Global navigation satellite system receiver
Granted: January 14, 2014
Patent Number:
D697438
Real-time transmission of survey data
Granted: January 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8626473
In a survey operation, survey measurement data obtained at each location is transmitted in real time as the measurement is made to avoid the limitations of the disk or other storage medium used in saving the data, to avoid loss or corruption of the data prior to the disk being delivered to its final destination, and to allow users to immediately view the results of the measurements while the rovers are still out in the field and readily capable of redoing measurements or supplementing…
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) reference station integrity monitoring and assurance
Granted: January 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8624779
In a method of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) reference station integrity monitoring, network Real Time Kinematic (RTK) information is accessed for a location associated with a GNSS reference station. At least one aspect of GNSS information local to the location of the GNSS reference station is compared with a corresponding aspect of the network RTK information. The results of the comparing are monitored for indication of occurrence of compromise to operational integrity of…
Lifting device efficient load delivery, load monitoring, collision avoidance, and load hazard avoidance
Granted: December 31, 2013
Patent Number:
8618949
A lifting device sensor unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. A first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. A load monitor is coupled with the housing and is configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load…
Lightweight three-dimensional display
Granted: December 24, 2013
Patent Number:
8614706
A computer-implemented imaging process method includes generating a progression of images of a three-dimensional model and saving the images at a determined location, generating mark-up code for displaying image manipulation controls and for permitting display of the progression of images in response to user interaction with the image manipulation controls, and providing the images and mark-up code for use by a third-party application.
GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus with geometric filter
Granted: December 24, 2013
Patent Number:
8614642
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals of a first set of satellites having at least three carriers and signals of a second set of satellites having two carriers. A geometry filter uses a geometry filter combination to obtain an array of geometry-filter ambiguity estimates for the geometry filter combination and associated statistical information. Ionosphere filters use a two-frequency ionospheric combination to obtain an array of…
Method and a system for communicating information to a land surveying rover located in an area without cellular coverage
Granted: December 17, 2013
Patent Number:
8611926
In a method for requesting network-derived position data from a mobile geographic position aware receiver, a mobile geographic position aware receiver having a first IP address is communicatively coupled with a first port on a router. A wireless transceiver is communicatively coupled with a second port on the router. A wireless communication device is communicatively coupled with a third port on the router. A processor is communicatively coupled with the router; the processor for…
Laser reference system
Granted: December 10, 2013
Patent Number:
8605274
A method of operating a laser reference system orients a reference plane of laser light generated by a transmitter so compensation is made for rake angles between the first and second axes of the transmitter and first and second non-orthogonal alignment axes. The transmitter includes an optical system arranged to generate a laser beam, the optical system projecting said laser beam radially along a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis, thereby substantially defining a…
Method and system for measuring angles based on 360 degree images
Granted: December 3, 2013
Patent Number:
8600700
A method of measuring an angle includes orienting a measurement device at a reference position characterized by a reference angle. A first panoramic image defined by a predetermined range of elevation angles is acquired where the first panoramic image includes an object. A first bearing of the object in relation to the reference angle is determined and the measurement device is rotated to a measurement position characterized by a measurement angle. A second panoramic image defined by the…
Telematic asset microfluidic analysis
Granted: December 3, 2013
Patent Number:
8600932
A fluid analyzing system wherein an electronic control module is coupled with an asset and a telematics device. The electronic control module initiates the acquisition of a sample of an asset's fluid and analyzes the sample in response to an analysis trigger. An asset management system located remotely from the asset and telematics device receives the results of the fluid analysis wirelessly via the telematics device.
Two dimension layout and point transfer system
Granted: December 3, 2013
Patent Number:
8595946
A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of…
Position estimation methods and apparatus
Granted: November 19, 2013
Patent Number:
8587475
A method of determining the position of a GNSS receiver antenna includes steps of acquiring input data which includes observations at the GNSS receiver antenna of signals of at least clock and position information of GNSS satellites, for each of a plurality of epochs. Float parameters of a state vector from the input data of each epoch are then estimated. The float parameters include receiver antenna position, receiver clock, and at least one ambiguity per satellite. A jump in the at…
Asset management systems and methods
Granted: November 5, 2013
Patent Number:
8576095
Novel tools and techniques for tracking assets, such as high-value tools, customer equipment, testing equipment, technicians, and/or the like. Some of these tools and techniques can be used to track assets in a mobile environment (such as in a delivery truck, installation van, and/or the like).
Methods and apparatus for RFID tag placement
Granted: November 5, 2013
Patent Number:
8576075
Systems and methods for placing RFID tags on objects are shown and described. The method includes scanning an object and analyzing one or more reflected signals from the to determine a suggested location for placement of an RFID tag. The scan can be accomplished using a scanning device having an antenna that operates in the near field of the object to measure at least one RF property of the reflected signal from the object.
User interactive actual time networked survey system
Granted: October 29, 2013
Patent Number:
8571800
A method for providing user interactive actual time networked surveying is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network connection is established between a survey instrument and a central computing device. In addition, a user session is established with the central computing device. Survey measurement data obtained with the survey instrument is transmitted to the central computing device. In addition, correction data from a virtual reference station (VRS) is received at the central computing…
Inclinometer with calibration
Granted: October 22, 2013
Patent Number:
8566034
An inclinometer using a forward speed, a yaw angle rate, a forward acceleration and external altitude information in order to calculate an inclination angle. The inclinometer performs an automatic calibration of an accelerometer bias. The inclinometer may also perform an automatic calibration of an accelerometer position offset. The external altitude information is not required to be continuous.
Systems, methods and devices for trip management functions
Granted: October 15, 2013
Patent Number:
8560237
Systems, methods, and devices for performing a trip management function are disclosed. A client computer accesses a server networked therewith to retrieve and store data, such as Web documents, relating to the trip. A wireless device interface allows a portable device, wirelessly coupled with a cellular telephone system with the network, to download the Web document. The portable device has cellular telephone functionality, geo-locating functionality, such as GPS capability, for…
Method and system for limiting the functionality of a mobile electronic device
Granted: October 15, 2013
Patent Number:
8559934
In a method for assuring compliance with a mandated requirement, a control component resident in said mobile electronic device is implemented in response to receiving an indication to limit the operation of the mobile electronic device in a moving vehicle. A position determining component disposed within the mobile electronic device is used to determine the speed of the mobile electronic device. The speed of the mobile electronic device is determined to exceed a speed threshold and the…
GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus with ionospheric filters
Granted: October 15, 2013
Patent Number:
8558736
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals of a first set of satellites having at least three carriers and signals of a second set of satellites having two carriers. A geometry filter uses a geometry filter combination to obtain an array of geometry-filter ambiguity estimates for the geometry filter combination and associated statistical information. Ionosphere filters use a two-frequency ionospheric combination to obtain an array of…
Controlling power dissipation in a base station of a navigation satellite system (NSS)
Granted: October 8, 2013
Patent Number:
8554135
A method and system for controlling power dissipation in a base station of a navigation satellite system (NSS) is disclosed. One method utilizes a sensor to monitor one or more components of the base station. Then, based on information from the sensor, a transmission bit rate is increased from a pre-defined bit rate to an increased transmission bit rate for an NSS message transmitted from the base station without reducing transmission power level of the base station. The method also…
