Abstract: A transportation management system that includes tools for generating an optimized trip plan that can be updated, such as based on driver input, during implementation of a planned trip. The system includes a comprehensive trip optimization tool that generates a trip plan with fuel stop and rest stop optimization. The system includes tools calculating estimated time of arrival (ETA) and projected time of availability (PTA) for the driver, and these tools are adapted to provide the ETA and PTA for the entire trip (rather than only providing an ETA for the next stop). The system further includes tools accepting driver input and/or allowing driver manipulation of a dispatched trip plan such as using pre-filtered alternatives for fuel stops or rest stops or routes, e.g., based on stored driver preferences, that may be less optimal than those in the original trip plan but still viable.

Abstract: A system for automated dynamic compaction includes a compaction crane having a boom and compaction weight, at least one positional sensor, at least one boom deflection sensor, a rotational encoder, and a compaction control system. The compaction control system may be programmed to identify a first drop location having a first target parameter, determine whether the compaction crane is positioned over the first drop location, determine an initial elevation of the compaction weight, lift the compaction weight to a drop height, detect that the compaction weight has been released, re-hoist the compaction weight to the drop height, measure the payout length of a winch cable after each drop, determine a current elevation of the compaction weight after each drop, and determine whether the first target parameter has been satisfied.

Abstract: An agricultural implement that includes a slotting mechanism and a slotting actuator is provided. The slotting mechanism is for cutting slots in a drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line. The slotting actuator is for actuating the slotting mechanism. The actuating is controlled by a computer following a slot spacing in a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, apparatuses and computer programs for generating receiver-specific correction information for correcting pseudorange observations. The method comprises: receiving raw observations obtained by the NSS receiver observing NSS multiple frequency signals from a plurality of NSS satellites over multiple epochs; obtaining precise satellite information on: (i) the orbit position of each of the satellites, (ii) a clock offset of each of the satellites, and (iii) a set of biases associated with each of the satellites; estimating ambiguities in the carrier phase of the received raw observations, using the precise satellite information, or information derived therefrom; computing combination values based on the received raw observations together with the estimated ambiguities, to cancel out the effects of the geometry, the effects of the clocks, troposphere and ionosphere; and generating the correction information per satellite, based on the computed combination values.

Abstract: A stand-alone radio frequency (RF) hardware component comprises first and second antennas, a digitizer, a serializer, and a serial output. The first antenna receives, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna receives, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. The digitizer digitizes the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and digitizes the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. The serializer serializes the digitized GNSS signals into a serialized output signal. A wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the digitized GNSS signals, as the serialized output signal, from the radio frequency hardware component to a separate communication device.

Abstract: A computing system (CS) calculates a three-dimensional (3D) position of an origin of a 3D upperworks coordinate system for a crane based on local coordinates of the crane. The origin is located along an axis of rotation between an upperworks of the crane and a lowerworks of the crane that is rotatably coupled with the upperworks. The CS transforms the 3D position of the origin from the local coordinates to global 3D coordinates using absolute position sensing data from first and second positioning sensors attached to the crane and using global 3D coordinates specific to the jobsite where the crane is located. The CS computes positions of at least one movable component of the crane with respect to a tracked object on the jobsite. The CS utilizes the computed positions to provide assistance in maneuvering the crane with respect to the tracked object.

Abstract: A system for providing locations for each of a plurality of non-Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices (e.g., locations of “things” or objects in the IoT, for sensors in a WSN, and so on). The system includes a source device or “thing” including memory (e.g., a long-range sensor in a WSN or the like). The system also includes a portable computing device (e.g., a handheld GPS-enabled device), and the portable computing device includes: (a) a processor; (b) a location-determining assembly operating to determine location information for the portable computing device; and (c) a location-transferring module run by the processor to provide the location information in the memory of the source device (e.g., to copy the information to a predefined storage location for later retrieval and inclusion in predefined parts of a message or data packet).

Abstract: A system and device for controlling a display are disclosed. Data is examined, which correspond to an image to be shown with the display. Upon determining that said data comprise a critical item corresponding to an element of the image, the critical item is shown with an uncluttered view. Non-critical items corresponding to elements of the image are attempted to be shown as well, such that the critical item is not obscured and the image remains uncluttered.

Abstract: A system for projecting an image, including layout information, on a surface in a building under construction has a projector mounted on a moveable support for supporting a worker at a work position in the building. The projector projects an image on a surface above the moveable support in response to an image signal defining the image to be projected. The image indicates the location of connectors, anchors, and holes to be affixed to, or cut through, the surface. A system determines the two dimensional position of the projector in the building, and a distance measuring system for determines the distance from the projector to said surface. A processor, responsive to a memory having stored building plan images, provides an image signal to the projector adjusted for the two dimensional location of the projector and for the distance from the projector to the surface.

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 for externally augmented asset management is disclosed. According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting source about an asset is received. In addition, information from a second reporting source about the asset is also received. Information from a third reporting source about at least one environmental condition is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source, the information from the second reporting source and the third reporting source such that information from the first reporting source, the information from the second reporting source and the third reporting source can be collected or accessed from the database.

