A method for monitoring depth of a cave front in a cave-type mine. The method includes: providing a stationary reader device and mobile marker devices, each of the marker devices adapted to (i) emit an electromagnetic signal, (ii) detect strength of the signal emitted by another of the marker devices, and (iii) wirelessly transmit information related to the detected signal via the other marker devices to the stationary reader device; drilling a hole into a rock region of a mine, installing the mobile marker devices at sequential known depths within the hole; monitoring the reader device to detect a decrease in the strength of a signal emitted by a first marker device by a second marker device; and in response to a decrease being detected by the second marker device, inferring the depth of the cave front to be between the known depths of the first and second marker devices.

Provided are architectures, systems, methods, and computer program products for real-time object locating and position determination using frequency channel diversity for transmitting and receiving position determination signals including bursts of location signals. Channelized frequency diversity of a short burst of small location signals that hop across multiple frequency channels is used to collectively produce a quasi-wideband position determination signal. Object tags operating with frequency channel diversity for transmitting location signals of position determination signals require low power consumption, but can still efficiently provide adequate position determination signals for reliable position determination.

Provided are architectures, systems, methods, and computer program products for real-time object locating and position determination using frequency channel diversity for transmitting and receiving position determination signals including bursts of location signals. Channelized frequency diversity of a short burst of small location signals that hop across multiple frequency channels is used to collectively produce a quasi-wideband position determination signal. Object tags operating with frequency channel diversity for transmitting location signals of position determination signals require low power consumption, but can still efficiently provide adequate position determination signals for reliable position determination.

An aircraft assistance method for reducing drag on the aircraft. The method includes flying an autonomous aircraft near the aircraft. An optimal position where vortices created by the autonomous aircraft or the aircraft interact with the other aircraft and/or autonomous aircraft to reduce drag and/or increase lift on the aircraft is determined. The autonomous aircraft is positioned in the optimal position. The method may include a landing assistance system with at least one autonomous aircraft configured to provide the aircraft with information regarding a desired position relative to a runway. The at least one autonomous aircraft may be configured to communicate with the aircraft through a processor and/or a display in the aircraft. The autonomous aircraft may be subject to a drone control system for a plurality of drones configured to position the plurality of drones in a formation.

A system and method for identifying a person's location at a school, hotel, office, business, restaurant or other venue and tracking the movements of that person during their visit to the venue. One or more wireless virtual beacons communicate with the person's electronic device. The virtual beacons provide the system with real-time data about the person's whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking of the person at the location. A first non-limiting example of use, include a company that provides food and beverage allowing the person to place an order for food and beverages on their electronic device and having the order delivered to the person at their current location as determined by the system. Another non-limiting example includes a company performing analytics on the time and movement of it's employees and customers.

A system and method for identifying a person's location at a school, hotel, office, business, restaurant or other venue and tracking the movements of that person during their visit to the venue. One or more wireless virtual beacons communicate with the person's electronic device. The virtual beacons provide the system with real-time data about the person's whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking of the person at the location. A first non-limiting example of use, include a company that provides food and beverage allowing the person to place an order for food and beverages on their electronic device and having the order delivered to the person at their current location as determined by the system. Another non-limiting example includes a company performing analytics on the time and movement of it's employees and customers.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for tracking a wireless device using a seamless handoff between a vehicle and a mobile device. An example vehicle includes internal and external antennas, a sensor, and an infotainment head unit with a display. The infotainment head unit tracks, using the external antenna, a wireless-enabled object exterior to the vehicle. The infotainment head unit also determines a location of the mobile device associated with the vehicle based on the sensor and the internal and external antennas. Additionally, when the mobile device exits the vehicle, the infotainment head unit automatically transitions tracking information to the mobile device.

An aircraft assistance method for reducing drag on the aircraft. The method includes flying an autonomous aircraft near the aircraft. An optimal position where vortices created by the autonomous aircraft or the aircraft interact with the other aircraft and/or autonomous aircraft to reduce drag and/or increase lift on the aircraft is determined. The autonomous aircraft is positioned in the optimal position. The method may include a landing assistance system with at least one autonomous aircraft configured to provide the aircraft with information regarding a desired position relative to a runway. The at least one autonomous aircraft may be configured to communicate with the aircraft through a processor and/or a display in the aircraft. The autonomous aircraft may be subject to a drone control system for a plurality of drones configured to position the plurality of drones in a formation.

An aircraft assistance method for reducing drag on the aircraft. The method includes flying an autonomous aircraft near the aircraft. An optimal position where vortices created by the autonomous aircraft or the aircraft interact with the other aircraft and/or autonomous aircraft to reduce drag and/or increase lift on the aircraft is determined. The autonomous aircraft is positioned in the optimal position. The method may include a landing assistance system with at least one autonomous aircraft configured to provide the aircraft with information regarding a desired position relative to a runway. The at least one autonomous aircraft may be configured to communicate with the aircraft through a processor and/or a display in the aircraft. The autonomous aircraft may be subject to a drone control system for a plurality of drones configured to position the plurality of drones in a formation.

Systems and methods for locating radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags are described. In one embodiment, radiofrequency (RF) signals are transmitted from one or more RFID readers, and in accordance therewith, backscattered signals are received from a tag to be located. A plurality of measured position parameters are used to determine a location of the tag. In one embodiment, one reader may transmit and three readers may receive signals to determine the position of a tag. In other embodiments, multiple readers may transmit and receive. In another embodiment, one reader may transmit from different positions to locate a tag. Embodiments of the invention may be used to track a moving tag. A reader's position may be determined using GPS, reference tags, or the reader may be positioned in a known location. A map may be provided to a user to display the location or movement of a tag or a corresponding item.