Global navigation satellite system apparatus display screen with user interface for an application launcher
Granted: June 28, 2011
Patent Number:
D640710
Global navigation satellite system apparatus display screen with user interface for configuration data
Granted: June 21, 2011
Patent Number:
D640265
Methods and apparatus for operating a radio device
Granted: June 14, 2011
Patent Number:
7961078
A radio device such as a wireless tag reader communicates with multiple types of wireless identification tags in a monitored region. The radio device includes a network interface to receive messages transmitted over a network. In response to receiving a message indicating to reconfigure the radio device to support an additional wireless tag protocol, the radio is reconfigured to support communications with a corresponding new type of wireless identification tag in a monitored region.…
Rotating laser transmitter
Granted: June 7, 2011
Patent Number:
7954246
The transmitter has a generally flat, circuit board stator, a rotor including a plurality of magnets mounted in a ring around a central opening, and a bearing, supporting the rotor for rotation about an axis that extends through the central opening, A pentaprism assembly including an optics holder is mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith. The pentaprism assembly receives a beam of laser light through the central opening and redirects at least a portion of the laser light outward in…
Laser transmitter, laser receiver and method
Granted: May 24, 2011
Patent Number:
7947944
A combination of a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and a method determine the elevation of the receiver with respect to the transmitter. The laser transmitter includes a a laser light source for providing a beam of laser light and an element for directing the beam. The beam diverges vertically and varies in intensity vertically. A laser receiver includes an array of laser beam detectors for detecting the beam and the variations in the beam intensity in a vertical direction. The…
Land survey system
Granted: May 10, 2011
Patent Number:
7940211
A method and system obtains precise survey-grade position data of target points in zones where precise GPS data cannot be obtained, due to natural or man-made objects such as foliage and buildings. The system comprises position measurement components such as a GPS receiver, together with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an electronic distance meter (EDM) or an image capture device all mounted on a survey pole. The system and method obtains GPS data when outside the zone and uses…
Signal receiver using data bit search in alternating time segments
Granted: May 10, 2011
Patent Number:
7940834
A GNSS receiver and method using alternating “A” and “B” time segments for a reception time length of two or more data bits. The GNSS signal in an “A” time period comprising the “A” time segments is integrated for determining “A” magnitudes corresponding to code phase increments and the GNSS signal in a “B” time period comprising the “B” time segments is integrated for determining “B” magnitudes corresponding to code phase increments. A trial-and-error…
Interactive analysis of network adjustment results
Granted: May 10, 2011
Patent Number:
7941759
A method of improving workflow while performing a network adjustment associated with surveying data is disclosed. A first window containing a plan view which graphically displays at least one input is provided. The input is associated with surveying data. A second window contains a report which displays the input in text form is provided. In sync with each other, the plan view and the report are arranged within a GUI to present at least one network adjustment result utilizing the input.…
Laser transmitter having gimbal support and method of preventing the gimbal support from contacting the transmitter housing
Granted: April 26, 2011
Patent Number:
7932484
A laser transmitter has a transmitter housing and a laser source in the housing. A gimbal support arrangement supports the laser source in the housing and includes a gimbal motor arrangement for moving the gimbal support arrangement and said laser source in said housing. A gimbal motor drive circuit actuates the gimbal motor arrangement to cause the gimbal support arrangement to move in said housing. A plurality of optical proximity sensors sense the orientation of said gimbal support…
Planter assembly with selectively actuated output
Granted: April 12, 2011
Patent Number:
7925404
An actuating system for a planting device. The actuating system has an electric motor that provides an actuating force for a seed shaft. A pneumatic acting member is connected to a source of compressed air through a valve and positioned to engage the electric motor to actuate the electric motor. The source of compressed air and electric motor can thus be connected to a controller that operates the source of compressed air and the electric motor in order to provide selective actuation to…
Exchanging data via a virtual field device
Granted: March 29, 2011
Patent Number:
7917654
A system for synchronizing data between a host client and a field device comprises a computer system with a virtual field device resident on the computer system. The virtual field device comprises a virtualized instantiation of a portion of a field device. A synchronization manager is also resident on the computer system. The synchronization manager is configured for managing synchronization operations involving the virtual field device. A field client transceiver is coupled with the…
