Indoor Location Positioning (Grizzly Analytics) PDF

Indoor Location Positioning:
Research Pipelines, Start-ups and

Predictions for 2012
December 15, 2011
Indoor location research by Google, Microsoft,

Samsung, Nokia, Qualcomm, Apple, RIM, .
Short-term: Positioning using Wi-Fi & cell signals
Longer-term: Positioning by tracking movement
12 start-ups: Strong in one approach only
Google & Apple: Likely to add strength by M&A
Qualcomm & CSR: Strong positions in hardware
Executive Summary
Indoor location positioning has the potential to transform cellphone use. For
users, indoor location will enable commonly-used outdoor apps such as
mapping & navigation, check-ins, location sharing, and local search to work in
malls and other indoor areas. For businesses, indoor location will enable
deals & promotions, product search in stores, and much more.
For this to work, indoor positioning must be accurate, efficient & pervasive.
This report overviews in-depth research in this area by all major mobile
companies. Much of this research focuses on two areas: (1) making
positioning based on cellular & Wi-Fi signals more accurate, and (2) tracking
movement as devices move from a known location (such as a building door).
We also overview 12 start-up companies in this area, several of which are
likely acquisition targets. But we also identify a big opportunity area waiting
for new entrepreneurs to fill.
Among our many predictions, we identify technology in movement tracking
that is likely to be acquired by Google, start-ups in Wi-Fi signal positioning
likely to be acquired by Apple or others, Qualcomm and CSRs unique position
in hardware support for this area, and a novel product researched by Sony
Ericsson.
Next page: Summary of companies and research topics in each area

Page 2
The pages after that contain Grizzly Analytics predictions and speculation
Summary of Major Company
Research Areas
Company Cellular & Wi- Movement Beacons Other Research Predicted
Fi Signals Tracking Methods Maturity Acquisition Area
Google High Movement
tracking
Microsoft High
Qualcomm High Sensor analysis
Nokia High Movement

analysis
Samsung Medium Wi-Fi analysis &
location database
Apple Low Wi-Fi & cell signal
analysis
RIM High
Sony Ericsson Low
Motorola (acquired Mature but

by Google) not recent
Page 3 Speculative - See inside the report for the underlying evidence and analysis.
Grizzly Analytics Predictions
for Indoor Positioning
We believe that indoor positioning based on Wi-Fi networks and other signals
will spread through the market in 2012, coming out on iOS, Windows and
Blackberry devices.
More sophisticated technology that measures phone movement based on
sensors will reach market in late 2012 and 2013, as gyroscopes and
accelerometers appear in a wider range of phones.
Of the major companies, Microsoft & Nokia have the strongest collective
research, with Apple lagging slightly behind Google and RIM.
In 2012 we will start to see start-up company acquisitions in this area (see
predictions below on the page for financial market implications).
By 2013 or 2014 CSR and Qualcomm will add radio signal triangulation and
movement tracking by sensor analysis to their hardware capabilities. CSR
appears closer to productization, but Qualcomms research appears stronger.
Qualcomm also may enter the area of indoor location services, which would
be a shift, but which reflects a trend in acquisitions of service companies.
Sony Ericsson may soon release a unique product for retransmitting GPS
signals indoors, for use in malls and other big indoor areas.
Broader Commerce Implications
of Indoor Positioning
The commercial implications of indoor positioning are even bigger than the
commercial aspects of GPS on mobile in recent years. Extending positioning
into buildings means that users can search for particular products in stores,
receive promotions from nearby stores in malls, find co-workers desks in an
office, find co-workers themselves as theyre walking around, find a gate or
store item in an airport, and much more.
Once mobile devices can find particular products in stores, users can be given
routes that will go by all the items on their shopping list, and can be sent
promotions for other items they may want along the way. This will be a huge
opportunity for the first store or mall that rolls it out if users keep their
shopping lists in an app for their local store or mall, arent they a lot less likely
to shop elsewhere?
This also opens up location services to item-finding, finding people in offices,
packages in offices, matching items in stores, and any of millions of things that
are valuable to find within indoor locations.
Financial Market Implications
We predict a wave of acquisitions of start-up companies in the indoor

positioning area in early 2012. Google is likely to acquire a company with
movement-based technology, although they may also augment their Wi-Fi
technology through an acquisition. Apple is a likely buyer of a company with
technology for positioning based on cellular, Wi-Fi and other signals (for which
Apple already has a database). EBay and GroupOn will also acquire such a
company to continue their initiatives into location-based store commerce.
Start-ups likely to be acquired in the area of signal-based positioning include
Qubulus, Skyhook and GloPos. Mobile applications with technology likely to
be acquired in the area of movement tracking include FootPath and Roodin.
There appears to currently be a gap in start-up companies in this area, with
few start-ups in movement tracking by mobile device sensors. This is an open
opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors.
Qualcomms and CSRs R&D in this area will give them a competitive
advantage to other chip makers as location services spread into use. They
will be the first to bring hardware support for indoor positioning in their chips
for radio or sensor processing.
Grizzly Analytics
Mobile Industry Reports
Grizzly Analytics Mobile Industry reports analyze the industry developments that most reflect significant trends, and
assemble the background details into a complete picture of the trend and its implications.
The goal of these reports is specifically not to report news. Readers are already well-informed of industry news. The goal
of these reports is to identify and analyze the trends that emerge.
Grizzly Analytics welcomes all feedback regarding our analysis and reports:
Phone: +1-908-827-1580
E-mail: info@grizzlyanalytics.com
Fax: +1-646-390-8440
GRIZZLY ANALYTICS reports present analysis that is speculative in nature, intended to help customers understand
possible future developments. Grizzly Analytics is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of its reports, analysis
or speculations. Readers are wholly responsible for actions taken based on Grizzly Analytics reports and analysis.
Page 7
Table of Contents
The need for indoor location positioning [LINK] 9

Different approaches to indoor location positioning [LINK] 14
Research by Motorola [LINK] 18
Research and Deployed Systems by Google [LINK] 24
Research by Microsoft [LINK] 30
Research by Qualcomm [LINK] 39
Research and Demonstrations by Nokia [LINK] 47
Research by Samsung [LINK] 57
Research by Apple [LINK] 65
Research by Research in Motion (RIM) [LINK] 70
Research by Sony Ericsson [LINK] 77
Research by Other Companies [LINK] 83
Start-up Companies and Research Projects [LINK] 90
Page 8
The Need
for
Indoor Location Positioning
Page 9
Indoor Positioning
In recent years, cellphone-based GPS capabilities have spread

throughout the industry, even including some non-high-end phones.
This has led to a strong adoption of mobile location-based services.
The most common mobile location-based services are mapping,
navigation and searching for nearby restaurants or stores. But many
other location services are also very common, such as geo-tagging
pictures (saving the location of the picture), sharing current locations
with friends, checking in to places, receiving deals and promotions
from nearby businesses, and much more. The list of mobile location-
based services available to mobile users grows daily.
With all this growth, the biggest limitation in these services is that they
dont work indoors, because GPS doesnt work indoors. This means
that mobile users in stores, malls, offices, etc., cannot use the mobile
features to which theyve become accustomed.
Delivering these capabilities indoors is the goal of indoor positioning.
Page 10
Indoor Navigation
One of the most desired applications of indoor positioning is indoor

