Examples of the disclosure relate to apparatus (101) for positioning mobile devices (105). The apparatus (101) comprises means for: obtaining a time of arrival of at least one audio signal (131) at a mobile device (105), wherein the audio signal (131) is generated with a photoacoustic effect; and using the time of the arrival of the audio signal (131) to estimate a location of the mobile device (105).

The disclosed threat response system(s) and method(s) provide a mean to secure an area efficiently, safely, effectively and around the clock. The system includes a plurality of microphones strategically located at various locations of the protected area, a plurality of acoustic beacons to provide navigational support one or more autonomous non-flying (ANF) drones, and a central controller. Each of the one or more ANF drones can be equipped with an acoustic positioning system that uses beacon signals (e.g., mechanical waves) transmitted by the plurality of acoustic beacons to determine its position relative to the plurality of acoustic beacons. Once an acoustic event is detected, it can be analyzed to determine whether there is a threat. If the threat is confirmed, the central controller can dispatch one or more of the ANF drones to investigate and/or to engage the target.

The disclosed threat response system(s) and method(s) provide a mean to secure an area efficiently, safely, effectively and around the clock. The system includes a plurality of microphones strategically located at various locations of the protected area, a plurality of acoustic beacons to provide navigational support one or more autonomous non-flying (ANF) drones, and a central controller. Each of the one or more ANF drones can be equipped with an acoustic positioning system that uses beacon signals (e.g., mechanical waves) transmitted by the plurality of acoustic beacons to determine its position relative to the plurality of acoustic beacons. Once an acoustic event is detected, it can be analyzed to determine whether there is a threat. If the threat is confirmed, the central controller can dispatch one or more of the ANF drones to investigate and/or to engage the target.

Systems and methods for ultrasonic collision management in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (xR) applications are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: execute an xR application to display an xR image to a user of the IHS; and detect, via an ultrasonic sensor coupled to the processor, a potential physical interaction between the user and a physical object during execution of the xR application.

A range-finding and/or object-positioning system comprises one or more target devices; one or more reference devices communicating with said one or more target devices via one or more wireless signal sets, each wireless signal set comprising at least a first-speed signal having a first transmission speed and a second-speed signal having a second transmission speed, and the first transmission speed being higher than the second transmission speed; and at least one processing unit performing actions for determining at least one distance between one target device and one reference device based on the time difference between the receiving time of the first-speed signal and the receiving time of the second-speed signal of the wireless signal set communicated between said reference and target devices.

A range-finding and/or object-positioning system comprises one or more target devices; one or more reference devices communicating with said one or more target devices via one or more wireless signal sets, each wireless signal set comprising at least a first-speed signal having a first transmission speed and a second-speed signal having a second transmission speed, and the first transmission speed being higher than the second transmission speed; and at least one processing unit performing actions for determining at least one distance between one target device and one reference device based on the time difference between the receiving time of the first-speed signal and the receiving time of the second-speed signal of the wireless signal set communicated between said reference and target devices.

A real-time location system including a backbone communication network having a plurality of network access point devices and a real-time location system server, a plurality of monitor devices where each monitor device being located at a location around a facility, each of the plurality of monitor devices being configured to transmit a unique monitor identification code using a secondary transmission technology, each of the monitor identifications codes being mapped to a single location in the facility at which a monitor device is located, each of the monitor devices further being configured to transmit an RF beacon using a first RF protocol, and at least one tag being configured to receive, detect and retransmit the monitor identification code back to at least one of the plurality of monitor devices using a second RF protocol.

A range-finding and/or object-positioning system comprises one or more target devices; one or more reference devices communicating with said one or more target devices via one or more wireless signal sets, each wireless signal set comprising at least a first-speed signal having a first transmission speed and a second-speed signal having a second transmission speed, and the first transmission speed being higher than the second transmission speed; and at least one processing unit performing actions for determining at least one distance between one target device and one reference device based on the time difference between the receiving time of the first-speed signal and the receiving time of the second-speed signal of the wireless signal set communicated between said reference and target devices.

A range-finding and/or object-positioning system comprises one or more target devices; one or more reference devices communicating with said one or more target devices via one or more wireless signal sets, each wireless signal set comprising at least a first-speed signal having a first transmission speed and a second-speed signal having a second transmission speed, and the first transmission speed being higher than the second transmission speed; and at least one processing unit performing actions for determining at least one distance between one target device and one reference device based on the time difference between the receiving time of the first-speed signal and the receiving time of the second-speed signal of the wireless signal set communicated between said reference and target devices.

A controller of a collaboration endpoint generates a primary audio signal for an ultrasonic source audio signal produced by a source audio speaker, a reference audio signal for the ultrasonic source audio signal, and, based on the reference audio signal, a predicted signal that is predictive of the primary audio signal. The controller produces a prediction error of the predicted signal by comparing the primary audio signal with the predicted signal and determines whether the prediction error is indicative of a motion of one or more persons near the collaboration endpoint.