Patents Assigned to Topcon Positioning System, Inc.
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Publication number: 20160209512Abstract: A test installation for simulating multiple reflections of GNSS signals, the installation including a top screen that is semitransparent in a radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the top screen is substantially dome-shaped; a bottom screen that is reflective in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; the top semitransparent screen over the bottom reflecting screen; and a GNSS antenna connected to a receiver and located between the top screen and the bottom screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry V. Tatarnikov, Ivan M. Chernetskiy
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Patent number: 9391655Abstract: A digital filter for narrowband interference rejection, including modules of narrowband interference rejection connected in series, each of which includes the following elements connected in series: a block of successive vector rotation based on the CORDIC vector rotation algorithm for integers, a block of reduction of the length of the rotated vector to maintain the same number of bits for digital signal representation, a block of high-pass filters for orthogonal components of the reduced vector in order to remove the interference from zero frequency region. The filter can be implemented without multiplication.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Andrey V. Veitsel, Victor A. Prasolov, Dmitry D. Murzinov
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Patent number: 9385767Abstract: A correction phase locked loop (CPLL), including a signal processing unit that receives a digitized input signal from a satellite, the signal processing unit comprising (a) a primary correlator and primary discriminator, connected in series and generating a main error signal Z1 from the digitized input signal; (b) a correction correlator and a correction discriminator connected in series and generating a correction signal Z2; and (c) an adder for adding the main error signal Z1 and the correction signal Z2 to produce a common error signal Z. A loop filter filters the common error signal Z to produce a corrected error signal that is used for frequency-phase control of a Numerical Control Oscillator (NCO). The NCO generates two mutually orthogonal output reference signals whose phase is substantially free of multipath errors.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Andrey Vladimirovich Veitsel, Vladimir Victorovich Beloglazov, Victor Abramovich Veitsel
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Patent number: 9367962Abstract: An augmented image is generated by capturing a visual image of a site with a digital camera, generating a virtual image or associated information from a digital model of the site, and superimposing the virtual image or associated information on the visual image. To register the digital model with the visual image, a sensor pole is introduced into the field of view, and a combined visual image of the site and an optical target on the sensor pole is captured. The position and orientation of the sensor pole with respect to the site reference frame are measured by sensors mounted on the sensor pole; the position and orientation of the digital camera with respect to the sensor pole are calculated from image analysis of the optical target on the sensor pole; and the position and orientation of the digital camera with respect to the site reference frame are calculated.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ivan Giovanni Di Federico, Sergey Reytlinger, Vyacheslav Lanovets, Jason Hallett
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Patent number: 9347205Abstract: An implement having an implement acceleration is operably coupled to a vehicle body having a body acceleration. An attitude of the implement is estimated by receiving acceleration measurements from an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle body and an accelerometer mounted on the implement. A state vector estimate is calculated based at least in part on the body acceleration measurement and the implement acceleration measurement. The state vector estimate includes a representation of the attitude of the implement relative to the vehicle body. In addition to the accelerometer measurements, angular velocity measurements can be received from a gyro mounted on the vehicle body and a gyro mounted on the implement. The state vector estimate is then calculated based at least in part on the body acceleration measurement, the implement acceleration measurement, the body angular velocity measurement, and the implement angular velocity measurement.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alexey Andreevich Kosarev, Alexey Vladislavovich Zhdanov
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Patent number: 9350080Abstract: A compact GNSS antenna system reduces directional diagram level in the rear hemisphere primarily for LHCP component. It can be used for reducing multipath reception. A dual-band antenna system for receiving radio signals includes an active Microstrip Patch (MP) High Frequency (HF) circularly-polarized radiator disposed directly on a radiating patch of an active MP low-frequency (LF) radiator. The radiating patch of the active MP LF radiator serves as a ground plane of the MP HF radiator. A loop HF radiator is coaxially arranged around the ground plane of the MP HF radiator. A passive LF radiator is under the ground plane of the active MP LF radiator. A loop LF radiator is axially located around the ground plane of the active MP LF radiator. The loop HF radiator and the loop LF radiator are each excited by a transmission line and a power circuit to generate RHCP waves.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry Vitalievich Tatarnikov, Andrey Vitalievich Astakhov
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Patent number: 9350414Abstract: A digital filter for narrowband interference rejection, including modules of narrowband interference rejection connected in series, each of which includes the following elements connected in series: a block of successive vector rotation based on the CORDIC vector rotation algorithm for integers, a block of reduction of the length of the rotated vector to maintain the same number of bits for digital signal representation, a block of high-pass filters for orthogonal components of the reduced vector in order to remove the interference from zero frequency region. The filter can be implemented without multiplication.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Andrey V. Veitsel, Victor A. Prasolov, Dmitry D. Murzinov