navigation. Mobile users are accustomed to asking their cellphones
how to get to a particular store, and would like to do the same inside
big malls. Similarly, indoor mobile navigation could assist workers in a
big office in finding another persons desk.
Once this is working, navigation can be extended not only to stores
but to particular items in stores, and not only to museums but to
particular pieces of art. This capability would open up a wide range of
applications, such as helping a shopper get the items on the shopping
list in the fastest manner, or leading a shopper to particular store items
on sale.
Page 11
Indoor Location Sharing
Location-sharing has been somewhat slower to take off, likely

because of the privacy issues, but it is increasingly common for people
to use mobile applications to tell their friends where they are. But if
theyre in a mall or big indoor place, they currently need to SMS their
locations, because mobile location-sharing applications will not work.
If indoor location capabilities become available, people in malls or big
stores can tell their friends exactly where they are. Similarly,
employees in big offices can find each other when theyre away from
their desks.
Page 12
Indoor Location-Based
Promotions
Another big trend in mobile location-based services is promotions,
whereby stores send coupons for items on sale to users walking
nearby. As of now this is only available for users walking outside, but
if indoor location becomes available, stores in a mall can send
promotions to shoppers walking nearby, who are presumably already
interested in shopping.
The same is true for shoppers already in a store. If a shopper is
standing in the potato chip isle, would the store benefit from sending a
mobile coupon for dip or soft drinks?
Grizzly Analytics notes that location-based promotions are a big area
of investment for companies such as GroupOn, EBay, Google and
others. As indoor location enters the market, this area is predicted to
grow even stronger.
Page 13
Overview
of
Methods
of
Indoor Positioning
Page 14
Overview of Approaches to
Indoor Positioning
There are two primary methods of indoor location positioning:
Using radio signals from cellular antennas, Wi-Fi networks, dedicated
beacons or other sources
Tracking the direction and distance moved since the phones location
was known (e.g., since just before walking inside)
There are other approaches as well that have been researched, such as
having special room lights transmit locations via modulated light. These
approaches are reported below, but are less likely to reach market than
the more general approaches that we explain here.
Page 15
Location Positioning by Wi-Fi
or Other Radio Signals
The most common approach to indoor location positioning is to utilize radio
signals from cellular antennas, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, or other
radio signals.
Cellular signals are of course found everywhere that cellphones are used. But
cellular signals have such a big range that its not easy for a mobile device to
determine its precise location from a cellphone signal. In urban areas, where
most places are in range of several cellphone antennas, mobile devices can
use this overlap to triangulate their locations.
Wi-Fi hotspots can easily be used to find more precise locations, because
each Wi-Fi hotspot has a relatively short range. This requires constructing a
database of locations of Wi-Fi hotspots, a process already underway by most
mobile device makers.
Another approach to indoor positioning is to use dedicated radio beacons
installed in malls and other large places, which broadcast signals used by
mobile devices to calculate their location. But this is less general an
approach, since it will only work where such beacons have been installed.
Page 16
Tracking Location by Sensors
Detecting Movements
Another approach to indoor navigation that has not yet reached market, but
that Grizzly Analytics believes to hold strong promise, is tracking a mobile
device step by step as it moves.
The idea is to start with an initial known location (e.g., an outdoor location
known by GPS) and track the exact direction and speed of movement from
that point. Most research in this area is using on-phone sensors, such as
gyroscopes, accelerometers & compasses, to track movement very precisely.
Other approaches track movement by analyzing changes in radio signal
reception.
Grizzly Analytics believes that this approach will become very common, as
increasing numbers of phones include these sensors. When the algorithms
currently in research become mature enough to work effectively, this approach
can be integrated with GPS and other radio-based approaches to deliver
strong indoor positioning.
Page 17
Early Research
by
Motorola
Page 18
Motorolas Early Research in
Indoor Positioning
Motorola engaged in a large amount of early research in indoor
positioning, resulting in many granted patents in the area.
While much of this research does not appear to have been
commercialized, and while subsequent research has improved
considerably on their early work, their patent portfolio in indoor
positioning (presumably soon to be owned by Google) appears
considerable.
The most significant of their research, in Grizzly Analytics opinion, is
their work on inertial navigation. While the required sensors were
uncommon when Motorola did the research, they are now common on
high-end smartphones. We believe that this approach will reemerge
soon as a common approach to indoor navigation on smartphones.
Page 19
Bluetooth-Based Indoor
Positioning
Motorola has a patent granted in the USA, titled Location determination for
mobile units, that is notable in being very early in this area. It was filed in
February 2003 and granted in 2004, and covers methods of indoor positioning
based on Bluetooth signals.
To minimize processing on the mobile
unit, and to enable the system to
use standard hardware, the
processing uses network
measurements of response time,
not signal strength.
While Bluetooth and mobile
technology has advanced
considerably since this patent
was written, it may include
valuable and practical methods.
Page 20 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6819286.html

Using Wi-Fi Signals and other
Mobile Device Signals
Another early Motorola patent, titled Method and apparatus for location
estimation, filed in 2001, covers methods of indoor positioning based on radio
signals (including Wi-Fi signals) from known locations in buildings. Their
methods appear similar to other Wi-Fi-based positioning.
An interesting innovation of the Motorola research is
to also use signal strengths between different mobile
devices, each of whose location is being determined.
This adds to the
available data
that each device
can use to
calculate its
location.

Inertial Navigation
Another big area of Motorola research is inertial navigation, where a device

uses motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, compass, ) to
measure movement from a given initial known location.
The primary use of such technology is to track movement from the door of a
building, where GPS signal is lost, as a device moves indoors.
Another use of this technology is to enable a device to turn off GPS to save
battery and CPU, and only turn it on when the accumulated chance of error in
movement calculations reaches a point where GPS is needed.
Motorola has several patents in this area, all filed around 2002. One covers
the general approach, another covers methods for increasing accuracy, and a
third covers integrating inertial navigation and other methods.
Grizzly Analytics notes that the sensor technology involved was very
uncommon at the time that these patents were filed, but that in recent years it
has become common on high-end phones. We believe that this approach will
reemerge soon as a strong contender in indoor navigation.
Page 22 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6577953.html http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6615136.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6801159.html
Other Motorola Research in
Indoor Positioning
In addition to the above, Motorola has researched and patented the
following other approaches to indoor positioning:
Signals from lighting: This patent uses special signals transmitted from
room lights to determine device location. The signals are transmitted
using emitted light modulation. Grizzly Analytics notes that this was
highly considered several years ago, and related research is seen
below by Samsung and Sony Ericsson, but we believe it unlikely that
such lighting infrastructure will be deployed.
Page 23
Research
and
Systems
by
Google
Page 24
Google Activity in Indoor
Location Positioning
In November, 2011, Google announced that Google Maps for Mobile
was adding indoor location positioning. Indoor maps were initially
limited to a small number of malls and airports, but additional indoor
maps can be uploaded by users and will be incorporated into an
indoor mapping service.
While Google has been vague about the technologies used for their
indoor positioning, all indications are that they are using triangulation
of cellular antenna and Wi-Fi hotspot signals, using standard device
capabilities.
Grizzly Analytics believes that Google will improve their signal-based
indoor positioning over time, but will also acquire start-up companies
in this area to boost their research, most likely in the area of
movement tracking by device sensors.
Page 25 Source: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-frontier-for-google-maps-mapping.html

