Abstract: A method for aiding construction of a building is proposed. The building includes a plurality of building components. The method comprises: (A) providing at least one building component marking attached to at least one building component, (B) providing at least one RFID tag, and C) of using at least one building component marking to identify at least one building component on the building site. An RFID tag is attached to at least one building component. The RFID tag is configured to store a predetermined location of at least one building component on a building site. A building component marking is selected from the group consisting of: an optical reflective target; and a physical marking.

Abstract: A verified antispoofing navigation apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a primary navigation receiver configured to provide a set of primary measurements related to positioning of a mobile platform; a supplemental navigation device configured to provide a set of supplemental measurements related to positioning of the mobile platform; an identity monitoring device configured to verify an identity of a driver of the mobile platform; and a verification and authentication navigation processor configured to verify authenticity of the set of primary measurements provided by the primary navigation receiver by using the set of supplemental measurements provided by the supplemental navigation device. The verified antispoofing navigation apparatus further comprises: a driver authentication navigation processor configured to provide the driving and rest times of the driver to relevant authorities.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for calibrating a sensor device, such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, and/or magnetometer. The sensor device provides measurements, and a determination if the sensor device is in a steady state is made based at least partly on the measurements. If the sensor device is in a steady state then measurement data is stored in a memory, and the sensor device is calibrated at least partly with the stored data. A set of such steady points is gathered with the sensor device in various spatial orientations, preferably with the steady point orientations spaced appropriately apart to ensure precise calibration throughout the range of possible orientations. Calibration parameters are determined by fitting the set of steady point measurements to an ellipsoid. Active audio and visual guidance may be provided to a user to assist with orienting the sensor device during calibration.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: A method for estimating position and orientation of an image-capturing device is proposed. The method comprises the step of obtaining a preceding set of frames by using the image-capturing device. Each frame includes a set of image data. The method of the present technology further comprises the step of estimating a previous position and orientation of the image-capturing device by using the set of image data included in at least one preceding frame, and the step of estimating a current position and orientation of the image-capturing device by replacing a set of image data included in at least one preceding frame by a set of image data included in at least one subsequent frame. At least one subsequent frame is obtained by using the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A method for providing verified authentication services is presented. The method utilizes a verified authentication apparatus comprising a radio navigation receiver, a navigation processor, and a verification device. The method comprises: (A) receiving an authenticated navigation signal transmitted from a radio positioning system by using the radio navigation receiver, (B) obtaining the position coordinates, velocity and timing coordinates of the radio-navigation receiver by using the navigation processor, and (C) verifying reliability of the obtained position coordinates, velocity and timing coordinates of the radio navigation receiver by using a verification device; wherein a verified authentication service is provided.

Abstract: Multi-IMU INS for vehicle control allows GNSS-derived position and velocity to be measured at an antenna and applied to the estimation of position, velocity and attitude at a separate control point even when the spatial relationship between antenna and control point is not constant.

Abstract: A computer-aided, design system and method generates procedural code from a plurality of spreadsheet formulas which define the behavior of a parametric object. These spreadsheet formulas drive function calls to an API of the design system when initially drawing the parametric object within a user interface, and these function calls may be cached as procedural code. In subsequent re-drawings of same object, the procedural code may be executed with updated or changed attributes received from an input dialog box. Rather than converting, translating, and parsing the spreadsheet formulas each time an entry is changed, the procedural code may be optimized for execution and also be concealed from the user so that any proprietary information in the formulas and functions is kept secret.

Abstract: A method of creating and managing a database of meta_data sets for a plurality of objects is provided. The meta-data set is configured to characterize an object. The meta_data set for a “j”-object is selected from the group consisting of: a first item; a second item; an “i”-th item; and ID-j tag; wherein “i” and “j” being integers. The method comprises: (A) identifying a meta_data set for at least one object; (B) collecting a meta_data set for at least one object; (C) creating the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects; (D) storing the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects; and (E) accessing the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects.

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

Abstract: Predictive tractor path adjustments improve implement tracking performance by enabling agricultural autopilots to anticipate the effect of curves, slopes, changing soil conditions and other influences.

Abstract: 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 code corresponding to its ID tag; whereas the Data Collection device is located within the pre-determined range from the Data Generation device; and whereas the Data Generation device is configured to transmit a set of data to the Data Collection device.

Abstract: Predictive tractor path adjustments improve implement tracking performance by enabling agricultural autopilots to anticipate the effect of curves, slopes, changing soil conditions and other influences.

Abstract: A method for mobile navigation by using a smart phone is provided. The smart phone comprises: a GNSS navigation processor, a motion detector, a correlation processor, a triangulation processor, and a verified location display. The method of the present technology comprises: (A) obtaining a set of GNSS processor position fixes by using the GNSS navigation processor; (B) obtaining a set of motion-related data of the smart phone by using the motion detector; and (C) correlating the set of GNSS processor position fixes associated with the smart phone and the set of motion-related data associated with the smart phone and obtaining a set of GNSS correlation data. If the set of GNSS processor position fixes based on the set of GNSS correlation data is verified, the GNSS navigation processor is used for navigation; whereas if the set of GNSS processor position fixes based on the set of GNSS correlation data is not verified, the motion detector aided by triangulation processor is used for navigation.

Abstract: A method of resection-based positioning of a rotating fan beam transmitter is provided. The fan beam is rotating about a single axis of rotation. The rotating fan beam is being detected in a detector space including a detector cluster further including a plurality of detectors. The single axis of rotation intersects a reference plane in the detector space at an arbitrary angle. The method comprises: (A) detecting the rotating fan beam by using a plurality of detectors; (B) processing a set of detection signals to obtain a set of time-strike tags; and (C) determining the axis of rotation of the rotating fan beam in the detector space by using the set of time-strike tags. At least minimum number of detectors is stricken by the rotating fan beam. Each stricken detector generates a detection signal having a time-strike tag corresponding to a timing coordinate of the strike by the rotating fan beam.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: A method of image-based positioning is provided. The method comprises: (A) providing an image-capturing device integrated with a focused-radiation source and a processor; the image-capturing device further comprises an image sensor; (B) capturing an image of an object located in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device by using the image sensor; (C) directing a focused ray of radiation generated by the focused-radiation source to the object located in the (FOV) of the image-capturing device; (D) detecting at least one return signal generated by reflection of the focused ray of radiation from the object located in FOV of the image-capturing device by using the image sensor; (E) characterizing the object located in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device by using each return signal; and (F) processing each return signal in order to determine a distance from the object located in the FOV to the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A method for estimating an unknown spreading code in a received signal by using a set of genetic algorithms. The method comprises: selecting at least one seed of the unknown spreading code for initialization purposes, wherein the unknown spreading code comprises a plurality of chips, and performing a breeding process of the unknown spreading code by executing a breeding algorithm.

Abstract: A method for determining an absolute orientation in a global coordinate system is provided. In each grid position an image capturing device is directed to a selected object located in a scene. The method comprises: (A) reconstructing a scale model of the scene using point, line and/or region correspondences in multiple views of the scene obtained by the image capturing device placed in at least three grid positions; (B) obtaining location coordinates of at least three grid positions in the global coordinate system; and (C) determining a similarity transform from a photogrammetric coordinate system to the global coordinate system by determining rotation, translation and scale of the image capturing device for each grid position.