Abstract: A computer implemented method, system and apparatus for routing a user from a starting location to a destination location. The method comprises routing the user towards the destination along an initial route, prompting the user that an alternative route to the destination is available and monitoring the location of the user to determine whether to provide routing directions for the initial route or for the alternative route.

Abstract: Tracking systems using multi-object-tracking (MOT) combine data from a plurality of sensors (101) to derive a state estimate of one or more objects (103) are described. The interfaces to the sensors (101) are such that different ones of the sensors (101) can be used. The tracking (102) in the system consists of different blocks for state estimation (104), object's existence estimation (106), and data association (105). To utilize the data of a sensor, the sensor data and the system which is observed is modeled using the Bayesian filtering framework. All interfaces of the system, i.e. the interfaces between the sensors (101) and the MOT system as well as of the blocks in the MOT are of a characteristic that ensures that only compatible models are used with each other already when designing the system.

Abstract: A latency analysis system determines a latency period, such as a wait time, at a user destination. To determine the latency period, the latency analysis system receives location history from multiple user devices. With the location histories, the latency analysis system identifies points-of-interest that users have visited and determines the amount of time the user devices were at a point-of-interest. For example, the latency analysis system determines when a user device entered and exited a point-of-interest. Based on the elapsed time between entry and exit, the latency analysis system determines how long the user device was inside the point-of-interest. By averaging elapsed times for multiple user devices, the latency analysis system determines a latency period for the point-of-interest. The latency analysis system then uses the latency period to provide latency-based recommendations to a user. For example, the latency analysis system may determine a shopping route for a user.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking an object is disclosed. Light is received from the object at a lens having an optical axis, a non-linear off-axis (peripheral) portion and an on-axis portion. The received light is directed onto a photodetector array via the non-linear peripheral portion of the lens. A direction of the object with respect to an optical axis of the lens is determined from a location of the light on the photodetector array. The determined direction is used to orient the optical axis of the lens toward object to track the object. The photodetector array and lens may be coupled to a projectile and the determined direction may be used to direct the projectile to hit a target.

Abstract: An environment monitor has a plurality of sensors for detecting predetermined safety risks associated with a plurality of potential destination regions around a vehicle as the vehicle moves over a roadway. The environment monitor selects one of the potential destination regions having a substantially lowest safety risk as a target area. A path determination unit assembles a plurality of plausible paths between the vehicle and the target area, monitors predetermined safety risks associated with the plurality of plausible paths, and selects one of the plausible paths having a substantially lowest safety risk as a target path. An impact detector detects an impact between the vehicle and another object. A stability control is configured to autonomously steer the vehicle onto the target path when the impact is detected.

Abstract: A system and method for location detection is disclosed. The system and method may derive estimates of a user's location by interfacing with other sources of location data. In one aspect of the invention, a client device may determine the user's location by using locally configured location services. The client device may also query a remote server that contains recent geolocation data of the user. Both the local and remote estimates may be presented to a user. The user may also be allowed to select the location that most accurately represents the user's current location.

Abstract: A method is disclosed involving receiving GPS data from a personal portable training device. A smoothing operation is performed on the GPS data to generate a more accurate representation of the route travelled for display to a user (504). In the smoothing operation, a cubic spine algorithm is used to obtain an initial estimate of the route representation (500). The estimate is then subjected to a refinement using at least received user motion data recorded by the personal training device (502). In addition one or more of: data indicative of the GPS accuracy; historical route data; and digital map data, such as building footprints and bodies of water, may be used in refining the estimate.

Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics/capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and/or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route).

Abstract: Communications are established and conducted between a communication and jamming detection at a vehicle and a base station. At the communication and jamming detection device, a determination is made as to when jamming of the communications between the communication and jamming detection device and the base station is occurring. When jamming is determined to be occurring, at least one location determination signal is transmitted from the communication and jamming detection device to at least one external tracking device. At the at least one external location determination device, the at least one location determination signal is received from the communication and jamming detection device. The location of the communication and jamming detection device at the vehicle is determined from the at least one location determination signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving proximity, mapping, indexing, mobile, advertising, and location processing, among others, are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, a method of determining a mobile device location may comprise capturing product information from a product within a facility by a mobile device, retrieving a product location within the facility from a database based on the captured product information, and determining the mobile device location within the facility based on the product location and the product information.