Google Research in Indoor
Positioning
Google Research has published several research articles in the area
of indoor location positioning. One such article is titled XINS: The
Anatomy of an Indoor Positioning and Navigation Architecture, which
was presented at the 1st International Workshop on Mobile Location-
Based Services.
This research, performed in Googles research lab in Beijing, China,
reportedly developed a fusion architecture using signals from inertial
navigation units, Wi-Fi signals, and floor map constraints.
Page 26 Source: http://mwnet.cse.ust.hk/MLBS11/index_files/programs.html

Google Funding Academic
Research in Indoor Positioning
Google has also funded academic research in the area of indoor

location positioning by signal strength analysis and triangulation. Two
recently funded researchers in this area are:
Moustafa Youssef: Research in Asynchronous Time-Based Location
Determination System
http://wrc.ejust.edu.eg/people/moustafa/research.htm#PinPoint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOD0O0mJ_Iw
http://wrc.ejust.edu.eg/grants.html
Yingying (Jennifer) Chen: Machine Learning and Data Mining methods for
Wireless Localization & Location Based Services
http://personal.stevens.edu/~ychen6/
Page 27
Collecting Wi-Fi Locations and
Using Them for Positioning
Googles patent application titled Wireless network-based location

approximation gives methods for collecting data about locations of Wi-
Fi hotspots, along with levels of confidence, and then using that data
to provide location (including indoors) without using GPS.
Many of the details given involve refining the approximation of the
hotspots location, given how the signals change as the device moves.
Since many Wi-Fi hotspots are in range of both outdoor and indoor
areas, this is a strong method of collecting data that can deliver
approximate location indoors.
Note that similar Wi-Fi location data is being collected and used in the
same way by Apple, Microsoft and others.
Page 28 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0020776.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703983704576277101723453610.html
Refining Location Positions
by User Profiles
Another Google patent application, titled
Refining Location Estimates and Reverse
Geocoding Based on a User Profile,
addresses novel methods of refining
location approximations using data about
user activity. This data includes calendar
entries, e-mail and messages, location-
based search history, and other data that
includes locations.
Their methods use this data to generate
heat maps for users, indicating their
likely and less likely locations. This maps
are used to refine location estimates.

Research
by
Microsoft
Page 30
Indoor Positioning Research
at Microsoft
Microsoft has had a number of research projects in recent years in the area of
indoor location positioning. Their research started with determining location
using dedicated radio beacons throughout buildings, and then moved to
determining location based on Wi-Fi signal strengths.
Microsoft has also stated publically that their devices maintain logs of Wi-Fi
and cellular antenna signals, in order to provide location position without GPS.
Microsoft also researched movement tracking, to maintain location estimates
based on movement from a known initial location (such as a door to a
building). Unlike much other research in this area, they tracked movement
using changes in radio signals, and not using device sensors.
Grizzly Analytics believes that Microsoft will soon announce indoor positioning
for Windows-based devices, based on Wi-Fi and cellular signals. This will
leverage their strong research in this area, in alliance with Nokias research.
Their combined research appears more sophisticated than Googles or
Apples, although all are likely to acquire stronger technology soon.
Sources: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/web/location-and-my-privacy.aspx
Page 31
The Cricket Project
Cricket was the name of Microsofts research project in the area of location
positioning via dedicated beacons. These beacons are situated throughout
buildings, in known locations, and transmit signals that are used by mobile
devices to determine their location.
According to a Microsoft Research presentation, Cricket consists of location
beacons attached to the ceiling of a building and receivers, called listeners,
carried by users and objects that need location information. The beacons
periodically transmit location information using an RF signal; beacons also
transmit an ultrasonic signal which enables the listeners to measure distances
to nearby beacons. Listeners use the distance measurements to beacons to
compute listener location.
Cricket can determine not only location, but also the orientation of the mobile
device, using the phase difference and differential distance estimation for
signals from three beacons.
Page 32 Sources: http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=104709

The Radar Project
Radar was Microsofts very early research on determining location

from Wi-Fi signals.
Their research looked at the many complexities involved in
determining location from signal strengths of Wi-Fi signals. If a signal
is weak, is it because the device is far from the hotspot or because
theres a wall interfering with the signal? They developed several
methods, seen in patent filings (below), for use in situations where a
lot of information is available for a building or in situations where less
information is known about a building.
Page 33 Sources: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/radar/

Core Location Service Team
More recently, in November 2011, Microsoft job listings reveal that

they are building a location services team within their Windows
Phone Services division, to commercialize location services including
indoor positioning. In their words, the team is tasked with delivering a
highly scalable service to find the location of every Windows Phone
device in the world, either by assisting GPS, or by using signal-
analysis techniques to compute location where GPS cannot.
Page 34 Sources: http://www.linkedin.com/jobs/jobs-Software-Development-Engineer-2150362

Using Wireless Access Point
Location Tables
Several granted Microsoft patents relate to determining phone location from
known locations of wireless access points that are detected nearby. These
patents cover the research of the Radar project (above), with Radar group
members listed as the inventors.
Microsofts research is clearly well-developed in this area. Their patents
include determining location based on tables of locations of wireless access
points and data about how their signals propogate, as well as methods of
calibrating such systems dynamically.
The following are related patents granted to Microsoft in the USA:

Using a derived table of signal strength data to locate and track a user in a
wireless network.
Calibration of a device location measurement system that utilizes wireless
signal strengths
Determining physical location based upon received signals
Page 35 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7020475.html http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7411549.html

Tracking Movement Away
from Known Locations
Microsofts granted patent titled System and methods for determining
the location dynamics of a portable computing device covers methods
of tracking a devices movement as it moves away from a location
known by GPS. This method, as similar methods researched by
others, can track a phone as it moves indoors, based on its location at
the door when it left GPS coverage.
Microsofts research is different from some others in that it tracks
movement based on changes in radio signals, and not using device
sensors. Their methods use changes in Wi-Fi signal strength to
estimate the direction of movement, and then to probabilistically
estimate where the user might be based on that movement. Such a
system could optionally ask the user which of several possibilities is
the actual current location.
Page 36 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7532113.html

Using Other Radio Signals to
Determine Location
Microsoft has also researched how a mobile device can determine
location based on signal strength of FM radio signals. This is not
going to be as accurate as other methods, but in the absence of other
location information, this method may be able to provide enough
accuracy for some location-based services, such as searching for
nearby businesses, that do not need down-to-the-meter accuracy.
Because FM radio signals have such broad coverage, and its
impossible to know how strong their signal should be in such a wide
number of locations, Microsofts approach is to build a ranked list of
signal strengths of signals that are received, and from the comparison
between signals to determine the likely location.
Microsofts patent in this area is titled Utilization of the approximate
location of a device determined from ambient signals.

