Abstract: An apparatus and method using GPS for dynamically adjusting side-to-side positioning of a farm implement along a geographical path.

Abstract: A modulated laser light detector that converts laser light energy into electrical signals which exhibit a frequency that is substantially the same as the laser light modulation frequency, in which these signals allow the detector unit to determine a position where the laser light is impacting upon a photodiode array. A superheterodyne receiver circuit is used to provide high gain at an improved signal-to-noise ratio to improve the range at which the modulated laser light signal can be reliably detected. Various types of signal detection circuits are available. Various processing algorithms are disclosed, including one which rejects laser light strikes that are due to reflections, rather than due to a direct strike from the laser transmitter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for processing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. In one embodiment, at least one wide-band Radio Frequency (R/F) filter of a signal processing pathway is utilized to pass a plurality of signals from a plurality of satellite navigation systems as a combined signal set. The plurality of signals of the plurality of satellite navigation systems is split based upon the respective frequency of each of the plurality of signals to facilitate reducing the clock rate used to subsequently process each of the plurality of signals.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for tracking assets, such as high-value tools, customer equipment, testing equipment, technicians, and/or the like. Some of these tools and techniques can be used to track assets in a mobile environment (such as in a delivery truck, installation van, and/or the like).

Abstract: Described is a generalized approach for integer parameter estimation, especially in the context of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The problem solved is the case where a definitively correct integer solution cannot be identified for all ambiguity parameters in a reliable way. The proposed solution is to apply a linear transformation to the ambiguities (multiply with a matrix) such that the images of the first and the second candidate (or more) are identical. That way, from the first and second (and possibly more) candidates of the integer least-squares solution, a subset of ambiguity combinations is derived that can be fixed. Thus, it is no longer necessary to choose between the solutions as they coincide for the new ambiguities. The advantage of this approach is maximizing all information still available when finally deriving additional parameters such as position, clock error, atmospheric errors and/or time correlated noise.

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: System and method for providing consumables to machines. In one embodiment, machine data indicating a remaining quantity of a machine consumable for a machine may be received by a server. A location may be received by the server providing a location of the machine. An estimated operational duration for the machine may be determined and a supplier may be selected to provide the machine consumable based, at least in part, on the estimated operational duration. The supplier may be requested to provide the machine consumable to the machine within a time period based on the estimated operational duration.

Abstract: Vehicle maintenance-related services are provided from a server over a wide area network, such as the Internet. Under one method, a server that is accessible over the wide area network through a wireless communication link is provided. Then, in a vehicle, an apparatus is provided to collect, over a data bus in the vehicle, data relating to an operation of the vehicle. The data received from the data bus is then communicated to the server over the wireless communication link. Based on the data received at the server, the maintenance-related services is then initiated. The operation data of the vehicle can be collected from various subsystems of the vehicle, such as a brake sub-system, an engine sub-system and various sensors located at various subsystems of the vehicle. Under one mode of operation, the data collected from these subsystems are reported to the server at pre-determined time intervals.

Abstract: A generic navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal receiver having a fast time to first fix by calibrating a low power always-on real time clock (RTC). The receiver includes an RTC calibrator having a fraction calculator. The RTC calibrator may also include a time expander. Before the receiver is powered off, the fraction calculator uses the fine resolution of GNSS time for determining a time fraction for RTC time. When the receiver is powered back on, the time expander uses an estimate of RTC time drift during the time that GNSS receiver had power off and the time fraction for calibrating and increasing the resolution of the RTC time for an RTC time tick. A signal navigation processor uses the calibrated RTC time for assisting a first fix with code phase search, integration time periods, resolution of epoch integer and/or location-in-space of GPS satellites.

Abstract: A lightweight, powered screed machine for screeding the surface of a quantity of concrete having a pair of rails extending to either side, includes a frame having a handle arrangement, for manual engagement by an operator, and an elongated screed blade extending between the support rails. The machine further includes a powered vibration mechanism mounted on the frame. A pair of posts or masts are provided with one of the pair of posts attached to the frame adjacent each end of the blade and extending upward. Each of a pair of supports is positioned adjacent an associated end of the blade. Each support has rollers for engaging and riding on one of the pair of support rails, and each of the supports is attached to the frame so as to support the frame over the concrete. Each of the supports includes a linear actuator for raising and lowering the frame adjacent the rail. A pair of laser receivers is provided with each of the pair of laser receivers mounted on an associated one of the pair of posts.

Abstract: An improved position determination system and method are described. The method includes determining that a failure to generate an acceptable GNSS position fix has occurred. In response to determining that the failure to generate an acceptable GNSS position fix has occurred, terrestrial positioning information is accessed which is derived from at least one broadcast signal. A second position fix based upon the terrestrial positioning information is generated.

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 combination laser detector and global navigation satellite antenna has a laser detector positioned in a known and fixed relationship with the nominal phase center of an included global navigation satellite antenna. The offsets for these elements may be fixed, simplifying set up.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of data from a network of GNSS reference stations are presented. An ionosphere-free, federated geometry filter is employed so that computation time increases only linearly with the increase in number of reference stations, significantly reducing processing time as compared to a centralized filter approach.

Abstract: A system for measuring angles includes a housing and an imaging device disposed in the housing. The system also includes a first optical element disposed in the housing and configured to receive light propagating from a first target along a first optical path and direct the light toward the imaging device and receive light propagating from a second target along a second optical path and direct the light toward the imaging device. The system further includes a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device and configured to receive data from the imaging device, compute a 360° angular map based on the received data, and determine an angular separation between the first target and the second target.

Abstract: A method of determining an azimuth and elevation of a point in an image is provided. The method comprises positioning an imaging device at a first position and acquiring a first image. The method also comprises rotating the imaging device and acquiring a second image at the first position. The first image includes the point, and a portion of the first image overlaps a portion of the second image. The method also includes determining correspondences between features in overlapping portions of the images, determining a first transformation between coordinates of the first image and coordinates of the second image based on the correspondences, and determining a second transformation between the coordinates of the second image and a local coordinate frame. The method also includes computing the azimuth and elevation of the point based on the first transformation and the second transformation.

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: Methods and apparatus are provided for factorized processing of a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals having at least three carriers. A geometry filter is applied to the set of GNSS signal data using a geometry carrier-phase combination to obtain an array of ambiguity estimates for the geometry carrier-phase combination and associated statistical information. A bank of ionosphere filters is applied to the set of GNSS signal data using a geometry-free ionosphere carrier-phase combination to obtain an array of ambiguity estimates for the ionosphere carrier-phase combination and associated statistical information. At least one bank of Quintessence filters is applied to the set of GNSS signal data using a geometry-free and ionosphere-free carrier-phase combination to obtain an array of ambiguity estimates for the geometry-free and ionosphere-free carrier-phase combination and associated statistical information.

Abstract: System and method for providing position correction data over a data communications network. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a mobile device over a data communications network, wherein the request includes a user identification. The method may further include receiving geographic position of the mobile device, selecting a mountpoint based, at least in part, on one or more of the user identification and the geographic location of the mobile device, and transmitting the position correction data to the mobile device over the data communications network.