A technique is described for assigning a location-finder role to a mobile computing device (a location-finder device) within a spatially-clustered group of mobile computing devices. The location-finder device determines its location based on signals received from one or more external sources (such as a GPS system), to provide location data. The location-finder device then transmits a signal to other members of the group of mobile computing devices using a local communication channel (such as a BLUETOOTH communication channel). That signal conveys the location data. Each of the other members of the group uses the location data to define its position, in lieu of independently determining its own location from the external source(s). By virtue of this behavior, the other members can reduce their consumption of power.

A system and method for monitoring a spatial position of a mobile transmitter is provided. In particular, the mobile transmitter may be attached to or included in an object of interest. By analyzing the signal strengths of radio frequency signals emitted by the transmitter, a spatial position of the mobile transmitter can be determined, and it is possible to detect whether or not the spatial position of the mobile transmitter is outside an allowable area. By applying the monitoring of the spatial position to a radio frequency system on a vessel, a reliable man-over-board detection can be achieved.

A position determination apparatus includes a memory and a hardware processor coupled to the memory. The hardware processor: determines position information on one or more wireless communication devices being located within a target region; judges position movement of the one or more wireless communication devices based on the position information; and transmits, to the wireless communication device whose position movement has been judged to be absent, a decrease instruction signal that causes the wireless communication device to decrease a communication frequency of the wireless communication device.

A vehicle may determine a predefined communication scheme for localizing a user via time of flight (ToF), responsive to a request designated for fulfilment upon condition that a user is within a certain distance of a vehicle. The vehicle may identify a first user location via a first ToF localization using the predefined communication scheme and a second user location via time of flight using a lower power communication scheme, the lower power communication scene configured to use less power for user localization from a power source as compared to the predefined communication scheme. The vehicle may then, responsive to a difference between the first user location and the second user location being within a predefined threshold difference, save coordinate information indicative of a location of the request as being as suitable for use of the lower power communication.

Methods and apparatus for verifying respective positions of Nodes based upon wireless communications between Nodes included in an array. Values for variables derived from multiple wireless transmissions between Nodes are aggregated, and a position of a particular Node may be determined based upon multiple data sets generated by multiple communications between disparate Nodes. In addition, the presence of an obstacle to wireless communication between some Nodes may be derived from the data sets. A user interface may provide a pictorial view of positions of all or some Nodes in an array, as well as a perceived obstruction.

An approach is provided for map-based dynamic location sampling. The approach, for instance, involves calculating an estimated time of arrival at an end node of a road segment from a beginning node of the road segment based on historical traversal time data for the road segment. The approach also involves determining a sampling rate for a location sensor of a vehicle traveling the road segment based on the estimated time of arrival. The approach further involves configuring the location sensor to collect location data using the sampling rate.

Methods and apparatus for verifying respective positions of Nodes based upon wireless communications between Nodes included in an array. Values for variables derived from multiple wireless transmissions between Nodes are aggregated, and a position of a particular Node may be determined based upon multiple data sets generated by multiple communications between disparate Nodes. In addition, the presence of an obstacle to wireless communication between some Nodes may be derived from the data sets. A user interface may provide a pictorial view of positions of all or some Nodes in an array, as well as a perceived obstruction.

A method is described of using the mobile device so as to control the drain of power from the power source of the mobile device, the mobile device having at least two location determination techniques having respective power drain characteristics, the method includes selecting the location determination technique having a lower power drain characteristic the greater the determined distance of the mobile device from a predetermined location or area, and selecting the location determination technique having the greater power drain characteristic the smaller the determined distance of the mobile device from a predetermined location or area. The method thus uses the least accurate technique when furthest away and the most accurate technique when closer to a predetermined location or area.

Systems and methods are provided and include a control module that establishes a secure wireless communication connection with a portable device. A sensor receives connection information about the secure wireless communication connection, eavesdrops on the wireless secure communication connection based on the connection information, measures signal information of a communication signal sent from the portable device to the control module during the secure wireless communication connection, compares the measured signal information with wakeup criteria information, and reports the measured signal information to the control module in response to the measured signal information satisfying the wakeup criteria. The control module receives the measured signal information from the sensor and determines a location of the portable device based on the measured signal information. The measured signal information includes at least one of received signal strength indicator information, angle of arrival information, and time difference of arrival information.

A method, including recognizing an indicia pattern on an asset utilizing a mobile device based augmented reality vision system, prompting one of acceptance and disapproval of the indicia pattern on the asset, detecting a wireless signal from a wireless tracking device if the asset indicia pattern is accepted, pairing the asset and the wireless tracking device and prompting one of confirmation and refusal of the pairing.