Abstract: Embodiments provided herein recite methods and systems for corroborating position system code from Navigation Satellite System (NSS) signals. In one embodiment, a NSS high yield module attempts to determine a high yield location solution based on a first set of PRN codes. In addition, a NSS high accuracy module attempts to determine a high accuracy location solution based on signal processing of the same first set of PRN codes. A location solution corroborator module receives input from both the NSS high yield module and the NSS high accuracy module and generates a corroborated location solution. In one embodiment, a position provider outputs the corroborated location solution.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network. In one embodiment, configuration data comprising a unique identification of a mobile electronic device and an assigned membership of the mobile electronic device to a workgroup is received. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the mobile electronic device based upon the assigned membership of the mobile electronic device to the workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the mobile electronic device via a wireless communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a Q value for a subsequent inventory round can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator determining at least one of: a number of empty slots, a number of collided slots, and a number of singly occupied slots, in response to the completion of an inventory round, and applying a function to at least one of: the number of empty slots, the number collided slots, and the number of singly occupied slots, to determine the Q value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection utilizing a legacy electronic device. In one embodiment, a GIS data collector application is installed upon a legacy electronic device which is not originally intended to be used as a GIS data recording device. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the legacy electronic device based upon an assigned membership of the legacy electronic device to a workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the legacy electronic device via a wireless communication network.

Abstract: In a method of autonomous orbit projection performed within a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, distinct broadcast orbits are received over time from a GNSS satellite during operation of the GNSS receiver. A plurality of the distinct broadcast orbits are stored within the GNSS receiver. Within the GNSS receiver, a plurality of the stored broadcast orbits are converted into a time series of range data for the GNSS satellite. A projected orbit for the GNSS satellite is determined by utilizing the time series of range data as an input to an orbit projector of the GNSS receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for provisioning a Java equipped cellular telephone. In one embodiment, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collector application is uploaded onto a Java equipped cellular telephone for enabling the Java equipped cellular telephone to perform GIS data collection functions. The method further comprises uploading a data dictionary onto the Java equipped cellular telephone comprising at least one GIS feature type.

Abstract: An operator controllable machine is retrofitted to be operator controlled or to be automatically controlled. An electrical joystick output is provided by a manually actuated joystick control, including a joystick, to a machine control in the manually controlled machine. An interface is added between the joystick control and the machine control to permit an external source, such as a GPS receiver or a laser receiver, to apply an electrical automatic control output to the machine control, as well. The interface includes a number of optical isolation circuits and a microprocessor. The isolated microprocessor output is supplied to the machine control, which produces valve control signals to control the hydraulic valves of the machine. The application of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders of the machine is then controlled by either the joystick control output or the automatic control output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for upgrading a legacy cellular device. In one embodiment, a GIS data collector application for enabling a cellular telephone to perform GIS data collector functions is installed upon a cellular telephone which is not originally intended to be used as a GIS data recording device. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the cellular telephone based upon an assigned membership of the cellular telephone to a workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the cellular telephone via a wireless communication network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection network. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a mobile electronic device that was not originally intended for use as a GIS data collector. The present invention further comprises a data dictionary forwarding device communicatively coupled with the mobile electronic device and a GIS data management component communicatively coupled with the data dictionary forwarding device for receiving GIS data collected by the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for improved productivity in determining static position of an antenna of a GNSS rover, such as in stop-and-go surveying. Computer-implemented methods and apparatus provide for determining a static position of an antenna of a GNSS rover from observations of GNSS signals collected at the antenna over multiple epochs and from correction data for at least one of the epochs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals of a first set of satellites having at least three carriers and signals of a second set of satellites having two carriers. A geometry filter uses a geometry filter combination to obtain an array of geometry-filter ambiguity estimates for the geometry filter combination and associated statistical information. Ionosphere filters use a two-frequency ionospheric combination to obtain an array of ionosphere-filter ambiguity estimates for the two-frequency ionospheric combinations and associated statistical information. Each two-frequency ionospheric combination comprises a geometry-free two-frequency ionospheric residual carrier-phase combination of observations of a first frequency and observations of a second frequency.

Abstract: A spreader control system digitally filters noisy load cell measurements and inaccurate flow rate measurements to form an optimal estimate of material weight in a spreader bin. This estimate may be combined with spreader swath width and vehicle speed to determine application rate. When actuators for parameters such as apron speed or gate size are available, spreading rates may be controlled with active feedback.

Abstract: An exclusion zone compliance circuit comprises a terrestrial radio signal reception component for receiving a terrestrial radio signal comprising a unique identification of a transmission source. A non-volatile memory component of the circuit stores an encrypted data set describing boundaries of an exclusion zone. A navigation data deriving component of the circuit accesses a data set and compares the unique identification with a station identification of the transmission source and the geographic position of the transmission source. The navigation data deriving component derives a geographic position of the exclusion zone compliance circuit and determines whether the exclusion zone compliance circuit is located within an exclusion zone. A data blocking component of the circuit accesses the encrypted data set. A data control component of the exclusion zone compliance circuit blocks output of a signal in response to an indication that the circuit is located within an exclusion zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating parameters, i.e. ambiguities, derived from GNSS signals. Observations of a GNSS signal from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites are obtained (2120). The observations are fed to a filter having a state vector comprising a float ambiguity for each received frequency of the GNSS signals (2140). The filter estimates a float value for each float ambiguity of the state vector and co-variance values associated with the state vector. Integer values are assigned to at least a subgroup of the estimated float values to define a plurality of integer ambiguity candidate sets (2160). A weighted average of the candidate sets is formed (2200). A formal precision value based on covariance values of the filter is determined (2205), the formal precision value being a measure for an achievable precision. An achieved precision value of the weighted average is determined (2210).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals of a first set of satellites having at least three carriers and signals of a second set of satellites having two carriers. A geometry filter uses a geometry filter combination to obtain an array of geometry-filter ambiguity estimates for the geometry filter combination and associated statistical information. Ionosphere filters use a two-frequency ionospheric combination to obtain an array of ionosphere-filter ambiguity estimates for the two-frequency ionospheric combinations and associated statistical information. Each two-frequency ionospheric combination comprises a geometry-free two-frequency ionospheric residual carrier-phase combination of observations of a first frequency and observations of a second frequency.

Abstract: Tools for synchronizing survey data between one or more survey devices and a surveying office application. The disclosed tools can help to ensure that each of the devices, and the office application, have consistent data. An exemplary tool might detect a change to data in an office application, identify any affected files on one or more survey devices, and ensure that the affected files are updated with the appropriate information. Conversely, in other aspects, a data inconsistency (which might be caused by a data change in the office application and/or on one or more of the survey devices) might be detected, and tools might be provided to enable a user to ensure that the correct version of the data is maintained by the system.

Abstract: A surveying apparatus includes a support structure and a reflective surface mechanically coupled to the support structure. The reflective surface is configured to receive panoramic data over a 360° field of view. The surveying apparatus also includes an optical system mechanically coupled to the support structure and optically coupled to the reflective surface. The surveying apparatus further includes an imaging system mechanically coupled to the support structure and optically coupled to the optical system and a processor. The processor is configured to receive data from the imaging system and compute an angular measurement based on the received data.

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.