Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for automated vegetation growth, condition and status monitoring near high voltage utility electric lines using stationary sensors, wireless or wired communications and computation technologies and proprietary algorithms. The method and system of the current invention monitors the power line infrastructures remotely and advises the vegetation maintenance crews on mitigating actions without requiring human interventions, thus saving cost and reducing risks to the humans and environment. A comprehensive vegetation encroachment condition report with vegetation proximity advisory (VPA) and vegetation resolution advisory (VRA) is automatically generated and transmitted to the operational staff by the system for each electric line span at certain time interval or continuously without boots-on-the-ground manual asset inspection and/or air patrol using aircraft.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a shortest path engine for warehouse management are described. In one embodiment, a method determines a shortest path between a first location and a second location. The method includes receiving a request for a shortest path between a first location and a second location and accessing a first data structure. The first data structure maps the first location to a first reference point and the second location to a second reference point. A shortest path between the first reference point and the second reference point is determined and the determined shortest path is returned.

Abstract: A tracking device broadcasts beacon signals that are separated in time by broadcast intervals. The tracking device determines the broadcast intervals based on a behavior model. The behavior model specifies one or more conditions, such as times of day within a 24-hour day, and associates a usage probability with each condition. A higher usage probability causes the tracking device to broadcast beacon signals at shorter broadcast intervals. A mobile device in communication with the tracking device can reconfigure the behavior model, either by modifying portions of the behavior model or by replacing the behavior model with a different behavior model. This allows the behavior model to adapt to different circumstances, such as different usage patterns during weekdays, weekends, and vacations.

Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a front lens assembly, a distance measurement module and a deflection module. The front lens assembly comprises an optical path along an instrument optical axis and the distance measurement module is configured to transmit and receive optical radiation along a measurement path. The deflection module is arranged between the distance measurement module and the front lens assembly to deflect the measurement path across the instrument optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing omnistereo content for a mobile device may include receiving an indication to capture a plurality of images of a scene, capturing the plurality of images using a camera associated with a mobile device and displaying on a screen of the mobile device and during capture, a representation of the plurality of images and presenting a composite image that includes a target capture path and an indicator that provides alignment information corresponding to a source capture path associated with the mobile device during capture of the plurality of images. The system may detect that a portion of the source capture path does not match a target capture path. The system can provide an updated indicator in the screen that may include a prompt to a user of the mobile device to adjust the mobile device to align the source capture path with the target capture path.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the effective wheelbase length of a trailer in a vehicle combination including a towing vehicle and at least one towed trailer. The method includes driving the vehicle combination forwards, determining the speed of the vehicle combination, determining the steering angle of the towing vehicle, determining the steering angle of each towed trailer, determining the yaw rate of the towing vehicle and the yaw rate of the towed trailer or determining the articulation angle for each towed trailer, and using the determined values to calculate a value for the effective wheelbase for each towed trailer. An arrangement for estimating the effective wheelbase length of a trailer in a vehicle combination is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to obtain a low-cost stereo camera which can decrease the load of software-based calibration, a stereo camera is provided with a first vehicle-mounted camera which comprises a first lens unit and a first imaging element, and a second vehicle-mounted camera which comprises a second lens unit and a second imaging element. This stereo camera is characterized in that the first imaging element has a first sensitivity value recording unit in which sensitivity values of the first imaging element are recorded, and the second imaging element has a second sensitivity value recording unit in which sensitivity values of the second imaging element are recorded, wherein the sensitivity variation width between the sensitivity values of the first imaging element recorded in the first sensitivity value recording unit and the sensitivity values of the second imaging element recorded in the second sensitivity value recording unit is within a preset reference width.

Abstract: A mobile image capture system, a system comprising: a sensing unit for attaching to a vehicle, the sensing unit having a camera constructed and arranged to view a participant on the vehicle, the camera capturing at least one image; and processing electronics for storing data representing the captured at least one image or for relaying data representing the captured at least one image to a computer or a network.

Abstract: The method makes it possible to measure a speed of a competitor, such as a skier or snowboarder, on a ski or snowboard course, by means of a measurement system with a transponder module worn by the competitor. The method includes the step of activating the transponder module which includes a measurement unit with at least one measurement sensor, as soon as the race starts, a step of measuring the speed of the competitor via the measurement unit during the race along the course, and a step of transmitting the competitor's speed measurement to at least one base station of a decoder device of the measurement system for a timing device in order to display the speed of the competitor in real time or continuously on at least one screen.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for generating random numbers that are distributed by the population distribution. An empirical cumulative distribution function is constructed from random samples of the population, and a first random number is generated that is uniformly distributed over a first interval. A second interval in the empirical cumulative distribution function is found such that a range of values of the second interval cover the first random number. A second random number is then generated as an approximation to the random number drawn from the population, where the second random number is employed as part of a testing process.