Using Radio Beacons in a Building
to Determine Location
Microsoft has also registered patents on indoor location positioning

using dedicated RF beacons that are situated throughout a building.
These beacons have known locations, and transmit specific signals
that can be used by a mobile device to triangulate its location.
Microsofts research has explored several approaches to handling the
problem of signal interference from walls, objects or open space,
which can distort the beacons signals. One approach gives the mobile
device an environmental profile of signal strength dissipation.
Another approach gives the mobile device a more specific radio map
of the building that knows signal strengths in a variety of places.
Microsofts patent on this research is titled Locating a mobile
computing unit.

Qualcomm Research
in
Indoor Positioning
and
Location Services
Page 39
Qualcomms Work on Indoor
Positioning and Services
Qualcomms research in indoor positioning includes research in several
different methods, including Wi-Fi hotspot triangulation and motion tracking
using sensors.
Its notable that Qualcomm is researching not only indoor location positioning,
but also end-user services based on this positioning, including indoor
navigation and indoor location-based search and recommendations.
The most interesting aspect of Qualcomms research in this area is that
Qualcomm is a hardware (chip) company and not a software company. This
presents the interesting conclusion that Qualcomm is looking to incorporate
indoor positioning & services into future chipsets for mobile devices. Similar
chip technology has been announced by CSR (below), but less is known
about the strength of CSRs research.
We believe that Qualcomm will incorporate high-level functions in chips that
support indoor location, such as motion tracking in sensor processing chips,
and triangulation in RF chips.
Grizzly Analytics notes a general trend in recent Qualcomm activity, where the
company is entering areas usually thought of as software areas. This includes
acquiring GestureTek in July, 2011, and acquiring iSkoot in October, 2010.
Page 40
Qualcomms View of Indoor
Positioning
In June 2010, a Qualcomm Senior Director of Technology gave a
presentation overviewing indoor location technologies, including using
radio signals, beacons, and motion/speed estimation by gyroscopes
and accelerometers. The
conclusion was that all
approaches had tradeoffs
and would need to be
combined in order to be
effective and practical.
Page 41 Source: http://www.cwins.wpi.edu/workshop11/pres/tech_2.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teu1ZM__yuo
Qualcomm Research in Wi-Fi
Based Positioning
Two recent Qualcomm patent applications look
at indoor positioning by triangulating Wi-Fi
signals from hotspots with known locations.
The innovation in these patent applications is
how to compensate for potential errors such
as signals rebounding off walls and causing
errors in triangulation.
Their methods, which they call Pattern Filtering,
can be seen in this figure to adjust location
estimates so as, for example, not to be in
walls or inaccessible locations.
Page 42 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011072075A1.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0178705.html
Trajectory-Based Location
Positioning
A recent Qualcomm patent application, titled Trajectory-Based Location
Determination, gives a method of combining location estimation based on a
variety of radio signals (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, ) with sensor data about the
direction and speed of movement of the phone.
In their approach, when a mobile device moves from outdoors to indoors, it
begins to calculate its movement trajectory from its initial known location. As
the device moves around, the method will calculate the level of likely error in
the trajectory calculations. If at any point some more concrete information is
known, such as when moving near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the system will refine its
model of where it is.
Qualcomm notes that its methods may be implemented in hardware,
firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof including application specific
integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal
processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Positioning in an Area with
Walls and Furniture
A Qualcomm patent application titled Mobile Device Positioning In A
Constrained Environment also combines several methods for
estimating an indoor location, based on a previously known
(presumably outdoor) location, along with estimation of movement
trajectory and speed.
This patent applications innovation
is using knowledge of the indoor walls
and furniture that constrain peoples
movements indoors.
As in the pattern filtering approach
above, this method utilizes practical
real-world facts to constrain
trajectory calculations.

Research by Qualcomm:
Indoor Navigation Services
In addition to their research on indoor positioning, Qualcomm also has
research in indoor location-based services. Below are two that relate
to navigation, and on the following page are two related to location-based
user services.
Method and apparatus for reducing instructions in an indoor navigation
environment.
This patent addresses selection of easy-to-walk routes for indoor navigation.
Methods and apparatuses for determining if access to a region is
feasible or infeasible for a user of a mobile device.
This patent gives methods for knowing when some areas cannot be entered
by a mobile user, so that location services can act accordingly. Its notable
that part of their method involves learning from location data of other phone
users.
Page 45 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011072169A2.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011091173A1.html
Research by Qualcomm:
Indoor Location Services
The following Qualcomm patent applications show their research in end-
user location services:
Automatic linking of points of interest for indoor location
based searching:
This patent discusses indoor navigation
and other location services and how they
can understand significant places and the
relationship between them (e.g., things in
the same room).
Location-aware recommendation engine:
This patent discusses how recommendation
engines can take into account a users location.
Grizzly Analytics notes the novelty of these being researched by a
chip (hardware) company.
Page 46 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011091303A1.html

Research
and
Demonstrations
by
Nokia
Page 47
Nokias Long History of Research
in Indoor Positioning
Nokia has been researching indoor location positioning for many
years. Their research started out in the area of signal strength
triangulation, and moved from there into more sophisticated direction-
of-arrival estimation and dedicated radio beacons. They have stated
that using existing Wi-Fi signals will not be accurate enough for indoor
positioning, and that dedicated beacons will be needed.
Their research initially used indoor beacons based on UWB radio
signals, and more recently appear to have moved to Bluetooth-based
beacons.
We note also that Nokia and Microsofts announcement of their
alliance in early 2011 listed mapping, navigation, and certain location-
based services as an area that Nokia would continue to innovate.
Grizzly Analytics believes, based on the long-term serious research
and periodic demonstrations seen below, that Nokia will bring indoor
positioning technology to market sometime in 2012.
Page 48
Nokia Research Video of
Indoor Positioning
In April 2011 Nokia Research Center released a demo video of indoor
positioning. The demo shows a system integrating outdoor and indoor
navigation, including pedestrian traffic and store location data.
The video shows explicitly that their research is working with indoor
positioning beacons, small devices throughout the indoor location that are
used by devices to perform highly accurate positioning.
Page 49 Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2GALFBrtXk

More Information Released in
November 2011
In November, 2011, Nokia released additional informaton about their
indoor positioning research, in response to Googles releasing an
initial offering in this area. In their comments, Nokia said that they are
using indoor beacons based on Bluetooth.
From these statements it appears
that they have replaced the UWB
radio beacons discussed on the
following pages with Bluetooth
beacons.
Source: http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4230993/Nokia-tweaks-Bluetooth-for-indoor-navigation
Page 50
Nokia Research: Details from a
2009 Research Presentation
In a 2009 research presentation, a Nokia researcher claimed that positioning
by signal strengths of Wi-Fi networks and the like are not accurate enough,
especially in open areas
such as malls.
Instead, they researched
extended radio receiver
measurements of Time of
Arrival (ToA) and Direction
of Arrival (DoA), using
proprietary UWB-based
radio technology.
Page 51 Source: http://www.eis.fi/ect/fp/ECT09_240909_BR2_Kalliola.pdf

