Patents Assigned to Trimble Navigation Limited
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Patent number: 8717237Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from observations of GNSS signals of multiple transmitters over multiple epochs, the GNSS signals having a first signal and a second signal in a first band which can be tracked as a single wide-band signal and each of which can be tracked separately, comprising: obtaining carrier-phase observations of the first signal, obtaining carrier-phase observations of the second signal, obtaining code observations of the wide-band signal, and estimating from a set of observables comprising the carrier-phase observations of the first signal, the carrier-phase observations of the second signal and the code observations of the wide-band signal values for a set of parameters comprising: position of a receiver of the GNSS signals, clock error of a receiver of the GNSS signals, and an array of ambiguities comprising an ambiguity for each transmitter from which carrier-phase observations of the first signal are obtained and an ambiguity for eaType: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Ulrich Vollath
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Patent number: 8704709Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating parameters, i.e. ambiguities, derived from GNSS signals. Observations of each of received frequencies of a GNSS signal from a plurality of GNSS satellites are obtained for a plurality of instances in time (3120). The time sequence of observations is fed to a filter to estimate a state vector comprising float ambiguities, wherein each float ambiguity constitutes a non integer estimate of an integer number of wavelengths for a received frequency of a GNSS signal between a receiver of the GNSS signal and the GNSS satellite from which it is received and wherein the float ambiguities of the state vector are updated over time on the basis of the observations (3140). The occurrence of an interruption in tracking of at least one signal of a satellite is determined (3121). The float ambiguity of the state vector for the at least one signal for which an interruption in tracking occurred is maintained at the value before the interruption in tracking occurred (3122).Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Ulrich Vollath, Nicholas Charles Talbot
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Patent number: 8705022Abstract: A machine control system uses a laser system and global navigation satellite system to determine the position of the machine. The laser system has a laser detector positioned in a known and fixed relationship with the nominal phase center of a global navigation satellite antenna. The laser detector receives laser light transmitted from a laser transmitter. The outputs of the laser system and the global navigation satellite system are used together to determine the position of the transmitter prior to being used to determine the position of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Arthur Taylor, Nicholas C. Talbot
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Patent number: 8704708Abstract: A filter estimates a float value for each float ambiguity of a state vector determined from GNSS signals. Integer values are assigned to at least a subgroup of the estimated float values to define integer ambiguity candidate sets. A quality measure is determined for each of the candidate sets. An expectation value of the candidate set having the best quality measure is determined. An error measure as a ratio of the best quality measure to the expectation value is determined. The quality measures of the candidate sets is adapted as a function of the error measure. A weighted average of a subgroup of the candidate sets on the basis of the adapted quality measures is formed. Ambiguities of the weighted average can be used in subsequent operations to aid in determining a position of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Ulrich Vollath
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Publication number: 20140104602Abstract: A method of measuring an angle includes orienting a measurement device at a reference position characterized by a reference angle. A first panoramic image defined by a predetermined range of elevation angles is acquired where the first panoramic image includes an object. A first bearing of the object in relation to the reference angle is determined and the measurement device is rotated to a measurement position characterized by a measurement angle. A second panoramic image defined by the predetermined range of elevation angles is acquired where the second panoramic image includes the object. A second bearing of the object in relation to the reference angle is determined. The measurement angle is computed as a function of the first bearing and the second bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Michael Vogel, Omar Soubra, Darin Muncy
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Publication number: 20140107957Abstract: Ground-based measurements of agricultural metrics such as NDVI are used to calibrate wide-area aerial measurements of the same metrics. Calibrated wide-area data may then be used as an input to a field prescription processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Robert J. Lindores, Ted E. Mayfield, Morrison Ulman
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Patent number: 8700255Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques for remotely tracking vehicle and driver behavior. Embodiments may include an on-board vehicle monitoring device, comprising an interface device and a gateway device. The interface device may include receiving information from a diagnostic system of a vehicle. The gateway device may collect a set of vehicle operating data corresponding to a driver or vehicle behavior. The set of vehicle operating data may comprise at least some of the information from the diagnostic system of the vehicle. A host computer may have instructions for compiling driver behavior data, based at least in part on analysis of received vehicle operating data. The instructions may also include instructions for providing a user interface; and instructions for causing the user interface to display, for a user, information corresponding to the compiled driver behavior data.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Thomas C. Joseph
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Patent number: 8700202Abstract: A system for assisting in the use by an operator of the operating element of a tool at desired locations at a worksite, includes a stationary control and a position sensor secured to the tool. The stationary control is located at the worksite, and has data stored therein specifying one or more desired locations for operation of the operating element of the tool at the worksite. A position sensor is mounted on the tool. The position sensor determines the position of the operating element of the tool. The position sensor includes a communication device for communicating with said stationary control, a sensor for determining its relative position with respect to said stationary control, and a display for providing indications to the user of the tool of the desired location for the operating element of the tool and of the actual location of the operating element of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Kent Kahle
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Patent number: 8694250Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and apparatus are presented for processing data collected by at least two receivers from multiple satellites of multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), where at least one GNSS is Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA). Data sets are obtained which comprise a first data set from a first receiver and a second data set from a second receiver. The first data set comprises a first FDMA data set and the second data set comprises a second FDMA data set. At least one of a code bias and a phase bias may exist between the first FDMA data set and the second FDMA data set. At least one receiver-type bias is determined, to be applied when the data sets are obtained from receivers of different types. The data sets are processed, based on the at least one receiver-type bias, to estimate carrier floating-point ambiguities. Carrier integer ambiguities are determined from the floating-point ambiguities.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Nicholas Talbot, Ulrich Vollath, Gang Lu
