Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating elevations, including without limitation tools and techniques that employ mobile stations with laser detectors for receiving a beam emitted from a laser source and estimating an elevation of the mobile station based on the received beam. In some instances, a mobile station may be configured to identify, based on some or all of a variety of factors, a situation in which the elevation of the detector is likely to change to the extent that the slope of the emitter needs to be adjusted to account for this change in elevation. The mobile station may also be configured to inform the laser source that the slope of the emitted beam should be adjusted. In response, the laser source may adjust the slope of the emitted beam accordingly.

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: An automated management system for managing data, outage repair, load switching, job workflow and crew dispatching, crew workflow, installation, maintenance and restoration of utility services by integrating geographic information systems (GIS) data with many other data sources so as to gather, transform, manipulate, analyze, and produce desired information for continuously supplying utility and relevant services. The data sources include customer information systems (CIS) and billing data, interactive voice recognition (IVR) call management data, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), mobile crew management (MCM) data, automatic meter reading (AMR) data, automated vehicle location (AVL) data, engineering analysis data supported by 3rd party software packages (such as load monitoring and balancing), etc. In particular, the system allows an on-site engineer to retrieve data (ex. field maps, work orders, codes) or enter, via a portable device, inspection data (ex.

Abstract: A position determination method in a mobile unit uses the telephone number of a wireline telephone and a reverse phone-book operation for determining the location of a mobile unit. In one embodiment, a method for determining the location of a mobile unit using a telephone number of a wireline telephone in the vicinity of the mobile unit includes receiving at a server the telephone number transmitted from the mobile unit using wireless communication through a data network, retrieving an address associated with the telephone number in the server, and retrieving a location of the mobile unit based on the address. The server may provide location-relevant information using the location information. The system and method of the present invention provides a low cost solution to position determination in wireless hand-held devices and can be used to supplement the conventional positioning systems.

Abstract: In method of correcting for drift in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, a broadcast orbit in use at the GNSS receiver is nudged based on a first message received from a GNSS base station. The nudging creates a first nudged broadcast orbit for a GNSS satellite, the first nudged broadcast orbit being more precise than the broadcast orbit. A second message is received from the GNSS base station. Information included in the second message is employed to determine a drift rate of the first nudged broadcast orbit relative to a more precise orbit in use at the GNSS base station. Based upon the second message, the broadcast orbit is nudged to create a second nudged broadcast orbit for the GNSS satellite. A component of the drift rate is corrected for, relative to the second nudged broadcast orbit.

Abstract: In a method of conveying information regarding an orbit used at a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base station to a GNSS receiver, a satellite position is determined for a particular time from an orbit of a GNSS satellite. An ambiguity value is extracted from the satellite position. The ambiguity value is extracted based upon a satellite position determination margin of error of a GNSS receiver. The ambiguity value is encoded into an encoded ambiguity value which is assembled into a message. The message also includes a time tag representing the particular time. The message is transmitted from the GNSS base station. The encoded ambiguity value and the time tag convey information regarding the orbit to a GNSS receiver in receipt of the message.

Abstract: An integrated guidance system is disclosed. The integrated guidance system includes a position determination system adapted for determining a current position. Additionally, the integrated guidance system further includes a lightbar device adapted for providing a visual representation of the deviation of the current position from a desired path to guide movement along the desired path. Furthermore, the integrated guidance system has a data input device, and a display device for displaying text and graphics. Moreover, the integrated guidance system includes a user interface system adapted for facilitating user interaction by integrating operation of the position determination system, the lightbar device, the data input device, and the display device. In an embodiment, the user interface system comprises a processor and processor-executable instructions for implementing a user interface.

Abstract: A method of covering an area with a compressible material, such as asphalt, to a desired elevation using a machine that deposits a layer of the compressible material of controlled thickness on a foundation surface, and then using a compacting machine to compact the compressible material to the desired elevation, includes the steps of determining the elevation of the foundation surface over the area, and determining the difference between the elevation of the foundation surface and the desired elevation over the area. A layer of the compressible material is deposited over the area. The layer has an upper surface that varies in elevation over the area, with the layer upper surface being higher in the areas having a lower foundation elevation and lower in the areas having a higher foundation elevation. The layer is sufficiently thick to allow for compression of the layer of compressible material over the area to the desired elevation.

Abstract: A vehicle and work attachment for the vehicle are disclosed in which the vehicle is of the type having a vehicle body, forward extending support arms, a motor-driven hydraulic fluid pump, hydraulic lines for carrying hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and hydraulic cylinders for moving the arms with respect to the body. Controls may be provided for controlling the valves that control supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders. These hydraulic valves may be mounted on the work attachment. Additionally, the work attachment may include hydraulic cylinders that are controlled by a control on the vehicle via valves mounted on the attachment. Processing circuitry on the attachment conditions the valve control signals. The attachment may also carry valves that control the supply of hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinders on the attachment for effecting movement of attachment elements. Quick connect hydraulic couplings facilitate changing attachments.

