An apparatus of detecting a relative position may include first and second receivers configured to receive signals transmitted from a portable device; and a processor configured to determine a position where the portable device is located and a direction indicated by the portable device based on a strength of a first signal received by the first receiver and a strength of a second signal received by the second receiver. The processor may be configured to determine the position where the portable device is located based on a sum between the strength of the first signal and the strength of the second signal, and to determine the direction indicated by the portable device based on a difference between the strength of the first signal and the strength of the second signal.

Methods for distinguishing devices (1, 2) receive position information from position sensors (13, 23) defining positions of the devices (1, 2), and receive direction information from direction sensors (14, 24) defining directions of the devices (1, 2), and analyze the direction information. The devices (1, 2) can be distinguished from each other, even in case they are located closer to each other than the accuracies of their position sensors (13, 23). First devices (1) comprise first drivers (11) for driving first loads (15), and first controllers (12) for controlling the first drivers (11) and for receiving first position signals from first position sensors (13) and for receiving first direction signals from first direction sensors (14). The first direction sensors (14) may comprise first light detectors (16). Apparatuses (3) may commission the devices (1, 2) and may comprise receivers (31) for receiving the position information and the direction information and analyzers (32) for analyzing the direction information to distinguish the devices (1, 2).

Methods for distinguishing devices (1, 2) receive position information from position sensors (13, 23) defining positions of the devices (1, 2), and receive direction information from direction sensors (14, 24) defining directions of the devices (1, 2), and analyze the direction information. The devices (1, 2) can be distinguished from each other, even in case they are located closer to each other than the accuracies of their position sensors (13, 23). First devices (1) comprise first drivers (11) for driving first loads (15), and first controllers (12) for controlling the first drivers (11) and for receiving first position signals from first position sensors (13) and for receiving first direction signals from first direction sensors (14). The first direction sensors (14) may comprise first light detectors (16). Apparatuses (3) may commission the devices (1, 2) and may comprise receivers (31) for receiving the position information and the direction information and analyzers (32) for analyzing the direction information to distinguish the devices (1, 2).

Device for tracking a target, the device comprising an optical system and a quadrant photodetector, wherein the optical system is configured to project a light beam coming from the target at one spot on at least one of the quadrants, and the photodetector is configured to estimate a current position of the spot by weighting of light energies received by the quadrants. The optical system comprises an optical device configured, when the spot is entirely contained in only one of the quadrants, to enlarge the spot. The invention also relates to a tracking method likely to be implemented by this tracking device.

Device for tracking a target, the device comprising an optical system and a quadrant photodetector, wherein the optical system is configured to project a light beam coming from the target at one spot on at least one of the quadrants, and the photodetector is configured to estimate a current position of the spot by weighting of light energies received by the quadrants. The optical system comprises an optical device configured, when the spot is entirely contained in only one of the quadrants, to enlarge the spot. The invention also relates to a tracking method likely to be implemented by this tracking device.

An apparatus of detecting a relative position may include first and second receivers configured to receive signals transmitted from a portable device; and a processor configured to determine a position where the portable device is located and a direction indicated by the portable device based on a strength of a first signal received by the first receiver and a strength of a second signal received by the second receiver. The processor may be configured to determine the position where the portable device is located based on a sum between the strength of the first signal and the strength of the second signal, and to determine the direction indicated by the portable device based on a difference between the strength of the first signal and the strength of the second signal.

A measuring device includes a movable probe head and an optical position sensing device for determining the spatial position and orientation of the probe head relative to a reference point. The position sensing device includes at least three position determination modules, arranged as a transmission unit or as a receiving unit, at least one position determination module being situated on the probe head, and at least one position determination module being situated at the reference point. A transmission unit has transmission unit marking element(s). A receiving unit includes optoelectronic detector(s) and receiving unit marking element(s), positioned in a defined spatial relationship relative to the optoelectronic detector. Visual contacts exist between at least some of the position determination modules. The position determination module on the probe head and the position determination module at the reference point are connected by at least one uninterrupted chain of visual contacts.

A method for panning shot with an image-stabilizing function is adapted for having an image capturing direction of a panning shot dock to approach an optical signal source. The method comprises: receiving an optical positioning signal from the optical signal source by using an optical-signal receiving array, generating receiving strengths separately by using a plurality of optical-signal receiving units in the optical-signal receiving array; comparing the receiving strengths, and analyzing a position of the optical signal source of the optical positioning signal relative to the optical-signal receiving array according to the receiving strengths, to generate a first turning signal; and sending the first turning signal to control the panning shot dock, to enable the image capturing direction to approach the position of the optical signal source; finally, recognizing a feature object by the handheld mobile apparatus, and taking over the control over the panning shot dock.

A server includes a processor, programmed to responsive to receiving a first message indicative of detection of a flying object from a first vehicle, notify a second vehicle to detect the flying object, responsive to receiving a second message indicative of detection of the flying object from the second vehicle, calculate a location including a coordinate and an altitude of the flying object using the first message and the second message, and send a report including the location of the flying object to a predefined entity, wherein the first message includes a location of the first vehicle, a first time stamp, and a first angle of the object captured by a first camera against the horizon, and the second message includes a location of the second vehicle, a second time stamp, and a second angle of the object captured by a second camera against the horizon.

Provided is an in-store dual-mode communication system in which shelves are disposed within a commercial space. A server is coupled to the Internet and/or a wide-area network and is configured to send and receive communications. Also provided are light-based messaging units that are located on and/or attached to such shelves, each: 1) having a light source, 2) receiving a communication from the server, and 3) in response to receipt of such communication, turning the light source on and off so as to broadcast a digital message that was included within such communication, as a binary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/off states of the light source. A user device: (i) receives, via its light sensor, and then decodes the binary-encoded digital signal from a light-based messaging unit in order to obtain the digital message that corresponds to it; and also (ii) communicates with the server via its wireless interface.