Abstract: This invention will enable anyone to take golf course pictures with a cell phone or digital camera, download them instantly for play on a golf simulation device, creating potentially thousands of virtual golf courses. The training method embodied in this invention will enable a golfer to play their simulated local golf course in as little as six to twelve minutes, with a visualization technique commonly used by professional golfers. This invention will create virtual golf courses for a fraction of the current cost, give golfers a reason to use simulators all year and help a struggling industry, while drawing more business to outdoor courses as golfers test their simulator training on the actual courses outside.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing communications service in a communications ring undergoing an upgrade process includes increasing an existing rate of a node to a higher rate. With the increase, the node is operable to transmit a second frame at the higher rate. The second frame has a higher number of time slots than a first frame having a number of slots equal to N. The method also includes occupying a number of the time slots of the second frame equal to N using data to be received by an existing node. The method also includes providing at least one identifier to the existing node that will receive the second frame. The identifier identifies the occupied time slots of the second frame. The method also includes transmitting the second frame of data to the existing node.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking and maintaining an inventory of location of containers that are stored on cargo ships or in a container yard. The system includes one or more sensors, such as GPS and INS sensors for obtaining real-time position information, as well as a processor configured to automatically provide post processing to recover lost data and to correct erroneous data, such as when real-time position signals are blocked or distorted, the post processing performed by estimating trajectories and correcting the location errors. Post-processed positioning techniques are continuously applied to the stored position data to iteratively determine calibrated position locations to provide calibrated second trajectory segments in a real-time fashion. The calibrated second trajectories are then used to identify the errors in the past real-time position data as soon as a segment of the second calibrated trajectory becomes statistically trustworthy.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for tracking and maintaining a highly accurate inventory of shipping containers that are stored within container storage facilities. The invention includes using multiple complementary real-time and post-processing positioning techniques associated with various positioning sensors that are associated with inventory pieces or equipment. Examples of such positioning techniques are DGPS, GPS with RTK, DGPS loosely-coupled with INS, DGPS tightly-coupled with INS, and DGPS deeply-coupled with INS. Data correction and fusion techniques are applied to these positioning stages to re-compute a calibrated position with an improved accuracy. An additional trajectory can be iteratively determined using the fusing technique until the position data becomes statistically trustworthy. Further, combinations of multiple real-time positioning techniques combined with past position error correction algorithms provide a high accuracy needed for inventory tracking.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for tracking and maintaining a highly accurate inventory of shipping containers that are stored within container storage facilities. The invention includes using multiple complementary real-time and post-processing positioning techniques associated with various positioning sensors that are associated with inventory pieces or equipment. Examples of such positioning techniques are DGPS, GPS with RTK, DGPS loosely-coupled with INS, DGPS tightly-coupled with INS, and DGPS deeply-coupled with INS. Data correction and fusion techniques are applied to these positioning stages to re-compute a calibrated position with an improved accuracy. An additional trajectory can be iteratively determined using the fusing technique until the position data becomes statistically trustworthy. Further, combinations of multiple real-time positioning techniques combined with past position error correction algorithms provide a high accuracy needed for inventory tracking.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking and maintaining an inventory of location of containers that are stored on cargo ships or in a container yard. The system includes one or more sensors, such as GPS and INS sensors for obtaining real-time position information, as well as a processor configured to automatically provide post processing to recover lost data and to correct erroneous data, such as when real-time position signals are blocked or distorted, the post processing performed by estimating trajectories and correcting the location errors. Post-processed positioning techniques are continuously applied to the stored position data to iteratively determine calibrated position locations to provide calibrated second trajectory segments in a real-time fashion. The calibrated second trajectories are then used to identify the errors in the past real-time position data as soon as a segment of the second calibrated trajectory becomes statistically trustworthy.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing communications service in a communications ring undergoing an upgrade process is provided. The communications ring is formed from a plurality of existing nodes each operable to transmit, at an existing rate, a first frame having a number of occupied time slots equal to N occupied by data. N is an integer. The method includes increasing the existing rate of a node to a higher rate. With the increase, the node is operable to transmit a second frame at the higher rate. The second frame has a higher number of time slots than the first frame. The method also includes occupying a number of the time slots of the second frame equal to N using data to be received by an existing node. The method also includes providing at least one identifier to the existing node that will receive the second frame. The identifier identifies the occupied time slots of the second frame. The method also includes transmitting the second frame of data to the existing node.