Systems and methods for locating a position of a target object (110, 210, 410) are provided. The target object can be equipped with a plurality of spatially distributed antennas (220a, 220b, 420a, 420b), and can be located within a network of a plurality of anchors (105, 305, 505) at fixed locations. A plurality of anchor pairs (105a, 105b, 305a, 305b, 505a, 505b) can be assigned. Each anchor pair can include at least two anchors. The anchor pairs can transmit and receive range request, REQ, and range response, RSP, packets (1210,1215.1220). The REQ and RSP packets can be received by the antennas on the target object (1225,1230). Distance differences between the target object to the first anchor and from the target object to the second anchor of each anchor pair can be estimated (1235), based on times at which the REQ packet and the RSP packet are received at the target object. The position of the target object can be estimated based on the distance differences (1240).

Disclosed are a positioning communication device, a positioning method, and a computer storage medium. The positioning communication device comprises: at least two positioning antenna groups (111), at least used for receiving a positioning signal sent by a beacon, wherein each positioning antenna group (111) comprises two positioning antennas arranged separately, and the positioning ranges of different positioning antenna groups (111) are at least partially different; a selection switching module (112) respectively connected to the at least two positioning antenna groups (111); and a processing module (113), connected to the positioning antenna groups (111) by means of the selection switching module (112), and used for controlling, according to orientation information of the beacon at a previous moment, the positioning antenna group (111) turned on by the selection switching module (112), and determining, according to the positioning signal received by the positioning antenna group (111) turned on, orientation information of the beacon at the current moment.

A feeder terminal comprises backhaul communication circuitry connecting a communications network via a wireless backhaul, and providing an access base station with wireless backhaul access. Backhaul information circuitry determines congestion information relating to the wireless backhaul and communication circuitry enables communication with an access base station and provides the congestion information to the access base station. In response to a demand message from the access base station comprising quality of service requirements, the communication circuitry forwards the demand message to the communications network. Additionally, an access base station comprises communication circuitry enabling communication with a feeder terminal. The communication circuitry provides a quality of service demand message to the feeder terminal based on a quality of service requirement and receives congestion information relating to the wireless backhaul from the feeder terminal. The access control circuitry controls usage of the wireless backhaul by user equipment in dependence on the congestion information.

Methods and apparatus for determining a location and an orientation of a smart device via wireless communication. The location and direction of the smart device may be used to generate a data query and/or submit information into a data storage, referencing a time, place and direction of the smart device.

Methods and apparatus for improving the provision of healthcare via automated determination of a location of persons and equipment relative to each other and to conditions quantified via automated sensors. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for wireless designation of a position of health care providers and equipment relative to each other based upon wireless communications amongst multiple wireless transceivers combined with ongoing monitoring of conditions present in a healthcare facility. A user interface may provide a pictorial view of positions of all or some the healthcare providers and equipment and condition quantifying sensors.

A system and method is disclosed for measuring time of flight to an object. A transmitter transmits an electromagnetic signal and provides a reference signal corresponding to the electromagnetic signal. A receiver receives the electromagnetic signal and provides a response signal corresponding to the received electromagnetic signal. A detection circuit is configured to determine a time of flight between the transmitter and the receiver based upon the reference signal and the response signal.

A positioning device (4) is disclosed comprising at least one antenna (14, 16) for receiving ranging signals, such as GNSS signals. The device comprises a local oscillator (18) for providing a local frequency or phase reference and an inertial sensor (22) for measuring a movement of the device. A processor (36) is provided for performing calculations. The device can receive a first reference signal at a known or predictable frequency or phase. A local oscillator offset determination module (26) is provided to calculate an offset to the received frequency or the received phase based on the movement of the receiver in the direction of the first reference source. A local signal generator (28) can then use the local frequency or phase reference from the local oscillator (18), and the offset calculated by the local oscillator offset determination module (26), to provide a local signal using a local signal generator (28). The local signal can be correlated against a received ranging signal for use in positioning calculations performed by a positioning calculator (34).

A holder for a wirelessly locatable tag may include a snap assembly coupling a first element of the holder to a second element of the holder thereby securing the wirelessly locatable tag within a recess of the holder, the snap assembly including a male assembly having a protrusion component, a female assembly defining an opening that is configured to receive the protrusion component, a groove defined in one of either the male assembly or the female assembly, a compression ring positioned in the groove and configured to retain the male assembly to the female assembly, and a compliant member positioned in the groove and providing a biasing force on the compression ring.

A mounting base for use with a wirelessly locatable tag may include a base portion defining a latching member configured to engage a wirelessly locatable tag to releasably retain the wirelessly locatable tag to the mounting base, a contact block attached to the base portion and configured to be positioned at least partially within a battery cavity of the wirelessly locatable tag, the contact block defining a top side and a peripheral side. The mounting base may further include a first conductive member positioned along the peripheral side of the contact block and configured to contact a first battery contact in the battery cavity of the wirelessly locatable tag, a second conductive member outwardly biased from the top side of the contact block, the second conductive member configured to contact a second battery contact in the battery cavity of the tag, and a power cable coupled to the base portion.

An apparatus caused to, in respect of determination of a direction towards an object in a space, the object having a tag capable of emitting a wireless signal for reception by a locator of a positioning system configured to determine the direction towards the tag based on the wireless signal, based on object orientation information comprising the orientation of the object as viewed by a camera capturing visual imagery of the space and predetermined tag position information comprising the position on the object where the tag is attached, provide for determination of at least whether or not the object is oriented such that the tag substantially faces the locator and thereby control of the positioning system in the determination of at least a viability of the wireless signal for determining the direction towards the object, the tag substantially facing the locator indicative of the viability of the wireless signal.