Patents Assigned to Trimble Navigation Limited
  • Publication number: 20180017230
    Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9797572
    Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9714037
    Abstract: A system includes a motion sensor system configured for deployment in a cab of a vehicle and to generate substantially in real-time a digital mapping of driver movement during operation of the vehicle. A computer is configured for deployment in the cab and coupled to the motion sensor system. A driver behavior detector is coupled to the computer and configured to detect a driver distraction event using the driver movement mapping. A communication device at the vehicle is configured to communicate an alert message to one or both of a user interface device in the cab and a remote system in response to the detected driver distraction event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Jason DeRuyck, Brian R. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 9704310
    Abstract: Techniques involving connecting an in-cab computing device to an onboard computing device mounted in a vehicle. Vehicle-related information may be communicated between the in-cab computing device and onboard computing device while the in-cab computing device is connected to the onboard computing device. Techniques involve facilitating disconnection of the in-cab computing device from the onboard computing device and operating the in-cab computing device in a stand-alone mode, and facilitating reconnection of the in-cab computing device to the onboard computing device to resume operations between the in-cab computing device and onboard computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kelly R. Nehowig, Ronald Edward Konezny
  • Patent number: 9661809
    Abstract: In embodiments, an application vehicle includes an application system for applying a product during an agricultural application. The application system (used in conjunction with the application vehicle) includes a priming module that determines a priming location. When the application vehicle is in proximity to the priming location, the priming module primes aspects of the application system so that it is ready to apply the product when the application vehicle reaches a region in which the product is to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Chiocco, Gurcan Aral
  • Patent number: 9645222
    Abstract: Provided herein is a compact and economical direction finding antenna using a mono-pulse antenna system, where a plurality of antenna elements are disposed in a circular array. The directional antennas may be formed by any type of antenna element, including a patch or reflector. The antenna beams of the directional antenna elements overlap, so that from any azimuthal direction, the point is covered by more than one antenna beam. Signals from each pair of adjacent antenna elements of the circular array are processed in order to determine the angle of arrival of a received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Joseph M. Carey, Russell Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 9648502
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods (i.e., utilities) that allow for synthesizing antenna patterns for wireless access points that provide coverage in a wireless network. The utilities utilize various mathematical models to identify antenna settings that enhance coverage of a coverage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Carey, Robert Weaver, Russell Brinkman
  • Patent number: 9581687
    Abstract: In a method of detecting an underground object which is at least partially under a surface of ground, a first view of the object determined by transmitting a first radar signal from a first known geolocation. A second view of the object is determined by transmitting a second radar signal from a second known geolocation. The respective first and second trajectories of the first and second radar signals are oblique with respect to the surface of the ground and the respective first and second trajectories are at a first angle with respect to each other. A position of the object is estimated by maximizing a correlation between the first view and the second view by adjusting an estimated dielectric constant associated with medium between the object and the surface of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Bruce Peetz
  • Patent number: 9574320
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for determining a blended position solution for a vehicle, using data from multiple positioning devices, some of which can be external to the vehicle. Some techniques allow a control system of a vehicle to transition from receiving position data from one positioning device to receiving data from another device without ceasing operation and/or while limiting any resulting discontinuity the position solution (and any resulting work performed by the vehicle) to within acceptable tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Alan Sharp
  • Publication number: 20170032156
    Abstract: Methods and systems for inspection, safety assurance, tracking, and/or as-built comparison use an imaging tool to acquire imaging data of a scene. The imaging data is processed to create a three-dimensional representation of the scene. Radio frequency (RF) data is received from an RF tag using an RF reader. The RF tag is associated with an object within the scene. The object in the three-dimensional representation of the scene is identified based on the RF data and compared to a model of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Bernd Schoner, Brian Ahern
  • Patent number: 9519876
    Abstract: A method for providing maintenance to an asset is disclosed. In one embodiment, a database having asset information from a plurality of disparate sources is accessed. Asset information in the database is utilized to generate an asset report. The asset report is utilized to track an asset including its location and operation. Scheduling information regarding the asset is utilized such that the manufacturer can provide a scheduled/unscheduled maintenance program for the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Daniel John Wallace
  • Patent number: 9521517
    Abstract: A method for establishing an approximate number of persons in an area of interest comprises providing a request to one or more communications providers that cover an area of interest. The request is 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. In response to receipt of information that indicates a mobile communication device on the listing has departed the area of interest, the listing is updated to show the mobile communication device is clear of the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Gregory C. Best
  • Patent number: 9518822
    Abstract: A survey device includes a dual-axis position encoder, a video camera coupled, a laser rangefinder, a wireless transceiver, and a processor. The processor is configured to autonomously orient the video camera via the dual-axis position encoder, autonomously identify other survey devices and a target that are within a line-of-sight field-of-view of the video camera, operate the laser rangefinder to determine range to the autonomously identified target and the autonomously identified other survey devices, and determining coordinates of the autonomously identified target and the autonomously identified other survey devices based on the dual-axis position encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kurtis L. Maynard
  • Patent number: 9513120
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Graham Briggs, Christian Graesser, James M. Janky
  • Patent number: 9507980
    Abstract: An intelligent container apparatus is provided. The intelligent container apparatus comprises a container further comprising a plurality of 3-D cells and an external electronic lock. Each 3-D cell is assigned to store at least one asset including an Asset/ID tag, and at least one asset position sensor. The external electronic lock further comprises: a reader gate; a timing device; a tech/ID authentication system; and a processor. The reader gate is configured to read an Asset/ID tag, configured to read a technician tech/ID tag, configured to assign a checked_in/checked_out status to at least one asset having an Asset/ID tag, and configured to associate the tech/ID of the latest technician who checked_in/checked_out the asset having the Asset/ID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Prakash Iyer
  • Patent number: 9510150
    Abstract: In a method of integrating position information including: position data of an object that will be embedded in a material at a worksite is determined. The position data of the object is recorded, in an information management system. The position data is used to update a record at the information management system, where the record indicates that the object is an embedded object and the position data of the object includes a position of the embedded object. The position of the embedded object is conveyed from information management system to the to a handheld tool at the worksite. The position of the embedded object is displayed on a display device integrated with the handheld tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kent Kahle, Pat Bohle, Reinhard Waibel, Markus Messmer, Oliver Glockner, Angela Beckenbauer, Till Cramer, Andreas Winter
  • Patent number: 9507026
    Abstract: A verified antispoofing navigation apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a primary navigation receiver configured to provide a set of primary measurements related to positioning of a mobile platform; a supplemental navigation device configured to provide a set of supplemental measurements related to positioning of the mobile platform; an identity monitoring device configured to verify an identity of a driver of the mobile platform; and a verification and authentication navigation processor configured to verify authenticity of the set of primary measurements provided by the primary navigation receiver by using the set of supplemental measurements provided by the supplemental navigation device. The verified antispoofing navigation apparatus further comprises: a driver authentication navigation processor configured to provide the driving and rest times of the driver to relevant authorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Mark E. Nichols
  • Patent number: D772737
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Scott Robinson, Karl Forsberg, Niklas Briheim, Jack Warner
  • Patent number: D772864
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan David Musch, Gareth Todd Gibson, Gerald Walter Steiger, Sam Chen, Oliver Chen
  • Patent number: D808411
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: James Russell Lowell, Mark Philip Botticelli