Patents by Inventor John M. Zietz

John M. Zietz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230217849
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, related system, and computer program product are provided for controlling an agricultural tool towed by a pivotally attached vehicle. A computer stores a model of the position and heading of the tool and the vehicle. The computer determines a velocity and turn rate of the vehicle based on position data from a first GPS receiver attached to the vehicle. The computer calculates the modeled position of the vehicle and the tool at a future time based on the velocity and turn rate of the vehicle. The computer also corrects the modeled position and heading of the vehicle and tool, based on position data from the first GPS receiver, and from a second GPS receiver attached to the tool, respectively. The computer generates a control signal to control an actuator associated with the tool based on the modeled position of the tool at the future time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas MEYER, John M. ZIETZ
  • Patent number: 8471762
    Abstract: A heading determination system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, each receiver paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna, wherein the GNSS antennas are separated by an ultra-short baseline. The heading determination system receives signals broadcast by a plurality of GNSS satellites and calculates the phase difference in the signal seen among the separate GNSS antennas. Using this phase difference information, derived from comparing the signals received from a plurality of GNSS satellites, along with attitude data generated by the IMU, the heading determination system calculates a highly-accurate heading solution. A method is provided for determining a heading of a system including an IMU coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, with each receiver being paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna and the antennas being separated by an ultra-short baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Zietz, Robert M. Allen, Robert V. Weinmann
  • Publication number: 20120218143
    Abstract: A heading determination system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, each receiver paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna, wherein the GNSS antennas are separated by an ultra-short baseline. The heading determination system receives signals broadcast by a plurality of GNSS satellites and calculates the phase difference in the signal seen among the separate GNSS antennas. Using this phase difference information, derived from comparing the signals received from a plurality of GNSS satellites, along with attitude data generated by the IMU, the heading determination system calculates a highly-accurate heading solution. A method is provided for determining a heading of a system including an IMU coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, with each receiver being paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna and the antennas being separated by an ultra-short baseline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: John M. Zietz, Robert M. Allen, Robert V. Weinmann
  • Patent number: 8130142
    Abstract: A heading determination system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, each receiver paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna, wherein the GNSS antennas are separated by an ultra-short baseline. The heading determination system receives signals broadcast by a plurality of GNSS satellites and calculates the phase difference in the signal seen among the separate GNSS antennas. Using this phase difference information, derived from comparing the signals received from a plurality of GNSS satellites, along with attitude data generated by the IMU, the heading determination system calculates a highly-accurate heading solution. A method is provided for determining a heading of a system including an IMU coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, with each receiver being paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna and the antennas being separated by an ultra-short baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Zietz, Robert M. Allen, Robert V. Weinmann
  • Publication number: 20110068975
    Abstract: A heading determination system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, each receiver paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna, wherein the GNSS antennas are separated by an ultra-short baseline. The heading determination system receives signals broadcast by a plurality of GNSS satellites and calculates the phase difference in the signal seen among the separate GNSS antennas. Using this phase difference information, derived from comparing the signals received from a plurality of GNSS satellites, along with attitude data generated by the IMU, the heading determination system calculates a highly-accurate heading solution. A method is provided for determining a heading of a system including an IMU coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, with each receiver being paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna and the antennas being separated by an ultra-short baseline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: John M. Zietz, Robert M. Allen, Robert V. Weinmann