Abstract: Approaches are described for discovering a formation associated with an agent group engaging in an activity over a window of time. A formation analysis system computes first and second results for an objective function based on first and second sets of role assignments for each agent in the agent group at first and second moments in time, respectively. The formation analysis system iterates by: replacing the first set of role assignments with the second set of role assignments, and determining whether completion criteria have been met based at least in part on comparing the first result with the second result. If the completion criteria have not been met, then the formation analysis system replaces the second set of role assignments with a third set of role assignments that associate each agent in the first agent group with a different role assignment in the third set of role assignments at a third moment in time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for computer-based construction estimation. An electronic image is obtained wherein a placard is shown in the electronic image. A scaling factor is determined using the a priori known geometry of the placard. One or more measurements may be calculated of a structure in the electronic image using the calculated scaling factor. A system is described for implementing the method.

Abstract: The press wheel has instrumentation associated therewith detecting a rolling of the wheel over a planted set. The press wheel also has a computing device connected to the instrumentation and to the speed monitoring device of the planter. The computing device determines spacings between planted sets. The data obtained is real-time data and is readily available to the operator of the planter so that the speed of the planter can be adjusted on the fly to maintain an ideal set spacing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating a finger movement direction of a finger, comprising the steps of: a) acquiring a reference fingerprint image; b) acquiring at least one candidate fingerprint image at each acquisition time in a time sequence of acquisition times; c) determining, for each of the acquisition times, a match parameter value for each of a plurality of candidate finger movement directions, the match parameter value being indicative of a correlation between a reference fingerprint image portion and a candidate fingerprint image portion corresponding to displacement in the candidate finger movement direction; d) determining, for each of the candidate finger movement directions, a local extremum match parameter value indicating a maximum correlation for the time sequence of acquisition times; and e) estimating the finger movement based on an evaluation of the determined local extremum match parameters.

Abstract: A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: A crop harvesting width of a harvester head is partitioned into a plurality of portions. At least one sensor detects a metric of a crop being harvested for each of the plurality of portions. A processing unit determines an attribute of the crop harvested for each of a plurality of portions using the detected metric.

Abstract: The tool to provide anonymous data in response to a request for information is configured to receiving a request for information relating to a population of interest from a user; determining criteria associated with the population of interest, wherein the criteria define an individual representative of the population of interest; determining a characteristic of the individual within one or more categories; classifying the characteristic of the individual into a cluster, the cluster comprising a subset of all possible outcomes for the category; classifying a plurality of individuals from a database into clusters based on the one or more categories; determining a subset of the plurality of individuals that are similar to the individual representative of the population of interest based on the clusters; transforming the characteristics of the individuals in the subset to generate anonymous data responsive to the request for information; and providing the anonymous data to the user.

Abstract: A column used for gas chromatography (GC) is fabricated from an open tubular light guiding capillary. The light guiding capillary is suitable for transmission of optical frequencies employed in commercially available hand held laser range finders.

Abstract: A method for image navigation on an electronic device is described. The method includes displaying an image. The method also includes detecting at least one contact with a touch sensor to obtain a first position. The method further includes obtaining an updated position corresponding to a contact movement. The method additionally includes determining a modified position by applying at least one scaling function based on the first position and the updated position. The method also includes moving the image based on the modified position.

Abstract: A mutual capacitance touch sensor includes a substrate, and an array of electrode elements formed on the substrate. Each electrode element includes at least one of a first electrode group having at least two drive electrodes and at least one sense electrode, or a second electrode group having at least two sense electrodes and at least one drive electrode. The respective electrodes of the first or second group are arranged to form multiple capacitances over different coupling distances. A controller is operatively coupled to the array of electrode elements, the controller configured to assign an input object as a conductive object when measurements of the multiple capacitances decrease as the input object approaches the touch sensor, and assign the input object as non-conductive object when measurements of at least one of the multiple capacitances increase as the input object approaches the touch sensor.

