Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to tracking a vehicle on its journey. At predetermined reporting time intervals, the vehicle's location is determined using GNSS and a current vector is calculated based on a current location and an immediately preceding location. The difference between the current vector and the immediately preceding vector is then determined and this difference is stored in the data packet. The data packet is transmitted to the base station using a two-way radio data link at select predetermined transmission time intervals. The data in the data packet is encoded to minimize the number of bits needed to store each data point.

Abstract: One aspect of the technology involves a system for measuring the rotational position of a rotating shaft, including a field source configured to generate a measurable field, a sensor configured to measure the generated field, and a target that is configured to modify the generated field as measured by the sensor to have a shape with (a) at least one measurable feature for a zero reference point, and (b) a shape that varies throughout one or more angles such that a rotational position of the shaft is determined with a selected angular accuracy. There is also a device that receives a query for the rotational position of the shaft a device that responds to the query. Another aspect involves generating multi-frequency vibrations with a single linear resonant actuator (LRA). This LRA can exhibit a beat pattern in response to being driven by the sum of two different sinusoidal functions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising, receiving a three-dimensional map of one or more obstructions associated with a field, the one or more obstructions presenting an obstacle to line of sight reception from a satellite to a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receiver; receiving almanac data corresponding to an orbit of the satellite; determining anticipated accuracy of positioning in the field at plural locations and plural times based on the almanac data and the map; and determining waylines for autonomous traversal through the field based on the anticipated accuracy at the plural locations and the plural times.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor, a position receiver, and storage bearing instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to receive from the position receiver data indicating a location of the device. The instructions are also executable to receive a map of a facility, present on the device at least a portion of the map, receive a selection of a destination indicated on the map, and at least in part based on the selection and the data indicating the location of the device, present on the device directions to the destination in the facility.

Abstract: A method of determining data of a fingerprint map includes: obtaining visible light communication signals at a mobile device; determining yaw of the mobile device using the visible light communication signals; obtaining roll and pitch of the mobile device; determining a transformation of a mobile-device coordinate system to a reference coordinate system using the roll, pitch, and yaw; obtaining first indications of vector components of a field at a location of the mobile device; and sending, to a server, the first indications and the transformation; or determining second indications of vector components of the field using the first indications and the transformation, the second indications being indicative of vector components at the location of the mobile device in the reference coordinate system, and sending, to the server, the second indications; or sending the first indications to the server, and determining and sending the second indications to the server.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for providing route guidance to a customer in a shopping facility space are provided. A system for providing route guidance comprises a communication device configured to communicate with a user interface device, a store map database storing location information for a plurality of items available for purchase in the retail space, and a control circuit coupled to the communication device and the store map database. The control circuit is configured to receive a list of items for purchase from a user associated with the user interface device via the communication device, retrieve location information associated with each item of the list of items for purchase from the store map database, determine a route based on at least one user entered route preference and the location information associated with each item of the list of items for purchase, and provide the route to the user interface device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for mapping a shopping space are provided. A system for mapping a shopping space includes a plurality of motorized transport units, a store map database, and a central computer system. The central computer system being configured to divide the map of the shopping space into a plurality of sections, assign a unique section identifier to each of the plurality of sections in the shopping space, associate a blocked tag with each section inaccessible to the plurality of motorized transport units, associate an accessible tag with each section accessible by at least one of the plurality of motorized transport units, for each section having an accessible tag, allow an access restriction setting to be configured, and provide navigation instructions to the plurality of motorized transport units based on access restriction settings of each section of the shopping space stored.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for determining turn lane data from probe data. Probe data for an intersection including locations and headings is identified. The probe data for the intersection is divided into a first trace and a second trace based on locations. The difference in the headings, heading change data, is calculated. From the heading change data, at least two local extrema points are identified. A characteristic of the turning lane is determined based on the at least two local extrema points.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for reducing road travel costs. By use of a processor, multiple routes that a vehicle may traverse to get from a starting point to a selected destination are determined. A projected mileage that the vehicle will traverse to get from the starting point to the selected destination for each route is dynamically calculated. A cost associated with each route is determined based at least in part on the projected mileage for the respective route.

Abstract: A vehicle localization system and method uses a hybrid communication layer. The system and method detect a vehicle location and transmit the vehicle location to an application layer using a plurality of communication methods. In addition, the method and system can determine a preferable communication method. The preferable communication method can be dependent on past vehicle locations.