Abstract: The location of one of a series of construction points at an indoor construction site is established using a robotic total station and a handheld device. Construction data is inputted into the handheld device with the construction data defining a plurality of construction points at the construction site. One of the plurality of construction points is selected with the handheld device. Data regarding the selected construction point is then transmitted wirelessly from the handheld device to a robotic total station. The robotic total station generates a beam of laser light, and directs the beam of laser light from the robotic total station to the construction point. The construction point is defined by x and y coordinates, and by an assumed z coordinate. The actual z coordinate is that of a point on a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling or floor, having the same x and y coordinates. Through an iterative process, the location of the construction point is established.

Abstract: System and methods are described for assisting a contractor in managing information associated with a construction project. The amount of information relating to labor, materials, scheduling and billing and the number of individuals accessing the information can be overwhelmingly large for even a simple construction project. As such, the system and methods described are particularly useful for gathering, maintaining and disseminating the voluminous amount of information associated with a construction project. In one method, a drawing from a construction project is provided that has one or more intelligent objects. Information is then gathered relating to labor, materials and schedules for the project. The information is associated with the respective intelligent object and visually represented on the drawing. The drawing is displayed and certain aspects associated with the intelligent objects can be quickly identified.

Abstract: A digital camera for providing a short burst of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal samples in a picture data file with an approximate time for reading by a computer apparatus some time later for determining the geographical location and an accurate time of the picture.

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: The present invention provides operators the ability to follow a predetermined path and achieve desired digging depth by watching steering and elevation indicators of just one system. The indicators are activated by data derived from the interception of signals generated by a single laser transmitter and a receiver array mounted on the machine. The system according to the present invention uses the multiple, tilted fan beams provided by the laser transmitter to calculate elevation angle and azimuth of the tool carried by machine.

Abstract: A combination of a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and a method determine the elevation of the receiver with respect to the transmitter. The laser transmitter includes a a laser light source for providing a beam of laser light and an element for directing the beam. The beam diverges vertically and varies in intensity vertically. A laser receiver includes an array of laser beam detectors for detecting the beam and the variations in the beam intensity in a vertical direction. The vertical position of the laser receiver with respect to the laser transmitter can be determined in this manner. The beam varies in intensity vertically in a predetermined vertical pattern, and the laser receiver detects at least a portion of the pattern defined by the beam such that the portion of the beam detected by the laser receiver may be determined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing GPS pseudorange correction and carrier phase correction information for navigation or surveying activities over a selected geographic region S of arbitrary size. In a navigation mode, a virtual reference station (VRS), positioned near a selected location L, receives differential GPS (DGPS) correction signals, translates these signals into a selected format, and broadcasts this DGPS information in this format for use by a local user. In a survey mode, the VRS receives corrected GPS information, translates this information into a selected format and broadcasts this translated and corrected GPS information and the VRS location, for use by a mobile station in forming a baseline vector from the GPS mobile station to the VRS location.

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 angle measurement device includes a light source configured to emit light along an optical path and a patterned member positioned along the optical path and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The patterned member includes a periodic optical variation. Light passing through the patterned member provides a spatially modulated optical waveform. The angle measurement device also includes an imaging device positioned along the optical path and including a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed in an array configuration. The imaging device is configured to receive the spatially modulated optical waveform and provide a signal associated with light intensity at each of the plurality of photosensitive elements. The angle measurement device further includes an angle determination unit coupled to the imaging device and configured to compute a rotation angle of the patterned member based on a reference waveform and the provided signal.

Abstract: A method of communicating corrections for information related to satellite signals among global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers is described. An ionosphere correction for ionosphere signal path delay is determined for a first satellite. This ionosphere correction is then compared to an ionosphere correction for ionosphere signal path delay for a satellite assumed to be directly over the receiver. The receiver then sends a message which includes only the difference between the ionosphere correction for the actual observation and the ionosphere correction for a satellite assumed to be at the zenith.

Abstract: A format for providing messages among GNSS apparatus includes providing a message identification block and a message body. The message identification block includes information specifying a message length and a message type block specifying a message type. Rather than sending all data from one apparatus to another, ambiguous observation data is sent to conserve bandwidth. At the sender a deconstruction of GNSS code and carrier observations using knowledge of the signal structure and constellation geometry, together with simplifications of atmospheric models, allows removal from the observation data of that information which can be implicitly understood or recreated by the recipient. This enables only the necessary information to be packed for transmission to the recipient.