Devices, systems, and methods for sending positional information from transmitters/beacons. In one implementation a transmitter generates a range block including a ranging signal and a hybrid block including positioning data, and sends the range block and hybrid block at different times. A user device may receive signals from a plurality of transmitters and generates position/location information using trilateration and measured altitude information in comparison with transmitter altitude information.

A networked radio frequency identification system includes a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers, a computer in signal communication with the RFID tag readers over a network, and a software module for storage on and operable by the computer that localizes RFID tags based on information received from the RFID tag readers using a network model having endpoints and oriented links. In an additional example, at least one of the RFID tag readers includes an adjustable configuration setting selected from RF signal strength, antenna gain, antenna polarization, and antenna orientation. In a further aspect, the system localizes RFID tags based on hierarchical threshold limit calculations. In an additional aspect, the system controls a locking device associated with an access point based on localization of an authorized RFID tag at the access point and reception of additional authorizing information from an input device.

There is disclosed a method of updating a database of positioning data, using a mobile user device moved along a path through a plurality of positions, the method comprising the steps of: at each of the plurality of positions: receiving position estimate data and measurement data from a plurality of positioning modules associated with the mobile user device; calculating an estimate of the position in dependence on the data received from the plurality of positioning modules; and storing the estimate of the position and the measurement data; subsequently processing the stored measurement data to calculate at least one revised estimate of a respective position; and processing said at least one revised estimate to update the database of positioning data.

First information corresponding to a radio signal received at a first sensing device from a candidate location is obtained. Second information corresponding to a radio signal received at a second sensing device from the candidate location is obtained. A first relationship between the first sensing device and the candidate location and a second relationship between the second sensing device and the candidate location are determined. A first inverse and a second inverse of respectively the first and second relationships are obtained. A first estimate of the radio signal at the first sensing device is determined from the first information and the first inverse. A second estimate of the radio signal at the second sensing device is determined from the second information and the second inverse. Energy emitted from the candidate location is measured based on the first estimate and the second estimate.

Techniques for providing access point (AP) vicinity information are disclosed. In one example, the techniques include determining a first set of vicinity information corresponding to signal values for an AP at a set of grid points for the coverage area of the AP, encoding the first set of AP vicinity information based at least on a difference between AP vicinity information values for adjacent grid points to generate a second set of AP vicinity information, and providing the second set of AP vicinity information to a device. In one example, the techniques include receiving, for a set of grid points, a first set of AP vicinity information that is compressed based at least on a difference between AP vicinity information values for adjacent grid points, and performing decompression to obtain a second set of AP vicinity information corresponding to signal values for an AP at the set of grid points.

Techniques for observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) positioning based on heterogeneous reference signals (RSs) are discussed. One example apparatus configured to be employed within a user equipment (UE) comprises receiver circuitry, a processor, and transmitter circuitry. The receiver circuitry can receive, from each of a plurality of evolved Node Bs (eNBs), one or more RSs of each of a plurality of distinct types of RSs. The processor can determine, for each of the eNBs, a time of arrival (TOA) of the one or more RSs of each of the plurality of distinct types of RSs; and compute, for each of the eNBs, a reference signal time difference (RSTD) based at least in part on the TOAs of the one or more RSs of each of the plurality of distinct types of RSs. The transmitter circuitry can transmit the RSTD computed for each of the eNBs.

A method for localizing a user device using a Time of Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining, via a ToF localization controller, that the user device is less than a threshold distance from the vehicle, determining an angle of arrival via the ToF localization controller and the ToF antenna array, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door responsive to determining that the user device is less than the threshold distance from the vehicle door.

At least a method for determining risk behavior of a driver is described. While a vehicle is being driven, data is obtained related to the position and movement of a wireless communications device. The data may indicate the type of behavior exhibited by the driver while the vehicle is being driven.

A system and bent-pipe transponder component for determining a location of an individual or object in three dimensional space. The system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless electromagnetic signal at a first frequency and at least one transponder that is configured to responsively emit a second wireless electromagnetic signal having a second frequency that is frequency-shifted from the first frequency. An included receiver detecting the first and second wireless electromagnetic signals is configured to provide an output of location information for the at least one transponder. A bent-pipe transponder component may include a receiving antenna, an emitting antenna, and a frequency shift stage comprising an oscillator and a first mixer, with the frequency stage mixing a received first wireless electromagnetic signal with the output of the oscillator via the first mixer to produce the emitted second wireless electromagnetic signal.

A system for location of animals and/or objects in an environment includes a signal processing and signal generation system consisting of electromagnetic tags on animals (or other objects) in an environment (typically a three dimension outdoor natural environment) where the animals or objects are physically present at arbitrary locations, and an electro-magnetic signal generating, signal receiving, and signal processing system that can move through or in relation to the environment. The system can compute the location and identity of the animals or objects based on signals received from their associated tags, including the calculated location of the ID tags, which function as “Reader-Locators.” The calculated location is enhanced by information about the environment provided by maps, satellite photos, GPS, GIS and/or other data specific to the probability of the location of the animals or objects within certain regions of the environment. The system includes a physical and electromagnetic modeling operation that is interactive with the environmental information derived from the actual environment, either historically or in “real-time” as the monitoring process occurs.