Abstract: Weighing systems and methods for dynamic loads are provided. A plurality of sensors are configured to provide force information based on a weight of a bin and a weight of a material in the bin. An IMU is coupled to the bin and configured to provide gyroscope information and accelerometer information based on orientation and movement of the bin respectively. A controller is communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and to the IMU. The controller is configured to receive the force information from the plurality of sensors and the gyroscope information and the accelerometer information from the IMU. The controller is configured to compensate the force information based on slope of the bin to provide slope-compensated force information, filter the slope-compensated force information using a Kalman filter to provide filtered force information, and estimate the weight of the material in the bin based on the filtered force information.

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: Disclosed are techniques for processing satellite signals for computing a geospatial position. A plurality of GNSS signals are received from a plurality of GNSS satellites. An image is captured using an imaging device at least partially oriented toward the plurality of GNSS satellites. The image is segmented into a plurality of regions based on RF characteristics of objects in the image. An orientation of the image is determined. The plurality of GNSS satellites are projected onto the image based on the orientation of the image such that a corresponding region is identified for each of the plurality of GNSS satellites. Each of the plurality of GNSS signals is processed in accordance with the corresponding region.

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: A method of path planning for a vehicle includes receiving a request for a turn from a current swath to a next swath, receiving information of the current swath and information of the next swath, determining a trajectory of the turn based on the information of the current swath and the information of the next swath, and outputting the trajectory to a control system of the vehicle for executing the turn. The trajectory includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment starts from a beginning position of the turn at the current swath and ends at an intermediate position; and the second segment starts from the intermediate position and ends at an ending position of the turn at the next swath. The vehicle changes from a forward gear to a reverse gear, or vice versa, as the vehicle transitions from the first segment to the second segment.

Abstract: A laser scanner is used with a mixed reality device to track and/or locate objects in an environment, such as a construction site. In some configurations, mixed reality is used to assist laser scanning. A collection of data points representing a point cloud can be acquired with a laser scanner. A reference frame of a mixed-reality device is aligned to the data of the point cloud. A graphic is presented on a display of the mixed-reality device. The graphic is positioned on the display in relation to the environment, based on the reference frame of the mixed-reality device being aligned to data of the point cloud. An item in the environment is tracked (e.g., a hazard or a tool). Data is provided to the mixed-reality device regarding a position of the item in the environment.

Abstract: Sets of digital samples associated with received wireless signals are received, each of the sets of digital samples corresponding to a particular RF path. The sets of digital samples are provided to a plurality of pipelines, each of the plurality of pipelines including a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including one or more digital logic circuits. Sets of interconnect data are generated by the plurality of pipelines based on the sets of digital samples, the sets of interconnect data including at least one accumulating value. The sets of interconnect data are passed between adjacent pipelines of the plurality of pipelines along a direction. A result is generated by a last pipeline of the plurality of pipelines based on the at least one accumulating value.

Abstract: A method for positioning an augmented reality (AR) model of a building or area of construction relative to an image of the building or area of construction as displayed on a handheld device. The AR model is positioned so that vertical surfaces of the AR model are aligned with vertical surfaces of the building or area of construction and a horizontal surface of the AR model is aligned with an associated horizontal surface of the building or area of construction.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a material moving machine comprises a pilot hydraulic switching system. The pilot hydraulic switching system comprises a control unit, a first directional valve, and a second directional valve. The control unit is configured to operate the first and second directional valves to shift a variable position actuator valve between a static state, a retract state, and an extend state. The actuator valve comprises a first and second control element. In the retract and extend states, the first and second directional valves control fluid flow to the variable position actuator valve with a positive net pressure on either the first or second control elements and a negative net pressure on the other control element to move the material moving implement. In the static state, the first and second directional valves control fluid flow equally on the first and second control elements.

