Patents by Inventor John F. Cameron

John F. Cameron has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9729943
    Abstract: A utility meter reporting network is disclosed. In one embodiment, an end-point reporting device is configured to collect utility usage data and to convey the utility usage data to a gateway device via a first Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) radio communication link using a first ISM transceiver operable in the 902 MHz to 928 MHz range. The network further comprises a gateway device comprising a second ISM transceiver for receiving the utility usage data from the end point and a wireless transceiver which is configured to send the utility usage data via an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 compliant wireless communication link. The network further comprises a utility office which receives the utility usage data from said gateway device via said IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: TRIMBLE INC.
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Mark Kuhl
  • Patent number: 9591441
    Abstract: A method and system for long-life asset tracking is disclosed. One example utilizes an activation module to provide an activation signal to at least a portion of the long-life asset tracker. A position determiner receives the activation signal and determines a location of the long-life asset tracker with a first level of accuracy or a second level of accuracy, wherein the second level of accuracy is more accurate than the first level of accuracy and wherein a default mode of operation is to utilize a radio locator for position determination instead of a navigation satellite system module to extend the life of a power source of the long-life asset tracker. An information provider module to broadcast the location of the long-life asset tracker is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kuhl, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9547088
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining a working arm point angle of the crane. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver antenna is disposed on a point along a boom assembly of the crane configured to pivot about a pivot point. A location of the pivot point is received. A working arm of the crane is rotated about the pivot point to point in a current direction. A current location of the GNSS receiver antenna is determined. A current working arm pointing angle relative to a reference direction for the current direction of the working arm is determined based on the current location of the GNSS receiver antenna and the location of the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Jean-Charles Delplace, Nicholas C. Talbot, Kevin Legendre
  • Patent number: 9548602
    Abstract: A ruggedized electronic enclosure for in-ground installation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ruggedized electronic enclosure comprises a top cover which is exposed above a top surface of the ground and a cylindrical base portion which is embedded within the ground. The top cover and the cylindrical base portion are configured to create a channel conveying an adhesive toward the center of the ruggedized enclosure when the top cover and the cylindrical base portion are coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Larry Collins, Daniel Shane Fitzgibbons
  • Patent number: 9522809
    Abstract: In a method for determining a tilt angle of a crane, a portion of the crane is rotated about a pivot point. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver antenna is disposed on the portion of said crane. At least three locations of the GNSS receiver antenna are determined by a GNSS receiver in a geo-referenced coordinate system during the rotating. A tilt angle of the crane based on the at least three locations of said GNSS receiver antenna is determined by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Curt A. Conquest, John F. Cameron, Douglas Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20160159620
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator and sway indicator includes: a plurality of RFID tags at different locations on or around the crane; at least two RFID readers at different locations on the crane; a navigation satellite system (NSS) position receiver; and a load information interface. The RFID readers comprise a range determiner to provide range measurements between each of the RFID readers and each of the RFID tags. The sway determiner is coupled with a hook block of the crane. The NSS position receiver is coupled with the crane and comprises an antenna fixedly coupled with approximately the front of a jib of the crane. The load information interface combines information from range measurements, the sway determiner and the NSS position receiver to generate location and sway information of the load with respect to the crane and provide this information in a user accessible format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Kurtis L. Maynard, Curt A. Conquest, Gregory C. Best
  • Patent number: 9359177
    Abstract: A method of lifting device collision avoidance is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a three dimensional position of a collision avoidance sensor unit coupled with a load line of a first lifting device, the determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of the collision avoidance sensor unit, generating a geofence for the first lifting device based at least in part on the collision avoidance sensor unit position, monitoring for a collision related hazard indicated by encroachment between the first geofence and a second geofence associated with a second lifting device and initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of the collision related hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9352940
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator and sway indicator includes: a plurality of RFID tags at different locations on or around the crane; at least two RFID readers at different locations on the crane; a navigation satellite system (NSS) position receiver; and a load information interface. The RFID readers comprise a range determiner to provide range measurements between each of the RFID readers and each of the RFID tags. The sway determiner is coupled with a hook block of the crane. The NSS position receiver is coupled with the crane and comprises an antenna fixedly coupled with approximately the front of a jib of the crane. The load information interface combines information from range measurements, the sway determiner and the NSS position receiver to generate location and sway information of the load with respect to the crane and provide this information in a user accessible format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Kurtis L. Maynard, Curt A. Conquest, Gregory C. Best
  • Patent number: 9296594
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator and sway indicator is disclosed and includes: a plurality of RFID tags at different locations on or around the tower crane; at least two RFID readers at different locations on the tower crane; a navigation satellite system (NSS) position receiver; and a load information interface. The RFID readers comprising a range determiner to provide range measurements between each of the RFID readers and each of the plurality of RFID tags. The sway determiner is coupled with a hook block of the tower crane. The NSS position receiver is coupled with the tower crane. The load information interface to combine information from range measurements, the sway determiner and the NSS position receiver to generate location and sway information of the load with respect to the tower crane and provide the location and sway information in a user accessible format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Kurt Maynard, Curt Conquest, Gregory C. Best
  • Patent number: 9290361
