Abstract: An improved method for asset management is described. The method includes receiving information from a remote reporting device in close proximity to an asset, the information including a first unique identifier associated with the asset and a second unique identifier associated with a user of the asset. The method further includes associating the asset with the user based on the information. Additionally, the method includes monitoring use of the asset and maintaining a record of the use by the user based on the information.

Abstract: A method of creating and managing a database of meta_data sets for a plurality of objects is provided. The meta-data set is configured to characterize an object. The meta_data set for a “j”-object is selected from the group consisting of: a first item; a second item; an “i”-th item; and ID-j tag; wherein “i” and “j” being integers. The method comprises: (A) identifying a meta_data set for at least one object; (B) collecting a meta_data set for at least one object; (C) creating the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects; (D) storing the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects; and (E) accessing the database of meta_data sets for the plurality of objects.

Abstract: A method of determining an elevation of a point relative to a leveling instrument includes sending a first signal from a controller to the leveling instrument using a wireless link. The first signal indicates to the leveling instrument to automatically align an alignment unit of the leveling instrument with a reference target of a leveling staff. The method also includes receiving a second signal at the controller using the wireless link. The second signal is sent from the leveling instrument and indicates that the alignment unit is aligned with the reference target. The method also includes sending a third signal from the controller to the leveling instrument using the wireless link. The third signal indicates to the leveling instrument to automatically determine the elevation of the point relative to the leveling instrument.

Abstract: A real time 3D survey site modeler is disclosed. One embodiment includes a survey data collector to collect survey data for a location and obtain information for each object that is surveyed. In addition, a 3D model creator receives the collected survey data and creates a 3D model of the world being surveyed in real time.

Abstract: 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 ea

Abstract: A system is described that has a first engine configured to determine an assignment of a resource to a task. The assignment is based on a schedule representation comprising at least resource profile data and task profile data. The resource profile data represents a resource profile associated with the resource and the task profile data represents a task profile associated with the task. The system also has a data store configured to store a set of rules, the set of rules comprising data indicative of one or more functions to be applied to one or more input data sources to output at least one variable value for the schedule representation. This then allows a second engine coupled to the data store to be configured to update the schedule representation in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a crop feeler system automatically executes a navigational task based on a proximity of a vehicle to an obstacle. The crop feeler system includes a hub attached to the vehicle. Inside the hub are two oscillating circuits each having an oscillating frequency. A member is coupled to the hub. Two inductive elements are positioned within the member so that, when the obstacle comes into contact with the member, at least one of the inductive elements moves closer to at least one of the oscillating circuits and alters the oscillating frequency of that oscillating circuit. A navigation sensor measures the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, identifies a navigational task using the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, and executes the navigational task.

Abstract: A system and device for controlling a display are disclosed. Data is examined, which correspond to an image to be shown with the display. Upon determining that said data comprise a critical item corresponding to an element of the image, the critical item is shown with an uncluttered view. Non-critical items corresponding to elements of the image are attempted to be shown as well, such that the critical item is not obscured and the image remains uncluttered.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An example method for providing a user with service technical data is provided. A server stores original service technical data and annotated data in a server where the annotated data is associated with the original service technical data. The server determines an access level of the user such where the access level of the user determines what service technical data may be sent. A portion of the service technical data is sent from the server to a device associated with the user, based at least in part on the access level of the user. The server also receives additional annotated data generated by the user where the additional annotated data is associated with the original service technical data.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.