Patents Assigned to Trimble Navigation Limited
  • ROBOTIC LEVELING
    Publication number: 20130139395
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Miguel Amor
  • Continuous tracking counter for enabling cycle-slip free messages in a network of global navigation system satellite receivers
    Patent number: 8456359
    Abstract: A method of communicating satellite tracking information among a network of global navigation satellite system receivers is described. The method includes determining at a first GNSS receiver which satellites in a constellation of satellites have been continuously tracked over a preceding selected time period, and for each such satellite determining its elevation with respect to the zenith. Only the elevation value for the lowest satellite in the set of satellites for which all satellites of higher elevation values have been continuously tracked over the selected time period is then transmitted to the second GNSS receiver. That receiver can then reconstruct the set of satellites which have been continuously tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kendall Ferguson, Michael Timo Allison, Michael Albright
  • Real-Time Detection of Hazardous Driving
    Publication number: 20130135090
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides real-time detection of hazardous driving behavior. The system collects information about the motion of a vehicle along a path, for example, using a global positioning satellite system receiver. Roadside signs along the path are detected and their content determined. That information is compared with information about the motion of the vehicle to provide information with regard to potentially hazardous driving behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael D. Granruth
  • APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR POWER TOOLS
    Publication number: 20130138465
    Abstract: A method for conveying application information for power tools is disclosed. In one embodiment, information describing a task which is to be performed by a handheld tool is accessed. In one embodiment, the handheld tool is a power tool. Based upon the information describing the task, at least one operating parameter for performing the task is conveyed to the handheld tool. The handheld tool is then configured with the at least one operating parameter prior to initiating the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Trimble Navigation Limited
  • Sugar cane harvester automatic cutter height control
    Patent number: 8452501
    Abstract: Sugar cane harvester automatic cutter height control systems maintain consistent cutter heights even as a harvesting machine traverses changing field conditions. After an operator chooses an initial cutting height the automatic systems maintain that height even as ground conditions change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Arthur F Lange, Eric A Wuestefeld
  • Fleet management system and method employing mobile device monitoring and research
    Patent number: 8442555
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for monitoring wireless communication performance. A fleet of moving vehicles equipped with communication devices communicate data call records, including a geographic location of the vehicle when the communication was attempted, to a central office. Indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communications attempts are aggregated by geographic area using the geographic location data from the vehicles. Call success rate levels for the geographic areas are determined based on the aggregated indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communication attempts. These levels may be presented on geographical maps or otherwise, and/or used for network analysis purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James Russell Lowell, Ronald Edward Konezny, Andy Johnson
  • Navigation sensor mounting-angle calibration
    Patent number: 8433514
    Abstract: Dead reckoning navigation sensors based on 3-axis gyroscopes and methods for calibrating sensor module orientation are described for three scenarios: (1) known mounting angles, (2) unknown, arbitrary mounting angles, and (3) unknown, but restricted mounting angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation, Limited
    Inventors: Xiaorong Zhi, Peter Van Wyck Loomis
  • Selecting raw measurements for use in position computation
    Patent number: 8427367
    Abstract: Raw measurements for a plurality of GNSS satellites are pruned based on signal to noise ratio (SNR) and elevation; with remaining unpruned raw measurements sorted by SNR into a sorted list of raw measurements. A first dilution of precision (DOP) based selecting process is performed to select an initial candidate list of raw measurements. The first DOP selecting process begins by using at least those of said pruned list of raw measurements which exceed an SNR quality threshold. The initial candidate list of raw measurements is sorted by elevation angle. A second DOP selecting process is performed to select a final candidate list of raw measurements. The second DOP selecting process begins by using at least those of the sorted initial candidate list which an elevation quality threshold. The final candidate list is used in position computation for a present epoch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Peter France, Shawn D. Weisenburger
  • Land survey system
    Patent number: 8416130
    Abstract: A method and system obtains precise survey-grade position data of target points in zones where precise GPS data cannot be obtained, due to natural or man-made objects such as foliage and buildings. The system comprises position measurement components such as a GPS receiver, together with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an electronic distance meter (EDM) or an image capture device all mounted on a survey pole. The system and method obtains GPS data when outside the zone and uses the other position measurement systems, such as the IMU, inside the zone to traverse to a target point. The EDM or the image capture device may be used within or without the zone to obtain data to reduce accumulated position errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Bruno Scherzinger
  • Motion triggered magnetic reading and compass heading calculations to reduce power consumption
    Patent number: 8417975
    Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption of an electronic device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an indication that an electronic device is oriented in a first orientation is received. An indication of rotation of the electronic device around an axis is received. A command is then generated to cause an electronic compass module disposed within the electronic device to transition from an idle operating state to an active operating state and to generate a compass heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Aaron Bowdle
  • Stationing an unleveled optical total station
    Patent number: 8411285
    Abstract: A method of stationing an unleveled optical total station includes placing the unleveled optical total station at a first station. At the first station, positions of at least three non-collinear measurement points in an instrument coordinate system are determined using the unleveled optical total station. The method also includes obtaining positions of the at least three non-collinear measurement points in a local coordinate system. A transformation is computed between the instrument coordinate system and the local coordinate system using the positions of the at least three non-collinear measurement points in the instrument coordinate system and the positions of the at least three non-collinear measurement points in the local coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Sharp
