Patents Assigned to Trimble Navigation Limited
  • Patent number: 8965841
    Abstract: A system and method for automatic asset classification is disclosed. According to one embodiment, at least one asset characteristic is received from a reporting source and a method automatically associates the asset characteristic with a graphical representation of the asset based on the asset characteristic. The method further provides the graphical representation of the asset on a graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Daniel John Wallace
  • Patent number: 8961065
    Abstract: A method of milling asphalt is disclosed. The result of a survey of the unmilled asphalt pavement surface adjacent to the area to be milled is received. The result of the survey is stored in a computer memory. A map of the design surface specifying the design elevation of the milled surface over the area to be milled is stored in the computer memory. The relative elevation of the unmilled asphalt pavement surface adjacent to the area to be milled with respect to the machine body and rotatable milling drum of an asphalt milling machine is sensed. The elevation of the bottom surface of the rotatable milling drum is determined using a computer processor. The elevation of the milling machine body and the rotatable milling drum is automatically adjusted such that the milling drum mills the asphalt surface to the design elevation over the area to be milled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Jeroen Snoeck, Richard Paul Piekutowski
  • Patent number: 8955402
    Abstract: Sugar cane yield mapping improves the efficiency of sugar cane farming with benefits to both sugar producers and consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James G Quaderer, Michael F Cash
  • Patent number: 8954295
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of determining an outer shell of a composite three-dimensional model, an indication of a plurality of initial faces of the composite three-dimensional model is received. A plurality of intersections between the plurality of initial faces is determined. A plurality of split faces is generated by splitting each of the plurality of initial faces that intersects another one or more of the plurality of initial faces into two or more split faces along one or more lines of intersection. It is determined whether each of the plurality of split faces and each of the plurality of initial faces that does not intersect another one or more of the plurality of initial faces corresponds to the outer shell or to an interior portion of the composite three-dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Dwight D. Vicknair, John E. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 8947225
    Abstract: A method and system for providing information about mobile communication devices with respect to an area of interest is disclosed. Initially, information about an event having an area of interest is received. A request is provided to one or more communications providers that cover the area of interest for a listing of any mobile communication devices located within the area of interest. The listing of any mobile communication devices located within the area of interest is utilized to establish an approximate number of persons in the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Gregory C. Best
  • Patent number: 8943701
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Kevin M. Morrissey, Ayman Hajmousa, Brandon Scott Bayer, Eric Keith Unger
  • 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: 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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • 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