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.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to accelerate the estimation of a radio model of a beamforming access point within a radio environment, such as a beamforming access point that has been newly added to or relocated. In a method, the presence of a first beamforming access point in a radio environment is determined and information is obtained regarding one or more of a plurality of beams that are transmitted by the first access point. The method then estimates the radio model of the first access point based at least upon: (i) at least some of the information regarding the one or more of the beams transmitted by the first access point and (ii) signal propagation characteristics of one or more existing access points in the radio environment as represented by respective radio models of the one or more existing access points.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach for improved radio and/or altitude data collection in the context of a positioning system. In particular, processor(s) could execute a first phase of the collection process, which may involve collection of data only in seed area(s) associated with generation of an initial map as well as setting forth guidance, via a user interface of a mobile device, to collect data only in the seed area(s). And when the processor(s) detect a trigger to end the first phase, the processor(s) could responsively execute a second phase of the process, which may involve collection of data in secondary area(s) associated with generation of an updated map as well as setting forth guidance, via the user interface, (i) to collect data in the secondary area(s) and (ii) to visit seed area(s) and/or other area(s) that are deemed to be ready.

Abstract: In accordance with the disclosed approach, positioning server(s) could receive, from mobile devices, information indicating a plurality of GNSS rescue areas, each respective GNSS rescue area of the plurality of GNSS rescue areas corresponding to a respective geographic area visited by a respective one of the mobile devices in which (i) at least one GNSS-based position estimate is or was unavailable and (ii) the respective mobile device had demand for positioning data of at least a particular quality level. Given this, the server(s) could generate a GNSS rescue map representing radio data for the plurality of GNSS rescue areas. In this way, the server(s) could transmit, to a mobile device, an offline radio map representing a subset of the GNSS rescue map, to provide radio data for at least one of the GNSS rescue areas or portion thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes associating an identifying information indicative of an item to be tracked from a first device to a second device. The method also includes assigning a master/slave information indicative of a responsibility that the first device and/or the second device is in charge of tracking the item from the first device to the second device. The method further includes determining a position estimate indicative of a position of the item to be tracked based at least partially on the identifying information and the master/slave information. The first device is directly related to the item to be tracked, and the second device is not directly to the item to be tracked. An apparatus, a tangible computer-readable medium and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for operating one or more drones in a building. In the context of a method, information is determined that includes at least one of real time information or predictive information. The real time information is indicative of a position of at least one individual in the building, while the predictive information is indicative of a predicted location of the at least one individual in the building at a certain time. The method also includes controlling the one or more drones in the building according to the at least one of the real time information or the predictive information to avoid the at least one individual while the drone is performing a task.

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 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: 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: In accordance with the disclosed approach, positioning server(s) could receive, from mobile devices, information indicating a plurality of GNSS rescue areas, each respective GNSS rescue area of the plurality of GNSS rescue areas corresponding to a respective geographic area visited by a respective one of the mobile devices in which (i) at least one GNSS-based position estimate is or was unavailable and (ii) the respective mobile device had demand for positioning data of at least a particular quality level. Given this, the server(s) could generate a GNSS rescue map representing radio data for the plurality of GNSS rescue areas. In this way, the server(s) could transmit, to a mobile device, an offline radio map representing a subset of the GNSS rescue map, to provide radio data for at least one of the GNSS rescue areas or portion thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach to enable optimized GNSS augmentation via learning at a mobile device. In particular, the mobile device could identify device-specific GNSS rescue area(s), the device-specific GNSS rescue area(s) corresponding to geographic area(s) visited by the mobile device in which (i) at least one GNSS-based position estimate is or was unavailable and (ii) the mobile device had demand for positioning data of at least a particular quality level. The mobile device could then receive, from positioning server(s), an offline radio map representing radio data only for the device-specific GNSS rescue area(s), and could store the offline radio map in a local data storage device. In turn, the mobile device could perform position estimation(s) using the offline radio map representing radio data only for the device-specific GNSS rescue area(s).

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: A method includes obtaining or holding available first radio map information representing a first radio map for a first environment. The method also includes determining, at least partially based on said first radio map information, second radio map information representing a second radio map for a second environment. The second radio map contains or represents a respective radio coverage model for each radio device of a group of radio devices. A portion of the second environment at least partially covers the first environment. A density of radio coverage models contained in or represented by said second radio map in the portion of said second environment and at least partially covering the first environment is higher than a density of radio coverage models contained in or represented by the second radio map in a remaining portion of the second environment. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes gathering one or more pieces of crowdsourcing information indicative of one or more positions at which the at least one mobile device is located during the gathering. The method also includes collecting one or more performance indicators indicative of measurable information associated with the gathering of the one or more pieces of crowdsourcing information. The one or more performance indicators enable an evaluation of the gathering of the one or more pieces of crowdsourcing information. The method further includes providing the collected one or more performance indicators. An according apparatus, computer program and system are also disclosed.

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: A device generates a first plurality of aerial vehicle (AV) constellations about a geographic area and determines respective positioning scores for each AV constellation. The respective positioning score is determined based at least in part on a measure of positioning accuracy for positioning enabled by the AV constellation at position(s) of interest within the geographic area. The device generates a second plurality of AV constellations based on the first plurality and the respective positioning scores by modifying one or more of the AV constellations of the first plurality using random location perturbations. The device determines respective positioning scores for each AV constellation of the second plurality. The device selects a preferred AV constellation from a group of selectable constellations based on the respective positioning score of the preferred AV constellation, the group of selectable constellations generated based at least in part on the first and/or second plurality of AV constellations.

Abstract: After the aggregation/integration of an instance of contributed data into an instance of map data, a processor detects a reversion trigger corresponding to the instance of contributed data. The processor obtains a copy of the instance of contributed data and determines an instance of reverted map data based on at least the copy of the instance of contributed data and the at least one instance of map data. The instance of reverted map data comprises values corresponding to a de-aggregation of the instance of contributed data from the instance of map data. The instance of reverted map data is stored and/or provided as part of a digital map.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach to enable radio map download for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-denied areas. In particular, processor(s) (e.g., of positioning server(s)) could identify GNSS-denied area(s) in an initial radio map, the GNSS-denied area(s) being (i) one or more areas in which at least one GNSS signal is or was unavailable and (ii) a subset of a plurality of areas represented by the initial radio map. Subsequently, the processor(s) could generate a partial radio map representing radio data only for the GNSS-denied area(s) identified in the initial radio map, and could then transmit the partial radio map to a mobile device for storage at the mobile device. In this way, the mobile device could optimize resource usage and perform radio-based position estimations at least in the GNSS-denied area(s) that were identified.

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.