More from Nokias Research
Presentation
Nokias presentation also gave more details on their indoor positioning
beacons, as
shown.
Page 52
More from Nokias Research
Presentation
Nokias research presentation also gave initial details on their
positioning algorithms. Their proprietary radio technology and
beacons enables them
to calculate not only
signal strength, but
direction of signal,
enabling much more
accurate positioning.
The presentation
continued to discuss
Nokias trials and
continuing research
challenges.
Page 53
Nokias Patents on Indoor
Positioning
Nokias patent filings make clear that indoor positioning is a long-running
research initiative, which began using Wi-Fi signal strengths. Three patents in
this area were filed in October & November of 2007.
At the same time, however, they began investigating
Direction of Arrival detection, first filing a theoretical
patent in September 2006 and then filing a patent
on DoA for indoor positioning in October 2007:
The final patent on using Direction of Arrival
appears to relate strongly with the technology
described in the presentation above.
Page 54
Nokias Past Demos and
Videos on Indoor Positioning
This same trend can be seen in previous demos and videos that Nokia has
released for indoor positioning.
In 2009, their video discussed using Wi-Fi for indoor
positioning, but discussed achieving improved accuracy
using dedicated hardware, looking in the video similar to
the image in the research presentation above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ZCHlyk964
In a demo at Nokia World in November 2010, they
referred more specifically to proprietary radio technology
operating in 2.4ghz band, based on the beacons shown
on the ceiling in the picture shown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpu2YVmoz7c
This again relates to the technology detailed in the
research presentation above.
Page 55
Nokias Ongoing Research
From all the above, its clear that Nokia has invested heavily in indoor
positioning technology, including both proprietary radio technology
and general-purpose Wi-Fi-based technology.
Nokias research throughout this time has been led by Kimmo Kalliola
at NRCs Helsinki Laboratory. This researcher is still listed by Nokia
as leading Nokias indoor and local radio positioning research.
http://research.nokia.com/people/kimmo_kalliola
One of the principal researchers on Nokias work in this area is Fabio
Belloni, whose graduate thesis work was on direction-of-arrival
estimation, and whos now listed as researching indoor localization
and positioning technologies, sensor array signal processing and
navigation.
http://research.nokia.com/people/fabio_belloni
We conclude that this research is ongoing and will remain so until the
resulting technology reaches market.
Page 56
Samsung Research
in
Indoor Positioning
Page 57
Samsung Research in Indoor
Positioning
Samsungs research in indoor location positioning takes a wide variety
of approaches, including triangulation of Wi-Fi and other radio signals
and measuring movement from initial locations known by GPS. They
have several patents and patent applications on the combination of
different methods.
They have also done research in more esoteric approaches to indoor
positioning, including receiving location signals from lights and by
communication with nearby networked devices.
Page 58
Tracking Motion from Initial
Known Locations (Doors)
Samsungs earlier patent application
in indoor positioning takes a novel
approach of starting with anchor
points, starting points whose
location is known, such as
doorways of buildings, and then
using indoor technology to measure
movement from there. While
indoors, the technology measures
movement, instead of re-calculating
from scratch the devices position.
This early research appeared to measure
movement via radio signals, not device
sensors.
Calibrating Motion Sensing
for Indoor Positioning
A very recent Samsung patent application shows a method of
calibrating motion sensing for use in calculating position when GPS is
unavailable.
This method uses motion sensors (accelerometer, compass) to
maintain an estimated location when the device leaves GPS coverage.
When the device re-enters GPS coverage, the method compares its
estimate to the true location. This comparison is later used to
compensate for errors in sensor measurements, to achieve more
accurate location estimates the next time the device leaves GPS
coverage.

Beacons Transmitting
Locations
A Samsung granted patent titled System for providing GPS
information indoors and method of acquiring indoor GPS information
by mobile device, filed 2005, uses wireless beacons in a building that
transmit their locations to wireless devices. Wireless devices use
signal strength calculations along with the transmitted beacon
locations to determine the wireless device location.
This approach is marginally different from many other methods using
beacons, in that the mobile device doesnt need to access data on
beacon locations, because the beacons transmit their locations
continuously. This would enable such a system to work more simply
and scalably.

Combining Beacons and
Movement Sensors
Another Samsung granted patent covers a method of indoor
positioning based on a combination of beacons and motion sensors.
In Samsungs approach, the beacons are radio units that echo
transmissions from the mobile device back to it, so that distances
between the device and the beacons can be measured.
This approach also uses mobile device accelerometers to calculate
the devices movement between beacon measurements. When the
device sees that its moved a significant distance, it uses the beacons
to reconfirm its location.

Positioning by Communicating
with Nearby Devices
Another Samsung granted patent takes a novel approach to location

positioning, identifying virtual spaces in which a device is located by
noting the other devices nearby, and then either asking a nearby
device for the areas location, or retrieving a location that is previously
known for the area that has the given set of nearby devices.
Grizzly Analytics understands that this is not an approach that can be
implemented by any single device manufacturer in a vacuum rather
it must be developed with consent of many players. That said, if such
agreements can be reached, and if privacy and security concerns can
be addressed, this would be a strong method of getting accurate
location information indoors.

Location Positioning from
Light Transmissions
Samsung is also researching use of light sensors for indoor positioning:
System and method for indoor positioning using LED lighting
This patent looks at highly technical issues of encoding information into LED
lights.
Indoor navigation method and system using illumination lamps
This patent looks at how LED lights with information encoded can be used for
indoor positioning and navigation.
Apparatus and Method for Switching Mode in a Location-Based
Service System Using Visible Light Communication
Page 64
Apple Research
in
Indoor Positioning
Page 65
Apple Research in Indoor
Positioning
Apple has had little research in location positioning or services, preferring until
recently to rely on others (primarily Google) to provide those services on
iPhones and other Apple devices. They did some very early location
technology researched for Apples Newton, but this research does not appear
to have continued.
Apply previously had a strategic alliance with Skyhook Wireless (see start-up
section below), but in 2010 they ceased this alliance, reportedly moving to
their own solution.
It became known in early 2011 that iOS devices were logging locations of Wi-
Fi and cellular networks, in order to triangulate locations when indoors or
when GPS is off. This is the only clear Apple activity in indoor location.
Recently, Apple has acquired several companies in the area of location
technologies, notably Placebase (July 2009), Poly9 (July 2010) and C3
Technologies (August 2011). This fits the belief that Apple is developing its
own capabilities and services.
Grizzly Analytics believes that Apple will soon release basic indoor positioning
based on Wi-Fi signals. We have seen little indication of more sophisticated
methods in research, but Apple has frequently kept their R&D secret.
Page 66
Early Pre-Cellphone Patent
for Beacon-Based Positioning
A very early Apple patent covers the use of in-building beacons for
location positioning a mobile device. At the time the patent was filed
(1995) they were not envisioning this for smartphones but rather for
their Newton PDA device.
In their approach, beacons are used to signal
to the device that its near a significant
location. The goal was not precise position
but rather the ability to generate user
reminders based on general locations
such as home office or car.
Grizzly Analytics believes that the methods
in this patent are out-dated and will not cover
modern methods. We report it primarily
for historical interest, and also because there
may in fact be related systems released.