Abstract: Tracking systems using multi-object-tracking (MOT) combine data from a plurality of sensors (101) to derive a state estimate of one or more objects (103) are described. The interfaces to the sensors (101) are such that different ones of the sensors (101) can be used. The tracking (102) in the system consists of different blocks for state estimation (104), object's existence estimation (106), and data association (105). To utilize the data of a sensor, the sensor data and the system which is observed is modeled using the Bayesian filtering framework. All interfaces of the system, i.e.

Abstract: While a user carrying a mobile terminal is aboard a vehicle, communication is available between on-vehicle equipment and the mobile terminal by near field communication, and therefore, the mobile terminal stands by and only the location information measured by the on-vehicle equipment is transmitted to a server. After the user gets off the vehicle, radio communication between the on-vehicle equipment and the mobile terminal is cut off, and therefore, the mobile terminal starts measuring the location etc. and only the location information measured by the mobile terminal is transmitted to the server. The server accumulates the location information sent from the on-vehicle equipment or the mobile terminal. Then, the server generates an inquiry image in which figures each representing the movement trajectory of the user are combined on a map based on the accumulated location information and transmits the inquiry image to the on-vehicle equipment.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to detecting and avoiding blind spots of other vehicles when maneuvering an autonomous vehicle. Blind spots may include both areas adjacent to another vehicle in which the driver of that vehicle would be unable to identify another object as well as areas that a second driver in a second vehicle may be uncomfortable driving. In one example, a computer of the autonomous vehicle may identify objects that may be relevant for blind spot detecting and may determine the blind spots for these other vehicles. The computer may predict the future locations of the autonomous vehicle and the identified vehicles to determine whether the autonomous vehicle would drive in any of the determined blind spots. If so, the autonomous driving system may adjust its speed to avoid or limit the autonomous vehicle's time in any of the blind spots.

Abstract: A method for collaborative navigation between two or more platforms is provided. The method comprises establishing a communication link between a first platform and a second platform, making a sensor measurement from the first platform, updating state and covariance elements of the first platform, and transmitting the updated state and covariance elements from the first platform to the second platform. A conditional update is performed on the second platform to compute a new estimate of state and covariance elements on the second platform, which takes into account the measurement from the first platform. The method further comprises making a sensor measurement from the second platform, updating state and covariance elements of the second platform, and transmitting the updated state and covariance elements from the second platform to the first platform.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects that are in earth orbit via a constellation or network of satellites having imaging devices is provided. An object tracking system includes a ground controller and, for each satellite in the constellation, an onboard controller. The ground controller receives ephemeris information for a target object and directs that ephemeris information be transmitted to the satellites. Each onboard controller receives ephemeris information for a target object, collects images of the target object based on the expected location of the target object at an expected time, identifies actual locations of the target object from the collected images, and identifies a next expected location at a next expected time based on the identified actual locations of the target object. The onboard controller processes the collected image to identify the actual location of the target object and transmits the actual location information to the ground controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile device includes position circuitry and routing algorithms for generating routing instructions from a current position of the mobile device to a destination. The destination is specified in a navigation request and may describe a point-of-interest. A database associates points-of-interest individually or by category with estimated parking durations. The mobile device accesses an estimated parking duration and selects a preferred parking location based on the estimated parking duration. Considerations for selecting the preferred parking location include cost, parking restrictions, and/or distance. For example, the preferred parking location may be the available parking spot that is the least expensive during the estimated parking duration and avoids no parking zones or other time constraints.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects that are in earth orbit via a constellation or network of satellites having imaging devices is provided. An object tracking system includes a ground controller and, for each satellite in the constellation, an onboard controller. The ground controller receives ephemeris information for a target object and directs that ephemeris information be transmitted to the satellites. Each onboard controller receives ephemeris information for a target object, collects images of the target object based on the expected location of the target object at an expected time, identifies actual locations of the target object from the collected images, and identifies a next expected location at a next expected time based on the identified actual locations of the target object. The onboard controller processes the collected image to identify the actual location of the target object and transmits the actual location information to the ground controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which ensures that static data entered into a communications device or apparatus is accurate, or at least consistent with data provided to an authentication service. In some embodiments of the invention, the authentication service may maintain a database of static data associated with each communications apparatus and/or verify the validity of at least a portion of the static data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics/capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and/or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route).

Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure builds on integrating existing technology with new devices, methods, and systems to provide a complete vehicle ecosystem.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a real-time movement path estimation apparatus using visible light communication. A server for performing communication with an agent for tracking a location of a client which is a target to be tracked includes an agent management unit for setting the agent and the client. A server communication unit receives management information of the agent at intervals of a preset monitoring period. A path prediction unit derives a predicted path for a movement path of the client, based on the location information of the client included in the management information and tracked by a location determination device including a visible light communication device or an image capturing device in the agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object recognition system for an autonomous mobile body. The object recognition system includes a sensor unit for detecting an obstacle in a target field of view and measuring the position of the obstacle, and an electronic control unit for controlling movement of the autonomous mobile body.

Abstract: A population activity mapping method may include detecting a plurality of wireless mobile devices within a geographic region. Individual wireless mobile devices may include a processor, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. The detecting operation may be performed by use of a wireless access point, a GPS satellite, and/or a base station, and may be performed at at least two different points in time. Input data may be provided based upon the detecting operation. A distance and speed at which the mobile devices travel within the geographic region may be discerned dependent upon the input data. The discerning operation is performed by at least one processor of a computer network. A time and/or location at which salable output is to be made available and/or an amount of salable output to be made available may be determined dependent upon the discerning operation.

Abstract: A vehicle control system having a controller and a spatial database adapted to provide spatial data to the controller at control speed. The spatial data provided from the spatial database to the controller includes images collected from an optical sensor subsystem in addition to other data collected by a variety of sensor types, including a GNSS or inertial measurement system. The spatial data received by the controller from the database forms at least part of the control inputs that the controller operates on to control the vehicle. The advantage provided by the present invention allows control system to “think” directly in terms of spatial location. A vehicle control system in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention comprises a task path generator, a spatial database, at least one external spatial data receiver, a vehicle attitude compensation module, a position error generator, a controller, and actuators to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for detecting and displaying a person's activity-travel pattern over time and space is provided. Person-based location data is acquired by a personal communication device and processed in accordance with an algorithm. The invention goes beyond applications that focus on the detection of the current location of the user, but rather the enhanced knowledge of the users current, past, and likely future activities and their multi-dimensional attributes. The present invention can be implemented on common hardware and is easily accessible via web-based interfaces and reporting, making various applications achievable at very low cost.

Abstract: A user input is received on a wireless device specifying a starting location. The position of the wireless device is tracked from the starting location in response to the user input. A user input is received on the wireless device specifying an ending location, and a route is generated from the tracking of the wireless device from the starting location to the ending location. A first reference is associated with the route, wherein the route is retrievable by a selection of the first reference.

Abstract: A method of operating navigation system having location based services and temporal management comprising selecting a temporal component including a time of interest in a client, a server, or a combination thereof; filtering navigation and location based information with the temporal component by the client, the server, or a combination thereof, for forming time of interest relevant information; and communicating the time of interest relevant information between the client and the server for display by the client.

Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Abstract: A navigation message providing system and a method thereof are provided. A server searches, according to a planned moving path, for a location message corresponding to a target location, and when determining that a distance or a relative position of a position where the navigation terminal is currently located and the target location satisfies a predetermined condition or determining that preset time or a preset position is met, a navigation terminal displays the satisfied or met location message, so as to give a prompt to a user when close to the target location, and achieve the technical efficacy of proactively providing location message of the target location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for displaying position information of a set device are provided. The method of operating a first electronic device, which currently communicates with a second electronic device, includes receiving position tracking information from the second electronic device, analyzing the received position tracking information to determine whether an atmospheric pressure within a preset range is sensed, the preset range including an atmospheric pressure sensed by the second electronic device, and, when the atmospheric pressure in the preset range is sensed, comparing position information currently received and the received position tracking information to display position information about the second electronic device.

