Abstract: Automatic calibration, tuning and diagnostics improve precision farming by helping farmers obtain best performance from their autopilot-guided vehicles. Automatic calibration procedures that cannot be accurately performed by human drivers, automatic autopilot tuning, and simplified diagnostics are all parts of an advanced farm vehicle autopilot system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a data collector with expanded functionality and a method of enhancing revenue generation using a data collector with expanded functionality. In one embodiment, a central unit of a data collector is configured to receive a replaceable unit such that any one of a variety of replaceable units can be configure to be attached to said central unit.

Abstract: A view filter manager (VFM) is provided. The VFM comprises a view filter configured to format a display of a computer-implemented graphical representation comprising a plurality of layers of related data. The VFM further comprises a scrollable listing of the plurality of layers, and a layer isolate function configured to flag a selected layer in the scrollable listing in response to a layer selection, and store the layer selection while the scrollable listing is subsequently scrolled.

Abstract: An improved method for asset management is described. The method includes receiving information from a remote reporting device in close proximity to an asset, the information including a first unique identifier associated with the asset and a second unique identifier associated with a user of the asset. The method further includes associating the asset with the user based on the information. Additionally, the method includes monitoring use of the asset and maintaining a record of the use by the user based on the information.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag distance measuring system and method is disclosed. One example includes a first replica path that receives a signal that is simultaneously transmitted to an RFID tag. The first replica path includes a plurality of taps at known distances along the first replica path. Each of the plurality of taps has a first tap input coupled with the first replica path. In addition, an RFID signal receiver receives a return signal from the RFID tag and provides the return signal along a measurement input, wherein each of the plurality of taps have a second tap input coupled with the measurement path. A distance determiner detects at least the first of the plurality of taps to have an output and determine a distance measurement to the RFID tag based thereon.

Abstract: Information is collected by acquiring imaging data of a plurality of objects using an imaging tool; creating a three-dimensional representation of the plurality of objects based on the imaging data; and extracting RFID data stored in an RFID tag using an RFID reader. The RFID tag has a reference to a three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional model is created before acquiring the imaging data of the plurality of objects. And the three-dimensional model is a representation of at least one object of the plurality of objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, devices, and method for monitoring gas emissions within a geographic area. A method for monitoring gas emissions may include providing a gas-monitoring device configured to be moved within the geographic area. The method may also include determining geographic locations of the device as the device is moved within the geographic area, determining a quantity of one or more gases in the air as the device is moved within the geographic area, and associating the geographic locations with the quantity of gases to provide gas emissions data for the geographic area. The gas emissions data may be communicated to one or more external devices, sources, and/or systems for analysis, documentation, and/or compliance reporting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guidance system that helps an earthmoving machine operator to control exactly to what elevation to dig. The system includes an electronic sensing device and a display monitor. In one embodiment, the electronic sensing device includes a distance measuring sensor (LDM), an elevation detecting sensor, an orientation sensor, and a steering mechanism for the LDM. The sensing device is mounted to an earthmoving machine, and sends signals to the display showing the machine operator where to move the digging tool for digging to the desired elevation. The various sensors in the sensing device are calibrated at the factory, so the sensing device can be mounted to an earthmoving machine and then be immediately used by that machine without needing any calibration that involves the machine itself, which is a huge advantage for the equipment operator. The measurements are made via non-contact sensors, thereby preserving the jobsite surface.

Abstract: The cellular device accesses a GPS/GNSS chipset embedded within the cellular device. The GPS/GNSS chipset calculates pseudorange information for use by the GPS/GNSS chipset. The cellular device extracts the pseudorange information from the GPS/GNSS chipset for use elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GPS/GNSS chipset.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for creating and implementing three-dimensional guidance paths for use in conjunction with more or one agricultural vehicles operating in an area of operation.

