Abstract: An apparatus obtains instances of crowd-sourced data corresponding to a first time period and determines a respective corroboration score based on map data a respective instance of crowd-sourced data. The apparatus determines a first representative corroboration score for the first time period based on respective corroboration scores determined for the instances of crowd-sourced data corresponding to the first time period; and compares the first representative corroboration score for the first time period to a second representative corroboration score corresponding to a second time period, wherein the first time period is different from the second time period. Based on a result of comparing the first and second representative corroboration scores, the apparatus determines whether the instances of crowd-sourced data are potentially manipulated. Responsive to determining that the instances of crowd-sourced data are potentially manipulated, the apparatus performs at least one mitigating action.

Abstract: An approach is provided for location sharing using a LiDAR-based location signature. The approach involves, for example, receiving a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scan of a location captured by a LiDAR sensor of a portable device. The approach also involves processing the LiDAR scan to generate a LiDAR location signature that is representative of the location of the portable device. The approach further involves transmitting the LiDAR location signature to another device to share the location of the portable device with the another device.

Abstract: A network device stores a radio map comprising map data configured to enable radio-based positioning within a geographic area. The radio map is associated with a plurality of instances of quality information, with each instance of quality information corresponding to a respective location within the geographic area. The network device receives a quality information request corresponding to a geographic region within the geographic area. The quality information request is associated with an entity. Based on a determination of whether a contribution by the entity to a portion of the map data that corresponds to the geographic region satisfies one or more significance criteria, the network device either provides or withholds quality information corresponding to the geographic region.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for improving localization of a device. In this regard, a coarse location of the device is determined and a neural network is utilized to determine one or more image-based vectors from the device to respective features in an image captured by an image capture device associated with the device. At one or more location points defined relative to the coarse location of the device, (a) one or more map-based vectors extending from a respective location point to respective features as defined by map data are compared to (b) the one or more image-based vectors. Based on the comparison, a refined location of the device is determined. A method, apparatus and computer program are also provided for training the neural network to determine an image-based vector from the device to a feature in an image captured by the device.

Abstract: A computing device, method and computer program product are provided to generate fingerprint data having an obfuscated location reference, thereby maintaining the privacy of the location information provided by fingerprint data and represented by a radio map. For a computing device configured to generate fingerprint data having an obfuscated location reference, the computing device is caused to receive fingerprint data comprising a location reference and measurement(s) of one or more communications nodes. The computing device is caused to determine translation and/or rotation parameter(s) based on a respective identifier of at least one of the one or more communications nodes and to apply one or more of the parameters at least to the location reference, thereby generating an obfuscated location reference. The computing device is also caused to provide the fingerprint data including the obfuscated location reference to another computing device for generation or updating of a radio map.

Abstract: An apparatus obtains a respective identifier communication from a respective mobile apparatus and extracts a respective network interface identifier from the respective identifier communication. The apparatus updates or generates a repository of mobile apparatus identifiers based on the respective network interface identifier. The apparatus filters observation data comprising one or more network interface identifiers based on the repository of mobile apparatus identifiers and/or provides the repository of mobile apparatus identifiers for use in filtering the observation data comprising one or more network interface identifiers.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for improving localization of a device. In order to improve the localization, a coarse location of the device is determined and a feature is identified in an image captured by an image capture unit associated with the device. The feature is represented with one or more points or lines within an image plane and a projection is determined of the one or more points or lines from the image plane to a ground plane. At one or more location points defined relative to the coarse location of the device, map data is compared to the projection of the one or more points or lines representative of the feature identified in the image. Based on the comparison, a refined location of the device is determined.

Abstract: A base station apparatus configured to control operation of a base station causes the base station to perform conical scanning of a mobile apparatus. The base station is configured to communicate via wireless communications using beamforming. A communication session between the base station and the mobile apparatus has been established, and the conical scanning of the mobile apparatus comprises transmitting a tracking beam that rotates about a path centered on a position associated with the mobile apparatus and characterized by a radius. The base station apparatus receives a dynamic state communication indicating a dynamic state of the mobile apparatus; determines, based at least on the dynamic state of the mobile apparatus, a new radius; and causes the base station to perform the conical scanning by transmitting the tracking beam that rotates about the path centered on the position associated with the mobile apparatus and characterized by the new radius.

Abstract: An apparatus obtains instances of crowd-sourced data corresponding to a first time period and determines a respective corroboration score based on map data a respective instance of crowd-sourced data. The apparatus determines a first representative corroboration score for the first time period based on respective corroboration scores determined for the instances of crowd-sourced data corresponding to the first time period; and compares the first representative corroboration score for the first time period to a second representative corroboration score corresponding to a second time period, wherein the first time period is different from the second time period. Based on a result of comparing the first and second representative corroboration scores, the apparatus determines whether the instances of crowd-sourced data are potentially manipulated. Responsive to determining that the instances of crowd-sourced data are potentially manipulated, the apparatus performs at least one mitigating action.

Abstract: A geometric plane defined by a building-perimeter feature in an image capture by a mobile device is identified. The building-perimeter feature is co-located with an exterior wall of a building within which the mobile device is located. An orientation and/or location of the mobile device with respect to the geometric plane and an orientation of the mobile device with respect to a defined geographical direction are determined. A building model for the building and defining perimeter portions of the building (each perimeter portion corresponding to a respective exterior wall) is obtained or accessed. Based on the orientation and/or location of the mobile device with respect to the geometric plane, the orientation of the mobile device with respect to the defined geographical direction, and/or the building model, a particular perimeter portion of the building model that corresponds to the building-perimeter feature is identified and corresponding location information is determined.

