Abstract: A positional measurement system includes an electromagnetic wave source which emits an electromagnetic wave, a lens system which has a first lens surface, an electromagnetic wave shield section provided around a center axis of the first lens surface, and a second lens surface, and causes the electromagnetic wave having entered by way of the first lens surface exclusive of the electromagnetic wave shield section to exit from the second lens surface, to form an electromagnetic wave concentrated area at a position opposite the electromagnetic wave source, a receiving device which detects the electromagnetic wave concentrated area formed by the lens system, and a computing device which measures a position of the electromagnetic wave source based on information detected by the receiving device on the electromagnetic wave concentrated area.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the position and orientation of a probe. Three at least partly overlapping planar antennas are used to transmit electromagnetic radiation simultaneously, with the radiation transmitted by each antenna having its own spectrum. A receiver inside the probe includes sensors of the three components of the transmitted field, with sensors for at least two of the three components being pairs of sensors, such as coils, on opposite sides of a common reference point. In one variant of the receiver, the coils are collinear and are wound about cores that are mounted in pairs of diametrically opposed apertures in the housing of the probe. Each member of a pair of coils that sense the same component of the transmitted field is connected to a different input of a differential amplifier. The position and orientation of the receiver relative to the antennas are determined noniteratively.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are presented for integrated wireless device location determination. A method for determining location on a wireless device includes receiving a request for wireless device location and receiving a plurality of wireless network messages. Each message is transmitted from a wireless network edge device associated with one of a plurality of wireless networks. Further included is obtaining location measurement information from the received wireless network messages and obtaining location determining assistance information for each of the wireless networks associated with the received wireless network messages. The method further includes determining more than one wireless device location based on the location measurement information and the location determining assistance information, determining an integrated wireless device location based on the more than one wireless device location, validating and storing the integrated wireless device location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to implement a “virtual” real-time clock at a terminal based on time information from multiple communication systems. At least one system (e.g., GPS) provides “absolute” time information for the virtual real-time clock, and at least one other system (e.g., a cellular system) provides “relative” time information. The virtual real-time clock is “time-stamped” with absolute time as it becomes available from the first system. Relative time (which may be received from multiple asynchronous transmitters) is mapped to the timeline of the virtual real-time clock as it is received from the second system. Absolute time at any arbitrary time instant on the timeline may then be estimated based on the absolute time from the first system and the relative time from the second system. Absolute times from the first system for two or more time instants may also be used to calibrate the relative time from the second system.

Abstract: A regional positioning method and apparatus in a wireless sensor network (WSN) is provided. The regional positioning method in a WSN, the regional positioning method including: setting a locating premise in the WSN based on a signal strength of an anchor node; sensing an event where a sensor node, installed in a target and called a target node, joins the WSN; detecting a locating premise where the target node is located based on the sensing of the event; and recognizing a location of the target based on the detected locating premise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tracking a target wherein a new position fix is taken when the measured movement of the target is more than a predetermined threshold amount or when the position fix has not been updated in a predetermined interval. The apparatus and method minimize energy use and network resources by performing position determination fixes only when needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for reducing power consumption of a positioning system having wireless beacons. A wireless transmitter static beacon is provided, which has a known position, signal strength, and range. A mobile device is positioned within the range of the static beacon and its position is determined based on a signal from the static beacon. Foreign wireless transmitter devices and their locations are detected. The immobility of the foreign devices is evaluated by periodically determining their positions and calculating the frequency with which their positions change, and by determining the devices' types. A subset of the foreign devices that are immobile are selected and amalgamated into the positioning system based on device type and position-changing frequency. The signal strength of the static beacon is reduced, which in turn reduces the range of the static beacon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics device within a mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes generating at least one personal route profile, comparing predetermined GPS hotspots to the personal route profiles, detecting real-time traffic updates associated with the predetermined GPS hotspots, identifying GPS hotspots corresponding to the personal route profile and based on the real-time traffic updates, and providing information relating to selected identified GPS hotspots based on the real-time traffic updates. The personal route profile may be generated from a user interface. The predetermined GPS hotspots may be created based on user interface input. The selected GPS hotspots may include all identified GPS hotspots within a predetermined geographic area of the personal route profile. The selected GPS hotspots may include GPS hotspots in the forward path of a vehicle including the telematics device.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide location support for assisted navigation systems, for example, with respect to assistance data specifications and protocols in systems without impacting a cellular system-specific control plane protocol. Location support for cellular systems can be introduced into only the user plane of a particular cellular system by including/introducing certain relevant information to existing parameters within the user plane. Additionally, support for new cellular systems is introduced into the user plane protocol by defining its “identification” to the protocol.

