (MP) provides positioning service only sporadically and therefore is not suitable for indoor positioning. The present invention discloses system and method for music-based positioning aided by dead reckoning (MP-DR). At each signature burst (i.e. a highly unique short musical segment suitable for positioning), musical sounds are used for positioning. Between signature bursts, positioning is performed by dead reckoning (DR). MP-DR is an ideal combination of MP and DR: DR extends temporal coverage for MP, while MP provides the much needed periodic calibrations for DR.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a peer-assisted dead reckoning (PA-DR). When a first mobile device has a much larger location error than a second mobile device, its location can be optimized from that of the second device. For the first device, its optimized location is equal to the sum of the location of the second device and the relative location between two devices.