Abstract: The absolute altitude of multiple floors of a building are determined using a multi-mode learning process. Processor(s) execute application program code to cause an apparatus to operate in an initial floor learning mode that includes capturing outdoor altitude estimates for the apparatus and determining, based in part on the outdoor altitude estimates, instant altitude estimates for an initial floor of the building. An absolute altitude estimate for the initial floor is determined based one the instant altitude estimates. After the absolute altitude estimate for the initial floor satisfies a first threshold certainty, the apparatus operates in a subsequent floor learning mode configured for determining respective absolute altitudes for floors of the building based on the absolute altitude estimate for the initial floor and a priori floor height information for the building, a sensor-based altitude change estimate, and/or a determined floor height for the building.

Abstract: Inter-alia, a method is disclosed comprising: gathering at least one sample measurement comprising at least one of an identifier information or signal strength information of a plurality of radio nodes, wherein one or more signals sent by the respective radio nodes are observable at a location where the apparatus performs the gather of the at least one sample measurement; encoding the at least one sample measurement based on the following conditions: allowing the encoded at least one sample measurement to comprise at a maximum two full identifier information of the respective radio nodes; allowing the encoded at least one sample measurement to comprise at a maximum three partial identifier information, wherein a part of a respective full identifier information of the respective radio nodes is allowed to be comprised; and allowing the encoded at least one sample measurement to comprise at least one signal strength information of the respective radio nodes; and providing the encoded at least one sample measurem

Abstract: Inter-alia, methods are disclosed for decoding an optimized message format utilizable for positioning. The methods may include obtaining at least one encoded sample measurement comprising: at a maximum two full identifier information of respective radio nodes; at a maximum three partial identifier information of respective radio nodes, wherein a part of a respective full identifier information of the respective radio nodes is comprised; and at least one signal strength information of the respective radio nodes; and resolving a respective partial identifier information of the maximum of three partial identifier information of respective radio nodes to determine their respective full identifier information. Corresponding apparatus(es), computer program(s) and system(s) are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach for mapping a user location, comprising receiving, by one or more processors, location data of a vehicle; receiving, by one or more processors, a first location data for one or more end users, wherein the first location data is relative to the vehicle; making a determination, by the one or more processors, a second location data of one or more end users, wherein the second location data is determined at least in part based on the location of a vehicle, the first location data, and data from one or more inertial sensors; and based at least on the determination, generating, by the one or more processors, a feedback which is transmitted to one or more end user devices or servers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach for obtaining fingerprints that have been collected by at least one mobile device for supporting a positioning of other mobile devices, each fingerprint comprising at least results of measurements on radio signals of at least one communication node at a particular location, communication node names proximate to the particular location, and an area identifier for the particular location; receiving a positioning request that contains at least a multiset of communication node names; selecting a radio model, wherein the radio model selected is based at least in part on the fingerprint and/or the number of communication node names proximate to a fingerprint which match the node names in the positioning request that contains at least a multiset of communication node names; and generating data for a feedback for a user of the at least one computing device based on the selected radio model.

Abstract: A computing device, method and computer program product are provided to generate or update a radio map based on a plurality of fingerprint data that each respectively includes an obfuscated location reference. The radio map may be provided to another computing device for use in conjunction with positioning services. A computing device is provided that is configured to determine a position based upon a radio map. A computing device, method and computer program product are also provided to determine a position based upon a radio map for which the obfuscated location references are deobfuscated based on the one or more parameters, such as one or more translation and/or rotation parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for radio model generation, mobile device positioning, and/or hash key generation for a radio model. In this regard, a presence of a first radio node in a radio environment is determined. Additionally, at least one hash of the first radio node is determined based at least in part on radio node data for a second radio node in the radio environment. At least a portion of a radio model for the first radio node is then configured based on the at least one hash.

Abstract: A computing device, method and computer program product are provided to generate fingerprint data having an obfuscated location reference, thereby maintaining the privacy of the location information provided by fingerprint data and represented by a radio map. For a computing device configured to generate fingerprint data having an obfuscated location reference, the computing device is caused to receive fingerprint data comprising a location reference and measurement(s) of one or more communications nodes. The computing device is caused to determine translation and/or rotation parameter(s) based on a respective identifier of at least one of the one or more communications nodes and to apply one or more of the parameters at least to the location reference, thereby generating an obfuscated location reference. The computing device is also caused to provide the fingerprint data including the obfuscated location reference to another computing device for generation or updating of a radio map.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach to improve data collection for a radio-based positioning system. The disclosed approach may involve processor(s) (e.g., of positioning server(s) and/or of a mobile device) obtaining radio data associated with the mobile device, where the radio data is collected while the mobile device is located within a particular vehicle during a time of commute. The processor(s) may determine a particular location of the particular vehicle representing where the particular vehicle is or was located during the time of commute. And the processor(s) may then use the particular location of the particular vehicle to geo-reference the radio data collected while the mobile device is located within the particular vehicle during the time of commute.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for communication node localization. For example, a digital fingerprint associated with a communication node in a communication environment is received. The digital fingerprint includes at least location data associated with a location estimate of the communication node and timestamp data associated with one or more measurements with respect to the communication node. Based at least in part on the timestamp data associated with the digital fingerprint, a frequency distribution data structure for the communication node is configured. Additionally, the location data is refined to generate refined location data for the communication node based on a comparison of one or more characteristics between the frequency distribution data structure and respective timetable data structures for respective scheduled events associated with an event location deemed to be at least proximate to the location data.