Abstract: A system (50) and method (300) for providing multipath error mitigation for real-time wireless tracking of an object (100) is disclosed herein. A plurality of sensor readings are obtained from a tag (60) attached to an object (100) within an indoor facility (70). A plurality of reading sets are generated and sorted by zones. A zone with the highest average reading is preferably selected and the location of the object (100) is calculated based on the selected zone readings. In this manner, faulty position readings are eliminated from the location calculation thereby allowing for more accurate tracking of the object (100) within the indoor facility (70).

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating a first response mission at an incident scene, such as an accident site, a natural or human-made disaster site, or any other first response site. One system is for locating a plurality of portable modules at an incident scene. The system comprises a plurality of receivers transportable to the incident scene. The system also comprises a processing entity configured to: determine a location of a first one of the portable modules based on first data derived from a wireless signal transmitted by the first one of the portable modules and received by at least three receivers of the plurality of receivers; and determine a location of a second one of the portable modules based on the location of the first one of the portable modules and second data derived from a wireless signal transmitted by the second one of the portable modules and received by the first one of the portable modules.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system and method are provided that can utilize impulse radio technology to detect when an intruder has entered a protection zone. In addition, the intrusion detection system and method can utilize impulse radio technology to determine a location of the intruder within the protection zone and also track the movement of the intruder within the protection zone. Moreover, the intrusion detection system and method can utilize impulse radio technology to create a specially shaped protection a one before trying to detect when and where the intruder has penetrated and moved within the protection zone.

Abstract: A service providing system including an administrator terminal device, a user terminal device, and a service providing device. The service providing device authorizes a process to register a user terminal device after determining that the service providing device is connectable to both the user terminal device and the administrator terminal device via a wireless network. When the service providing device is under the care and supervision of the administrator, the service providing device is entrusted to register the user terminal device, thereby providing services to the user terminal device without burdening the administrator. The system further includes an image outputting device as one of service providing devices. The system adjusts a timing of producing an image, depending on who stays in a communication range.

Abstract: Association request messages received by one or more access points of a wireless local area network are used to infer the location of a mobile unit requesting association. Association may be refused for security purposed if it is determined that the mobile unit is not within an area services by the wireless network. In addition the inferred location can be used to assign the mobile unit to an access point for association.

Abstract: A tag receives a wireless signpost signal that contains a signpost code, converts the signpost code into location information representative of a physical location of a signpost that transmitted the received signpost signal, and transmits a wireless tag signal that includes the location information. In a different configuration, a tag receives a wireless signpost signal that includes a signpost code, and determines whether the signpost that generated the received signpost signal is a replacement for a different signpost. If it is a replacement, the tag transmits a wireless tag signal containing an information portion that relates to the signpost replaced by the signpost that generated the received signpost signal.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus includes a radar means that detects the position of an object; an imaging means that detects the position and size of an object; a fusion processing means that fuses the object detected by the radar means and the object detected by the imaging means as the same object, when the detection results of the radar means and the imaging means satisfy a prescribed fusion condition, to generate a fusion object having position information and size information. A provisional fusion object is generated if the detection result from the imaging means does not satisfy the fusion condition with respect to the detection result from the radar.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an RTD that is released from a single primary platform to collect signals from a target emitter and relay data back to a single primary platform, enabling the precise geo-location of the target emitter to be determined in a minimal amount of time. The RTD is released from a single platform and quickly creates a long signal collection baseline between the released RTD and the single platform. Various techniques for determining geo-location may be used with the present disclosure, such as angle of arrival (AOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) methods.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting drift in calibrated tracking systems used to locate features with respect to one or more coordinate systems allows medical devices to be accurately tracked within a reference coordinate system, and facilitates detection and compensation for changes in the orientation of the tracking system with respect to the coordinate system over time.

Abstract: A tracking system includes an emitter array configured to emit radiation around a subject to be tracked in at least one dimension wherein each emitter or group of emitters is modulated to permit identification of a source of the radiation. A receiver is configured to receive the radiation from the emitter array, wherein one of the emitter array and the receiver are located on the subject to be tracked. A processor is configured to interpret changes in radiation and correlate the changes to a device position to output a device position control signal.