Abstract: Architecture that comprises features that enable smart searches along a route based on time to entities along the route and off the route, a user experience (UX) that showcases rich entities along the route, saving, sharing and editing capabilities across devices and users, smart ranking and filtering of entities, and user preferences and digital personal assistant interaction. After an itinerary is built, the itinerary can be saved for future use and/or shared with friends and/or other devices. Users can change the itinerary on-the-go by searching and adding entities, at a later time, for example. A digital personal audio assistant can be utilized to provide guidance based on the itinerary, and ask users if they want to take a particular exit to visit some desired location (e.g., place of interest).

Abstract: A navigation method in a first communication device including determining a meeting place for the first communication device and at least one second communication device, according to present location and user preference of respective communication device, and setting a navigation route from the present location of the first communication device to the determined meeting place.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to providing navigation instructions to a user for reaching a destination via a route planned on a map of a navigation system, said map comprising a plurality of road segments, at least a subset of said road segments comprising an assigned familiarity score. An aspect includes tracking a route taken by a user. Another aspect includes calculating an updated familiarity score of the one or more road segments of the tracked route using at least one of a user-defined updating variable and an updating variable based on at least one dynamically obtained actual travelling condition. Yet another aspect includes storing the updated familiarity score in a data storage of the navigation system.

Abstract: Vehicle management systems and associated processes can consider energy consumption when selecting routes for fleet vehicles. Vehicle management systems and associated processes are described that, in certain embodiments, evaluate vehicle energy usage based on factors such as terrain or elevation, vehicle characteristics, driver characteristics, road conditions, traffic, speed limits, stop time, turn information, traffic information, and weather information, and the like. The features described herein may also be implemented for non-fleet vehicles, such as in personal vehicle navigation systems.

Abstract: A method and system. A request to generate for a user a geographical map is received, wherein the map depicts one or more travel routes from a specified initial address to a specified destination address, specified features relating to the one or more travel routes, and unique identifiers of preferred service providers of the specified features. After the request is received, it is ascertained that user preferences of the user for service providers of the specified features are not contained in a user preference database and that user preferences of the user for service providers of the specified features have not been provided with the request. User preferences of the user for service providers of the specified features are determined and in response, the map is generated and displayed.

Abstract: Technologies for directional wayfinding include a mobile computing device having one or more local location sensors to generate data indicative of movement of the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device captures first sensor data indicative of movement of the mobile computing device along a path and determines a series of waypoints based on the first sensor data. The waypoints may describe movement data of the mobile computing device, including length and direction of movement. The mobile computing device determines a series of directional instructions to guide a user of the mobile computing device back along the path in the reverse order and presents the directional instructions to the user. The mobile computing device may monitor the sensor data to determine whether the user has arrived at each waypoint while reversing the path. The sensors may include an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, or altimeter. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for creating, modifying, and viewing geographic areas and their corresponding routes and items of work. For example, an interface can be provided with a map display area and a route display area. The map display area and the route display area can be synchronized to create new routes, modify existing routes, and/or view information about various routes and/or items of work.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for creating, modifying, and viewing geographic areas and their corresponding routes and items of work. For example, an interface can be provided with a map display area and a route display area. The map display area and the route display area can be synchronized to create new routes, modify existing routes, and/or view information about various routes and/or items of work.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for creating, modifying, and viewing geographic areas and their corresponding routes and items of work. For example, an interface can be provided with a map display area and a route display area. The map display area and the route display area can be synchronized to create new routes, modify existing routes, and/or view information about various routes and/or items of work.

Abstract: A navigation system is configured to generate a sequence of driving instructions for directing a driver of a vehicle from a current location to a final destination. The navigation system is configured to capture sensor data that reflects the field of view of the driver and to identify objects in that field of view. The navigation system then customizes the driving instructions to reference specific objects, thereby generating context-specific driving instructions. The navigation system is also configured to identify particular objects upon which the driver is focused, and to generate context-specific driving instructions relative to such objects of focus. The navigation system may also provide correction information to the driver upon determining that the driver has incorrectly focused on a different object than an object referenced in a context-specific driving instruction.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) provides driving assistance based on road infrastructure information. The UE may include a wireless interface which communicates over a wireless channel, a position determination system configured to determine a position of the UE, a memory configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory. The processor may be configured to transmit a request for road infrastructure data which may include the position of the UE, receive road infrastructure data associated with road infrastructure element(s) within a proximity to the UE, where a boundary of the proximity exceeds a line of sight of the UE. The processor may also generate a graphical representation of the road infrastructure element(s) along with information associated with the road infrastructure data, and provide the graphical representation to a display. The graphical representation may convey status of, or information provided by, the road infrastructure element(s).

