A system and method for locating a mobile device relative to a vehicle using mechanical waves and modulation techniques. A high frequency carrier wave that is generally inaudible to humans is modulated with a low frequency baseband signal that provides for accurate localization in order to generate a modulated signal. The modulated signal is a mechanical or pressure wave, as opposed to an electromagnetic (EM) wave, that is transmitted by one or more speaker(s) and is received by one or more microphone(s). In one example, the modulated signal is transmitted from a speaker on the mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) to a number of microphones mounted on the vehicle at specific distances apart, so as to establish multiple localization paths whose differences in phase can be used to determine the location of the mobile device, relative to the vehicle.

A method for determining position of an aircraft with reference to a location on the ground includes transmitting an acoustic signal from a position on the aircraft to an array of spaced apart acoustic sensors proximate the location. The method includes at least one of (i) determining a time difference of arrival of the acoustic signal between each of the acoustic sensors and a reference acoustic sensor and (ii) determining an arrival time of the acoustic signal at each of the spaced apart acoustic sensors. The position of the aircraft is determined from the time differences of arrival and/or the arrival times.

A system and method is provided for registering outputs from a plurality of remote positional data sources, the system having: a plurality of positional data sources disposed on a plurality of units providing a plurality of types of positional data relative to at least one commonly tracked object held as a local positional data source; a processor disposed on a unit configured to process the positional data from each positional data source and apply a filter to the positional data; and the processor configured to weigh the positional data based on a probability of that a positional datum in the positional data is accurate and using weighted positional data to identify an absolute location of the commonly tracked object.

A system and method is provided for registering outputs from a plurality of remote positional data sources, the system having: a plurality of positional data sources disposed on a plurality of units providing a plurality of types of positional data relative to at least one commonly tracked object held as a local positional data source; a processor disposed on a unit configured to process the positional data from each positional data source and apply a filter to the positional data; and the processor configured to weigh the positional data based on a probability of that a positional datum in the positional data is accurate and using weighted positional data to identify an absolute location of the commonly tracked object.

Mobile device positioning employs various forms of audio signal structures and detection methodologies. In one method, detection of an audio signal from a first source enables construction of a signal to facilitate detection of an audio signal from another source. Signals detected from these sources enable positioning of the mobile device receiving those signals. Another method forms audio signals transmitted from audio sources so that they have parts that add constructively and parts that differentiate the sources to enable positioning. Another audio signal based positioning method adaptively switches among positioning methods so that positioning remains operative as a mobile device moves toward and away from the sources. Another method tracks positioning history, evaluates it for errors and performs error mitigation to improve accuracy. Various other positioning technologies are detailed as well.

A communication apparatus that performs wireless communication by directional communication includes a detection unit that detects a change in a position of the communication apparatus, and a control unit that controls changing a communication direction for performing the directional communication between the communication apparatus and another communication apparatus based on the detected change in the position of the communication apparatus.

A communication apparatus that performs wireless communication by directional communication includes a detection unit that detects a change in a position of the communication apparatus, and a control unit that controls changing a communication direction for performing the directional communication between the communication apparatus and another communication apparatus based on the detected change in the position of the communication apparatus.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to improve detection of audio signatures. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: determine a first time difference of arrival for a first audio sensor of a meter and a second audio sensor of the meter based on a first audio recording from the first audio sensor and a second audio recording from the second audio sensor; determine a second time difference of arrival for the first audio sensor and a third audio sensor of the meter based on the first audio recording and a third audio recording from the third audio sensor; determine a match by comparing the first time difference of arrival to i) a first virtual source time difference of arrival and ii) a second virtual source time difference of arrival; in response to determining that the first time difference of arrival matches the first virtual source time difference of arrival, identify a first virtual source location as the location of a media presentation device presenting media; and remove the second audio recording to reduce a computational burden on the processor.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to improve detection of audio signatures. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: determine a first time difference of arrival for a first audio sensor of a meter and a second audio sensor of the meter based on a first audio recording from the first audio sensor and a second audio recording from the second audio sensor; determine a second time difference of arrival for the first audio sensor and a third audio sensor of the meter based on the first audio recording and a third audio recording from the third audio sensor; determine a match by comparing the first time difference of arrival to i) a first virtual source time difference of arrival and ii) a second virtual source time difference of arrival; in response to determining that the first time difference of arrival matches the first virtual source time difference of arrival, identify a first virtual source location as the location of a media presentation device presenting media; and remove the second audio recording to reduce a computational burden on the processor.

A system and method use electric potential measurements to locate and characterize passing projectiles, including advanced data processing methods to reject background noise and determine projectile speed, preferentially incorporating acoustic-based measurements to provide additional benefits.