Abstract: A system and a method for enabling a Home-SUPL Location Platform (H-SLP) to rapidly identify a currently available positioning method of a target SUPL-Enabled terminal (target SET) are provided. To this end, a message, including positioning capabilities (SET capabilities) which represent whether one or more positioning methods exist, to be transmitted from the target SET to the H-SLP is configured to additionally include information representing whether each positioning method is currently available. Accordingly, even if an electric wave environment of the target SET is changed or a positioning method is changed, the H-SLP can rapidly and efficiently perform a positioning because it always recognizes a currently available positioning method.

Abstract: In a local positioning system, a receiver is adapted for receiving signals from a land-based transmitter. The receiver includes an analog decorrelator for decorrelating the transmitted spread spectrum signals. A down converter connected with an antenna may be spaced away from other portions of the receiver. The down converter down converts received ranging signals and provides them to the remotely spaced receiver portions. A signal line connecting the down converter to the receiver may be operable to transmit any two or more of a reference signal provided to the down converter, the down converted intermediate frequency signals provided to the receiver, and power provided to the down converter. The receiver may be positioned adjacent to or as part of a land-based transmitter. By determining positions of two or more antennas, the location of the associated transmitter is determined.

Abstract: A personalized format webpage is generated to monitor location information. A graphical mapping module is disclosed to provide mapping tiles from multiple mapping service providers in response to user request for location information of a tracking device associated with an object or an individual. A wizard menu enables the user to reorient an initial request for mapping tiles in a different layout or view format without requiring additional access to a mapping service provider website. Alert messages associated with the tracking device are generated in accordance with selected alert zones. Dashboard management tools may be included or associated with a software file readily accessible and functionally equipped to interpret user requests for mapping reorientation and zoom capabilities.

Abstract: An image forming system and apparatus are provided which utilizes a portable terminal such as a cellular phone when printing and outputting map data, etc. On a network by separating the operation through the cellular phones from the operation through a terminal printer. The system includes a portable terminal that is connected to a network via a gateway through radio communication and provides a desired map destination data to a server. The server receives the destination data via the network and stores the destination data in a prescribed area. A printer that is connected to the server provides its position data to the server and receives a map data comprising the position data of the printer as a starting point and the destination data as an ending point and prints this map data.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ranging and positioning as follows by using the procedure for packet transmission and reception between a sender and a recipient. A first radio set transmits packets to a second radio set as a recipient. The second radio set returns the packets without fail after the lapse of time (from the detection of packets) which corresponds to an integral multiple of a prescribed unit time. The first radio set counts, by using its counter, the time which has elapsed from its transmission of packets to its detection of packets from the second radio set. The remainder of the thus counted time after subtraction of the time taken by the second radio set from packet detection to packet return and the processing time of the first radio set itself is converted into the distance of propagation between the first radio set and the second radio set as a recipient.

Abstract: The present invention includes a mobile device that is capable of storing media and optionally a wireless network connection for streaming live data between the device and the database. The data from the orientation sensor and the position sensor both go directly into the mobile device as input to a controller in the device. The controller controls in part an audio/video output that is modulated based upon the relative position of the user to an object of interest as well as the user's orientation.

Abstract: A location system is disclosed for commercial wireless telecommunication infrastructures. The system is an end-to-end solution having one or more location centers for outputting requested locations of commercially available handsets or mobile stations (MS) based on, e.g., CDMA, AMPS, NAMPS or TDMA communication standards, for processing both local MS location requests and more global MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location centers. The system uses a plurality of MS locating technologies including those based on: (1) two-way TOA and TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) distributed antenna provisioning; and (4) supplemental information from various types of very low cost non-infrastructure base stations for communicating via a typical commercial wireless base station infrastructure or a public telephone switching network.

Abstract: A method for identifying an approximate location of a radio frequency tag includes scanning zones of an area in an active mode at a first power level for identifying the zone in which the tag is located, and scanning portions of the zone in which the tag is located in a passive mode at a second power level for identifying the portion of the zone in which the tag is located. An RFID system includes a plurality of RFID tags and an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for locating and tracking persons by use of an implantable device. The described invention is an implantable device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs. The gross anatomic siting of the device includes any limb, the torso, including back and perineum, the neck, and the head. The surgical anatomic siting of the device includes: (1) Supramuscular: for example, deep to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, on or attached to muscle and/or muscle fascia. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available buried intravenous access ports, which are positioned on, and attached to, the pectoralis major muscle fascia; (2) Intramuscular: for example, within or between the muscles of a limb; (3) Submuscular: for example, deep to a large muscle.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically determining the position of transceivers of navigation signals using a utilization system for the navigation signals are provided. First, coarse calibration of the coordinates of the transceivers is performed. Next, a trajectory of the utilization system is estimated. Finally, fine calibration of the coordinates of the transceivers and the trajectory of the utilization system is performed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for locating an asset in a facility. An example of an asset is a vehicle and an example of a facility is a parking facility. When the user enters the facility with the asset, the user receives a base and code from a base/code booth. The code may be stored on a removable card. The user secures the asset by entering the code. While the user is away from the facility, the present invention monitors the base for movement detected by the motion sensor. When the user returns to the facility, a locator panel displays the location of the asset. The present invention determines the location of the asset by triangulation using the locators. The user then returns to the asset, deactivates the motion sensor, returns the base and code to a base/code booth, pays for the storage services, and exits the facility.