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprises a housing, a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The first GNSS receiver is coupled with the housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. The wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the sensor unit position to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9278833
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprising a housing, a load monitor, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The load monitor is coupled with the housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load. The wireless is transceiver coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position and the load orientation to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20160066138
    Abstract: A method and system for long-life asset tracking is disclosed. One example utilizes an activation module to provide an activation signal to at least a portion of the long-life asset tracker. A position determiner receives the activation signal and determines a location of the long-life asset tracker with a first level of accuracy or a second level of accuracy, wherein the second level of accuracy is more accurate than the first level of accuracy and wherein a default mode of operation is to utilize a radio locator for position determination instead of a navigation satellite system module to extend the life of a power source of the long-life asset tracker. An information provider module to broadcast the location of the long-life asset tracker is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Kuhl, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9269255
    Abstract: Systems and methods for warning of proximity in a worksite are disclosed. A second transceiver is detected at a first transceiver, wherein the first transceiver is a mobile wearable device, and wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are located at a worksite. An ad-hoc network is established, at the first transceiver, between the first transceiver and the second transceiver. A distance is calculated, at the first transceiver, in three dimensions between the first transceiver and the second transceiver based on the detecting the second transceiver. A first safety envelope is defined, at the first transceiver, about the first transceiver and a second safety envelope about the second transceiver. An alarm is issued, at the first transceiver, when the first safety envelope comes in contact with the second safety envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Eric Beaulieu, Gregory C. Best, Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9248998
    Abstract: A method of lifting device load hazard avoidance is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a three dimensional position of a load hazard avoidance sensor unit coupled with a load line of a lifting device, the determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of the load hazard avoidance sensor unit, monitoring for a load related hazard in a vicinity of a load coupled with the load line, the monitoring performed by a load monitor coupled with the housing and initiating at least one load related hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of the load related hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9227820
    Abstract: A mobile construction device sensor unit comprises a point-to-point radio ranging system and a position determining component. The point-to-point radio ranging system is configured to couple with a mobile construction device. The position determining component is coupled with the point-to-point radio ranging system and is configured for determining a position of the sensor unit in at least two dimensions based on communications between the point-to-point radio ranging system and a plurality of tags respectively located at a plurality of knowable locations within an operating environment of the mobile construction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Gregory C. Best, Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9185517
    Abstract: A method and system for long-life asset tracking is disclosed. One example utilizes an activation module to provide an activation signal to at least a portion of the long-life asset tracker. A position determiner receives the activation signal and determines a location of the long-life asset tracker with a first level of accuracy or a second level of accuracy, wherein the second level of accuracy is more accurate than the first level of accuracy and wherein a default mode of operation is to utilize a radio locator for position determination instead of a navigation satellite system module to extend the life of a power source of the long-life asset tracker. An information provider module to broadcast the location of the long-life asset tracker is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Mark Kuhl, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9156167
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a lifting device is disclosed. The method receives location information from a position determiner module coupled with a point of interest associated with the lifting device and determines an autonomous position of the point of interest based on the location information. The method further includes monitoring the lifting device based on the autonomous position of the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9121939
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for calibrating a crane for crane geometry. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver antenna is disposed on a point along a boom assembly of the crane, the crane configured to pivot about a pivot point. A working arm of the crane is rotated about the pivot point to at least three different positions. Three locations are determined in a geo-referenced coordinate system of the at least three different positions. A location of the pivot point is determined based on the three locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: John F. Cameron, Jean-Charles Delplace, Nicholas C. Talbot, Kevin Legendre
  • Patent number: 9067767
    Abstract: A hook block sensor assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hook block sensor comprises a housing configured to removably couple about a lifting hook of a lifting device, a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with the housing and configured for determining a hook block sensor assembly position in three dimensions, a load monitor coupled with the housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with the lifting hook, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load and a wireless transceiver coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position, the load orientation, and the hook block sensor assembly position, to a display unit located apart from the hook block sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20150161872
    Abstract: Systems and methods for warning of proximity in a worksite are disclosed. A second transceiver is detected at a first transceiver, wherein the first transceiver is a mobile wearable device, and wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are located at a worksite. An ad-hoc network is established, at the first transceiver, between the first transceiver and the second transceiver. A distance is calculated, at the first transceiver, in three dimensions between the first transceiver and the second transceiver based on the detecting the second transceiver. A first safety envelope is defined, at the first transceiver, about the first transceiver and a second safety envelope about the second transceiver. An alarm is issued, at the first transceiver, when the first safety envelope comes in contact with the second safety envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric BEAULIEU, Gregory C. BEST, Kurtis L. MAYNARD, John F. CAMERON