Abstract: Method, apparatus, and systems for roll angle estimation for an input/gesture device (IGD) are disclosed. The method includes estimating a first axis vector of the input/gesture device (IGD) relative to the surface of the mobile device (MD), as a first frame of reference, using readings from a first type of sensor; and estimating the first axis vector of the IDG relative to a different, second frame of reference using a gyroscope integration of readings from the 3-axis gyroscope. The method further includes aligning the first axis vector of the IDG in the first frame of reference with the first axis vector of the IDG in the second frame of reference; minimizing a change in the alignment of the first axis vectors between the first frame of reference and the second frame of reference; and determining the roll angle of the IDG relative to the surface of the MD.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for estimating a trajectory of a robot by fusing a plurality of robot velocity measurements from a plurality of robot sensors located within a robot to generate a fused robot velocity based on the accuracy of those robot velocity measurements and applying Kalman filtering to the fused robot velocity to compute a current robot location.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and systems for roll angle estimation for an input/gesture device (IGD) are disclosed. The method includes estimating a first axis vector of the input/gesture device (IGD) relative to the surface of the mobile device (MD), as a first frame of reference, using readings from a first type of sensor; and estimating the first axis vector of the IDG relative to a different, second frame of reference using a gyroscope integration of readings from the 3-axis gyroscope. The method further includes aligning the first axis vector of the IDG in the first frame of reference with the first axis vector of the IDG in the second frame of reference; minimizing a change in the alignment of the first axis vectors between the first frame of reference and the second frame of reference; and determining the roll angle of the IDG relative to the surface of the MD.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for calibrating an optical flow (OF) sensor by using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) measurements in a planar robot system.

Abstract: A method for calculating a scale factor for a gyroscope can include detecting, by a gyroscope, a physical motion of a robot, detecting, by an optical flow (OF) sensor (and/or camera), one or more image signals including information; and deriving estimates of sensor calibration parameters based on the detected physical motion and the information.

Abstract: A method for calibrating zero rate offset (ZRO) of a first inertial sensor located on a device, the method includes determining a stability level of the device based on information associated with at least one non-inertial sensor located on the device; and performing a calibration of the ZRO of the first inertial sensor when the stability level is above a threshold.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for estimating and calibrating a gyroscope's scale using a magnetometer mounted on the same device by rotating the device about an axis multiple times; and, during the first rotation, storing the magnetometer magnetic field reading and a heading (from integration of the gyroscope readings) at each of a plurality of angular reference points; then, during each subsequent rotation, determining magnetometer/gyroscope-heading output pairs for which the magnetometer output matches the magnetometer reading corresponding to one of the reference points, thereby indicating that the device has reached the same heading as the matching reference point; then, for each matching output sample pair, using that magnetometer/gyroscope-heading output sample pair to update the gyroscope scale factor for the corresponding angular reference point; and averaging those scale estimates to generate a final gyroscope scale factor estimate.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for calibrating the Zero Rate Offset (ZRO) of a gyroscope are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for estimating and calibrating a gyroscope's scale using a magnetometer mounted on the same device by rotating the device about an axis multiple times; and, during the first rotation, storing the magnetometer magnetic field reading and a heading (from integration of the gyroscope readings) at each of a plurality of angular reference points; then, during each subsequent rotation, determining magnetometer/gyroscope-heading output pairs for which the magnetometer output matches the magnetometer reading corresponding to one of the reference points, thereby indicating that the device has reached the same heading as the matching reference point; then, for each matching output sample pair, using that magnetometer/gyroscope-heading output sample pair to update the gyroscope scale factor for the corresponding angular reference point; and averaging those scale estimates to generate a final gyroscope scale factor estimate.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems directed to calibrating a magnetometer. Among such are methods that use only the horizontal components of magnetometer measurements. Then, planar calibrated magnetic field output measurements can be used in sensor fusion with data from gyroscope(s) and accelerometer(s). In other embodiments, heading information from the planar calibrated magnetic field is fused with the heading calculated from gyroscope integration.

Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using a ZRO-tracking filter which is a combination of a moving-average filter and a Kalman filter having at least one constraint enforced against at least one operating parameter of the Kalman filter. It achieves faster convergence on an estimated bias value and produces less estimate error after convergence. A resultant bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.

Abstract: Methods, architectures, apparatuses, systems, devices, and computer program products directed to dead reckoning for pedestrian navigation (“pedestrian dead reckoning”) and robust heading estimation in pedestrian dead reckoning. Pursuant to the methodologies and technologies provided herein, a walking direction may be derived or otherwise determined using a robust heading estimation mechanism in connection with, for example, step detection and step length determination. The robust heading estimation mechanism may be based on device orientation (e.g., on changes in device orientation). The device orientation may be obtained based on (e.g., by way of) fusion of accelerometer and gyroscope measurements.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods and software are described for mapping movement or motion of a 3D pointing device into cursor position; e.g., for use in rendering the cursor on a display. Absolute and relative type mapping algorithms are described. Mapping algorithms can be combined to obtain beneficial characteristics from different types of mapping.

Abstract: A variable mapped on an orientation of a device is smoothed to have a gradual evolution by adjusting the estimated orientation of the device obtained via sensor fusion or other sensor processing to take into consideration a current measured angular velocity.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for removing and/or hiding the negative effects of at least some of the latency between, e.g., detection of motion of a device such as a three-dimensional (3D) pointing device and corresponding redrawing of the cursor on a display. A method for masking latency associated with displaying a cursor on a display includes: receiving data associated with motion of an input device at a first time; using the data to determine a cursor position associated with the first time; determining a predicted cursor position at a future time relative to the first time using the determined cursor position; and displaying the cursor on the display at a position based on the predicted cursor position.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for estimating and calibrating a gyroscope's scale using a magnetometer mounted on the same device by rotating the device about an axis multiple times; and, during the first rotation, storing the magnetometer magnetic field reading and a heading (from integration of the gyroscope readings) at each of a plurality of angular reference points; then, during each subsequent rotation, determining magnetometer/gyroscope-heading output pairs for which the magnetometer output matches the magnetometer reading corresponding to one of the reference points, thereby indicating that the device has reached the same heading as the matching reference point; then, for each matching output sample pair, using that magnetometer/gyroscope-heading output sample pair to update the gyroscope scale factor for the corresponding angular reference point; and averaging those scale estimates to generate a final gyroscope scale factor estimate.

Abstract: Methods, architectures, apparatuses, systems, devices, and computer program products directed to dead reckoning for pedestrian navigation (“pedestrian dead reckoning”) and robust heading estimation in pedestrian dead reckoning. Pursuant to the methodologies and technologies provided herein, a walking direction may be derived or otherwise determined using a robust heading estimation mechanism in connection with, for example, step detection and step length determination. The robust heading estimation mechanism may be based on device orientation (e.g., on changes in device orientation). The device orientation may be obtained based on (e.g., by way of) fusion of accelerometer and gyroscope measurements.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for calibrating the Zero Rate Offset (ZRO) of a gyroscope are disclosed.

Abstract: The traffic warning sign is an illuminated display that is monitors the passing of a vehicle. The traffic warning sign determines whether the passing vehicle is in compliance with laws regarding the operation of vehicle headlights of the vehicle. If the traffic warning sign determines that the passing vehicle is not in compliance with the laws regarding the operation of vehicle headlights, the traffic warning sign illuminates a display panel conveying to the vehicle operator a message to turn on the vehicle headlights. The traffic warning sign comprises a housing, a display panel, and a control system. The control system controls the illumination of the display panel. The display panel is a translucent structure that is backlit. When illuminated, the display panel displays an indicia that conveys the sentiment to turn on the vehicle headlights. The housing contains the control system and the display panel.

Abstract: A variable mapped on an orientation of a device is smoothed to have a gradual evolution by adjusting the estimated orientation of the device obtained via sensor fusion or other sensor processing to take into consideration a current measured angular velocity.