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: Methods, apparatuses and computer programs are disclosed for estimating, or at least for generating information usable to estimate, the heading of at least one axis of interest of a rigid body. Rigid body is equipped with an antenna of a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver, and with sensor equipment comprising sensors such as a gyroscope, an angle sensor, and accelerometers, depending on the form of the invention. Rigid body is subject to a known motion comprising causing a point's horizontal position to change, the point being referred to as “point B”, while keeping another point's position, the point being referred to as “point A”, fixed relative to the Earth. Considering the motion constraint, an estimation of the heading is generated using sensor equipment data and NSS receiver data. The estimation of the heading may for example be used to estimate the position of any point of rigid body.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to methods carried out by an NSS receiver and/or a processing entity capable of receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters derived from NSS signals useful to determine a position, and for generating protection level(s) for an application relying on NSS observations to produce an estimate of said parameters. A float solution is computed using NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. A best integer ambiguity combination that minimizes an error norm is identified based on the float solution. Additional integer ambiguity combinations are identified, which have the smallest error norms that, together with the error norm of the best integer ambiguity combination, jointly satisfy the integrity risk. A measure of spread of the best and additional integer ambiguity combinations is computed. The protection level(s) is then generated from the measure of spread. Systems and computer programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver that includes a satellite signal generator generating signal data for a signal that is not being tracked by the receiver. The receiver includes a satellite signal generator running an algorithm to process first and second received signals to produce a software-synthesized satellite signal, and the generated signal data is used to correct bias or is communicated to a spaced-apart GNSS receiver or used for onboard positioning calculations. The satellite constellation may be the Galileo constellation, with the first and second signals being E5A and E5B signals tracked by the receiver and the generated third signal being an E5AltBOC signal. With a half-a-cycle bias resolution technique, the satellite signal generator generates synthetic E5AltBOC data of high quality. For a receiver, which physically tracks E5AltBOC, synthetic E5AltBOC may be used to monitor polarity of a physically tracked E5AltBOC and correct it if error is detected.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for capturing objects in action at an earthmoving site. The method includes capturing an image of a region of the earthmoving site including an object, the image being recorded as captured digital data; identifying a classification of the object using a trained algorithm existing in memory of the image capturing device; sending the classification of the object to a remote server through a network; determining a pixel location and a boundary of the object within a field of view of the image capturing device based on positions of pixels of the object in the image; sending a set of images including the image to the remote server; determining an activity being performed by the object based on an analysis of digital data associated with the classification of the object and the movement of the object at the earthmoving site; and outputting a report to a user.

Abstract: A system for integrating high-density laser scanner data with mixed-reality is disclosed. In some implementations, the system may acquire, using a laser scanner, a collection of data points representing a three-dimensional point cloud, wherein the laser scanner includes: a laser configured to generate an optical beam; a beam-steering device configured to steer the optical beam; and a detector configured to receive light from the optical beam, after light from the optical beam is reflected from an object in an environment. The system may transmit data of the point cloud to the augmented-reality device, wherein the augmented-reality device comprises: one or more cameras configured to acquire images of the environment; and a display configured to render graphics on the display. The system may align a reference frame of the augmented-reality device to the data of the point cloud.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method and a positioning device for determining a geospatial position and a nature of an object. The method may include capturing, by an imaging device of the positioning device, at least one image of a surface. The captured image may be processed for identifying at least one candidate object in the surface and for determining a nature of the candidate object. Further, the method may include displaying the captured image with a selection mechanism for assisting in selection of the candidate object, wherein the captured image is displayed with an indication of the determined nature of the candidate object. The method may then include receiving an input via the selection mechanism for selection of at least one of the at least one candidate object.

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: An antenna configured to receive radiation at global navigation satellite system (GNSS) frequencies includes a substrate, a frontside patch arranged on a front side of the substrate, and a metamaterial ground plane. The metamaterial ground plane includes a plurality of backside patches and a cavity. The plurality of backside patches include a center backside patch surrounded in a radial direction by a plurality of intermediate backside patches. The center backside patch and the plurality of intermediate backside patches are arranged in a pattern that provides circular symmetry with respect to a center of the antenna. The cavity is coupled to the substrate, and the plurality of intermediate backside patches are electrically isolated from the cavity.

Abstract: An antenna configured to receive radiation at global navigation satellite system (GNSS) frequencies includes a substrate, a frontside patch arranged on a front side of the substrate, and a metamaterial ground plane. The metamaterial ground plane includes a plurality of backside patches and a cavity. The plurality of backside patches include a center backside patch surrounded in a radial direction by a plurality of intermediate backside patches. The center backside patch and the plurality of intermediate backside patches are arranged in a pattern that provides circular symmetry with respect to a center of the antenna. The cavity is coupled to the substrate, and the plurality of intermediate backside patches are electrically isolated from the cavity.