Abstract: A flow line specification unit selects, for each piece of mobile object identification information, position-score correspondence information that satisfies a criterion from among position-score correspondence information stored in state storage unit, as definite position-score correspondence information. The flow line specification unit repeatedly performs a process of reflecting the definite position-score correspondence information in position-score correspondence information of a time nearest a time corresponding to the definite position-score correspondence information and setting the position-score correspondence information of the nearest time as definite position-score correspondence information. And the flow line specification unit specifies a flow line of a mobile object from a score in position-score correspondence information of each time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moving route processing device provided with: a route data creating unit for adding date and time information showing a current date and time to position information showing a current position to create route data with timestamp; a route data recorder for recording the route data with timestamp created by the route data creating unit; a communication processing unit for acquiring predetermined data from a database connected to a network; a route comparing unit for comparing the predetermined data acquired by the communication processing unit with the route data with timestamp recorded in the route data recorder; and a display processing unit for, when it is determined from the comparison by the route comparing unit that a close contact state existed, creating and displaying a message showing that a close contact state existed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for predicting a future location of a mobile user. A recent location of a mobile user is received. Past location data for the mobile user is retrieved from storage. A future location of the mobile user is predicted based at least in part on the recent location and on the past location data. The prediction is provided in response to a query or by subscription.

Abstract: Marking apparatus and methods to mark ground, pavement or other surfaces to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of an underground utility in a dig area. An example marking tool has a hand-held housing, a marking dispenser coupled to the housing to dispense one or more markers in the dig area, and a triggering system to trigger the marking dispenser so as to dispense the marker(s). An example marking tool also may include a logging system to receive data associated with a marking event initiated by the triggering system, time tag the data, and store the time-tagged data in data storage in the marking tool.

Abstract: An object detection device includes: an ultrasonic sensor for transmitting a signal and further receiving reflected signals of the transmitted signal; a delay-sum processing unit for generating two-dimensional distance information in which the reflected signals received by the ultrasonic sensor are delay-summed in a plurality of reference planes set in advance; a distance information integration unit for generating integrated distance information in which the two-dimensional distance information in the plurality of reference planes generated by the delay-sum processing unit is summed in a vertical direction to the reference planes; and an object detection unit for detecting an object at a position where an intensity in the vertical direction is equal to or larger than a threshold value by referring to an intensity in the vertical direction of the integrated distance information generated by the distance information integration unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing satellite navigation data is described. In one example, satellite signals are processed at each of a plurality of reference stations to receive a respective plurality of satellite navigation data streams. Packets are formed in response to said plurality of satellite navigation data streams to generate a plurality of packetized satellite navigation data streams. The packetized satellite navigation data streams are sent to a processing system. The processing system removes duplicate packets within said plurality of packetized satellite navigation data streams to generate a combined packet stream. The combined packet stream is then sent into a communication network.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described for implementing map matching techniques relating to measured location data. Probabilistic models, including temporal Bayesian network models and Hidden Markov Models, may be used for combining multiple classes of evidence relating to potential locations of points traversed on routes over time. Multiple route segments and overall routes may be maintained under relative uncertainty as candidates. The candidate route segments and overall routes may then be reduced into a smaller number of candidates or a single most likely route as a trip progresses. As the trip progresses, route segments in proximity to each location point are identified and candidate matches are determined. A probability of an entity traversing a candidate match at a given time and a probability of an entity traversing between a first candidate match at a first time and a second candidate match at a second time are determined based on a plurality of factors.

