Abstract: A navigation system for a dynamic platform includes an inertial navigation system (INS) unit for measuring, in real-time, linear accelerations and angular velocities of the dynamic platform, and determining, using dead reckoning, initial estimates of current poses of the dynamic platform based on a previous pose of the dynamic platform and the linear accelerations and angular velocities of the dynamic platform. The navigation system further includes an exteroceptive sensor for acquiring sequential images of an environment in which the dynamic platform is traveling, a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) unit for estimating visual odometer (VO) pose changes of the dynamic platform using the sequential images, and a sensor fusion engine for determining estimates of current poses of the dynamic platform based at least in part on the initial estimates of current poses determined by the INS unit and the VO pose changes estimated by the local sub-map tracker.

Abstract: An augmented-reality system is combined with a surveying system to make measurement and/or layout at a construction site more efficient. A reflector can be mounted to a wearable device having an augmented-reality system. A total station can be used to track a reflector, and truth can be transferred to the wearable device while an obstruction is between the total station and the reflector. Further, a target can be used to orient a local map of a wearable device to an environment based on a distance between the target and the wearable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing convergence data between GNSS receivers are disclosed. Convergence data received at a GNSS receiver via a communication connection may be utilized to determine a position of the GNSS receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide augmented reality images to an operator of a machine. A pose of an augmented reality device relative to a cab of the machine is determined using image information. A pose of the augmented reality device in a real world coordinate frame is determined using a pose of the machine in the real world coordinate frame and the pose of the augmented reality device relative to the cab of the machine. Digital content is provided on one or more displays of the augmented reality device. The digital content is arranged on the one or more displays based on the pose of the augmented reality device in the real world coordinate frame.

Abstract: A survey system configured to perform a calibration that eliminates, or at least significantly reduces, mechanical misalignment issues with the receiver or top unit (e.g., a GNSS receiver or the like), the mounting hardware, and the survey pole of the survey system. The survey system may include a data collector mounted upon the pole, and a calibration module (i.e., calibrating software and/or firmware) may be run or provided on the data collector or other component of the survey system (e.g., on the top unit). The calibration module processes data collected (including data from its inertial measurement unit (IMU)) by the top unit during calibration operations (or simply calibration) to determine a mounting angle and a correction factor (or corrections for attitude) based on this mounting angle, and the correction factor is communicated to the top unit for use in later data collection to improve accuracy of the survey system.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver including an antenna module configured to removably attach to a receiver module. The antenna module includes an antenna configured to receive wireless signals transmitted by a GNSS satellite. The antenna is coupled to a wired connection. The antenna module also includes an antenna-side radio that is coupled to the wired connection. The antenna-side radio is configured to perform actions including sending, via the wired connection, an identifying signal to a receiver-side radio. The identifying signal includes identification information corresponding to the antenna. The receiver module includes the receiver-side radio coupled to the wired connection. The receiver-side radio is configured to perform operations including receiving, via the wired connection, the identifying signal from the antenna-side radio. The receiver module also includes a radio frequency (RF) front end coupled to the wired connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing convergence data between GNSS receivers are disclosed. Convergence data received at a GNSS receiver via a communication connection may be utilized to determine a position of the GNSS receiver.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to generating correction information based on global or regional navigation satellite system (NSS) multiple-frequency signals observed at a network of reference stations, broadcasting the correction information, receiving the correction information at one or more monitoring stations, estimating ambiguities in the carrier phase of the NSS signals observed at the monitoring station(s) using the correction information received thereat, generating residuals, generating post-broadcast integrity information based thereon, and broadcasting the post-broadcast integrity information. Other embodiments relate to receiving and processing correction information and post-broadcast integrity information at NSS receivers or at devices which may have no NSS receiver, as well as to systems, NSS receivers, devices which may have no NSS receiver, processing centers, and computer programs.

Abstract: A surveying pole is part of a primary surveying system (e.g., a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or a total station). Cameras are mounted to the surveying pole and used for ground tracking as the survey pole is moved from a place where the primary surveying system is unimpeded to an environment where the primary surveying system is impaired (e.g., to a GNSS-impaired environment or to a position that is blocked from view of the total station). Using ground tracking and/or other sensors, surveying can be continued even though the primary surveying system is impaired.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating volumes of agricultural crops are provided. A geographic position sensor provides positions of a harvesting machine as it gathers an agricultural crop and places the crop on the ground in a windrow. A speed of the harvesting machine is determined using the geographic position sensor. Signals are received from a sensor system disposed at a bottom of the harvesting machine. The signals are indicative of profiles of segments of the windrow on the ground. Cross-sectional areas of the windrow are estimated using the signals. Volumes of the agricultural crop are estimated using the speed of the harvesting machine and the estimated cross-sectional areas of the windrow.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for moisturizing soil at an open construction site. The method includes determining a target soil moisture level for the soil at the open construction site; measuring a current soil moisture level of a location within the open construction site with a moisture sensor while the moisture control system is moving along a predetermined path across the site; storing the current soil moisture level of the location in memory; determining a target volume of water for achieving the target soil moisture level at the location based on the current soil moisture level at the location; calculating a target application rate to achieve the target soil moisture level at the location based on the target volume of water; and applying the target volume of water at the target application rate to the location when the system is positioned to dispense water at the location of the site.