Construction equipment component location tracking
Granted: March 22, 2011
Patent Number:
7911379
In a method for construction equipment component location tracking, a wireless mesh network communication is initiated between a component monitor and a component information unit which is mechanically coupled with the component. An identity of the component is received at the component monitor via the wireless mesh network communication. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver of the component monitor is utilized to ascertain a location of the component at a completion of…
Dynamic switching of carrier tracking loops without loss of tracking information
Granted: March 22, 2011
Patent Number:
7912111
A method of dynamic switching of a plurality of carrier loops in a radio receiver. The method comprises: (A) receiving a radio signal from a radio source by using a carrier tracking loop; (B) substantially continuously estimating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received radio signal from the radio source; (C) if the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received radio signal from the radio source is above an initial predetermined threshold, performing carrier tracking of the received…
Multi-reader coordination in RFID system
Granted: March 1, 2011
Patent Number:
7898391
A method of operating a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers includes operating the readers according to a spatial-division and time-division synchronization schedule. Each reader may be associated with a reader group, and the schedule may specify a duration of time that all of the readers in a group may be active. Readers in different reader groups may be scheduled independent of readers in other reader groups.
Detecting construction equipment process failure
Granted: March 1, 2011
Patent Number:
7898403
A method and system for detecting construction equipment process failure are disclosed. According to one embodiment, information about a construction equipment asset from a reporting source is received. A database is then populated with the information. A process failure report is provided if the construction equipment asset is operated in a manner which violates a process norm assigned to the construction equipment asset.
Circuit for exclusion zone compliance
Granted: March 1, 2011
Patent Number:
7898409
A circuit for exclusion zone compliance is recited. In one embodiment, the circuit comprises a satellite navigation signal reception component configured for receiving at least one signal from at least one Global Navigation Satellite System satellite and a navigation data deriving component configured for deriving position data and a clock time from the at least one signal. The circuit further comprises a non-volatile memory component configured for storing an encrypted data set…
Method and system for monitoring the positions of multiple towed vehicles using a single high accuracy receiver
Granted: March 1, 2011
Patent Number:
7898470
In a system for determining the positions of multiple towed vehicles that are towed by a towing vehicle, a satellite antenna is provided on each towed vehicle and a high accuracy satellite receiver is placed on the towing vehicle, the positions of the towed vehicle of interest being determined by switching its antennae signal through to the satellite receiver.
Ionosphere modeling apparatus and methods
Granted: January 11, 2011
Patent Number:
7868820
Methods and apparatus which characterize the ionospheric error across a network of GNSS reference stations are presented. The method relies on dual-frequency phase measurements in a geometry-free linear combination. The data are filtered for ambiguities and the characteristic parameters of the ionosphere. In combination with filter results from other combinations of phase measurements (ionosphere free combination), the physically-based model provides rapid and reliable ambiguity…
System for guiding a farm implement between swaths
Granted: December 28, 2010
Patent Number:
7860628
An apparatus, method and tangible medium using GPS for guiding a farm implement along a turn path between swaths. The apparatus includes a GPS receiver and a turn computer. The turn computer calculates or stores a turn path between swaths, calibrates GPS positions to a swath end position and uses the calibrated GPS positions to guide the implement along the turn path to the start of the next swath. A steering wheel autopilot may be included to steer a powered vehicle according to a cross…
Post-mission high accuracy position and orientation system
Granted: December 21, 2010
Patent Number:
7855678
A method of generating post-mission position and orientation data comprises generating position and orientation data representing positions and orientations of a mobile platform, based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data and inertial navigation system (INS) data acquired during a data acquisition period by the mobile platform, using a network real-time kinematic (RTK) subsystem to generate correction data associated with the data acquisition period, and correcting the…
