Disclosed is an infrared ray positioning node device, including a reflection cup with a plurality of side surfaces; and an infrared ray emitting tube cooperating with the reflection cup and being positioned so that the range of an included angle m formed after the rays emitted by the infrared ray emitting tube reflect off some reflection side surfaces in the plurality of side surfaces is 0°≦m<180°. Also disclosed is an infrared ray positioning node system. The present invention makes the direction of an infrared ray emission signal controllable in the range of 0°-180°, makes the signal stable and even in intensity, improves the radiation utilization of the infrared ray emitting tube, reduces the power consumption of the node device, realizes uniform projection of infrared light, and effectively avoids emission blind areas of a single node and signal interference between adjacent nodes.

In a positioning system, a mobile device can detect a transmission from one of a number of lighting devices to obtain an identification (ID) label or code of each lighting device. The mobile device uses the detected ID code for a lookup in a self-stored or remotely stored table that associates lighting device location information with ID codes, to obtain an estimate of mobile device position. To mitigate against hacking by a third party detecting the ID codes and observing locations to compile its own lookup table, the disclosed examples dynamically alter the assignments of particular ID codes to the lighting devices, while minimizing potential disruption of position determination service for mobile devices due to the changes to ID code assignments.

An example tracking signal device comprises a housing and a light source disposed within the housing. A window is defined within the housing optically downstream of the light source. The device further comprises a sensor configured to receive a first beam of radiation and a controller operably coupled to (i) the light source and (ii) the sensor. The controller is configured to control the light source to emit a second beam of radiation based at least in part on receipt of the first beam of radiation by the sensor.

An active marker device, and method of design thereof, for use in a motion tracking system are provided. In one arrangement, the device comprises a mounting body comprising a mounting surface. A plurality of light emitting units are mounted on respective mounting portions of the mounting surface. A control system controls the plurality of light emitting units such that light is emitted simultaneously from a selected subset of light emitting units. A plurality of optical elements are mounted on the mounting surface. Each optical element covers a different one of the light emitting units and is configured so that an inner surface of the optical element is separated from an outer surface of the light emitting unit. Each optical element redirects a portion of light emitted by the light emitting unit covered by the optical element to be more parallel to the mounting portion of the light emitting unit.

Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.

Deployable navigation beacons can be deployed from a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), in an event of a loss of position or orientation of the vehicle. After deployment of the navigation beacons, the vehicle may detect locations of the navigation beacon, which may define a surface that may include surface features. The vehicle may then perform control operations based on the resolved locations. For example, UAV may maneuver to land proximate to the navigation beacons after resolving locations of the navigation beacons as a continuous surface. The navigation beacons may output a visual signal (e.g., a light), a auditory signal (e.g., a sound), and/or a radio signal. In some embodiments, each navigation beacon may include a different or unique signal.

A sealed active marker apparatus of a performance capture system is described to provide protective housing for active marker light components coupled to a strand and attached via a receptacle, to an object, such as via a wearable article, in a live action scene. The receptacle includes a protrusion portion that permits at least one particular wavelength range of light emitted from the enclosed active marker light component, to diffuse in a manner that enables easy detection by a sensor device. A base portion interlocks with a bottom plate of the receptacle to secure the strand within one or more channels. A sealant material coating portions of the apparatus promotes an insulating environment for the active marker light component.

A vehicle optical wireless data communication system includes a plurality of light sources disposed at a structure where vehicles travel. Each of the light sources emits visible light to illuminate the building or structure. Each of the light sources emits optical signals indicative of a location of the respective light source. A sensor is disposed at a vehicle and is operable to sense optical signals emitted by the light sources when the vehicle is in the vicinity of the light sources. Responsive to sensing by the sensor of optical signals emitted by at least one of the light sources, the sensor generates an output to a processor disposed at the vehicle. The processor processes the output of the sensor to determine a location of the vehicle relative to at least one of the light sources.

A laser measuring system is provided by combining N-beams, angle based modulation and a laser receiver and laser transmitter configured with corner reflectors for signal shift measuring to facilitate full three dimensional positioning.

A marking device includes a light-emitting unit configured to emit light, a housing configured to accommodate the light-emitting unit, and a support configured to support the housing. The housing can include a transmitting portion configured to transmit the light from the light-emitting unit through a circumferential portion of the housing, and a roof covering the light-emitting unit accommodated in the housing. The housing can include a side wall formed between every two adjacent windows of the plurality of windows.