Abstract: A pipe measuring system provides means for tallying a set of pipes, each of which has a threaded coupling at one end. The system includes a handheld laser instrument and target that are manually and sequentially placed at opposite ends of each pipe to measure its length. However, to measure the pipe's effective assembled length, rather than its actual length, the laser instrument has an adjustable backstop for engaging one end of the pipe. To use the system, a manufacture of the pipe first provides a specified make-up dimension that says how far the coupling should overlap the pipe when properly tightened. A manufacturer and/or end-user of the laser instrument establish the instrument with a zero reference. Then, based on the pipe manufacturer's specified make-up dimension and the location of the zero reference, the end-user adjusts the position of the backstop to be a certain distance from the zero reference.

Abstract: Systems and methods that incentivize physical fitness of a user are discussed herein. A system can include a motion component and a control component. The motion component can monitor motion data associated with the user. The control component can provide one or more rewards to the user, wherein the rewards can be based at least in part on the user meeting a target associated with the motion data.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fluid delivery machine configured to deliver fluid on a worksite is disclosed. In the method, operation of a power source of the fluid delivery machine is controlled with a control module. Fluid delivery on the worksite is also controlled by the control module.

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided. In another aspect, a linear displacement sensor directly senses and detects a position of a rivet-setting punch relative to a nosepiece of a rivet setting machine. A further aspect provides a control system and software instructions for sensing the relative position of a punch and nosepiece used by a programmable controller to determine and monitor a rivet setting position without use of a force sensor, motor current/voltage sensor, or a rotation sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting a feature point to recognize an obstacle using a laser scanner are provided. The apparatus includes a laser scanner that is installed at a front of a traveling vehicle and is configured to obtain laser scanner data having a plurality of layers in real time. In addition, a controller is configured to separate the laser scanner data obtained by the laser scanner into a plurality of layers to extract measurement data present in each layer and determine feature points of the measurement data to classify a type of obstacle based on a plurality of stored feature points.

Abstract: A pedometer has first and second signal generators mounted along the inner margin of a first shoe and separated by a fixed distance. A sensor and transmitter assembly is mounted along the inner margin of a second shoe. The sensor and transmitter assembly includes a sensor, a microcontroller unit and a wireless transmitter. A pair of impulses is received by the microcontroller unit each time the shoes pass in close proximity to each other. The microcontroller unit generates various pedestrian performance data based on the impulses. The pedestrian performance data is wirelessly transmitted to a display unit carried by the pedestrian.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool information device includes at least one detection unit configured to detect at least one processing distance covered by a cutting edge of a processing tool on a workpiece. The detection unit is also configured to detect the at least one processing distance independently of a guide rail. The hand-held power tool information device can further include a distance sensor unit that is configured to detect at least one distance value.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for monitoring human activity using an inertial sensor is described. The method includes monitoring accelerations, and identifying a current user activity from a plurality of user activities based on the accelerations. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of user activities is associated with one of a plurality of types of periodic human motions that are detectable by the portable electronic device, and wherein the identification of the current user activity is made based on detecting two or more instances of the periodic human motion associated with the user activity. The method further includes counting periodic human motions appropriate to the current user activity.

Abstract: A detection system for monitoring and recording distance to at least one target. The detection system may comprise at least one module comprising: a power source; a trigger unit configured to detect the presence of the target; an enablement mechanism in communication with the trigger unit and operable to generate an enablement signal upon detection of the target; a data gathering unit comprising at least one measurement sensor operable to obtain at least one measured parameter and to record the at least one measured parameter in a memory; and a retrieval mechanism for providing access to records stored in the memory.

Abstract: A normal detection method for measuring the distance to a measurement subject using one or more distance detectors, and obtaining a normal vector (Vn) on the measured surface of the measurement subject from the obtained measurement result (L), wherein: within a three-dimensional space, the straight line linking a first measurement point (Qa) measured at a first measurement position (Pa) using the distance detector and a second measurement point (Qd) measured at a second measurement position (Pd) different from the first measurement position (Pa) is set as a first vector (Vad); the straight line linking the first measurement point (Qa) and a third measurement point (Qf) measured at a third measurement position (Pf) different from the first measurement position (Pa) and the second measurement position (Pd) as a second vector (Vaf); and a normal vector (Vn) on the measured surface is obtained by determining the vector product of the first vector (Vad) and the second vector (Vaf).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining a length quantity of a power transmission line, which connects a first location with a second location. A first signal having a first carrier frequency is provided at the first location. The first signal is transmitted from the first location to the second location via the power transmission line. A second signal having a second frequency is provided at the second location. A first phase difference between the first signal and the second signal is measured at the second location, and the length quantity is calculated from the measured phase difference. In the system, a second receiver at the second location is configured to receive the first signal having the first carrier frequency from the first location. A frequency generator creates the second signal having the second frequency at the second location.