Abstract: A transportation management system that includes tools for generating an optimized trip plan that can be updated, such as based on driver input, during implementation of a planned trip. The system includes a comprehensive trip optimization tool that generates a trip plan with fuel stop and rest stop optimization. The system includes tools calculating estimated time of arrival (ETA) and projected time of availability (PTA) for the driver, and these tools are adapted to provide the ETA and PTA for the entire trip (rather than only providing an ETA for the next stop). The system further includes tools accepting driver input and/or allowing driver manipulation of a dispatched trip plan such as using pre-filtered alternatives for fuel stops or rest stops or routes, e.g., based on stored driver preferences, that may be less optimal than those in the original trip plan but still viable.

Abstract: A method for capturing ionospheric data is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a plurality of phase-coherent signals transmitted by at least one Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite is received via a mobile multi-frequency GNSS receiver. Respective code phase data and carrier phase data for each of said plurality of phase-coherent signals are derived using a software defined GNSS receiver operating on a processor of a first communication device of the multi-frequency GNSS receiver. Respective code phase data and carrier phase data for each of the plurality of phase-coherent signals is stored in a data storage device. The respective code phase data and carrier phase data is appended with a respective time-stamp and position fix. An ionospheric sample based upon respective code phase data and carrier phase data of said plurality of phase-coherent signals is wirelessly transmitted to a second location.

Abstract: A navigation satellite system, one or more NSS reference station is set out for providing information to one or more rover receivers. The NSS reference station comprises a processing unit configured to determine one or more first range intervals representing first ambiguity windows based on estimated atmospheric effects, and determine one or more second range intervals representing a second ambiguity window smaller than each of the first ambiguity windows based on uncertainties of range measurements within a predetermined previous period. The NSS reference station further comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the NSS rover receivers, first messages each comprising a modulo a first ambiguity window, and transmission of two first messages, to range measurement transmit between the NSS rover receiver, a plurality of second messages, each second message comprising a range measurement modulo one of the second ambiguity windows.

Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset embedded within the cellular device is accessed. The GNSS chipset calculates raw observables that include raw pseudoranges and carrier phase information. The raw observables are extracted from the GNSS chipset for processing elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GNSS chipset. Smoothed pseudoranges are provided by smoothing the raw pseudoranges based on the carrier phase information. The accessing, the extracting and the providing are performed by one or more hardware processors located in the cellular device and outside of the GNSS chipset.

Abstract: A stand-alone radio frequency hardware component includes a first antenna configured for receiving, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. A second antenna configured for receiving, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. A digitizer configured for digitizing the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and for digitizing the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. A memory for storing the digitized GNSS signals, wherein the digitized GNSS signals are accessed from the memory by a separate communication device.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing mass haul optimization for agricultural terrain forming, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system might determine desired soil conditions (including minimum topsoil depth, maximum and minimum slope, etc.) for an agricultural area. The computer system might also identify, based on 3-D topographical surveys and 3-D soil profiles, deficient locations within the agricultural area that do not possess at least the minimum topsoil depth, excess locations that possess greater than the minimum topsoil depth, sloped locations that exceed the maximum slope, and/or flat locations whose slopes are less than the minimum slope. Costs and volumes of topsoil and/or subsurface material may be calculated, and based on such calculations it may be determined how much topsoil and/or subsurface material to relocate or order to achieve the desired topsoil depth and slope at the identified locations.

Abstract: A method of automated handheld tool task verification is disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one operating parameter for performing a task is received at a handheld tool. It is then verified at the handheld tool that it is configured with the at least one operating parameter. The handheld tool then generates data verifying that the task was performed in accordance with the at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: Prescribing a drip line for use in a field includes: accessing soil conditions data that includes vertical transect data relating to at least one vertical transect of soil in a field; based on a plant type and a length of time between a first watering and a second watering of a plant via the drip line, determining, a desired plant available water content of a portion of the soil within the at least one vertical transect to be substantially achieved as a result of the first watering; and based on the vertical transect data, the determined desired plant available water content, climate conditions data and geographical conditions data, determining perforation spacing and flow rate for a set of emitters for the drip line such that the desired plant available water is substantially achieved in the portion of the soil.

Abstract: A method for solving the initial azimuth for a survey instrument, and other devices, with position and tilt information. The method may be part of bundle adjustment performed during the processing of image and position data collected from each camera of a survey instrument. The use of the initial azimuth generation method (and initial azimuth generator) makes it possible to get accurate azimuth orientation of a camera, such as each camera of a multi-camera survey instrument, without using data from a compass-like sensor. The initial azimuth generated by this method can then be used in later steps/processes of the bundle adjustment to find tie-points with an automatic tie-point finder. Prior to this method, the automatic tie-point finding algorithm relied on the compass and its accuracy, and inaccurate compass values would cause a complete failure, slow runtimes, or less accurate results for the bundle adjustment.