Abstract: A sensor position system that includes a portable programmable electronic device having a visual display screen and at least one motion sensor; and an executable sensor position system program loaded onto said electronic device, said program including executable instructions which visually display a two- or three-dimensional virtual representation of a user-selected physical space on the electronic visual display, enable a user to mark an initial reference point in the displayed virtual representation of the physical space, receive a data signal from said at least one motion sensor, evaluate the data signal from said at least one motion sensor so as to distinguish walking and running movements from other movements.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately estimating orientations between inertial sensing units and the body segments of a multi-segment subject to which they are affixed, and for accurately estimating position vectors from sensing units to joint centers of the corresponding body segments. By using the disclosed system and method magnetometers are not required and SDI (strap down integration) increments may be used as input to estimate the position and orientation of the sensors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealed communication interfaces are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a translucent portion of a sealing gasket to allow signals to pass therethrough, a sealing wall of the gasket to define a substantially environmentally-isolated zone proximate the translucent portion, and a transmitter to transmit a signal across the translucent portion. The example apparatus also includes a receiver to detect a reflected signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, where the detection enables data communications across the translucent portion, and where the reflected signal is to be reflected from a surface on an opposite side of the translucent portion from the transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to magnetic field angle sensing systems and methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetic (EM) tracking or localization is described which includes one or more EM transmitters and receivers (sensors, or trackers), an indication of relative locations of the one or more transmitter and sensor with respect to one or more instrument, optionally, a model of the one or more instrument flexibility, a measurement uncertainty analyzer that reports an uncertainty associated with each measurement, an equation of motion or dynamic model with motion constraints that describes an expected behavior of the one or more instrument, a probabilistic simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm that simultaneously estimates a pose of one or more instrument and updates a field distortion map, or parameters of a field distortion model, a field distortion estimator that uses currently-available information of the field distortion map and estimates field distortion in the vicinity of the one or more instrument, to be used for future measurement compensation, a transient analyzer

Abstract: A method of operating a measurement device such as position measurement encoder comprising a scale comprising a series of features and a readhead for reading the scale's features and supplying position signals, the readhead operable in a plurality of different modes of operation. The method comprises the measurement device such as a readhead outputting on at least one signal channel to an external device at least one mode of operation signal indicating the measurement device's (e.g. the readhead's) mode of operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region.

Abstract: An origin detector includes detecting element groups having a first to a fourth detector, is configured so that a first signal sensitivity of the detectors of a center is larger than a second signal sensitivity of the detectors of a periphery, reads an origin detecting pattern including an origin pattern having a length along a detecting direction of a part having a physical characteristic different from an origin peripheral part larger than a length along the detecting direction of each detecting element group, and outputs a first signal using the first and third detectors, and a second signal using the second and fourth detectors. A processor acquires a third signal from the first signal and a first threshold, and a fourth signal from the second signal and a second threshold, and outputs a fifth signal using the third and fourth signals as an origin signal.

Abstract: System for determining positions along a direction of advance, having a first sensor, particularly a line sensor, having a scanning length (L) for scanning a first 2D pattern and producing a scan signal. The first 2D pattern has pattern elements that each form a first code word on at least one portion of the scanning length (L), which first code word codes a position along the direction of advance absolutely. In addition, the first code word can be taken as a basis for determining a deviation from an ideal position for the first sensor in relation to the first 2D pattern.

Abstract: The position detection apparatus includes the first optical position detector used with an optical scale having periodic patterns. The first position detector receives lights from the periodic patterns when moving relatively to the optical scale with a movement of a movable member to generate first detection signals respectively changing at periods corresponding to periods of the periodic patterns. The second non-optical position detector generates a second detection signal changing with the movement of the movable member. The calculator produces a first position signal by using the first detection signals, produces a second position signal whose resolution is different from that of the first position signal, by using the second detection signal, and performs a calculation for combining the first and second position signals together to produce an absolute position signal.