Apple Research & Activity in Wi-Fi
Network Location Logging
A recently published Apple patent application, titled Location Histories for
Location Aware Devices, describes their methods of logging the locations of
Wi-Fi networks and cellular antennas that are seen
by devices.
This data can then be used to
estimate a devices location
without using GPS, including
indoors.
In April, 2011, Apple
admitted that iPhones
were collecting location
data in order to triangulate
locations when indoors.
Page 68 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0051665.html

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110427005749/en/Apple-QA-Location-Data
Apple Research in Indoor
Positioning by Radio Reception
A recently published patent application from

Apple adds radio station reception to the set
of signals used for positioning. This is
similar to research discussed above by
Microsoft and others. In this case radio
stations are used in conjunction with Wi-Fi
and other signals.
Apple states that this method could be used
very quickly to determine a rough location
estimation when the device has no prior
knowledge of its location.

Research in Motion (RIM)
Research
in
Indoor Location Positioning
Page 70
RIM Research in Indoor
Positioning
RIMs research in indoor location, and in general in location-based
services, is surprising given the companys traditional strong focus on
their Blackberry messaging products and services.
They have apparently mature research in determining indoor location
by analyzing signals from Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular antennas. In
particular, their research takes the additional steps of exploring how to
integrate different methods and how to most accurately use Wi-Fi
signals to track a user moving around inside.
Their research also looks at some services that can be offered in the
area of indoor location, such as location-based reminders and
location-based device control.
Page 71
Probabilistically Tracking
Movement by Wi-Fi Signals
Research in Motion has several granted
patents and a newly improved patent
application for Probabilistic location
prediction for a mobile station, for a method
of calculating not a single position but rather
a vector of movement through areas covered
by multiple Wi-Fi networks.
The use of Wi-Fi signal data for a series of
places, as the device moves through the
area, enables the method to be smarter in
understanding the overlaps between Wi-Fi
signals and how to interpret them.
The method can also recognize when there
are multiple places that the device could be,
and assign probabilities to each.
Page 72 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7653400.html - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7962156.html

Logging Network Locations
for Use in Indoor Positioning
Research in Motion (RIM) has a patent
granted, and a newly improved patent
application, for estimating location based on
a database of locations of network nodes,
primarily cell towers but also networks of
other types.
Similar to other companies approaches, the
database of locations of network nodes is
collected by phones that know their location
from GPS.
This estimated location can be used both for
speeding up GPS calculations and for
offering location-based services when GPS
is unavailable.

Determining Location in
Stages
A recent RIM patent application, titled System and Method for
Providing Location Information on Mobile Devices, describes a multi-
stage method of efficiently determining a devices location.
The method first determines by cellular antenna signals whether the
device is near a significant location.
If it is, the devices GPS or Wi-Fi
is activated to determine
location more precisely.

Reminders Based on Location
Derived from Cell Tower Overlap
Another RIM granted patent, titled Method and apparatus for location
marking, gives a method of determining location based on cell tower
coverage overlap.
The patent describes how a device can
remember locations labeled by users
(e.g., supermarket or office) and then
recognize being near the same location in
the future by detecting the same
overlapping cell towers. The device can then
give the user an appropriate reminder.
Grizzly Analytics has reported on similar
Location-Based Reminder systems in
other reports.

Controlling Device Features
Based on Indoor Location
Another RIM granted patent, titled Disabling operation of features on a
handheld mobile communication device based upon location,
describes a method of disabling a phones camera or other features
for security reasons, when entering designated secure areas.
This is clearly an application that cannot work without indoor location
positioning, and RIM describes the method using either GPS
positioning or using cellular antenna triangulation to determine when
the phone enters the secure area.
While RIM presents this in terms of enforcing security restrictions,
Grizzly Analytics notes that there are also consumer applications of
the same method, such as switching a phone to silent when entering a
theater. We have reported research on location-based phone settings
in other reports.

Sony Ericsson
Research
in
Indoor Positioning
Page 77
Sony Ericsson Research on
Indoor Positioning
Sony Ericsson has one highly unique approach to indoor positioning,
that of a buildings receiving GPS signals on their roof and essentially
retransmitting them indoors in a way that can be utilized by ordinary
GPS-equipped phones. This patent is described on the page that
follows.
Other Sony Ericsson research on indoor positioning appears to be
very similar to others, and Grizzly Analytics believes that their overall
research in indoor positioning is less mature than many competitors.
That said, this article makes it clear that indoor location positioning
and mapping is an ongoing area of interest:
http://developer.sonyericsson.com/wp/2011/11/11/indoor-maps-save-money-and-add-extra-value/
If they can bring their GPS retransmitter method to market, Grizzly
Analytics believes that they will succeed in selling to malls and other
big public indoor buildings, that will want to easily enable location
services in their mall.
Page 78
Retransmitting GPS Signals
Indoors
A Sony Ericsson granted patent, titled Positioning system for portable
electronic devices, describes a method of enabling standard GPS
receiver technology to operate
indoors by retransmitting GPS signals.
Their patent describes how
the GPS signals received on
the roof are combined to
make a signal to transmit
indoors.
Grizzly Analytics believes that
this will not change the need
for a general-purpose solution,
but that it might result in a
good short-term product for
malls and big offices.

Wireless Devices in Rooms in
a Home
Another granted Sony Ericsson patent, titled Home locating network,
covers a method of positioning a mobile device by analyzing the
characteristics of wireless signals coming from nearby devices.
This research is specifically
oriented towards homes of
the future in which electronic
devices (TVs, lights, music
systems, etc.) have wireless
components.

Access Points to Transmit
Details of Beacons
Sony Ericsson has also researched the use of beacons, primarily
Bluetooth-based, in indoor positioning.
A granted patent titled System and
method for in-building location
determination, addresses the
question of how devices get maps
of locations of indoor beacons.
In their approach, a blip access
point transmits such a map to
mobile devices entering the area.

Determining Position by
Modulated Light
Sony Ericsson has a granted patent titled System and method for
determining positioning information via modulated light, describing use
of specially-designed light sources to determine location. The lights
generate modulated light signals which identify their locations.
This approach is similar to research described
above by Motorola and Samsung. Clearly
if the appropriate lights can be deployed
in buildings, nearby mobile devices will
be able to determine their location
very easily. But Grizzly Analytics believes
that the significant research in more general
approaches to indoor positioning will prove
to be effective enough that buildings will
not be motivated to put in special lights.
Other Major Companies
Research
in
Indoor Positioning
Page 83
Research by Palm (now HPs
WebOS)
A recent Palm patent application, titled Using relative position data in a
mobile computing device, discusses tracking changes in a devices
location as the user moves around indoors. Their method describes
using absolute positioning (e.g., GPS or another system) whenever
possible, and when needed, using relative position calculations to
determine how the device has moved since its position was last
known.

