Abstract: A method for aiding construction of a building is proposed. The building includes a plurality of building components. The method comprises: (A) providing at least one building component marking attached to at least one building component, (B) providing at least one RFID tag, and C) of using at least one building component marking to identify at least one building component on the building site. An RFID tag is attached to at least one building component. The RFID tag is configured to store a predetermined location of at least one building component on a building site. A building component marking is selected from the group consisting of: an optical reflective target; and a physical marking.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: Multi-IMU INS for vehicle control allows GNSS-derived position and velocity to be measured at an antenna and applied to the estimation of position, velocity and attitude at a separate control point even when the spatial relationship between antenna and control point is not constant.

Abstract: A computer-aided, design system and method generates procedural code from a plurality of spreadsheet formulas which define the behavior of a parametric object. These spreadsheet formulas drive function calls to an API of the design system when initially drawing the parametric object within a user interface, and these function calls may be cached as procedural code. In subsequent re-drawings of same object, the procedural code may be executed with updated or changed attributes received from an input dialog box. Rather than converting, translating, and parsing the spreadsheet formulas each time an entry is changed, the procedural code may be optimized for execution and also be concealed from the user so that any proprietary information in the formulas and functions is kept secret.

Abstract: A path planning autopilot guides vehicles efficiently even when they are far from a desired path.

Abstract: Predictive tractor path adjustments improve implement tracking performance by enabling agricultural autopilots to anticipate the effect of curves, slopes, changing soil conditions and other influences.

Abstract: A method of resection-based positioning of a rotating fan beam transmitter is provided. The fan beam is rotating about a single axis of rotation. The rotating fan beam is being detected in a detector space including a detector cluster further including a plurality of detectors. The single axis of rotation intersects a reference plane in the detector space at an arbitrary angle. The method comprises: (A) detecting the rotating fan beam by using a plurality of detectors; (B) processing a set of detection signals to obtain a set of time-strike tags; and (C) determining the axis of rotation of the rotating fan beam in the detector space by using the set of time-strike tags. At least minimum number of detectors is stricken by the rotating fan beam. Each stricken detector generates a detection signal having a time-strike tag corresponding to a timing coordinate of the strike by the rotating fan beam.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: A method of image-based positioning is provided. The method comprises: (A) providing an image-capturing device integrated with a focused-radiation source and a processor; the image-capturing device further comprises an image sensor; (B) capturing an image of an object located in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device by using the image sensor; (C) directing a focused ray of radiation generated by the focused-radiation source to the object located in the (FOV) of the image-capturing device; (D) detecting at least one return signal generated by reflection of the focused ray of radiation from the object located in FOV of the image-capturing device by using the image sensor; (E) characterizing the object located in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device by using each return signal; and (F) processing each return signal in order to determine a distance from the object located in the FOV to the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A method for estimating an unknown spreading code in a received signal by using a set of genetic algorithms. The method comprises: selecting at least one seed of the unknown spreading code for initialization purposes, wherein the unknown spreading code comprises a plurality of chips, and performing a breeding process of the unknown spreading code by executing a breeding algorithm.

Abstract: A method for determining an absolute orientation in a global coordinate system is provided. In each grid position an image capturing device is directed to a selected object located in a scene. The method comprises: (A) reconstructing a scale model of the scene using point, line and/or region correspondences in multiple views of the scene obtained by the image capturing device placed in at least three grid positions; (B) obtaining location coordinates of at least three grid positions in the global coordinate system; and (C) determining a similarity transform from a photogrammetric coordinate system to the global coordinate system by determining rotation, translation and scale of the image capturing device for each grid position.

Abstract: Predictive tractor path adjustments improve implement tracking performance by enabling agricultural autopilots to anticipate the effect of curves, slopes, changing soil conditions and other influences.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for configuring a controller for surveying equipment. In one embodiment, an identification tag associated with a surveying tool may be detected by a controller. An indicator related to the identification tag may be presented to a user of the controller. According to another embodiment, operation of the controller may be configured based, at least in part, on the identification tag.

Abstract: A system, device and methods are provided for tracking objects, such as shipping containers and other movable items. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an object based on detection of an object identification tag and detecting a marker during transport of the object, wherein detection of the marker includes determining location data of the marker. The method may further include storing position data for the object based on the location data of the marker, and outputting the position data for the object.

Abstract: A method of image-tracking by using an image capturing device. The method comprises: performing an image-capture of a scene by using an image capturing device; and tracking movement of the image capturing device by analyzing a set of images by using an image processing algorithm.

Abstract: A method of improving accuracy of position coordinates of a positioning device is provided. The method comprises: (A) obtaining a 3D reference solution for reference position coordinates of an positioning device by using a plurality of available radio signals emanating from an integer N number of available radio sources at time t; wherein 3D solution includes a reference 3D altitude of said positioning device at Epoch (t); (B) obtaining a barometric altitude of the positioning device at each Epoch; (C) if a trigger event occurs at Epoch (t+1), generating an updated altitude of the positioning device at Epoch (t+1) by using the reference 3D altitude obtained at Epoch (t) and by using the barometric altitude obtained at Epoch (t) and obtained at Epoch (t+1); and (D) using a position estimator to obtain 3D solution for position coordinates of the positioning device at Epoch (t+1) with improved accuracy by utilizing the updated altitude of the positioning device.

Abstract: A method for using an arbitrary shape 2-D poly-point path for an automatic vehicle guidance comprising the steps of: (A) determining a set of 2-D reference points; (B) selecting a set of 2-D interpolating curves to fit the set of 2-D reference points, wherein each 2-D interpolation curve connects a pair of 2-D reference points, and wherein each set of 2-D interpolation curves comprises a continuous 2-D poly-point path; and (C) calculating a steering angle to guide the vehicle along the continuous 2-D poly-point path.

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. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.

Abstract: A laser receiver detects a thin beam of laser light and distinguishes between the beam of laser light and an omni-directional pulse of light from a strobe by the use of an additional photo-detector. The device takes into account the possibility that the additional photo-detector could be illuminated simultaneously with the main photo-detectors at the end of the main photo-detectors closest to the additional photo-detector.