Abstract: A hybrid simulation method uses a simulator tool feeding kinematics commands to a movement simulator on which a moving body is mounted and to a target representative of an objective to be reached by the moving body, and on detection of an event representative of overshooting or changing a first designated objective for this moving body, the method includes a positioning stage associated with a second designated objective for the moving body, including comparing positions executed by the movement simulator in response to transition kinematics commands with a first predetermined setpoint position and activating a first marker if a position substantially the same as the first setpoint position is detected; comparing positions executed by the target in response to transition kinematics commands with a second predetermined setpoint position and activating a second marker if a position substantially the same as the second setpoint position is detected; when the first and second markers are activated, a step of eval

Abstract: A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The Surface Hold Advisor Using Critical Sections is a system and method for providing hold advisories to surface controllers to prevent gridlock and resolve crossing and merging conflicts among vehicles traversing a vertex-edge graph representing a surface traffic network on an airport surface. The Advisor performs pair-wise comparisons of current position and projected path of each vehicle with other surface vehicles to detect conflicts, determine critical sections, and provide hold advisories to traffic controllers recommending vehicles stop at entry points to protected zones around identified critical sections. A critical section defines a segment of the vertex-edge graph where vehicles are in crossing or merging or opposite direction gridlock contention.

Abstract: Concurrent text and voice communications can be maintained with an emergency call taker. An application executing on a mobile communications device in conjunction with a network gateway provide voice communication as well as an interactive Short Messaging System (SMS) session with a public safety answering point (PSAP). The gateway correlates and manages SMS messages with the PSAP and the mobile device. As such, a virtual session is generated over a traffic channel, that provides the advantages of a voice call as well as allowing text based communications.

Abstract: A system and method for more accurately and robustly determining the heading of a vehicle by taking measurements of angle rates using rate sensors mounted on a movable mechanical assembly. In a quasi-static state of the vehicle, the mechanical assembly is rotated around axes perpendicular to the tangent plane of the Earth, and angle rates are measured by the rate sensors at different rotational angles of the mechanical assembly. The measurements of the angle rates are then computed to determine the initial heading of the vehicle relative to the true north of the Earth in the quasi-static state of the vehicle. After determining the initial heading, navigation state propagation is performed to determine the heading of the vehicle in non-quasi-static state of the vehicle. By taking measurements of the rate sensors at different rotation angles and performing computation, the heading of the vehicle relative to the Earth's true north can be determined using less accurate angle sensors.

Abstract: A method for monitoring travel by a vehicle includes monitoring location of a vehicle as it travels along a plurality of routes from each of a plurality of origins to a plurality of destinations. Frequently-traveled routes are determined from the monitored location of the vehicle. The frequently-traveled routes are displayed to the user. Current traffic conditions may also be displayed on routes between the current location of the vehicle and potential destinations, which are determined based upon previous destinations, contacts, or calendar events.

Abstract: An improved system for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks including a novel combination of remote monitoring of customer tanks and an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to optimally schedule deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account.

Abstract: A method on a computer unit for calculating and transmitting position data is disclosed. The method includes monitoring motion of the unit. If motion of the unit is detected, the method further includes initiating a start sequence of the unit, calculating current position data of the unit using the Global Positioning System (GPS), calculating a difference between the current position data of the unit and a previous position data of the unit and transmitting the current position data of the unit if the difference is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for predicting a future location of a mobile user. A recent location of a mobile user is received. Past location data for the mobile user is retrieved from storage. A future location of the mobile user is predicted based at least in part on the recent location and on the past location data. The prediction is provided in response to a query or by subscription.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; generating a first route from a first location to a second location; generating signals to provide directions along the first route using positioning information from the positioning device; detecting that the positioning device is off-route at a third location, the third location being adjacent to the first route; generating a second route by tracking the position of the positioning device from the third location to to a fourth location, and, in some cases, storing the second route for use in route generation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method for use in telemetry processing includes receiving telemetry data originating from a satellite, such that the telemetry data comprises a plurality of data segments. The method includes processing the plurality of data segments simultaneously and transmitting a signal to the satellite, in response to the processing, for effecting a change in the direction of the satellite.