Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a positioning system including a positioning device and method for detecting light of fan shaped laser beam. The positioning device includes a detector for detecting light of the fan shaped laser beam rotating around a propagation axis with a direction of rotation and having two detector elements arranged in a known spatial relation for outputting a detection signal when irradiated. A position determining unit is used to obtain a first set of detection signals from the detector elements, to determine a first time relation between the detection signals of the first set, and to determine a positional relation between the detector and the propagation axis based on the first time relation.

Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described. Various parts of the navigation systems may be implemented in a smart-phone.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for measuring and managing plant growth with cell phones or similar devices are described.

Abstract: In a method for refining a position estimate of a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite a first position estimate of a LEO satellite is obtained with a GNSS receiver on-board the LEO satellite. The first position estimate is communicated to a Virtual Reference Station (VRS) processor. VRS corrections are received at the LEO satellite, the VRS corrections having been calculated for the first position estimate by the VRS processor. The VRS corrections are processed on-board the LEO satellite such that a VRS corrected LEO satellite position estimate of the LEO satellite is generated for the first position estimate.

Abstract: System and method for providing guidance control for machines. 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 control setting of the machine, configuring the control setting of the machine by the guidance controller based, at least in part, on the characteristic of the implement and controlling operation of the machine based on the control setting.

Abstract: In a method for construction equipment component location tracking, a wireless mesh network communication is initiated between a component monitor and a component information unit which is mechanically coupled with the component. A location of the component is accessed in response to a movement of the component. The location of the component is stored within the component information unit to facilitate location tracking of the component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for displaying data on a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, a first portion of accessed data is displayed on a portable electronic device. A motion detector responsive to motion in at least a single direction then detects a movement of the portable electronic device from a first position to a second position. In response to the motion detector detecting the movement, a second portion of the accessed data is automatically displayed by the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A laser transmitter projects a beam of laser light outward while raising and lowering the beam. The beam may define a conical surface of varying inclination. The transmitter includes a laser source that directs a beam generally vertically, and a beam diverting element. The beam diverting element is positioned in the path of the beam, intercepting the beam and redirecting it. The beam emerges from the transmitter as a non-vertical beam that is raised and lowered. The diverting element may include a pair of mirrors configured as a pentaprism, with one of the mirrors pivotable. Alternatively, the diverting element may include a plurality of micro mirrors. Also, the diverting element may include a conical reflector and an annular lens which is cyclically raised and lowered. The beam may be raised and lowered cyclically according to a predetermined schedule, or it may be raised and lowered non-cyclically.

Abstract: A system for externally augmented asset management is disclosed. According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting source about an asset is received. In addition, information from a second reporting source about the asset is also received. Information from a third reporting source about at least one environmental condition is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source, the information from the second reporting source and the third reporting source such that information from the first reporting source, the information from the second reporting source and the third reporting source can be collected or accessed from the database.

Abstract: A system for parametric modeling of a three-dimensional object has a processor running a software program operable to configure the object by defining a zone comprising a root of a tree hierarchy, the zone having a three-dimensional region defining an outer dimension of the object to be modeled; a part comprising a child of the zone, the part also having a component object to be modeled, wherein the component object is an element of the object; and a variable comprising a child of the part, wherein variable has data defining characteristics of the zone or part. A user interface can display a representation of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of surveying includes detecting an RFID tag associated with a position of interest and decoding information stored in the RFID tag to extract data associated with the position of interest. The method also includes presenting the data associated with the position of interest to an operator of a surveying tool.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to enhance and/or facilitate the collection, tracking, and/or verification of greenhouse gas emissions and/or savings, particularly (but not exclusively) in agricultural applications. Some tools, for example, can assist in the verification of carbon credits that may result from conservation tilling activities. Other embodiments can track greenhouse gas emissions that result from agricultural activities, including without limitation the application of pesticides, fertilizers, and/or other agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: An image-based georeferencing system comprises an image receiver, an image identification processor, a reference feature determiner, and a feature locator. The image receiver is configured for receiving a first image for use in georeferencing. The image comprises digital image information. The system includes a communicative coupling to a georeferenced images database of images. The image identification processor is configured for identifying a second image from the georeferenced images database that correlates to the first image. The system includes a communicative coupling to a geographic location information system. The reference feature determiner is configured for determining a reference feature common to both the second image and the first image. The feature locator is configured for accessing the geographic information system to identify and obtain geographic location information related to the common reference feature.

Abstract: A computer system for adaptive construction sequencing. In one embodiment, a scheduling component is used to access a schedule for completing a project is. A 3-dimensional (3-D) simulation component is used to generate a 3-D model of at least one component used in completing the project. The 3-D simulation component is used to generate a 3-D simulation showing the construction of the project in accordance with the schedule. A cost estimating component is used to generate a cost estimate of the cost of completing the project in accordance with the schedule.

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: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods and systems for communicating information to a roving positioning device. In one embodiment, a wireless communication device, a non-cellular wireless communication device, and a computer networking device for forwarding data packets are coupled with a bus. A request originating from a roving positioning device for a location-specific position data is received via the non-cellular wireless communication device. A controller coupled with the bus causes the request to be forwarded via the wireless communication device.

Abstract: An altimeter using speed, forward acceleration and yaw angle rate to measure altitude. The accuracy of the measurement may be improved by compensating for a position offset of an accelerometer; Kalman filtering with an external altitude measurement; and/or compensating for an accelerometer bias. The accelerometer bias may be calculated based on a last incline angle before a dormant time period and/or by Kalman filtering.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a data collector with expanded functionality and a method of enhancing revenue generation using a data collector with expanded functionality. In one embodiment, a central unit of a data collector is configured to receive a replaceable unit such that any one of a variety of replaceable units can be configure to be attached to said central unit.

Abstract: A system for limiting access to asset management information is disclosed. According to one embodiment, information is received from a first reporting source about an asset. Information from a second reporting source about the asset is also recited. The information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source is stored in a database such that the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source can be accessed from the database. A first entity is enabled to access a first subset of the information stored in the database while a second entity is not allowed to access the first subset of the information stored in the database.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly. In one embodiment, a signal is received indicating an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly. It is then determined that the input pressure comprises a valid input event and the coordinates of the valid input event are received from the touch screen assembly.