A method for computing a correction to a compass heading for a portable device worn or carried by a user is described. The method involves determining a heading for the device based on a compass reading, collecting data from one or more sensors, determining if the device is indoors or outdoors based on the collected data, and correcting the heading based on the determination of whether the device is indoors or outdoors.

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

A method for determining vehicle location via a mobile computing device includes: determining, by an application of the mobile computing device, a first signal strength corresponding to a communications component of a vehicle and a first mobile device location corresponding to the first signal strength; detecting, by the application, a signal drop event corresponding to a loss of the signal corresponding to the communications component of the vehicle; determining, by the application, in response to detecting the signal drop event, the first mobile device location corresponding to the first signal strength as the vehicle location based on the first mobile device location being the most recent location at which a recorded signal strength was at a highest level; and providing, by the application, a notification indicating the vehicle location to a user of the mobile device.

A system and method for recognizing features for location correction in Simultaneous Localization And Mapping operations, thus facilitating longer duration navigation, is provided. The system may detect features from magnetic, inertial, GPS, light sensors, and/or other sensors that can be associated with a location and recognized when revisited. Feature detection may be implemented on a generally portable tracking system, which may facilitate the use of higher sample rate data for more precise localization of features, improved tracking when network communications are unavailable, and improved ability of the tracking system to act as a smart standalone positioning system to provide rich input to higher level navigation algorithms/systems. The system may detect a transition from structured (such as indoors, in caves, etc.) to unstructured (such as outdoor) environments and from pedestrian motion to travel in a vehicle. The system may include an integrated self-tracking unit that can localize and self-correct such localizations.

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates geolocation of a user. The system includes a server and an electronic device. First, the server receives a location of the user from an electronic device of the user and determines a window around the location. Next, the server transmits the window and one or more geofences within the window to the electronic device. The electronic device then obtains one or more precision buffers associated with one or more levels of accuracy for detecting the location of the user near the one or more geofences. Finally, the electronic device facilitates use of the one or more geofences by varying a geolocation technique for tracking the location of the user based on the one or more precision buffers.

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

Recent decades have brought tremendous advances in communication systems which have given rise to the global proliferation of smartphones and other mobile communication systems. A signal processing system implements technical solutions for determining building footprints from inputs including signal data associated with mobile communication devices.

An information processing apparatus includes: a processor configured to acquire position information of a communication device; and a storage configured to store first map information and second map information. The processor is further configured to, in a case in which the processor acquires position information a predetermined number of times of at least two or more, in a first partial area of plurality of first partial areas, determine that the communication device exists in the first partial area. The processor is further configured to, in a case in which the processor acquires position information a predetermined number of times of at least two or more, in a second partial area of plurality of second partial areas, determine that the communication device exists in the second partial area.

Systems and methods to position beacons at traffic choke points, use a mobile device to detect the peaks of beacon signals corresponding to the mobile device traveling through the traffic choke points, and thus determine accurately the position and speed of the mobile device in the transport corridor between the choke points. The determined position and speed of the mobile device can be used to improve the performance of other location determination technologies, such as radio frequency fingerprint-based location estimate and/or inertial guidance location estimate.

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.