Patents Assigned to Trimble Inc.
  • Publication number: 20230152279
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and other techniques for determining a material type while an implement of a construction machine is interacting with a ground surface. A vibration signal that is indicative of a movement of the implement is captured. One or more features are extracted from the vibration signal. The one or more features are provided to a machine-learning model to generate a model output. The material type of the ground surface is predicted based on the model output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc
    Inventors: Jung Hyun Jun, Peter France
  • Publication number: 20230152093
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kahle, David Hyland, Benedict JG Atkins, Eliot Jones, Marc Howell, Steven Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 11649613
    Abstract: A system for tracking a position of a working edge on an implement of a construction vehicle includes a GNSS with an antenna. The GNSS unit is configured to determine a position of the antenna and a tilt and a heading of the GNSS unit. A mount is configured to couple the GNSS unit to a rigid member of the construction vehicle. The mount is configured to couple the GNSS unit to the rigid member so that the antenna is arranged in a known spatial relationship with a pivot point between the rigid member and the implement. A mobile controller is configured for wireless communications with the GNSS unit and an angle sensor that is configured to determine rotation of the implement. The mobile controller is configured to receive the position of the antenna, the tilt, and the heading from the GNSS unit, to receive the rotation of the implement from the angle sensor, and to determine coordinates of the working edge of the implement in a real world coordinate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: John Boss, Jon McKendry, Scott Crozier, Casey Cyrus, Alex Harrington
  • Publication number: 20230143995
    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 and detecting outliers in NSS observables. Input data comprising signals observed by the receiver is received. An estimator is operated, which uses state variables and computes the values thereof based on the input data. An outlier detection procedure comprises: computing a first statistic based on data outputted from the estimator and associated with a set of observables; identifying an observable candidate for removal; computing a second statistic based on the data outputted from the estimator from which the data associated with the identified observable is removed; and determining whether the ratio of the first to the second statistic exceeds a threshold and, if so, removing the identified observable, having the estimator recompute its state variables and performing the outlier detection procedure again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Gleb Aleksandrovich Zyryanov
  • Patent number: 11644577
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: John Peake, Gregory Best, Peter Loomis
  • Publication number: 20230133319
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for positioning a hinged vehicle including a primary part and a secondary part coupled to the primary part at a project site. The method includes receiving, from an image capturing device, digital image data representing one or more features of the secondary part; performing image analysis on the digital image data to identify positions of the one or more features of the secondary part; identifying an angle of at least a portion of the secondary part; calculating a current position of the secondary part based on the angle; calculating a positional difference between a correct position at the project site for the secondary part and a current position of the secondary part at the project site; and initiating a change in a position of the primary part to compensate for the positional difference and to position the secondary part on the correct position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Creaby, Brandon Sights
  • Patent number: 11630428
    Abstract: A sampling device receives, from a transducer computing device located within a predefined proximity to an equipment in an operating environment, a vibration sample from the operating environment and increments a retrain counter. In response to determining that the incremented retrain counter does not meet or exceed a retrain threshold, the sampling device predicts, using a model, an anomalous or non-anomalous designation for the vibration sample and a cluster assignment, to a particular cluster of a set of clusters, for the vibration sample when the model predicts the non-anomalous designation for the vibration sample. The sampling device receives a subsequent vibration sample and further increments the retrain counter. In response to determining that the further incremented retrain counter exceeds a retrain threshold, the sampling device receives a subsequent set of vibration samples and retrains, using the subsequent vibration sample and the subsequent set of vibration samples, the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Miles R. Porter
  • Publication number: 20230113888
    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 estimating an expected accuracy. The method comprises receiving input data comprising NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver and/or information derived from said NSS signals; operating an estimation process, hereinafter referred to as “estimator”, using state variables and computing the values of its state variables based on the received input data; obtaining a combination of residuals from the estimator, each residual being associated with at least one observed NSS signal; and estimating an expected accuracy based on the combination of residuals and/or information derived therefrom. Systems and computer programs are also disclosed. Some embodiments may for example be used for safety-critical applications such as highly automated and autonomous driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Ramzi El Khayat
  • Publication number: 20230084479
