Abstract: A method of determining the orientation of a robotic machine at a worksite contemplates providing a target on the machine, moving the target to a first position on said machine, determining the location of the first position in the worksite, moving the target to a second position on said machine, and determining location of the second position in the worksite. The first and second positions are known with respect to the machine. Finally, a vector between the first and second locations defines the orientation of the machine with respect to the worksite. The target may be moved to additional positions on the machine.

Abstract: A tower crane load location determiner is disclosed. One example includes a load location measurer to provide load location measurement information for a load coupled with a tower crane. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the load location measurement information to determine a location of the load. A user accessible load location provider provides the determined location of the load.

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).

Abstract: A method includes acquiring imaging data of a scene using an imaging tool. The method also includes processing the imaging data to create a three-dimensional representation of the scene and extracting radio frequency identification (RFID) data stored in an RFID tag. The method further includes using the RFID data for placing an object in the scene that is not yet part of the scene.

Abstract: A method for performing point-to-point measurements includes (i) determining a distance to a first point and obtaining an image at a first pose, and (ii) determining a distance to a second point and obtaining an image at a second pose. The images have an overlapping portion. A change in pose between the first pose and the second pose is determined using observed changes between common features in the overlapping portion of the images and a scale associated with the images. A distance between the first point and the second point is determined based on the first distance, the second distance, and the change in pose between the first pose and the second pose.

Abstract: A method for integrating position information is disclosed. In one embodiment, the position data of an object embedded in a material at a worksite is recorded. The position data is used to update a record showing the position of the object as an embedded object. The position of the embedded object is displayed at a handheld tool.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operational parameters of a wireless reader device and/or one or more other devices based on proximity of the wireless reader device to a wireless electronic circuit. At a first location, the wireless reader device and/or the one or more other devices are controlled based on a first operational parameter. At a second location, interrogation signals are transmitted from the wireless reader device, and response signals are received at the wireless reader device. The response signals are transmitted from the wireless electronic circuit in response to receiving the interrogation signals from the wireless reader device. The response signals convey a control parameter to the wireless reader device that is associated with a second operational parameter. Thereafter, the wireless reader device and/or the one or more other devices are controlled based on the second operational parameter.

Abstract: A system for determining a location within an area defined by a grid of radio-frequency (RF) tag circuits includes RF exciters that are configured to emit unmodulated RF energy. The grid of the RF tag circuits are configured to receive the unmodulated RF energy from one or more of the RF exciters and to emit modulated RF energy. Each RF tag circuit may store information associated with a location of the RF tag circuit within the area and the modulated RF energy emitted from each RF tag circuit may carry the information.

Abstract: A method for locating a point of interest in a plurality of images is provided where the plurality of images capture different views of a scene. At least portions of each of the views are displayed in separate windows on a display monitor. The method includes identifying the point of interest in a first view of the scene and identifying pixels of image data that correspond to the selected point on the display monitor. A line in each of the views is determined that extends along a ray that passes through the point of interest in the scene to pixels of an image sensor corresponding to the pixels of image data in the first view of the scene. The line is displayed in each of the views in which the line is visible.

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

Abstract: A method for post-processing georeferenced mapping data includes providing positioning data indicating a position of a data acquisition system in a defined space at specific moments in time, providing ranging data indicating relative position of objects in the defined space with respect to the data acquisition system at the specific moments in time, performing a smoothing process on the positioning data to determine smoothed best estimate of trajectory (SBET) data for trajectory of the data acquisition system, performing a scan matching process on the SBET data and the ranging data to identify objects and/or object features in the defined space, performing a process to revise the SBET data so that the SBET data aligns with the identified objects and/or object features and storing the revised SBET data with the range data.

Abstract: A video alignment system is described in which the location of a modulated spot in a video scene is estimated with correlation techniques including tracking multiple camera phase shift candidates and normalizing correlation sums with a voting system.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator is disclosed. One example includes at least four RFID components to provide RFID range measurements between the at least four RFID components. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the RFID range measurements to determine a location of the load. A load information generator provides the location of the load information suitable for subsequent access by a user.

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 computer-implemented method of providing georeferenced information regarding a location of capture of an image is provided. The method includes receiving a first image at an image-based georeferencing system, the first image comprising digital image information and identifying a cataloged second image that correlates to the first image. The method further includes automatically determining reference features common to both the second image and the first image, accessing geographic location information related to the common reference features, utilizing the geographic location information related to the common features to determine a georeferenced location of capture of the first image and providing the georeferenced location of capture for access by a user of the image-based georeferencing system.

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.

Abstract: A method for detecting a lane change by a moving vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, it is detected that a first heading of a moving vehicle has met a parameter defining a stable heading. It is then detected that a second heading of the moving vehicle has subsequently met a parameter defining an unstable heading. It is then detected that a third heading of the moving vehicle has subsequently met a parameter defining a stable heading within a pre-determined time parameter and that the third heading equals the first heading within a pre-defined margin. An indication is then generated that the moving vehicle has performed a lane change.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic asset classification is disclosed. According to one embodiment, at least one asset characteristic is received from a reporting source and a method automatically associates the asset characteristic with a graphical representation of the asset based on the asset characteristic. The method further provides the graphical representation of the asset on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: A method of milling asphalt is disclosed. The result of a survey of the unmilled asphalt pavement surface adjacent to the area to be milled is received. The result of the survey is stored in a computer memory. A map of the design surface specifying the design elevation of the milled surface over the area to be milled is stored in the computer memory. The relative elevation of the unmilled asphalt pavement surface adjacent to the area to be milled with respect to the machine body and rotatable milling drum of an asphalt milling machine is sensed. The elevation of the bottom surface of the rotatable milling drum is determined using a computer processor. The elevation of the milling machine body and the rotatable milling drum is automatically adjusted such that the milling drum mills the asphalt surface to the design elevation over the area to be milled.

Abstract: Sugar cane yield mapping improves the efficiency of sugar cane farming with benefits to both sugar producers and consumers.