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Patent number: 9285479Abstract: An optimum measurement subset with a specified number of elements is generated from a set of input global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. A design matrix and a weight matrix are generated. Values of a set of coefficients corresponding to the set of input GNSS measurements are calculated. The value of a specific coefficient is calculated as the ratio of the change in value of the at least one target parameter resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement to the change in value of the sum of squared residuals resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement. The optimum measurement subset is selected based at least in part on the values of the set of coefficients.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Raymond M. O'Connor, Ivan Giovanni Di Federico, Sergey Averin, Daniel Milyutin
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Patent number: 9244174Abstract: Scintillations caused by ionospheric irregularities during Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements are detected and mitigated. Detection is based at least in part on statistical properties of geometry-free combination parameters calculated from input GNSS measurements corresponding to the same navigation satellite and different carrier frequencies. Mitigation is based at least in part on ionosphere-free combination parameters calculated from input GNSS measurements corresponding to the same navigation satellite and different carrier frequencies. Depending on the number of satellites with detected scintillations, different algorithms are used to calculate values of target parameters from a set of ionosphere-free combination parameters or from a set of ionosphere-free combination parameters and the remaining input GNSS measurements.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sergey Vladislavovich Averin, Roman Anatolyevich Nevzorov, Andrey Valeryevich Plenkin, Vladimir Ivanovich Zubinsky
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Patent number: 9244172Abstract: An optimum measurement subset with a specified number n of elements is generated from a set of N>n weighted input global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. A group of trial measurement subsets is generated by removing a different individual weighted input GNSS measurement from the set. A value of accuracy criterion for a target parameter is calculated for each trial measurement subset, and the trial measurement subset with the minimum value of accuracy criterion is selected. A new group of trial measurement subsets is generated by removing a different individual weighted GNSS measurement from the previously selected trial measurement subset. A value of accuracy criterion is calculated for each new trial measurement subset, and a new trial measurement subset with the new minimum value of accuracy criterion is selected. The process is repeated until the selected trial measurement subset has the specified number n of elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Raymond M. O'Connor, Ivan Giovanni Di Federico, Sergey Averin, Daniel Milyutin
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Publication number: 20160004305Abstract: A system for displaying information to an operator of a machine comprises a head tracking system and a projection system. One system for displaying information uses a projection system and a see-through display to present two-dimensional images to an operator. One system uses a projection system and a see-through display to present three-dimensional images to an operator. One system uses a pair of smart glasses to display information to a user based a direction a user is looking.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicants: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc., InfoMobility S.r.L., Tierra S.p.A.Inventors: Daniele Pagliani, Nicola Finardi, Richard Jackson, Ivan Di Federico
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Patent number: 9203150Abstract: An antenna system for global navigation satellite systems includes a ground plane, an active antenna disposed above the ground plane, and a passive antenna disposed below the ground plane. The active antenna includes a conducting ring substantially parallel to the ground plane. A radiating conductor passes through substantially the center of the conducting ring; the ends of the radiating conductor are electrically connected to the conducting ring. An excitation pin is electrically connected to the radiating conductor. A set of reactive impedance elements is electrically connected between the conducting ring and the ground plane. The set of reactive impedance elements is disposed substantially orthogonal to the ground plane. The passive antenna is similar to the active antenna, except the passive antenna does not have an excitation pin. The antenna system effectively suppresses multipath reception, and its compact size and light weight make it suitable for integration with a surveying pole.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry Vitalievich Tatarnikov, Andrey Vitalievich Astakhov, Pavel Petrovich Shamatulskiy
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Publication number: 20150340763Abstract: An antenna is configured to operate with circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation in a low-frequency band and in a high-frequency band. The antenna comprises a ground plane and a radiator. The radiator comprises four pairs of radiating elements disposed as pairs of spiral segments on a cylindrical surface having a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the ground plane. Each pair of radiating elements comprises a low-frequency radiating element and a high-frequency radiating element. The low-frequency radiating element comprises a low-frequency conductive strip. The high-frequency radiating element comprises an electrically-connected series of at least one high-frequency conductive strip and at least one high-frequency capacitor. The electrical path lengths of the low-frequency radiating elements and the electrical path lengths of the high-frequency radiating elements are equal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Anton Pavlovich Stepanenko, Dmitry Vitalievich Tatarnikov, Andrey Vitalievich Astakhov