    Abstract: A method of verifying accuracy of a perception system of a vehicle includes causing the vehicle to traverse a path around a target that is fixed in an environment. The target has a known pose. The path is configured so that the target comes into a respective field of view (FOV) of each respective perception sensor of one or more perception sensors of the perception system along the path. The method further includes, for each respective perception sensor of the one or more perception sensors, while the target is within the respective FOV of the respective perception sensor, acquiring a respective image of the target using the respective perception sensor; at the perception system, determining a respective pose of the target based on the respective image; and at a computer system communicatively coupled with the perception system, determining whether the respective pose matches the known pose of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Sights, Tom A. Sterling, Michael F. Cash
  • Patent number: 11598631
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a depth of a buried asset are provided. A first point on an AR model of the buried asset is identified. The first point is where a depth of the buried asset is to be determined. An AR device is used to determine coordinates of a second point on a surface corresponding to the first point on the AR model. Coordinates of a third point on the buried asset corresponding to the first point on the AR model are determined. The depth of the buried asset is determined based on the coordinates of the second point on the surface and coordinates of the third point on the buried asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11593395
    Abstract: A distributed database comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes. Each node may include an external interface configured to receive a data element from a data source external to the distributed database. The data element may include one or more data fragments. Each of the one or more data fragments may be linked to a single aspect of a plurality of aspects. The external interface may also be configured to divide the data element into the one or more data fragments. Each node may also include a local database configured to store the one or more data fragments. Each node may further include an internal interface configured to send the one or more data fragments to a destination node within the distributed database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Devon Sparks
  • Patent number: 11585939
    Abstract: Techniques for transmitting global navigation satellite system (GNSS) correction data to a rover. GNSS signals are wirelessly received by a base station from one or more GNSS satellites. GNSS correction data is generated by the base station based on the GNSS signals. A beacon frame is formed by the base station to include a frame header, a frame body, and a frame check sequence (FCS). The frame body is formed to include the GNSS correction data. The beacon frame is wirelessly transmitted by the base station for receipt by the rover. The rover wirelessly receives the beacon frame. The GNSS correction data is extracted by the rover from the beacon frame. A geospatial position of the rover is calculated based on the GNSS correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Curt A. Conquest, David Bird
  • Publication number: 20230040578
    Abstract: A sampling device receives, from a transducer computing device located within a predefined proximity to an equipment in an operating environment, a vibration sample from the operating environment and increments a retrain counter. In response to determining that the incremented retrain counter does not meet or exceed a retrain threshold, the sampling device predicts, using a model, an anomalous or non-anomalous designation for the vibration sample and a cluster assignment, to a particular cluster of a set of clusters, for the vibration sample when the model predicts the non-anomalous designation for the vibration sample. The sampling device receives a subsequent vibration sample and further increments the retrain counter. In response to determining that the further incremented retrain counter exceeds a retrain threshold, the sampling device receives a subsequent set of vibration samples and retrains, using the subsequent vibration sample and the subsequent set of vibration samples, the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Miles R. Porter
  • Patent number: 11568563
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for positioning a hinged vehicle including a primary part and a secondary part coupled to the primary part at a project site. The method includes receiving, from an image capturing device, digital image data representing one or more features of the secondary part; performing image analysis on the digital image data to identify positions of the one or more features of the secondary part; identifying an angle of at least a portion of the secondary part; calculating a current position of the secondary part based on the angle; calculating a positional difference between a correct position at the project site for the secondary part and a current position of the secondary part at the project site; and initiating a change in a position of the primary part to compensate for the positional difference and to position the secondary part on the correct position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Creaby, Brandon Sights
  • Publication number: 20230023372
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Andrey Bacherov, Charles Manning
  • Patent number: 11550338
    Abstract: A method of maintaining vehicle formation includes receiving a desired along path distance; receiving a plurality of waypoints corresponding to a plurality of positions along a path of the lead vehicle; determining a dynamic path for the follower vehicle by spline fitting the plurality of positions of the plurality of waypoints; determining a commanded curvature of the follower vehicle based on a curvature of the dynamic path at a current position of the follower vehicle; determining a current along path distance between the lead vehicle and the follower vehicle; determining an along path error; determining a next speed of the follower vehicle based on the along path error and the respective waypoint speed of the respective waypoint that is adjacent to a current position of the follower vehicle; and outputting the commanded curvature and the next speed to a control system of the follower vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Rands, Justin Creaby, Brandon Sights
  • Patent number: 11536857
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Best, Shawn Weisenburger
  • Patent number: 11533852
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Müller, Philipp Tewes
  • Patent number: 11513237
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Weisenburger, Gregory Wallace
  • Patent number: 11512956
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kahle, David Hyland, Benedict J G Atkins, Eliot Jones, Marc Howell, Steven Ostrowski