Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.

Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.

Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.

Abstract: 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 interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing the functions of a web-based 3D modeling system partially as a script interpretable by a client browser application and partially as a component executing on a server modeling engine. A client-side script component may execute lightweight modeling system commands while the server-side modeling engine may execute computationally expensive 3D modeling system commands. For example, the script component may be accessed by the client device upon visiting a web page of the modeling service hosted by the web server. The script may include Javascript® instructions for viewing a 3D model in a browser window without installing a browser plug-in or a standalone application on the client device. However, to edit the model, the script component may forward commands and requests to the server via the network and also receive modified model data from the server.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device with a suite of sensors assists construction machine operators in finding the correct level to dig a ditch/trench. The sensing device includes a gravity sensor to determine angles, a laser distance meter (LDM), and a laser receiver for detecting a known jobsite elevation. The sensing device is mounted to the dipper stick of an excavator; the gravity sensor detects the angle of the stick, and the laser receiver detects a laser plane of light that represents a known jobsite elevation. The LDM is aimed at another member of the machine that moves in a predetermined path as the bucket is rotated, and the distance between the LDM and the target member is used to calculate the vertical elevation of the working tool edge. A display graphically shows the operator the proper dig depth and the present position of the working tool edge.

Abstract: Techniques involving modeling and analysis of operational metrics in transportation industries are disclosed. Representative methods involve defining a set of fuel consumption performance factors having a potential to impact vehicle fuel economy. Fuel consumption performance factors are received, and categorical variables are identified from at least a subset of the fuel consumption performance factors to create one or more categorical groupings. The fuel consumption performance factors associated with at least one of the categorical groupings are processed to identify a hypothetical maximum fuel economy or “baseline” for the at least one of the categorical groupings, and to identify fuel economy deduction coefficients based on the fuel consumption performance factors that adversely impact the hypothetical maximum fuel economy.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a commercial vehicle comprises a media recorder configured to receive video from one or more cameras. The media recorder comprises a memory configured to store a loop of the video as a circular buffer having a predetermined duration. A transceiver is communicatively coupled to the media recorder and configured to receive a video request command generated at a central office. An event detector is configured to communicate with a vehicle computer and detect predetermined events occurring during vehicle operation. The media recorder is configured to retrieve a portion of the loop of video stored in the memory and the transceiver is configured to transmit the portion of the loop of video to the central office in response to the video request command.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device with a suite of sensors assists construction machine operators in finding the correct level to dig a ditch/trench. The sensing device includes a gravity sensor to determine angles, a laser distance meter (LDM), and a laser receiver for detecting a known jobsite elevation. The sensing device is mounted to the dipper stick of an excavator; the gravity sensor detects the angle of the stick, and the laser receiver detects a laser plane of light that represents a known jobsite elevation. The LDM is aimed at another member of the machine that moves in a predetermined path as the bucket is rotated, and the distance between the LDM and the target member is used to calculate the vertical elevation of the working tool edge. A display graphically shows the operator the proper dig depth and the present position of the working tool edge.

Abstract: A system comprises a transmitter unit configured for mounting at a trailer connected to a tractor. The transmitter unit comprises a video input for receiving video data from one or more trailer cameras, a power input for receiving power from a power line of the trailer, and a wireless communication module for communicating with a mobile communication device. A memory is configured to store trailer information received from the wireless communication module, the trailer information uniquely identifying the trailer. A transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the video data. A receiver unit is configured for mounting at the tractor and comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving the video data transmitted by the transmitter, a power input for receiving power from a power line of the tractor, and an output for outputting the received video data. The receiver unit is further configured to receive the trailer information from the transmitter unit.

Abstract: A system for use with a vehicle comprising a tractor and a trailer includes one or more image capture devices. The one or more image capture devices capture images of the interior of a trailer and/or cargo items of the trailer. An image processor estimates available cargo space within the trailer based on the captured images.

Abstract: Techniques for authorizing fuel purchases based on vehicle available fuel tank capacity. The authorization may be performed on a transaction basis, such that each fueling event may be independently authorized. A current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle is obtained, and transmitted to an authorization entity. An authorization is obtained for dispensing a quantity of fuel that does not exceed the current fuel tank capacity.

Abstract: 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 interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device with a suite of sensors assists construction machine operators in finding the correct level to dig a ditch/trench. The sensing device includes a gravity sensor to determine angles, a laser distance meter (LDM), and a laser receiver for detecting a known jobsite elevation. The sensing device is mounted to the dipper stick of an excavator; the gravity sensor detects the angle of the stick, and the laser receiver detects a laser plane of light that represents a known jobsite elevation. The LDM is aimed at another member of the machine that moves in a predetermined path as the bucket is rotated, and the distance between the LDM and the target member is used to calculate the vertical elevation of the working tool edge. A display graphically shows the operator the proper dig depth and the present position of the working tool edge.

Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.

Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.

Abstract: When multiple users simultaneously view and/or collaboratively develop a three-dimensional (3D) model using respective independent computing devices, one of the participating users may locally modify a viewpoint of the 3D model, and the viewpoint changes are automatically propagated in real-time to the other users. A viewpoint may correspond to a positioning, an orientation, a zoom degree, an angle, etc. of the 3D model as would be provided by a virtual camera trained on the 3D model. The multiple users may share a common viewpoint of the 3D model in real-time in addition to viewing and/or participating in the generation and modification of the 3D model in real-time. In an embodiment, only one user at a time may be allowed to control the viewpoint modification of the 3D model.

Abstract: A point layout system is described that identifies points and their coordinates, using laser transmitters that are attached to at least three base units. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth and emit vertical laser planes. After being setup using control points, the projection lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest, under command of the user with a remote unit. Once the first two base units are registered with the virtual floor plan, the third base unit can be automatically setup, using an automatic procedure that creates alignment axes with the first two base units. Once all three base units are registered with the floor plan, any one of the three base units can then be moved to a new physical location on the jobsite floor, and the automatic setup routine can be used to register its new position.

Abstract: A first performance measure is determined of an existing data session between a mobile gateway and a cloud gateway via a first wireless carrier. Second performance measures of others of the wireless carriers are determined during the existing data session. Based on the first performance measure and the second performance measures, the existing data session is continued with the cloud gateway via a second of the wireless carriers.