Abstract: A post-processing system providing forward processing (FP) of original GNSS raw data and alternative forward-backward processing (BP) of modified GNSS raw data and combining results of the FP and modified BP to enhance accuracy of position data derived from GNSS raw data. The post-processing system includes a GNSS processing engine, such as a real-time PVT engine, that processes GNSS raw data files as real time data streams equally for FP and BP. The backward processing is performed on a set of GNSS raw data that is mirrored from the original GNSS raw data. The modified BP uses the same algorithms of the PVT engine in a forward run but with the mirrored GNSS raw data to provide BP including position estimate with associated accuracy estimates for each data epoch. A forward/backward combiner combines results of the FP and the modified BP to provide final position data with enhanced precision.

Abstract: A method for integrating assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, by a kinematic asset management platform, an indication of an attribute needed to perform a task. The method further comprises generating, by the kinematic asset management platform, a request to a plurality of reader nodes disposed at a respective plurality of locations for an inventor of assets at each of said respective plurality of locations. The method further comprises receiving, by the kinematic asset management platform, said inventory of assets from said respective plurality of locations. The method further comprises determining, by the kinematic asset management platform, and based on the attribute, that the attribute needed to perform the task is assigned to an asset present at a first location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method carried out by a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver or a processing entity receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters useful to determine a position. The NSS receiver observes NSS signals from NSS satellites over multiple epochs. A filter, called “precise estimator”, is operated, which uses state variables, makes use of NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver, and computes its state variable values based on observations that are not derived from NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. Seeding information is obtained, and a constrained solution, called “seeding- and ambiguity-constrained solution”, is computed by constraining the ambiguities of the precise estimator by the seeding information, by resolving the resulting ambiguities, and by constraining at least one of the other state variables of the precise estimator by the resolved ambiguities. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dead reckoning combined with GNSS-aided map-matching improves accuracy and reliability of vehicle navigation. A map-match navigation module in a handheld device sends map-match feedback messages to a vehicle state estimator via a port. The module also accepts vehicle speed and inertial navigation data from sensors mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying which of a plurality of signal types received by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver includes a spoofing signal. One method may include, for each particular signal type of the plurality of signal types, excluding the particular signal type, calculating a parameter of a GNSS receiver based on the received wireless signals having a plurality of remaining signal types, and calculating a residual score based on a variability associated with calculating the parameter, the residual score being one of a plurality of residual scores. The method may also include identifying an outlier of the plurality of residual scores and identifying which of the plurality of signal types includes a spoofing signal based on the outlier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically simulating a building model. A method may include defining a plurality of space bodies, each of the plurality of space bodies representing a non-overlapping volume within a building. The method may also include determining a plurality of gaps between the plurality of space bodies. The method may further include obtaining a set of geometric rules that define simulation parameters as a function of the plurality of gaps. The method may further include generating a plurality of simulation parameters by evaluating the plurality of gaps against the set of geometric rules. The method may further include applying the simulation parameters to a sequence of simulation conditions to produce a simulation result.

Abstract: A movable accessory for an automatic point layout system includes a laser receiver and an array of LEDs. Two laser controllers aim vertical laser light planes toward any desired point on the jobsite. The user moves the accessory into a first laser light plane, thereby impacting a photosensor on the laser receiver. The accessory's electronic controller translates that laser light impact and illuminates a corresponding LED in a first color. The user then moves the accessory into a second laser light plane, thereby impacting a photosensor on the laser receiver. The accessory's electronic controller translates that impact and illuminates a corresponding LED in a second, different color. The user then moves the accessory until the two LED colors intersect. When the intersect occurs, the accessory's electronic controller translates these impacts and illuminates a corresponding LED in a third, different color.

Abstract: A movable accessory for an automatic point layout system includes a laser receiver, target screen, and an array of LEDs. A laser controller aims a vertical laser light plane toward any desired point on the jobsite. The user moves the accessory into the laser light plane, thereby impacting a photosensor on the laser receiver. The accessory's electronic controller translates that laser light impact and illuminates a corresponding LED. The illuminated LED indicates the desired point of interest on the jobsite floor for the user to mark. An electronic distance measuring instrument (an LDM) aims along the same laser plane, and the target screen reflects the LDM signal to provide a distance reading, which is sent to a remote controller operated by the user. Alternatively, the LED array indicates where the laser plane strikes the photosensor, allowing the user to quickly move the accessory to the null position of the photosensor.

Abstract: A Position and Orientation Measurement Engine (POME) is a mobile camera system that can be used for accurate indoor measurement (e.g., at a construction site). The POME uses a plurality of cameras to acquire images of a plurality of targets. If locations of the plurality of targets are precisely known, images of the targets can be used to determine a position of the POME in relation to the plurality of targets. However, to precisely determine locations of the plurality of targets can be time consuming and/or use expensive equipment. This disclosure discusses how to use a camera system with an electronic distance measuring unit to determine locations of the plurality of targets.