Abstract: A device includes sensor substantially coplanar with one another in a sensor plane, each sensor generating a sense value that varies according to a physical distance between the sensor and an object without physically contacting the object. The device also includes control circuits configured to generate a first position value, a second position value, and a third value using the sense values. The first position value and the second position values identify a two-dimensional position of the object in the sensor plane and the third value varies in response to movement of the object in a Z-direction substantially perpendicular to the sensor plane. The control circuits include a programmable integrated circuit including an analog portion and a digital portion.

Abstract: A distance measure between a beginning and an end of a material strip wound onto a body in a tangential direction can be determined by creating a height profile of a surface of the material strip, which covers the beginning and the end of the wound material strip in the tangential direction. If a position value of the beginning of the material strip is determined in the created height profile, the distance measure can be determined using this position value and the height profile covering the end of the material strip.

Abstract: A method of optimizing measurement paths analyzes one or more measurement points for each of the measurement elements of a product and generates relation arrays, each of the relation arrays storing the name and the one or more measurement points of one measurement element. The method selects a measurement point which is the nearest to the origin of an coordinate system of the product, computes distances between the measurement points from the selected measurement point using the relation arrays, and orders the measurement points according to the computed distances to generate a first ordered array. The method generates an optimal measurement path according to the first ordered array.

Abstract: Determining dipper geometry. A method of determining dipper geometry includes obtaining a first set of data associated with an industrial machine for a first orientation of the industrial machine, and obtaining a second set of data associated with the industrial machine for a second orientation of the industrial machine. The first set of data includes at least one of a first length associated with a hoist rope and a first angle associated with the hoist rope, and the second set of data includes at least one of a second length associated with the hoist rope and a second angle associated with the hoist rope. The value of the physical characteristic of the dipper is then determined based on the first set of data and the second set of data.

Abstract: An electrical wire length output method according to the present invention sets a first cavity reference cross section, a first node reference cross section, and a second node reference cross section, and a second cavity reference cross section, calculates a section wire length in each section of the reference cross sections, and outputs the sum of the section wire lengths as the wire length of an electrical wire.

Abstract: Various arrangements for selecting data for transmission from a mobile device are presented. Proximity data indicating proximity between one or more proximity sensors and a triggering entity may be collected by the mobile device. A type of near-field communication (NFC) transaction may be determined by the mobile device. Using the proximity data and the type of the NFC transaction, data to transmit to a remote NFC device may be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a door with a 3D sensor which is able to detect distances to an object in the monitoring area as the third dimension, the 3D sensor being arranged in a housing, and immovably arranged transmission means for transmitting a measurement beam and receiver means for receiving a reflected measurement beam being provided in the housing, characterized in that provision is made of a control unit which is designed to obtain an item of information relating to the position of the apparatus, and in that the control unit evaluates the measurement beam on the basis of an item of position information.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for providing a measure of pedestrian congestion in a given area. In one embodiment, the method comprises collecting data from a pedestrian moving in the area, and using the data to determine one or more specified parameters representing a pattern of movement of the pedestrian in the area. These specified parameters are used to determine a sinuosity of pedestrian traffic in the given area. In one embodiment, the pattern of movement is a walking pattern of the pedestrian, and the data collected from the pedestrian identifies a multitude of positions of the pedestrian's feet. In an embodiment, the specified parameters include a lateral gap between the feet of the pedestrian, and a length of a stride of the pedestrian. A sequence of values may be collected for each of these parameters.

Abstract: A surface measurement apparatus having at least one sensor and a reference point with pre-determined relative position relative to the sensor measures a distance between the sensor and a point on a surface over which the surface measurement apparatus is configured to travel. A receiver receives data related to a position of the reference point a calculated distance between the reference point and a position measurement station; and a processor calculates an absolute position of the point on the surface based on (a) the measured distance between the at least one sensor and the point, (b) the pre-determined relative position difference between the reference point and the at least one sensor, and (c) the position of the reference point or the calculated distance between the position measurement station and the reference point.

Abstract: A method calculates a remaining range and/or consumption of a motor vehicle with an energy storage system for a drive which acts on at least one wheel of the motor vehicle. The remaining range and/or the consumption can be calculated in a first fashion by using a first algorithm and in a second fashion by using a second algorithm. The second fashion requires a higher degree of expenditure on calculation than the first fashion. Switching over between the first fashion and the second fashion occurs as a function of the energy stored in the energy storage system.

