A method for determining the location of a mobile device in a vehicle may include the transmission by one or more speakers of the vehicle of a sound signal having predetermined characteristics. The mobile device may include the capability to recognize the sound signal based on methods to identify a sound signal having the predetermined characteristics. In some aspects, the mobile device may incorporate software having a specific filter that is matched to the characteristics of the sound signal transmitted by the speakers. The mobile device may also include software configured to disambiguate effects of multi-path scattering, reflection, and attenuation of the signal through the vehicle cabin. The vehicle may include software to generate the sound signal and to adjust the sound signal characteristics for position-dependent signal fading, frequency dependent signal fading, and high amplitude audio interference.

A method for determining the location of a mobile device in a vehicle may include the transmission by one or more speakers of the vehicle of a sound signal having predetermined characteristics. The mobile device may include the capability to recognize the sound signal based on methods to identify a sound signal having the predetermined characteristics. In some aspects, the mobile device may incorporate software having a specific filter that is matched to the characteristics of the sound signal transmitted by the speakers. The mobile device may also include software configured to disambiguate effects of multi-path scattering, reflection, and attenuation of the signal through the vehicle cabin. The vehicle may include software to generate the sound signal and to adjust the sound signal characteristics for position-dependent signal fading, frequency dependent signal fading, and high amplitude audio interference.

A following method and device for an unmanned aerial vehicle and a wearable device are provided. The following method comprises: installing a plurality of receiving sensors on the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the plurality of receiving sensors match with one transmitting sensor in a smart control device at the user side; receiving a distance signal transmitted by the user in real time by using the receiving sensors, and calculating a relative position of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to the user according to the distance signal; and adjusting the horizontal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the relative position, so that the relative position of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to the user agrees with a preset position, to realize automatic following of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

A following method and device for an unmanned aerial vehicle and a wearable device are provided. The following method comprises: installing a plurality of receiving sensors on the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the plurality of receiving sensors match with one transmitting sensor in a smart control device at the user side; receiving a distance signal transmitted by the user in real time by using the receiving sensors, and calculating a relative position of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to the user according to the distance signal; and adjusting the horizontal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the relative position, so that the relative position of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to the user agrees with a preset position, to realize automatic following of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a first apparatus configured to transmit a first signal having a first frequency to a second apparatus, receive, from the second apparatus, a second signal having a second frequency responsive to the first signal, determine a latency associated with the transmitted first signal and received second signal and, determine a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based, at least in part, on the determined latencies. According to an example, the first apparatus further determines a direction of the second apparatus relative to the first apparatus. According to an example, at least one of the first signal or second signal comprises an ultrasonic or high-frequency signal.

A robotic mapping and tracking system including a robot and boundary posts are disclosed. The robot includes an ultrasonic transmitter, a processor and a camera component. The boundary posts are configured to be placed adjacent to a boundary of a working region. Each boundary post of the plurality of boundary posts includes an ultrasonic receiver. Time-of-flights of the ultrasonic waves are measured to identify distances in between the robot and boundary posts. The camera component of the robot captures an image of an environment of the robot. The processor of the robot analyzes the image of the environment and identifies at least a portion of the working region in front of the robot from the image. The processor of the robot determines a moving route based on the identified portion of the working region in front of the robot and the distances in between the robot and the boundary posts.

A terminal device includes a reception unit configured to receive first and second electromagnetic waves and first and second sound waves; and a processor configured to determine first and second frequencies respectively indicating transmission frequencies of the first and second sound waves based on the first and second electromagnetic waves, and determine first and second beacons from which the first and second sound waves are transmitted, based on the determined first and second frequencies, wherein the processor determines a location of the terminal device based on the determined first and second beacons.

A positioning system according to an embodiment of the above description includes a transmitter including a first transmitting unit and a second transmitting unit for transmitting a first signal and a second signal having different velocities, respectively; and a receiver including: a first receiving unit and a second receiving unit for measuring each time of reception of the first signal and the second signal; and a position determining unit for measuring a location of the transmitter using a difference in reception time of the first signal and the second signal.

A system for indoor location identification of electronic devices includes a retail store having a ceiling and a plurality of networked geo-context panels mounted on the ceiling. Each geo-context panel having a network communication device and an ultrasound transmitter capable of broadcasting ultrasonic pulses having a duration of less than 100 ms. At least one portable electronic device in the retail store receives and records the ultrasonic pulses to make a recording. The portable electronic device communicates the recording to at least one of the plurality of geo-context panels to enable the at least one of the geo-context panels to determine a precise location of the electronic device.

A system for indoor location identification of electronic devices includes a retail store having a ceiling and a plurality of networked geo-context panels mounted on the ceiling. Each geo-context panel having a network communication device and an ultrasound transmitter capable of broadcasting ultrasonic pulses having a duration of less than 100 ms. At least one portable electronic device in the retail store receives and records the ultrasonic pulses to make a recording. The portable electronic device communicates the recording to at least one of the plurality of geo-context panels to enable the at least one of the geo-context panels to determine a precise location of the electronic device.