  • Cordless inertial vehicle navigation
    Patent number: 8406996
    Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Peter Van Wyck Loomis
  • Publication of Equipment Status
    Publication number: 20130073605
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns novel tools and techniques for distributing status information, including without limitation status information about commercial equipment. In some cases, a status monitoring device can be attached to, incorporated within, or otherwise placed in communication with a piece of commercial equipment. The status monitoring device can monitor the status of the equipment and communicate that status. Some of the discloses tools and techniques employ a social networking infrastructure to convey information (such as status information about a piece of equipment).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Bryn Allen Fosburgh, George Derrick Darby, Omar Soubra, James M. Janky
  • GNSS moving base positioning
    Patent number: 8400351
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for determining a position of an antenna of a GNSS rover from observations of GNSS signals collected at the antenna over multiple epochs and from correction data for at least one of the epochs. A first-epoch rover position relative to a moving base location is determined, a second-epoch update of the first-epoch rover position relative to the moving base location for a second epoch is determined using a single-differenced delta phase process, and the first-epoch position and the second-epoch update are combined to obtain a second-epoch rover position relative to a moving base location of the second epoch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Talbot, Ulrich Vollath
  • Excavator control using ranging radios
    Patent number: 8401746
    Abstract: A system for use with an excavator of the type having a chassis, bucket support elements including a boom extending from the chassis and a dipper stick pivotally mounted on the end of the boom, and an excavator bucket pivotally mounted on the end of the dipper stick, determines the position of the excavator bucket during operation of the excavator at a worksite. The system includes a plurality of fixed ranging radios that are positioned at known locations at the worksite. A pair of ranging radios is mounted on the chassis of the excavator. A third ranging radio is mounted on one of the bucket support elements. A measurement circuit is responsive to the pair of ranging radios and to the third ranging radio, and determines the position and orientation of the excavator chassis, the bucket support elements, and the bucket with respect to the plurality of fixed ranging radios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kent Kahle
  • System and method for configuring a guidance controller
    Patent number: 8401744
    Abstract: System and method for configuring guidance controllers. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an implement, by a guidance controller, coupled to a machine. The method may further include determining a characteristic of the implement which affects a calibration parameter of the guidance controller and configuring the calibration parameter of the guidance controller based, at least in part, on the characteristic of the implement. An operational path of the machine may be controlled based on the calibration parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Gregory Daniel Chiocco
  • Systems and methods for computing vertical position
    Patent number: 8395542
    Abstract: Control systems and methods that provide a high degree of vertical measurement accuracy for a body in motion are disclosed. The systems employ an inertial sensor system for vertical measurement and a Global Navigation Satellite System that includes multipath reduction or attenuation to provide corrected vertical information for a moving body to the inertial sensor system. The combination of these systems enables the maintenance of an accurate vertical position for said body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Bruno Scherzinger, Ulrich Vollath
  • Method And System For Position Determination Using RFID Devices
    Publication number: 20130060520
    Abstract: A method of determining a gauge and a tilt of a rail track at a location includes providing a rail trolley including a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, an RFID reader, a gauge sensor, and a tilt sensor and positioning the rail trolley on the rail track at the location. The method also includes interrogating one or more RFID tags positioned along the rail track and determining, using the processor, a fixed location associated with each of the one or more RFID tags. The method further includes determining, using the processor, the location of the rail trolley in relation to the fixed locations associated with each of the one or more RFID tags and determining the gauge and tilt of the rail track at the location of the rail trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Miguel Amor, Martin Holmgren
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS OF A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20130054107
    Abstract: A system for calculating a first mass value indicative of a first mass of a vehicle is provided, wherein the vehicle has a vehicle interface capable of providing fuel data indicative of a rate at which fuel is being consumed by an engine of the vehicle at each point in time. The system includes: an interface coupled with the vehicle interface, the interface configured for: receiving the fuel data; and receiving movement data indicative of a movement of the vehicle at the each point in time; and a data processing system configured for: deriving a plurality of mass values from the fuel data and the movement data, each mass value corresponding to a respective point in time; and calculating, using the plurality of mass values, the first mass value indicative of the first mass of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Richard Harvie
  • Integration of real-time field data in chemical delivery vehicle operations
    Patent number: 8386283
    Abstract: A method and system for integration of real-time field data in chemical delivery vehicle operations is disclosed. Initially, information for a plurality of regions designated for chemical delivery is received at a command center, each of the plurality of regions having a defined boundary. Real-time and forecast environmental conditions are utilized in conjunction with prior and real-time field data to rank each of the plurality of regions. One or more chemical delivery vehicles are automatically selected and dispatched to one or more of the plurality of regions. When the one or more chemical delivery vehicles are within the defined boundary of one of the plurality of regions for chemical delivery, region specific chemical delivery procedures incorporating real-time environmental conditions are automatically calculated and initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Lynn Hand