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Publication number: 20150330054Abstract: A method and a system for determining horizontal velocity of a construction vehicle and a distance from a range sensing apparatus to a surface is provided. In an embodiment, a plurality of video images of the surface generated by a video camera is received, an angular velocity is calculated by video processing, a distance from each of a plurality of laser rangefinders to the surface is measured, and linear horizontal velocity is calculated from angular velocity and distances.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventor: Nikolay V. Khatuntsev
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Patent number: 9191048Abstract: A method and system for signal reception and processing, and more particularly for reducing the effects of random additive impulse interference is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Nickolay A. Vazhenin, Alexey S. Volkovskiy, Timur G. Kelin
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Patent number: 9184504Abstract: A dual-frequency patch antenna includes a ground plane, an inside radiator, and an outside radiator. The inside radiator is configured as a region with a periphery, along which is a series of first protrusions separated by first grooves. The outside radiator is configured as a ring with an outer periphery and an inner periphery, along which is a series of second protrusions separated by second grooves. A set of conducting elements electrically connect the series of second protrusions with the ground plane. The inside radiator and the outside radiator can be fabricated on a dielectric substrate separated from the ground plane by a dielectric solid or air. The inside radiator and the outside radiator can be disposed on the same surface or on different surfaces of the dielectric substrate, with specific geometries of the first protrusions and first grooves relative to the second protrusions and second grooves.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry Tatarnikov, Anton Stepanenko, Andrey Astakhov
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Patent number: 9184503Abstract: Patch antennas for signals of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are described. A compact antenna system reduces directional diagram level in the rear hemisphere primarily for cross-polarized (left hand circularly-polarized) component. It can be used for reducing multipath reception. The antenna receives GNSS signals and includes a patch circularly-polarized radiator consisting of a radiating patch, a ground plane under it and a loop radiator coaxially located around the patch radiator. The loop radiator is excited by a separate power circuit or by a passive method where LHCP waves of MP and loop radiators in the rear hemisphere would be anti-phase added. A dual-band antenna system includes an active HF radiator, under which there is an active LF radiator under which there is a passive LF radiator, a loop HF radiator being coaxially located around the active HF radiator.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry Vitalievich Tatarnikov, Andrey Vitalievich Astakhov
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Publication number: 20150308074Abstract: On a dozer, a semi-automatic system automatically translates a joystick to control blade elevation and provides an indicator display to guide manual control of blade slope angle. A mechanical linkage operably couples the joystick to an electrical motor. A computational system receives measurements from measurement units mounted on the dozer; calculates estimated values of elevation and slope angle; compares the estimated values to reference values; and calculates error and control signals. Drivers generate a motor drive signal and a display drive signal. In response to the motor drive signal, the electrical motor translates the joystick to control elevation. In response to the display drive signal, the indicator display generates a graphical representation of the status of slope angle. When the operator needs to take manual control, a proximity sensor detects the presence of at least a portion of the operator's hand, wrist, or forearm and disengages automatic control of elevation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alexey Vladislavovich Zhdanov, Stanislav Georgievich Saul, Alexey Andreevich Kosarev, Ivan Giovanni di Federico, Anton Gennadievich Golovanov
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Patent number: 9164897Abstract: An architecture of a NAND Flash memory module interface controller (NAND-controller) provides access to data stored in an external NAND Flash memory module, and a method of booting firmware. NAND-controller automatically boots firmware from the NAND Flash memory into primary RAM of a system-on-a chip used for GNSS receivers. NAND-controller has a first external interface to connect NAND Flash memory, a second external interface to set parameters of booting firmware, and two internal interfaces: a high-speed one (system interface) and a low-speed one (control interface) to be connected to two types of SoC internal busses. Data exchange between the CPU and NAND Flash memory is implemented using a static RAM buffer which is a part of the NAND-controller and available for reading and writing via high-speed interface. Parameters of the first external interface are set and current state of data exchange process is controlled by the CPU.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventor: Nikolay Vasilyuk
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Patent number: 9139977Abstract: A system for determining an orientation of an implement on a vehicle is provided. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle, and a target object within a field of vision of the camera and mounted to the implement. The target object includes markings to enable a determination of the orientation of the implement with respect to the camera. A method of determining an orientation of an implement on a vehicle is provided. A system of orienting an implement is provided. A method of installing an implement orientation system is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method of determining an orientation of an implement when executed.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven Daniel McCain, Vernon Joseph Brabec, Alexander Omelchenko