Method and system for 3D modeling using feature detection
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9355495
A method includes providing a processor, obtaining an image of a scene including one or more objects, and presenting, using the processor, the image of the scene to a user. The method also includes receiving a geometry type associated with one of the one or more objects, receiving a set of inputs from the user related to the one of the one or more objects, and determining, using the processor, a centerline of the one of the one or more objects. The method further includes measuring,…
Ambiguity windowing in communications among global navigation system satellite receivers
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9354319
A method of communicating corrections for information related to satellite signals among global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers is described. The method includes at a first GNSS device determining a component of position of a satellite. The component is then divided by a first value to thereby obtain an integer value and a remainder value, and the only the remainder value is transmitted from the first GNSS device to the second GNSS device. Knowing the first value, the second…
Micro climate corrections for radar interferometry measurements
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9354308
A method for monitoring movement of a surface using ground based radar interferometry measurements includes identifying micro climates on the surface and determining boundaries of the micro climates on the surface. One or more first sensors are arranged at a measurement site for measuring first atmospheric conditions at the measurement site. One or more additional sensors are arranged in each of the micro climates for measuring atmospheric conditions in the micro climates. An atmospheric…
Electronic rod reader and field notebook
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9354057
An electronic rod reader and field notebook is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic rod reader and field notebook comprises an image capture device for capturing an image through the eyepiece of an auto-level. The electronic rod reader and field notebook further comprises logic implemented by a processor of the electronic rod reader for automatically recognizing a crosshair viewed through the eyepiece of the auto-level, for automatically comparing the crosshair against a scale of…
Image based angle sensor
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9354045
A method of image-based positioning is provided. The method comprises: (A) providing an image-capturing device integrated with an object; (B) providing a pattern-generating device configured to generate a set of patterns; (C) locating the pattern-generating device in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device and capturing an image of the pattern-generating device; (D) generating at least one set of pattern data by using the captured image of the pattern-generating device; and…
Driver scorecard system and method
Granted: May 24, 2016
Patent Number:
9349228
Systems and methods are directed to monitoring and assessing driver behavior. A system comprises an interface configured to receive vehicle data acquired by a computer system of a vehicle, a wireless transceiver configured to effect communications with a central office via one or more networks, a display, memory configured to store scoring algorithms, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive at least some of the vehicle data, and generate, in substantially real-time and…
Agricultural rate management
Granted: May 17, 2016
Patent Number:
9338938
Agricultural rate adjustments performed by autopilots or farm information displays help eliminate guesswork and improve farm efficiency.
Active imaging systems for plant growth monitoring
Granted: May 10, 2016
Patent Number:
9336584
Active imaging systems for plant growth monitoring acquire images in which each pixel represents an absolute NDVI value obtained with active illumination.
Stud mapping and layout method
Granted: May 10, 2016
Patent Number:
9335169
In a method of establishing the location of a pair construction points for a stud in a building, the points are defined by x and y coordinates. A beam of laser light is used to determine a z coordinate of each of the pair of construction points on surfaces of the building. The construction points are established by directing a beam of laser light toward defined x and y coordinate locations and establishing the z coordinate location of the construction points on building surfaces that…
Location of image capture device and object features in a captured image
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9324003
A method for matching a region on an object of interest with a geolocation in a coordinate system is disclosed. In one embodiment, an image of a region on an object of interest is captured on an image capture device. The image is processed to detect a located feature using a feature detection algorithm. Further processing of the located feature is performed to derive a first feature descriptor using a feature descriptor extraction algorithm. The feature descriptor is stored in a memory.…
Collaborative development of a model on a network
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9323871
An application programming interface (API) is provided for use with a modeling software. The API allows users at several devices operating on a network to collaboratively develop a model of an object or a group of objects. The API receives an indication that a selected component has been modified by the modeling software in accordance user commands, generates component data indicative of the modifications of the selected component, and causes an update indication to be transmitted to a…
GNSS surveying methods and apparatus
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9322918
Methods and apparatus are presented for improved productivity in determining static position of an antenna of a GNSS rover, such as in stop-and-go surveying. Computer-implemented methods and apparatus provide for determining a static position of an antenna of a GNSS rover from observations of GNSS signals collected at the antenna over multiple epochs and from correction data for at least one of the epochs. In some forms this comprises: acquiring first-epoch rover observations of GNSS…
Utilizing information about mobile communication devices with respect to an area of interest
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9307385
A method for establishing an approximate number of persons in an area of interest comprises providing a request to one or more communications providers that cover an area of interest. The request is for a listing of any mobile communication devices located within the area of interest. The listing of any mobile communication devices located within the area of interest is utilized to establish an approximate number of persons in the area of interest.
Entity tracking
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9305196
A method for tracking an entity is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of messages conveying an identification of an entity are received using a wireless identification component. A geographic location of the wireless identification component is determined by a position determining component wherein the geographic location describes a respective geographic location of the wireless identification component when each of the plurality of messages is received. A geographic position of…
Navigation satellite system receiver
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
D752998
Method for projecting an image
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9300899
A method of projecting an image onto a viewing surface uses scanning projector, such as a laser-beam-steering pico projector, which scans a laser beam across the viewing surface. Each pixel area on the viewing surface which is included within images defined by a high intensity display digital video data, and each pixel area on the viewing surface which is included within images defined by a low intensity display digital video data are scanned. The projector beam illuminates each pixel…
Systems for data collection
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9299019
A method for improving a data collection process is provided. The method comprises: (A) providing at least one Data Generation device, whereas each Data Generation device is configured to obtain a set of data; (B) attaching an ID tag to at least one Data Generation device; whereas each ID tag includes an externally readable code; and (C) employing a Data Collection device having an ID tag reader configured to identify at least one Data Generation device by reading the externally readable…
System and method for asset management
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9298803
In a method for asset management, a transmission of information is received from a first reporting source about an asset and a transmission of information from is received from a second reporting source about the asset. The second reporting source uses a different means of transmission than the first reporting source. A database is populated with the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source such that information from the first…
RFID for location of the load on a tower crane
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9296594
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator and sway indicator is disclosed and includes: a plurality of RFID tags at different locations on or around the tower crane; at least two RFID readers at different locations on the tower crane; a navigation satellite system (NSS) position receiver; and a load information interface. The RFID readers comprising a range determiner to provide range measurements between each of the RFID readers and each of the plurality of RFID…
Lifting device efficient load delivery, load monitoring, collision avoidance, and load hazard avoidance
Granted: March 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9290361
A lifting device sensor unit comprises a housing, a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The first GNSS receiver is coupled with the housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. The wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the sensor unit position to…