Abstract: A local location-tracking system is installed in an indoor space, and comprises at least one tracked end, a plurality of second wireless signal transceivers and a local control end. The tracked end is movably located within the indoor space, and has at least one first wireless signal transceiver for sending a tracked signal. Each of the second wireless signal transceivers sends a detecting signal to the tracked end, the tracked end generates a response signal in accordance with the detecting signal, and the second wireless signal transceiver sends out a strength signal in accordance with a signal strength of the response signal. The local control end is applied to receive the strength signal and calculating a location coordinate of the tracked end in accordance with the signal strength.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping a structure detect wireless signals, including at least one multipath signal that has experienced at least one reflection against a portion of the structure prior to the detection. The wireless signals are analyzed to estimate reflection points for the multipath signal(s), and a map of at least the portion of the structure is generated based on the estimated reflection points.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the detection of misuse of an identity during an electronic transaction. The invention comprises at least five embodiments. In a first embodiment, the method comprises the step of: receiving a notification to authenticate the use of an identity at a first location, wherein the identity is associated with a first wireless terminal; determining an approximate location of the first wireless terminal based on cached position information, the approximate location of the first wireless terminal being a second location; determining whether the first and second locations match in geographical proximity; and generating an alert if the first and second locations do not match in geographical proximity. In a second embodiment, an approximate location of the first wireless terminal is determined based on cached position information stored on a GPS position database. Methods of geo-locating a wireless terminal user are within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for determining the positions of targets by bistatic measurements using signals scattered by the targets is provided in which the velocities of the targets can also be determined. The range of the transmitters is selected so that a target at an arbitrary point can be measured, by scattering in the target, by at least four cooperating measuring facilities. First the targets are associated by calculating, in two independent ways, two sets of sums of distances between transmission points and targets and, respectively, targets and reception points. Subsequently, the two sums are sorted with respect to distance, compared with each other, and the sums that correspond with each other within a predetermined margin of error are stated to correspond to conceivable targets. The association of targets is improved and completed by corresponding calculations being carried out for Doppler velocities.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for collaborative location awareness based on weighted maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), which is configured to improve accuracy of location awareness between nodes in estimating a location of a blind node. The method includes exchanging location awareness information with a reference node and a location-estimated blind node among peripheral nodes when location awareness is requested, performing location estimation based on weighted MLE, performing location calculation by using the location awareness information and an estimate obtained through the location estimation, and providing location awareness results of blind nodes.

Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a weather hazard for an aircraft. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the hazard in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data from a lightning sensor. The system can include a display for showing the hazard and its location.

Abstract: A method of using a wireless communication system to determine locations is provided. The method including exchanging communication frames between at least two synchronized nodes in the communication system, wherein each communication frame includes at least one of data signals and radar signals. Determining distances of at least one of nodes and reflective sources based in least in part on at least one of direct and reflected radar signals and determining locations of at least one of the nodes and the reflective sources based on the determined distances.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one of unintentional and intentional electromagnetic emissions for at least one of enabling electromagnetic location of predetermined electronic equipment giving off such at least one of such unintentional and intentional electromagnetic emissions, tagging such predetermined electronic equipment and tracking such predetermined electronic equipment and various combination thereof. The apparatus comprises an emitter mechanism for providing an amplified electromagnetic energy which at least one of amplifies and changes a frequency content of the at least one of such unintentional and intentional electromagnetic emissions signature of a targeted electronic device by using an applied electromagnetic field generated by the emitter mechanism. There is a receiver for receiving the at least one of such unintentional and intentional electromagnetic emissions signature of such targeted electronic device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system comprising a transmitter coil array with two or more transmitter coils and a receiver coil array with one or more ferrite rod antennas. A transmitter or receiver coil array for an electromagnetic tracking system comprising a plurality of ferrite rod antennas positioned on a plane at different locations, with different orientations, and pointing in different directions.

