Patents Assigned to Trimble Navigation Limited
  • Patent number: 8942483
    Abstract: An image-based georeferencing system comprises an image receiver, an image identification processor, a reference feature determiner, and a feature locator. The image receiver is configured for receiving a first image for use in georeferencing. The image comprises digital image information. The system includes a communicative coupling to a georeferenced images database of images. The image identification processor is configured for identifying a second image from the georeferenced images database that correlates to the first image. The system includes a communicative coupling to a geographic location information system. The reference feature determiner is configured for determining a reference feature common to both the second image and the first image. The feature locator is configured for accessing the geographic information system to identify and obtain geographic location information related to the common reference feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James M. Janky, Michael V. McCusker, Harold L. Longaker, Peter G. France
  • Patent number: 8942893
    Abstract: A boom is attached to an application vehicle for applying a product during an agricultural application. The boom includes one or more sections that can be dynamically adjusted to satisfy one or more adjustment criteria. A boom controller communicates actuation commands to a boom adjustment system to dynamically adjust the shape of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Uriel Rosa, Arthur F. Lange, John William Peake, Gurcan Aral, Gregory Daniel Chiocco
  • Patent number: 8922758
    Abstract: A method of establishing the location of a pair construction points for a stud in a building interior at a construction site and for determining the length of the stud needed to extend between the pair of construction points uses a robotic total station. The points are defined by x and y coordinates and anticipated z coordinates on upper and lower surfaces. The robotic total station establishes the points by directing a beam of laser light toward anticipated points and, through an iterative process, determining the actual location of the points on upper and lower surfaces that have the same x and y coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Robert Michael Miller, James M. McCartney
  • Patent number: 8915430
    Abstract: A system for identifying different types of products on a display hanger and determining a quantity of each of the different types of products includes a plurality of electrically conductive segments coupled to the display hanger, an electrically conductive rail coupled to the display hanger, and a sensor device electrically coupled to each of the plurality of electrically conductive segments and to the electrically conductive rail. The sensor device is configured to identify the different types of products on the display hanger and to determine the quantity of each of the different types of products based on a unique electrical signature associated with each of the different types of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Satyan P. Shah, Harry F. Tsai
  • Patent number: 8908155
    Abstract: A method for determining a distance to a target point located approximately at ground level includes aiming a measurement device at the target point, determining a tilt of the measurement device using tilt sensors, and determining a height of the measurement device above the ground. A position of the target point may be determined using the tilt and height of the measurement device, a position of the measurement device, and a bearing to the target point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Peter France
  • Patent number: 8902413
    Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for measuring and managing plant growth with cell phones or similar devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Morrison Ulman, James M Janky
  • Patent number: 8902219
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically linking or connecting annotations to embedded content, such as a 3D model, using graphical elements within a two-dimensional space is provided. Such connection is maintained as the annotation is rendered with the 3D model, thereby enabling the annotations to intelligently update themselves using 3D information from the embedded content. Further, the capability, as provided herein, to manipulate viewing positions and perspective effects of an embedded 3D model without disrupting the annotations in the two-dimensional page layout provides a greater degree of flexibility and forgiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hauswirth, Preston Jackson, Brian Brown, Patrick Lacz, Paul McLean
  • Patent number: 8903163
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of a target includes, at a first location, determining first location coordinates of a measuring device using one or more GNSS signals, determining a first gravitational direction, and capturing a first image using the camera. The method also includes, at a second location, determining second location coordinates of the measuring device, and capturing a second image. The method further includes determining a plurality of correspondence points between the first and second images, determining a first plurality of image coordinates for the plurality of correspondence points in the first image, determining a second plurality of image coordinates for the plurality of correspondence points in the second image, and determining the location of the target using at least the first plurality of image coordinates, the second plurality of image coordinates, and the first gravitational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Sharp, Shawn Weisenburger
  • Publication number: 20140347168
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag distance measuring system and method is disclosed. One example includes a first replica path that receives a signal that is simultaneously transmitted to an RFID tag. The first replica path includes a plurality of taps at known distances along the first replica path. Each of the plurality of taps has a first tap input coupled with the first replica path. In addition, an RFID signal receiver receives a return signal from the RFID tag and provides the return signal along a measurement input, wherein each of the plurality of taps have a second tap input coupled with the measurement path. A distance determiner detects at least the first of the plurality of taps to have an output and determine a distance measurement to the RFID tag based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sanders, Andrew Ansell, James M. Janky
  • Patent number: 8893548
    Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described. Various parts of the navigation systems may be implemented in a smart-phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Peter Van Wyck Loomis, Morrison Ulman