Development by Cambridge
Silicon Radio (CSR)
Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) announced a new version of their
location-technology chip that incorporates analysis of sensors
(accelerometers, gyros and compasses) on the device.
Their chip reportedly integrates sensor analysis with analysis of
signals from GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular antennas, to form a composite
positioning both indoors and outdoors.
Grizzly Analytics is very positive on this development, as with the
similar Qualcomm research described above. While too little detail is
known to properly evaluate CSRs technology, their approach appears
very strong and general-purpose, and a hardware implementation will
enable this to efficiently run in a variety of devices.
Page 85 Sources: http://www.csr.com/news/pr/release/682/en

http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/csr-promises-indoor-navigation-with-new-chip-44622
Research by Polaris and NTT
DoCoMo
Polaris and NTT DoCoMo have three related new patent applications, all
titled Positioning System and Positioning Method:
The first covers determining location based on cellular antenna signals
The second covers speeding up the positioning based on estimation
The third covers a system that speeds up positioning based on how accurate
an answer is needed, taking more time only when more precision is needed.
Page 86
Research by BMW for Cars in
Parking Lots
BMW is researching how to add inertial navigation, based on smartphones, to
a cars navigation system, to enable it to be used in indoor parking lots. Their
approach is to use a smartphones accelerometer and magnetometer
(compass) to track movement from the place where the car leaves GPS
coverage.
This is very notable because
car companies are among
the few groups of companies
that are as active in navigation
as mobile companies.
Page 87 Sources: http://www.geometh.ethz.ch/ipin/IPIN2010_Abstract_Volume.pdf#page=132

http://www.geometh.ethz.ch/ipin/IPIN2010_Abstract_Volume.pdf#page=146
Research by Other
Companies
Mitsubishi: Wireless terminal positioning system, method of positioning
wireless terminal, environmental measurement system, facility
management system, method of measuring environment, and method
of deciding destination of a wireless mobile terminal.
Skyhook Wireless: Estimation of Position Using WLAN Access Point
Radio Propagation Characteristics in a WLAN Positioning System
Page 88
Other Patent Applications on
Indoor Positioning
The following patents also relate to indoor positioning:
Nortel patent application: The position location technique utilizes time-of-flight (TOF)
measurements of signals transmitted from a client to a number of wireless access
points (APs) or vice versa to determine distances. Round-trip time (RTT) measurement
protocols are used to estimate TOF and distances between the client at an unknown
position and the WLAN APs.
Institute for Information Industry (Taiwan): A default positioning weight is defined at
first. Then, a plurality of neighboring ranging devices near a target device is obtained
from all wireless ranging devices deployed in an indoor space, and a current positioning
weight of each of the neighboring ranging devices is calculated.
Corning MobileAccess: seamlessly toggling a mobile unit positioning between
outdoor positioning and indoor positioning mobile unit-based positioning which makes
use of reception of access point signals by the mobile unit.
Page 89
Start-up Companies
and
Research Projects
Page 90
Start-Up Companies and Apps
from Research Projects
Wi-Fi or other Sensors tracking Beacons Other
signals movement
Skyhook Wireless SEER Technology Teldio BatPhone
Qubulus FootPath Locata
GloPos Roodin OmniSense
PointInside
WLAN Tracker
SenseWhere
Grizzly Analytics believes that movement tracking by device sensors is a huge open
opportunity for new start-up companies.
Note that there is a lot of academic research relating to indoor positioning that we are not
reporting here, because of our focus on research entering the commercial arena. More
information on relevant academic research can be found at
http://www.geometh.ethz.ch/ipin/IPIN2010_Abstract_Volume.pdf
We are also not including companies working on dedicated sensor products, such as
XSENS in the Netherlands, because of our focus on mobile.
Page 91
SkyHook Wireless (USA)
SkyHook Wireless is a very mature offering in indoor location positioning by

WLAN signals. They had an alliance with Apple, but Apple stopped it in 2010.
While their service offering is very mature, their technology does not appear to
be as accurate as others are trying to achieve.
Their patent portfolio includes:
Location-based services that choose location algorithms based on number of
detected access points within range of user device - Granted patent -
Location beacon database - Granted patent - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7433694.html
Estimation of speed and direction of travel in a WLAN positioning system
Granted patent - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7835754.html
Using a Satellite Positioning System to Detect Moved WLAN Access Points
Application - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0012780.html
Estimation of Position Using WLAN Access Point Radio Propagation
Characteristics Application - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0164522.html
Page 92 Source: http://www.skyhookwireless.com/

Qubulus (Sweden)
The companys QPS Positioning Engine collects location labels from

users and associates them with location indicators from electronic
indicators such as Wi-Fi signals and other radio signals.
The company has developed a set of tools for managing this process:
LocLizard: Positioning application for Android, which the company
licenses to malls and buildings.
Salamander: Publically available Android app for indoor positioning
Iguana: Workforce collaboration solution, enabling employees in an
enterprise to find and interact with each other.
Gecko: Developers tool for developing on top of their engine
Page 93 Sources: http://www.loclizard.com/

http://www.qubulus.com/
GloPos (Finland)
GloPos is a software-only solution based completely on cellular

antenna signals, based on a database of cellular antenna ranges of
coverage and signal strength map.
To find locations of a mobile device based on signal readings, their
complex probability model computation is performed on a server.
The company claims accuracy of 7-12 meters according to an outside
study by VTT, Finlands Technical Research Center.
The company has filed a PCT patent titled METHOD AND SYSTEM
FOR REFINING ACCURACY OF LOCATION POSITIONING.
Page 94 Sources: http://www.glopos.com/site/technology.html - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0fDXcfo-_4

PointInside (USA)
PointInside developed an app for iOS or Android that connects to their

maps for stores & airports, determines user locations based on radio
signal landmarks that are detected nearby, and delivers user
services such as product search or airport gate search.
The company is licensing their technology to store-branded apps,
including chains such as Meijer. Their app is also running in several
malls and airports.
PointInside also delivers store-oriented promotional capabilities, such
as sending PointInside users notifications as they near stores carrying
items that they may want.
Page 95 Source: http://www.pointinside.com/

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.pointinside.android.app
WLAN Tracker (Germany)
The companys technology determines location

by analysis of overlapping Wi-Fi signals.
They deliver both positioning for mobile device
users and enterprise location management
for employee location tracking.
As of the writing of this report, their web site
indicates that their mobile application is still
in development.
Page 96 Sources: http://wlan-tracker.com/

SenseWhere (UK)
U.K.-based SenseWhere claims to have a very accurate indoor

positioning system that uses both stationary Wi-Fi & Bluetooth signals
and also signals from other mobile devices in the area.
While little information is available on their technology, it appears to
leverage other nearby devices to achieve more accuracy than is
possible only from stationary signals.
That said, their approach appears to only benefit from nearby signals if
those mobile device users are also running their system. If their
system does not achieve a critical mass of users, their benefit will
apparently not be fully realized.
Page 97 Sources: http://www.sensewhere.com/