Abstract: A distributed Brillouin sensor system comprising a pump laser, and a combined fiber assembly including at least a first optical fiber section and a second optical fiber section is described. The pump laser is arranged so as to send a pump signal into a first end of combined fiber assembly, and the detector system is arranged to detect Brillouin backscattering from the combined fiber assembly. The combined fiber assembly is characterized by the first section having a low Brillouin gain, and the second fiber section having a high Brillouin gain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for attaching a functional measurement or detection body to a vehicle bodywork part, wherein it comprises a support comprising a means for attaching to the functional body, and an interface for fastening said support to the bodywork part, said support and said fastening interface being assembled and fitted to one another using grooves.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward methods and systems including a flow meter. The flow meter can include one or more sensors and be capable of detecting parameters of the fluid flowing therethrough. One or more sensors can include capacitive sensors having a plurality of electrodes and configured to detect capacitive properties of a fluid flowing through the flow meter. Detected changes in detected properties of the fluid can be evidence of important changes in the fluid, such as an out of product event or a contamination of the fluid.

Abstract: A measurement device for measuring an airflow volume and a ventilation resistance of a wind-blowing apparatus includes: a housing that includes an air duct with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet being configured to take in air, the air outlet being configured to send out the taken air; an opening member installed inside the air duct, the opening member including an opening allowing the air taken from the air inlet to pass therethrough; pressure sensors configured to measure air pressures before and after the air passes through the opening member in the air duct; and an opening member replacing mechanism that forms a part of the air duct, the opening member replacing mechanism being configured to allow the opening member to be replaceable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit (4) comprising a conduit wall defining a flow channel through which a fluid may flow and a plurality of further channels (24) through at least part of the conduit wall. Each further channel (24) comprises a first end (20) and a second end (22). The first ends (20) of the further channels (24) are spaced apart along a length of the conduit (4) and comprise openings in fluid communication with the flow channel of the conduit (4). The second ends (22) of the further channels (24) are located proximate to one another (e.g. substantially collocated) such that the distance between the second ends (22) of any two further channels (24) is smaller than the distance between the first ends (20) of those two further channels (24). Pressure sensors (26) may be coupled to the second ends (22) of the further channels, which may be closed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter applies a magnetic field, which is generated by excitation current, to a fluid to be measured flowing in a measurement tube, and measures a flow rate of the fluid to be measured on the basis of a detection signal to be generated from an electrode provided in the measurement tube. The electromagnetic flowmeter includes an excitation circuit configured to generate the excitation current having a positive excitation period, a negative excitation period and a non-excitation period, and a diagnosis unit configured to detect an abnormality based on characteristics of the fluid to be measured, on the basis of a level of the detection signal in a non-excitation stable period, which is a period in which a differential noise of detection signal to be generated in the non-excitation period converges.

Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flow-through measurement system, having a measuring tube for an electrically conductive medium, a magnetic field generating device for generating a magnetic field running at least perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, at least two measuring electrodes which tap the measurement voltage induced in the electrically conductive medium, and an evaluation unit, wherein the measuring electrodes have measuring contact which are accessible externally on the measuring tube, and the measuring tube together with the measuring electrodes form a first functional unit, and counter-contacts corresponding to the measuring contacts, the magnetic field generating device and the evaluation unit form a second functional unit in a measurement system housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cable for optical fiber sensing applications formed from fiber wound around a cable core. A protective layer is then preferably placed over the top of the wound fiber, to protect the fiber, and to help keep it in place on the cable core. The cable core is preferably of a diameter to allow bend-insensitive fiber to be wound thereon with low bending losses. The effect of winding the fiber onto the cable core means that the longitudinal sensing resolution of the resulting cable is higher than simple straight fiber, when the cable is used with an optical fiber sensing system such as a DAS or DTS system. The achieved resolution for the resulting cable is a function of the fiber winding diameter and pitch, with a larger diameter and reduced winding pitch giving a higher longitudinal sensing resolution.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for automatically performing set-up steps for flow cytometry operations. The invention provides for the spatial determination of a flow stream and the subsequent automatic alignment of analysis devices and/or collection vessels. The automatic determination of flow stream properties provides for the automatic configuration flow cytometer parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for detecting flow of a fluid. One embodiment of a system includes a flow body, a thermal tube sensor housing, and a computing device. In some embodiments, the flow body includes an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, the thermal tube sensor housing includes a sensor tube that includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, and the sensor tube is configured with a cross position where a first portion of the sensor tube crosses paths with a second portion of the sensor tube, reducing a thermo-siphoning effect.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring liquid fuel flows within a conduit are disclosed. An example flow sensor may include a conduit arranged to flow fuel therethrough along a flow axis, the conduit defining a flow area orthogonal to the flow axis. The flow sensor may further include a first transducer arranged to direct a first signal through the conduit proximate the flow area to a second transducer, the second transducer being arranged to direct a second signal through the conduit proximate the flow area to the first transducer, the first transducer being spaced apart from the second transducer by a signal path length, and in a direction parallel to the flow axis by an axial distance. The fuel flow measuring system may further include a processor arranged to calculate a fuel mass flow rate based on first and second signal transit times, known fuel properties and a fuel temperature.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an error in the acquisition of a pulsing sensor quantity of a sensor in a gas line system of an internal combustion engine includes: acquisition of a plurality of sensor values of the pulsing sensor quantity that represent a curve of the sensor quantity; determination of a deviation value that indicates a measure of a deviation of the pulsing sensor values from a mean value of the sensor quantity; and recognition of an error of the sensor as a function of the deviation value.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a housing which accommodates helical guide blades and a core located within the guide blades, and a measuring chamber in which a measuring ball can rotate in a circle. Between the end of the core bounding on the measuring chamber and the end face of the outlet section oriented to the measuring chamber there are no wall portions present, and the distance between the outside edge of the core end bounding on the measuring chamber and the inside edge of outlet-section-end-face oriented to the measuring chamber is smaller than the diameter of the measuring ball. Consequently, the fluid may unimpedely flow out of the measuring chamber as a result of which there is low flow resistance of the flow meter. Moreover, this causes no obstacles to be present between two oppositely arranged spots on the housing that may disturb a light ray for the measurement.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a system for insulating a flow meter that includes a thermal tube sensor housing. The thermal tube sensor housing may include a housing cavity that holds a sensor tube, a temperature sensor, and a heater for determining a flow rate of a fluid. In some embodiments, the heater imparts thermal energy onto the sensor tube. In some embodiments, the housing cavity additionally holds an insulator for reducing leakage of the heat from the housing cavity. In still some embodiments, the insulator includes a plurality of beads and a binder material.

Abstract: A measuring vessel includes a first body that defines a first through hole. The measuring vessel further includes a second body that is located in the first through hole and that defines a second through hole. The measuring vessel further includes a first connection unit that connects the first body and the second body and that defines a first storage space between the first through hole and an outer circumferential surface of the second body. The measuring vessel further includes a second connection unit that is configured to close a surface of the second through hole to define a second storage space.

Abstract: A liquid measuring apparatus is designed for use in liquid chromatographic separation. The apparatus includes a plug body to be connected to the mouth or opening of the liquid container for opening/closing the liquid container, a sound wave producer disposed inside the plug body for providing output of sound wave directed toward the liquid, a receiver disposed inside the plug body for receiving a standing wave composed of an original sound wave provided by the sound wave producer and that part of the original sound wave which has hit against the surface of the liquid and has been reflected by the surface of the liquid, an algorithm for calculating the resonant frequency of the standing wave received by the receiver, and an algorithm for computing the amount of the liquid that remains in the liquid container.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for alerting a user to a possible liquid overflow including a base, balance beam arm, pivotally attached to the base, a float ball, a beam-to-ball connector, an alarm actuator, and an alarm.

Abstract: A fill level sensor for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle includes electrical structures that consist of different materials. Sliding contact track structures exposed to the fuel consist of a gold-containing paste. Conductor structures are protected by a cover from contact with the fuel and consist of an especially inexpensive material. The fill level sensor therefore is highly resistant to corrosive fuels and can be produced at low cost.

Abstract: A smart phone containing an application capable of communicating wirelessly with an electronic bathroom scale. From the application, the user can select his user account. By a slight shaking of the smart phone, the application will automatically and wirelessly select the same user account in the bathroom scale, and synchronize personal data from the application to the bathroom scale.