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 method of eliminating user position biases caused by satellite constellation changes or differential signal gain/loss is provided. The method comprises: (A) substantially continuously determining an unbiased user's position by using a radio receiver”; (B) detecting a “detectable event” by using the radio receiver; (C) measuring a bias caused by the detectable event; (D) performing an update process by accumulating each bias caused by at least one detectable event to generate an accumulated bias; and (E) eliminating the accumulated bias at each Epoch by using a correction process.

Abstract: A method of dynamic switching of a plurality of carrier loops in a radio receiver. The method comprises: (A) receiving a radio signal from a radio source by using a carrier tracking loop; (B) substantially continuously estimating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received radio signal from the radio source; (C) if the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received radio signal from the radio source is above an initial predetermined threshold, performing carrier tracking of the received carrier signal by an initial carrier tracking loop having an initial accumulation period; and (D) if the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received radio signal from the radio source falls below the initial predetermined threshold; switching from the initial carrier tracking loop having the initial accumulation period to a subsequent carrier tracking loop having a subsequent accumulation period.

Abstract: An automatic control system for passive, towed implements is described. The system provides a strategy for optimal control of a towed implement using a nudge input to an autopilot-controlled tractor. Implement path-tracking error, as measured by a GNSS receiver, is consistently corrected to zero.

Abstract: A method of mobile radio positioning aided by a single fan self-surveying laser transmitter (SF_SS_LT), wherein a rover comprises a mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) integrated with a mobile laser detector; and wherein THE SF_SS_LT comprises a single fan laser transmitter and a positioning system integrated with the single fan laser transmitter. The method comprises: (A) performing self-surveying of the (SF_SS_LT); (B) generating a single fan laser beam by using the single fan laser transmitter; (C) detecting the single fan beam by using the mobile laser detector; and (D) timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location and using the timing of the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.

Abstract: A combined radio and laser positioning system comprising: a network of ground based radio communication devices, a laser transmitter configured to generate at least one laser beam, and at least one user unit. Each user unit comprises a radio receiver configured to receive at least one ranging radio signal transmitted by at least one ground based radio communication device, a laser detector configured to receive at least one laser beam generated by the laser transmitter, and a processor configured to convert a set of data including: {a set of data transmitted by at least one ranging radio signal, and a set of data transmitted by said at least one laser beam} into position coordinates of the user unit, wherein a set of vertical coordinates of the user unit is obtained with a laser-assisted (LA) accuracy.

Abstract: A method for substituting at least one high quality position measurement of an object taken before an interrupting event with a set of upgraded low quality position measurements of the object provided by the same source of measurements after the interrupting event.

Abstract: A method for configuring an electronic device comprising: (A) substantially continuously detecting motion of the electronic device using an initiating device disposed within the electronic device, the electronic device further comprising a position determining component, and a wireless communications component; (B) substantially continuously receiving at least one external radio signal by using an initially selected antenna of the position determining component; (C) if reception of at least one external radio signal is not optimized, using the antenna/power supply switch to switch radio signal path between the initially selected antenna and a subsequently selected antenna to optimize the reception of at least one external radio signal; and (D) using the wireless communications component to transmit the current status of the external/internal antenna to the position tracking station.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle at a substantially low speed based on change in the vehicle position. The method comprises the following steps: (A) transforming a steering control algorithm into a substantially low speed (SLS) steering control algorithm, wherein the (SLS) steering control algorithm is configured to operate the vehicle in an asynchronous low speed mode; and (B) implementing the SLS steering control algorithm as a controller configured to operate the vehicle in the asynchronous low speed mode.

Abstract: A method of determining speed and heading of a rover/rover having one degree of freedom comprising the following steps: (A) determining a rover position coordinates using at least one source of a radio position measurements; (B) storing a set of statistically different rover points in a memory block, and (C) using a subset of rover points including a plurality of stored rover points and a current rover point to determine a speed and a heading of the rover. It is assumed that each rover point comprises a time Epoch and a rover position determined at time Epoch, and that each pair of statistically different rover points comprises two rover positions separated by a statistically significant distance.

Abstract: An automatic control system for passive, towed implements is described. The system provides a strategy for optimal control of a towed implement using a nudge input to an autopilot-controlled tractor. Implement path-tracking error, as measured by a GNSS receiver, is consistently corrected to zero.

Abstract: A method of decoding a GPS carrier signal comprising: (A) receiving a phase modulated GPS signal by using a GPS antenna; (B) extracting a GPS data from the received phase modulated GPS signal; and (C) computing a total probability of a current GPS data bit being “one” or “zero” at a GPS time epoch by using a decoding algorithm.

Abstract: The method of mobile radio positioning aided by a single fan laser comprising: generating a single sloping fan beam by using a stationary fan laser transmitter positioned in a location with known coordinates; detecting the single sloping fan beam by using the mobile laser detector; receiving the averaged low-passed filtered estimate of angular rate of the laser beam; receiving the plurality of main time tags; receiving the plurality of additional time tags; and timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.

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.