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sensewhere-launches-self-correcting-indoor-positioning-system-2011-11-29
SEER Technology (USA)
SEER Technologys NaviSeer technology uses Inertial Navigation

technology for tracking movements of users. They combine this with
GPS to maintain location information for sets of users, such as
emergency rescue teams, as they move in and out of GPS coverage.
Their products and solutions are targeting emergency rescue teams
and other groups that need to be tracked and guided in indoor
locations.
The company has a patent filing for display of a persons location
within a 3D model of a building. They do not have patents yet
published on their indoor positioning technology.
Page 98 Sources: http://www.seertechnology.com/

FootPath (Germany)
Footpath is an Android-based prototype of

sensor-based location tracking. It was
developed by people at the Communications
and Distributed Systems lab at RWTH
Aachen University in Germany.
Footpath has a prototype available in the
Android market, albeit without maps of any
indoor locations.
Page 99 Sources: https://market.android.com/details?id=de.uvwxy.footpath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhrvT2hUAc
Roodin (Italy)
Roodin is a location tracking prototype,

developed by the Location and Sensor-
Based Services Group of the CRS4
Research Center in Sardinia, Italy.
Their demonstration app uses QR codes to
download map and current position, and
accelerometer and compass readings
to track subsequent movements.
Page 100 Sources: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roodin-the-best-app-for-indoor-navigation/298814380144355

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTZFRDBdQck
Teldio (Canada)
Teldios systems use Bluetooth-

based beacons plugged into a LAN
throughout a building. Their
technology appears to operate at
the network level, tracking Bluetooth-
based devices as they move around
the building.
They are marketing their systems to
enterprises, integrated with enterprise
communication tools.
This technology appears amenible to use in a consumer setting, with
Bluetooth beacons tracking locations and communicating with thin
clients on a wide variety of phones.
Page 101 Sources: http://www.teldio.com/zonith/indoor_positioning

Locata (Australia)
The LocataNet system deploys radio nodes that transmit GPS-like signals,
enabling positioning anywhere in range of the transmitters. Their innovations
include pico-second-scale timing between radio transmission stations.
Locatas patent portfolio includes the following:
Method and device for chronologically synchronizing a location network
US granted patent - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7616682.html
Frequency coherence within a location network
Locating a roving position receiver in a location network
System and method for determining attitude using spatial shift key (SSK)
modulation signatures
Method and Apparatus for Extending the Range for Tracking Errors in Phase Lock
Loops - Patent application - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2010081188A1.html
Page 102 Sources: http://www.locatacorp.com/technology.html

OmniSense (U.K.)
The companys technology detects proximity to radio beacons and

other mobile devices, and uses that data to compute relative locations.
Their Cluster Sparse WideBand technology uses narrowband signals
spread across a wideband channel, to achieve high accuracy while
only using a small portion of the available spectrum.
Their solutions are productized for tracking people, animals and
physical assets within an enterprise or factory area.
The companys patent portfolio includes:
Determining a position of a tag
Positioning Systems
Patent application - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011012880A1.html
Page 103 Source: http://www.omnisense.co.uk/Omnisense2_technology.html

BatPhone (USA)
A Northwestern University and University of Michigan

research team has developed BatPhone, available for
the iPhone, which identifies rooms by a unique
approach called Acoustic Background Spectrum. In
their approach, the mobile device records ambient
noise in a room and identifies the sound characteristics
that match previously analyzed room ambient noises.
The systems creators claim that it is more effective
than built-in iPhone cell-tower location positioning.
But, in a research paper they wrote on their approach
they claimed 69% effectiveness.
Grizzly Analytics believes that approaches such as
these may be able to aid other approaches, but will
never have the accuracy that RF-based approaches
can have.
Page 104 Source: http://stevetarzia.com/batphone/

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/batphone/id405396715?mt=8
This concludes the Grizzly Analytics report on Location-Based Services
of 2012-2015. Summaries and conclusions are at the beginning of the
report.
For more information on any of the analyses or news in this report,

contact Grizzly Analytics at:
Phone: +1-908-827-1580
E-mail: info@grizzlyanalytics.com
Fax: +1-646-390-8440
Page 105
GRIZZLY ANALYTICS is a small analysis firm focusing on deep technology analysis in a
small number of market areas. Grizzlys chief analyst brings a combination of a strong
technical background, hands-on experience researching new technologies and experience
analyzing the industry from within.
In addition to special reports with in-depth analyses of specific topics, such as this one,
Grizzly Analytics sells subscriptions to monthly reports, weekly brief updates, and once-a-
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GRIZZLY ANALYTICS reports present analysis that is speculative in nature, intended to

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Indoor Location Positioning:

Research Pipelines, Start-ups and

Indoor location research by Google, Microsoft,

Next page: Summary of companies and research topics in each area

Qualcomm High Sensor analysis

Nokia High Movement

Sony Ericsson Low

Motorola (acquired Mature but

We predict a wave of acquisitions of start-up companies in the indoor

The need for indoor location positioning [LINK] 9

In recent years, cellphone-based GPS capabilities have spread

One of the most desired applications of indoor positioning is indoor

Location-sharing has been somewhat slower to take off, likely

Page 20 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6819286.html

Page 21 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6473038.html

Another big area of Motorola research is inertial navigation, where a device

Page 22 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6577953.html http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6615136.html

Page 25 Source: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-frontier-for-google-maps-mapping.html

Page 26 Source: http://mwnet.cse.ust.hk/MLBS11/index_files/programs.html

Google has also funded academic research in the area of indoor

Googles patent application titled Wireless network-based location

Page 28 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0020776.html

Page 29 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0287178.html

Page 32 Sources: http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=104709

Radar was Microsofts very early research on determining location

Page 33 Sources: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/radar/

More recently, in November 2011, Microsoft job listings reveal that

Page 34 Sources: http://www.linkedin.com/jobs/jobs-Software-Development-Engineer-2150362

The following are related patents granted to Microsoft in the USA:

Page 35 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7020475.html http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7411549.html

Page 36 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7532113.html

Page 37 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7202816.html

Microsoft has also registered patents on indoor location positioning

Page 38 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7558851.html

Page 41 Source: http://www.cwins.wpi.edu/workshop11/pres/tech_2.pdf

Page 42 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011072075A1.html

Page 43 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0331010.html

Page 44 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0172916.html

Page 45 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011072169A2.html

Page 46 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/WO2011091303A1.html

Page 49 Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2GALFBrtXk

Page 51 Source: http://www.eis.fi/ect/fp/ECT09_240909_BR2_Kalliola.pdf

Page 60 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0291884.html

Page 61 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7652627.html

Page 62 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8049618.html

Another Samsung granted patent takes a novel approach to location

Page 63 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8055762.html

Page 67 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5642303.html

Page 68 Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0051665.html

A recently published patent application from

Page 69 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0116453.html

Page 72 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7653400.html - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7962156.html

Page 73 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7945270.html

Page 74 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0279323.html

Page 75 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7089020.html

Page 76 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7933611.html

Page 79 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7522101.html

Page 80 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7864043.html

Page 81 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8040219.html

Page 84 Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0184646.html

Page 85 Sources: http://www.csr.com/news/pr/release/682/en

Page 87 Sources: http://www.geometh.ethz.ch/ipin/IPIN2010_Abstract_Volume.pdf#page=132

SkyHook Wireless is a very mature offering in indoor location positioning by