Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset embedded within the cellular device is accessed. The GNSS chipset calculates raw pseudoranges. The raw pseudoranges are extracted from the GNSS chipset for processing elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GNSS chipset. A position fix is calculated based on the raw pseudoranges. At a first point in time, a first image, and at a second point in time, a second image are obtained with an image capturing device that is in a known physical relationship with the cellular device. An estimate of a distance that the cellular device moved from the first point in time to the second point in time is calculated by processing image data collected from the first point in time to the second point in time. The position fix is processed based on the estimate of the distance.

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

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag distance measuring system and method is disclosed. One example includes a first replica path that receives a signal that is simultaneously transmitted to an RFID tag. The first replica path includes a plurality of taps at known distances along the first replica path. Each of the plurality of taps has a first tap input coupled with the first replica path. In addition, an RFID signal receiver receives a return signal from the RFID tag and provides the return signal along a measurement input, wherein each of the plurality of taps have a second tap input coupled with the measurement path. A distance determiner detects at least the first of the plurality of taps to have an output and determine a distance measurement to the RFID tag based thereon.

Abstract: A method of implementing accurate digitization from a georeferenced image is described. In one embodiment, at least one set of coordinates which have been measured at a point of interest is received. A correction is then determined which describes a difference between the at least one set of coordinates and a set of georeferenced coordinates from a georeferenced image of the point of interest which describes the position of the point of interest.

Abstract: Improving wind-based piezoelectric power conversion is provided. For example, a piezoelectric element affixed to a vibratory member is provided. A rigid mounting system coupled with a rotatable base is provided for said vibratory member on one end of the vibratory member. A solar generator is coupled with the rigid mounting system and at least one obstacle is provided located on the flexing side of the vibratory member. The obstacle induces a vortex in the wind passing the obstacle and arriving at the vibratory member, which enhances wind-induced displacement in the vibratory member.

Abstract: A stand-alone radio frequency (RF) hardware component comprises first and second antennas, a digitizer, a serializer, and a serial output. The first antenna receives, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna receives, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. The digitizer digitizes the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and digitizes the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. The serializer serializes the digitized GNSS signals into a serialized output signal. The serial output communicatively couples the digitized GNSS signals, as the serialized output signal, directly from the RF hardware component to a communication device that is removably couplable with the stand-alone RF hardware component.

Abstract: A vehicle-based radio frequency (RF) hardware component comprises first and second antennas, a digitizer, a serializer, and a serial output. The first antenna receives, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna receives, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. The digitizer digitizes the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and digitizes the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. The serializer serializes the digitized GNSS signals into a serialized output signal. The serial output communicatively couples the digitized GNSS signals, as the serialized output signal, directly from a location in a vehicle of the radio frequency hardware component to a separate communication device that is also coupled with the vehicle.

Abstract: An indoor navigation system is based on a multi-beam laser projector, a set of calibrated cameras, and a processor that uses knowledge of the projector design and data on laser spot locations observed by the cameras to solve the space resection problem to find the location and orientation of the projector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for image based positioning comprising capturing a first image with an image capturing device. Wherein said first image includes at least one object. Moving the platform and capturing a second image with the image capturing device. The second image including the at least one object. Capturing in the first image an image of a surface; capturing in the second image a second image of the surface. Processing the plurality of images of the object and the surface using a combined feature based process and surface tracking process to track the location of the surface. Finally, determining the location of the platform by processing the combined feature based process and surface based process.

Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset embedded within the cellular device is accessed. The GNSS chipset calculates raw pseudoranges. The raw pseudoranges are extracted from the GNSS chipset for processing elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GNSS chipset. A position fix is determined based on the raw pseudoranges. Locally measured cellular device movement information is obtained from at least one sensor that is in a known physical relationship with the cellular device. The locally measured cellular device movement information is applied to the position fix.

Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset embedded within the cellular device is accessed. The GNSS chipset calculates raw observables that include raw pseudoranges and carrier phase information. The raw observables are extracted from the GNSS chipset for processing elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GNSS chipset. Smoothed pseudoranges are provided by smoothing the raw pseudoranges based on the carrier phase information. The accessing, the extracting and the providing are performed by one or more hardware processors located in the cellular device and outside of the GNSS chipset.

Abstract: A method of surveying may include determining a location of a surveying tool, determining a location of a position of interest, detecting an RFID tag associated with the position of interest, and decoding information stored in the RFID tag. The information stored in the RFID tag may include a reference to information stored remote from the RFID tag.

Abstract: The cellular device accesses a GPS/GNSS chipset embedded within the cellular device. The GPS/GNSS chipset calculates pseudorange information for use by the GPS/GNSS chipset. The cellular device extracts the pseudorange information from the GPS/GNSS chipset for use elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GPS/GNSS chipset.

Abstract: A method of extracting pseudorange information using a cellular device. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset which is physically remote from a cellular device is accessed which provides raw GNSS observables information based upon signals received from a circularly polarized GNSS antenna. The raw GNSS observables information is wirelessly transmitted from the GNSS chipset to the cellular device. The raw GNSS observables information is extracted by a processor of the cellular device. The raw GNSS observables information, in addition to GNSS corrections from at least one correction source, is used by the processor to determine a position of the circularly polarized GNSS antenna.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for image based positioning comprising capturing a first image with an image capturing device. Wherein said first image includes at least one object. Moving the platform and capturing a second image with the image capturing device. The second image including the at least one object. Capturing in the first image an image of a surface; capturing in the second image a second image of the surface. Processing the plurality of images of the object and the surface using a combined feature based process and surface tracking process to track the location of the surface. Finally, determining the location of the platform by processing the combined feature based process and surface based process.

Abstract: A method of determining a tilt angle and a tilt direction of a survey instrument includes capturing first images at a first location that include features from an environment around the survey instrument and capturing second images at a second location that include a portion of the features. A pose of the imaging device is determined at the second location using observed changes in location of a common portion of the features between the first images and the second images. The tilt angle and the tilt direction of the survey instrument at the second location are determined using the pose of the imaging device.

Abstract: A navigational apparatus includes a visual display, first and second imaging devices, and one or more processors. The first imaging device has an optical axis extending in a first direction and is configured to obtain first image data. The second imaging device has an optical axis extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to obtain second image data. When the visual display is displaying first image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a first navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the first image data associated with the point of interest. When the visual display is displaying second image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a second navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the second image data associated with the point of interest.

Abstract: A survey instrument conveyance is disclosed. One embodiment includes a mobile platform having a set of wheels attached thereto. In addition, a mechanical coupling assembly is used to couple a survey instrument to the mobile platform. An adjustable position mechanism is coupled to the mechanical coupling assembly to raise and lower the survey instrument relative to the mobile platform.

Abstract: A self-contained, free-standing vision-based health assessment/vision correction prescription system is provided, with a variety of health assessment sensors and vision correction sensors offered in a single, self-contained, Internet-connected facility that allows automated fulfillment of items that address the needs of a user that are determined by a vision/health assessment.

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 generated with a GNSS receiver on-board the LEO satellite. Corrections are received at the LEO satellite. The corrections are processed on-board the LEO satellite such that a corrected LEO satellite position estimate of the LEO satellite is generated for the first position estimate.