Abstract: A portable instrument or apparatus includes a portable device and a rangefinder module. The rangefinder module can be attached to the portable device, which may be any suitable smartphone, tablet or other consumer electronics device having a camera. By suitable alignment of the rangefinder and camera, the device is capable of capturing accurate data over significant ranges, including for example an image of a target together with position information concerning the target.

Abstract: A method of transferring information stored in a mobile instrument, the information including a first information file containing metadata and a pointer indicative of a first auxiliary file address; and first auxiliary file containing image information, the first auxiliary file being located at the first auxiliary file address. The method includes the steps of: storing the metadata in a second information file; storing the image information in a second auxiliary file at a second auxiliary file address; generating a second pointer indicative of the second auxiliary file address; and storing the second pointer in the second information file. The instrument includes a camera; one or more spatial sensors; and an external sensor port. Power to the sensors can be controlled asynchronously. Various parsing methods are also described. The instrument includes a marker module configured to superimpose a marker on the image.

Abstract: A method of transferring information stored in a mobile instrument, the information including a first information file (140) containing metadata and a pointer indicative of a first auxiliary file address; and a first auxiliary file (141) containing image information, the first auxiliary file being located at the first auxiliary file address. The method includes the steps of: storing the metadata in a second information file (140?); storing the image information in a second auxiliary file (142?) at a second auxiliary file address; generating a second pointer indicative of the second auxiliary file address; and storing the second pointer in the second information file. The instrument includes a camera (70); one or more spatial sensors; and an external sensor port (56). Power to the sensors can be controlled asynchronously. Various parsing methods are also described. The instrument includes a marker module configured to superimpose a marker on the image.

Abstract: A positioning system includes a positioning device with a local antenna. One or more remote antennas are also connected to the device. The system selects one or more antennas to use in determining a position based at least in part on an orientation of the device. Other factors which may be used in selection include: a particular environment of the device, manual override, signal quality, and a stage in a workflow process.

Abstract: A positioning system includes a positioning device with a local antenna. One or more remote antennas are also connected to the device. The system selects one or more antennas to use in determining a position based at least in part on an orientation of the device. Other factors which may be used in selection include: a particular environment of the device, manual override, signal quality, and a stage in a workflow process.

Abstract: A method of transferring information stored in a mobile instrument, the information including a first information file containing metadata and a pointer indicative of a first auxiliary file address; and first auxiliary file containing image information, the first auxiliary file being located at the first auxiliary file address. The method includes the steps of: storing the metadata in a second information file; storing the image information in a second auxiliary file at a second auxiliary file address; generating a second pointer indicative of the second auxiliary file address; and storing the second pointer in the second information file. The instrument includes a camera; one or more spatial sensors; and an external sensor port. Power to the sensors can be controlled asynchronously. Various parsing methods are also described. The instrument includes a marker module configured to superimpose a marker on the image.