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Publication number: 20140085139Abstract: Method to estimate parameters derived at least from GNSS signals useful to determine a position, including obtaining at least one GNSS signal observed at a GNSS receiver from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites; receiving global correction information useful to correct at least the obtained GNSS signals from a first set of GNSS satellites, wherein the global correction information includes correction information which is independent from the position to be determined; receiving local correction information useful to correct at least the obtained GNSS signals from a second set of GNSS satellites, wherein the local correction information includes correction information which is dependent on the position to be determined; processing the obtained GNSS signals from the first set of GNSS satellites by using the global correction information; and processing the obtained GNSS signals from the second set of GNSS satellites by using the local correction information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Rodrigo Leandro, Nicholas Charles Talbot
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Patent number: 8682541Abstract: A mobile construction device sensor unit system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a point-to-point radio ranging system coupled with a mobile construction device. A position determining component coupled with the point-to-point radio ranging system is configured for determining a position of the sensor unit in at least two dimensions based on communications between the point-to-point radio ranging system and a plurality of tags respectively located at a plurality of knowable locations within an operating environment of the mobile construction device. A communications link controller communicatively coupled with the position determining component is configured for wirelessly providing information, including the sensor unit position, to a receiving unit located apart from the sensor unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Gregory C. Best, Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
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Publication number: 20140081538Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprising a housing, a load monitor, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The load monitor is coupled with the housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load. The wireless is transceiver coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position and the load orientation to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
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Publication number: 20140081571Abstract: A navigational apparatus includes a visual display, first and second imaging devices, and one or more processors. The first imaging device has an optical axis extending in a first direction and is configured to obtain first image data. The second imaging device has an optical axis extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to obtain second image data. When the visual display is displaying first image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a first navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the first image data associated with the point of interest. When the visual display is displaying second image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a second navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the second image data associated with the point of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Graham Briggs, Christian Graesser, James M. Janky
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Patent number: 8671741Abstract: A moisture content sensing system is described comprising a collar mechanically coupled with a clean grain transport system. An extendable support extends through the collar and has an extendable capacitive sensor element disposed at one end. The extendable support is configured to be located at a first position in which the extendable capacitive sensor element is disposed adjacent to clean grain conveyed by the clean grain transport system and moved to a second position wherein the extendable capacitive sensor element is disposed at least partially within the clean grain of the clean grain transport system.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Michael Cash, D'Anne Beukelaur Hanks, Arthur F. Lange, Brian Jackman, Brian A. Jackson
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Patent number: 8668136Abstract: A method includes acquiring imaging data of a scene using an imaging tool. The method also includes extracting radio frequency identification (RFID) data stored in an RFID tag associated with the scene. The method further includes associating the RFID data with the imaging data.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Brian Ahern, Bernd Schoner
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Patent number: 8669900Abstract: A method for reducing multipath when determining a location of a stationary or near stationary position, includes receiving a signal from an antenna moving continuously with respect to the stationary or near stationary position, the signal including a multipath component, processing the received signal including the multipath component, wherein multipath error in the received signal is reduced during the processing and determining a location of the stationary or near stationary position based on the processed received signal with the multipath error reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Ulrich Vollath
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Publication number: 20140062776Abstract: A method of communicating corrections for information related to satellite signals among global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers is described. The method includes at a first GNSS device determining a component of position of a satellite. The component is then divided by a first value to thereby obtain an integer value and a remainder value, and the only the remainder value is transmitted from the first GNSS device to the second GNSS device. Knowing the first value, the second GNSS device calculates the component of position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Trimble Navigation Limited
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Patent number: 8666936Abstract: A system and method for asset management is disclosed. The method receives information from a first reporting source about an asset. In addition, information from a second reporting source about an asset is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source such that information from the first reporting source and information from the second reporting source can be collected from the database.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Daniel John Wallace
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Patent number: 8655536Abstract: In an automatic vehicle position control system, such as a satellite-based agricultural implement steering system, the satellite-based steering information is adjusted with information obtained from one or more path sensors to facilitate the automatic nudging of the vehicle to take account of inaccurate tracking of the agricultural implement relative to its tractor, terrain variations, and inaccuracies in the satellite-based steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: John William Peake, Arthur F. Lange
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Patent number: D701111Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Mark Lawrence Bianco, Martin Clarence Bringuel