Abstract: A method for reducing multipath when determining a location of a stationary or near stationary position, includes receiving a signal from an antenna moving continuously with respect to the stationary or near stationary position, the signal including a multipath component, processing the received signal including the multipath component, wherein multipath error in the received signal is reduced during the processing and determining a location of the stationary or near stationary position based on the processed received signal with the multipath error reduced.

Abstract: A method for performing a dynamic load test on a bridge includes providing a vehicle with an imaging device coupled to the vehicle and moving the vehicle across the bridge. While moving the vehicle across the bridge, a series of images is obtained using the imaging device. A position of the vehicle on the bridge is determined as a function of time using the series of images, and a response of the bridge is determined as a function of time as the vehicle crosses the bridge. The position of the vehicle on the bridge is associated with the response of the bridge.

Abstract: A crane collision avoidance system is disclosed. One example includes a load locator to determine a location of a load of a crane and provide the location information to a mapping module. In addition, a map receiver module procures a map of a site and provides the map to the mapping module. A tag scanner scans the site for one or more tags defining an obstacle and provides the obstacle information to a mapping module. The mapping module combines the location information, the map and the obstacle information into a user accessible information package that is displayed on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method for displaying image data from a plurality of images on a display monitor, where at least some of the images are acquired from different locations, includes displaying the image data from the images on the display monitor. The image data may be displayed from a perspective center associated with the different locations from which the images are acquired. A primary image is determined based on a portion of the image data from the primary image that is displayed on the display monitor compared to portions of the image data from other images that are displayed on the display monitor. Thereafter, the image data on the display monitor is displayed from a perspective center of the primary image. A stacking order of the plurality of images is arranged so that the primary image is on top.

Abstract: A path planning autopilot guides vehicles efficiently even when they are far from a desired path.

Abstract: A method in a computing device for generating a composite document includes receiving drawing data from a user interface, where the drawing data includes a plurality of two-dimensional shapes, and generating a first data structure that includes the received drawing data. The method further includes receiving a reference to a geographic location from the user interface and, in response to receiving the reference to the geographic location, retrieving photograph data corresponding to the received reference, where the photograph data includes at least one of satellite image data and aerial image data for the geographic location.

Abstract: In a method of ensuring crop treatment compatibility crop treatment information is received at a computer system. The crop treatment information comprises a real-time location of a crop treatment applicator and a description of a crop treatment resident in the crop treatment applicator. Planted crop treatment information is accessed for a planted field which encompasses the real-time location. The planted crop information comprises a description of a planted crop in the planted field. It is determined whether the crop treatment is compatible with application to the planted crop. In response to determining the crop treatment is not compatible with application to the planted crop, a crop treatment incompatibility action is initiated in real-time from the computer system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for editing element attributes of a design within a user interface view are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing or eliminating the effort a user must put forth in editing attributes of a user specified element in moving from the user specified element in a main document window of the user interface to the far end of the main document window and then combing within a dense menu displaying every attribute for every element supported by the user interface. Further embodiments allow a user to easily filter through the dense menu displaying every attribute for every element to find the attributes that are specific to the element selected and do so without having to go to the dense menu displayed on the far side of the main document window.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating parameters useful to determine the position of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver or a change in the position thereof. The method includes the steps of: obtaining at least one GNSS signal received at the GNSS receiver from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites; obtaining, from at least one network node, precise satellite information on: (i) the orbit or position of at least one of the plurality of GNSS satellites, and (ii) a clock offset of at least one of the plurality of GNSS satellites; identifying, among the obtained GNSS signals, a subset of at least one GNSS signal possibly affected by a cycle slip, the identified subset being hereinafter referred to as cycle-slip affected subset; and estimating parameters useful to determine the position of the GNSS receiver or a change in the position of the GNSS receiver using at least some of the obtained GNSS signals which are not in the cycle-slip affected subset, and the precise satellite information.

Abstract: Active imaging systems for plant growth monitoring acquire images in which each pixel represents an absolute NDVI value obtained with active illumination.