  • Patent number: 8898179
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for extracting attribute data from a media file. In one embodiment, an attribute of a geographic feature, which is described in at least one media file, is automatically identified. A configuration file is then accessed which defines how the attribute is to be displayed by an office application. The attribute is then displayed in a manner consistent with the configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Peter Cornelius Kistler
  • Patent number: 8897541
    Abstract: A method of implementing accurate digitization from a georeferenced image is described. In one embodiment, at least one set of coordinates which have been measured at a point of interest is received. A correction is then determined which describes a difference between the at least one set of coordinates and a set of georeferenced coordinates from a georeferenced image of the point of interest which describes the position of the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Shawn D. Weisenburger, Peter G. France, James M. Janky
  • Patent number: 8886669
    Abstract: A computer-implemented data access method includes executing a file manager application in a container application, wherein the file manager application does not have direct access to a computer file system, executing a native application that does have direct access to the computer file system, and communicating between the file manager application and the native application, and between the native application and the computer file system to simulate direct file system access by the file manager application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Mark A. Limber, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
  • Publication number: 20140316837
    Abstract: A method of construction project management is disclosed. In one embodiment, parameters of a construction project design are provided to an asset at a construction site. Geospatial information is then collected by the asset while the asset is implementing parameters of the construction project design at the construction site. The geospatial information is provided to a construction management computing system in real-time. The construction management computing system is remote from the asset. Progress on the construction site design is then dynamically updated in real-time by the construction management computing system based on the geospatial information to create a real-time, as constructed model of the construction project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Bryn Fosburgh, Rosalind Buick
  • Patent number: 8857745
    Abstract: A spreader control system digitally filters noisy load cell measurements and inaccurate flow rate measurements to form an optimal estimate of material weight in a spreader bin. This estimate may be combined with spreader swath width and vehicle speed to determine application rate. When actuators for parameters such as apron speed or gate size are available, spreading rates may be controlled with active feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Gurcan Aral
  • Publication number: 20140299663
    Abstract: A system for identifying different types of products on a display hanger and determining a quantity of each of the different types of products includes a plurality of electrically conductive segments coupled to the display hanger, an electrically conductive rail coupled to the display hanger, and a sensor device electrically coupled to each of the plurality of electrically conductive segments and to the electrically conductive rail. The sensor device is configured to identify the different types of products on the display hanger and to determine the quantity of each of the different types of products based on a unique electrical signature associated with each of the different types of products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Satyan P. Shah, Harry F. Tsai
  • Patent number: 8855937
    Abstract: A system for estimating a crop characteristic comprises a database, a plant growth model correlator, and a crop characteristic estimator. The database includes plant growth models for a plurality of fields. The plant growth model correlator is communicatively coupled with the database. The plant growth model correlator is configured for determining at least one harvested field with a first plant growth model which correlates with a second plant growth model for at least a portion of an unharvested field. The crop characteristic estimator is configured for estimating a crop characteristic for the unharvested field based on actual crop characteristic data obtained from the at least one harvested field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Robert J. Lindores
  • Publication number: 20140292573
    Abstract: Accuracy information for an ionosphere model is generated. Phase residual information of a parameter estimation procedure is obtained and coordinates of pierce points are computed on a sphere around the earth. The coordinates indicate where signals pierce the sphere. Phase residual information is mapped for each pierce point. A grid of equidistant points is put on the sphere and the pierce points are identified. For each selected grid point, vertical accuracy information is computed based on vertical residual information, and a scale factor is computed based on the vertical accuracy information. The accuracy information for the ionosphere model is generated based on the vertical accuracy information computed for the selected grid points and an overall scale factor computed based on computed scale factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Ralf Drescher, Xiaoming Chen
  • Patent number: 8847820
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals of GNSS satellites observed at reference station receivers, the data representing code observations and carrier observations on each of at least two carriers over multiple epochs, comprising: obtaining an orbit start vector comprising: a time sequence of predicted positions and predicted velocities for each satellite over a first interval, and the partial derivatives of the predicted positions and predicted velocities with respect to initial positions, initial velocities, force model parameters and Earth orientation parameters, obtaining ionospheric-free linear combinations of the code observations and the carrier observations for each satellite at multiple reference stations, and iteratively correcting the orbit start vector using at each epoch the ionospheric-free linear combinations and predicted Earth orientation parameters, as soon as the ionospheric-free linear combinations of the epoch are available, to ob
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Herbert Landau, Markus Nitschke
  • Patent number: D717185
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Karl Forsberg, Niklas Briheim, Kristoffer Svedulf, Robin Grieves, Angela Vlasaty Peterson