Abstract: A wireless system has a set of frequency channels that can be used for communication between a mobile node and a set of anchor nodes. The position of the mobile node is estimated by measuring the power with which wireless signals transmitted by the mobile node are received at the anchor nodes. Each anchor node cyclically scans the frequency channels, and can therefore measure the received power of wireless signals transmitted on any one of the frequency channels. When the mobile node is engaged in a call, if the measured received power drops by at least a certain amount, a quantity is added to the measured value to compensate for effects such as signal blockage by the user's hand.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for operating a mobile device comprising a navigation receiver and a communication terminal. The method comprises the steps of obtaining by means of the navigation receiver information indicative of the reception conditions, deriving from the information indicative of the reception conditions assistance data information for controlling operation of the communication terminal, operating the communication terminal exploiting the assistance data information.

Abstract: A lateration system comprising at least one transmitter attached to a first object and configured to emit pulses, three or more receivers attached to at least one second object and configured to receive the pulses emitted by the transmitter, and a processor configured to process information received from the three or more receivers, and to generate a vector based on lateration. Lateration is one of multilateration and trilateration. The vector is used by the processor to constrain error growth in a navigation solution.

Abstract: A method and position estimating system for estimating a position of a mobile terminal is disclosed. In one embodiment, the position estimating system includes i) a base station configured to compute round trip time information of a mobile terminal, ii) a base station controller configured to receive the round trip time information of the mobile terminal, iii) a repeater configured to expand a service coverage of the mobile terminal, iv) a round trip time measuring unit, being connected to the repeater and configured to measure round trip time information of the repeater and v) a position estimating device configured to estimate the position of the mobile terminal by using the round trip time information of the mobile terminal and the round trip time information measured by the round trip time measuring unit. According to one embodiment, a position of the mobile terminal can be exactly computed by using round trip time and information, stored in a network management system.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring topological changes in a defined area. A grid of sensors is arranged in the area, with known distances between them. The sensors communicate wirelessly with a host computer, which individually addresses each sensor to instruct that sensor to be in an interrogate mode or responder mode. When a sensor is in interrogate mode, it measures distance from a neighboring sensor using radar (continuous wave phase difference) measurements. When a sensor is in responder mode, it receives, delays, and returns a signal received from a neighboring sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a method for facilitating location determination. The method includes granting a subscriber access to a location determination network via a first device and determining location of a second device via the network, the second device being configurable for dual mode location determination. Finally, the determined location of the second device is provided to the first device.

Abstract: An animal management system includes a beacon, a radio animal tag configured to monitor the proximity of the animal tag to the beacon, and a reader configured to read information from the animal tag.

Abstract: Security of ADS-B transmissions is improved in a first embodiment to detect position spoofing. The annunciated position source may then be compared with the derived source and a determination is made regarding the difference between the results. Any position difference greater than an amount significantly greater than the combination of the error sources is then a cause for concern and can be used to generate an alert. In a second embodiment, alerting may be based on identification spoofing. From these sources a correlated ID is available which will have an associated confidence based on the number of sources and the level of agreement on the information. Aircraft dynamics may be correlated with the announced ID for consistency. A priori information on the aircraft and location, such as schedule information, and normal operations, may be used to assist in the confidence of aircraft identity. In a third embodiment, alerting may be based on spoofing of identity and position.

Abstract: A system and a method for position determination by impulse radio using a first transceiver having a first clock providing a first reference signal and a second transceiver placed spaced from the first transceiver. The system determines the position of the second transceiver. The second transceiver has a second clock that provides a second reference signal. A first sequence of pulses are transmitted from the first transceiver. The first sequence of pulses are then received at the second transceiver and the second transceiver is then synchronized with the first sequence of pulses. A second sequence of pulses are transmitted from the second transceiver. The first transceiver receives the second sequence of pulses and the first transceiver is synchronized with the second sequence of pulses. A delayed first reference signal is generated in response to the synchronization with the second sequence of pulses.

Abstract: Precision and reliability of localization estimates derived from conventional localization systems are improved through a system and method for post-processing of initial localization data, even in environments which may include noise, reflections, or other interference. Such localization systems include conventional sound source localization (SSL) systems based on microphone array inputs, radio source location systems based on directional antenna array inputs, etc. In general, this post-processing system and method applies statistical real-time clustering to initial localization estimates, and then uses this real-time clustering in a multi-stage process to generate new localization estimates having improved precision and reliability relative to the initial localization estimates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellular mobile radio systems, particularly to systems of more than one co-sited cell/sector. A method and apparatus for high accuracy enhanced positioning not requiring more sites than one to be involved in positioning is disclosed.