A device can determine its position in a communications system. A scalable solution permits multiple devices to be used in one area without detrimental effect on the accuracy or latency of the position determining. The communications system includes a first base station arranged to transmit a first signal to a second base station arranged receive the first signal and transmit a second signal to the first base station in response The first base station is arranged to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal to the second base station in response to the second signal delay time measuring unit, round trip time measuring unit, a base station timings unit and a calculating unit are used to calculate a first time difference of arrival based on a first round trip time, first delay time, second round trip time and a second delay time.

Described herein are methods and devices for improved location of any and all underwater structures or equipment installed underwater. In particular, systems are disclosed that combine optical and acoustic metrology for locating objects in underwater environments. The systems allow for relative positions of objects to be determined with great accuracy using optical techniques, and support enhanced location of devices that utilize acoustic location techniques. In addition, location information can be provided by the system even in conditions that make optical metrology techniques impossible or impractical.

Described herein are methods and devices for improved location of any and all underwater structures or equipment installed underwater. In particular, systems are disclosed that combine optical and acoustic metrology for locating objects in underwater environments. The systems allow for relative positions of objects to be determined with great accuracy using optical techniques, and support enhanced location of devices that utilize acoustic location techniques. In addition, location information can be provided by the system even in conditions that make optical metrology techniques impossible or impractical.

An apparatus and a method for measuring distance by using electronic devices are provided. The apparatus includes an output unit, an input unit, and a controller. The output unit may be configured to transmit the first sound wave, and the input unit may be configured to receive the second sound wave from another apparatus that receives the first sound wave. The controller may be configured to determine the distance between the apparatus and the another apparatus based on a first value and a second value. The first value may correspond to a difference between a timing of initiating a transmission of the first sound wave and a timing of receiving the second sound wave, and the second value may correspond to a difference between a timing when the another apparatus initiates the transmission of the second sound wave and the timing when the another apparatus receives the first sound wave.

An apparatus and a method for measuring distance by using electronic devices are provided. The apparatus includes an output unit, an input unit, and a controller. The output unit may be configured to transmit the first sound wave, and the input unit may be configured to receive the second sound wave from another apparatus that receives the first sound wave. The controller may be configured to determine the distance between the apparatus and the another apparatus based on a first value and a second value. The first value may correspond to a difference between a timing of initiating a transmission of the first sound wave and a timing of receiving the second sound wave, and the second value may correspond to a difference between a timing when the another apparatus initiates the transmission of the second sound wave and the timing when the another apparatus receives the first sound wave.

Systems and methods may transmit a plurality of locationing pulse requests from a mobile device in a vehicle to an audio system of the vehicle during a period of vehicle operation. The mobile device may be associated with a vehicle driver. The audio system may have an array of speakers disposed inside the vehicle, and the locationing pulse requests may include a request to emit a locationing pulse from the array of speakers. The systems and methods may receive the locationing pulse at a microphone of the mobile device, and generate or update a vehicle occupancy profile based upon the receiving operation. The vehicle occupancy profile may include occupancy data of one or more seats inside the vehicle. A vehicle risk profile may be determined based upon the vehicle occupancy profile, and a risk message transmitted if the vehicle risk profile satisfies a high risk condition.

According to certain examples, a circuit-based wireless communications system provides secure access to a vehicle by way of certain circuitry configure to compare a first RF background observed for a vehicle-located RF receiver that is part of a vehicle-located circuit secured to a vehicle, with a second RF background observed for a wireless-communications vehicle-access circuit that includes another RF receiver. In response, a distance metric is generated to indicate a degree of similarity between the first RF background and the second RF background, and based on whether this metric satisfies a threshold, access to the vehicle may be granted via the wireless-communications vehicle-access circuit.

Devices and methods for aiding a large area search for objects. A searcher transmits interrogation signals of long range relative to the return range to be received by a device at the target object. The target device responds with a ping signal modified to be more easily found by means of information contained in the interrogation signal. The information may be in the nature of the received signal or data encoded and embedded. The target device may use a microprocessor to do complex operations using the information from the interrogation signal and other information. Detection of a weak ping is facilitated by such means as being beamed in the direction of the interrogation, arriving at a predictable time, or having parameters adapted to values requested by the searcher. The object is then intercepted with help of the ping or other signals from the device.

Devices and methods for aiding a large area search for objects. A searcher transmits interrogation signals of long range relative to the return range to be received by a device at the target object. The target device responds with a ping signal modified to be more easily found by means of information contained in the interrogation signal. The information may be in the nature of the received signal or data encoded and embedded. The target device may use a microprocessor to do complex operations using the information from the interrogation signal and other information. Detection of a weak ping is facilitated by such means as being beamed in the direction of the interrogation, arriving at a predictable time, or having parameters adapted to values requested by the searcher. The object is then intercepted with help of the ping or other signals from the device.

The systems and methods may transmit a plurality of locationing pulse requests from a mobile device in a vehicle to an audio system of the vehicle during a period of operation of the vehicle. The audio system may have an array of speakers disposed inside the vehicle, and the locationing pulse requests may include a request to emit a locationing pulse from the array of speakers. The systems and methods may further receive the locationing pulse at a microphone of the mobile device; and generate or update a vehicle usage profile based upon the receiving operation. The vehicle usage profile may include occupancy data of one or more seats inside the vehicle. The systems and methods may further transmit a recommendation to a person associated with the mobile device. The recommendation may be based upon the vehicle usage profile, and may relate to vehicle operation or insurance.