Abstract: A vehicle has a wireless receiver located a predetermined distance from a trailer mount. A wireless transmitter on the trailer is located at an end of the trailer opposite the end that attaches to a trailer mount on the vehicle and communicates with the wireless receiver on the vehicle. A controller on the vehicle monitors the power returns of the signal transmitted between the transmitter and the receiver. A hitch angle monitoring system monitors hitch angle over time. The controller monitors power returns of a signal transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver and estimates a distance between the transmitter and the receiver as a function of a path loss propagation of the transmitted signal. The trailer length is equal to the distance estimated by the controller at times when the hitch angle is zero minus the predetermined distance.

Abstract: Verifying surveying instrument's external orientation during a measurement process, comprising directing the imaging means onto a reference object and detecting a first photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a first image of the reference object in the first photographing direction, memorizing the first image and the first photographing direction as being indicative of the surveying instrument's external orientation, re-directing the imaging means onto the reference object and detecting a second photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a second image of the reference object in the second photographing direction, and comparing a first with a second imaged position of the reference object in the first respectively the second image by image processing as well as the first with the second photographing direction and verifying the surveying instrument's external orientation based on disparities between the first and the second imaged position and/or between the first and the second photog

Abstract: Measuring a distance to a surface while compensating for variations in a transverse position and/or low speed displacement of the instrument. One method includes retrieving a predetermined transversal distance from a longitudinal feature at which to extract a relevant distance; retrieving a distance set; retrieving a position of the longitudinal feature relative to the distance set; extracting a range point at the predetermined transversal distance from the longitudinal feature; adding the extracted point to a longitudinal distance set. In another method, if two sensors are provided with an overlap in the transversal direction, extracting a range point at a predetermined transversal position; adding the extracted range point to a longitudinal distance set; retrieving a pitch angle of the instrument; calculating a local slope of the surface using an overlapping transversal point, the pitch angle and the separation length; calculating a height variation using the local slope and a longitudinal separation.

Abstract: A method, system, and device provide asymmetric round-trip-time (RTT) ranging with multipath correction. A RTT ranging determination using the resulting composite received signal contains multipath error, and compensation or correction of this error in a manner compatible with low-power, low-complexity devices, such as tag devices, is provided.

Abstract: A method is presented. The method includes the steps of generating rotation signals corresponding to a plurality of rotations of a rotor physically coupled to a plurality of blades, and determining peak voltages corresponding to the plurality of blades by applying time synchronous averaging technique to blade passing signals using the rotation signals, wherein the peak voltages are representative of clearances of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: A measurement method of the present invention is a measurement method which measures a target divided into a plurality of partial regions to measure a whole shape of the target by stitching the plurality of partial regions. The measurement method comprises Steps S501 to S511 which measures a plurality of partial regions, Step S102 which determines an error in a partial region that is a reference, Step S105 which calculates each of errors in the plurality of partial regions, and Step S107 which performs a correction depending on each of the errors to stitch the plurality of partial regions. Steps S102 to S107 are repeatedly performed by changing the partial region that is the reference (S110).

Abstract: A mobile terminal which makes it possible to automatically calculate a step length of a user with accuracy. A step count-acquiring section acquires a step count of the user of a mobile terminal. A position calculating section calculates a position of the mobile terminal. A center position-calculating section calculates a center position of a plurality of positions calculated by the position calculating section. A covered distance-calculating section calculates a distance covered by the mobile terminal based on a plurality of the center positions calculated by the center position-calculating section. A step length-calculating section calculates the step length based on the step count acquired by the step count-acquiring section and the covered distance calculated by the covered distance-calculating section.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to an electronic caliper which combines positioning and measurement in one unit without the use of hydraulics for subsea use. In certain embodiments, several attachments can be affixed to accommodate a range of measurement tasks. In a preferred embodiment, one jaw is adjustable and the other, or opposing, jaw is fixed, e.g. by bolting it on to a mounting structure. The jaws typically allow for the removal and replacement of other attachments. In another embodiment, the unit communicates to computer software for position control, precise indication and clamping for adjustment. In a preferred embodiment, computer software displays all feedback via laptop computer on surface. The caliper is maneuvered to a position proximate an object and used to measure a predetermined physical characteristic of the object. The measurement can be displayed, e.g. at the surface, using a computer with control software.

Abstract: A device and method of precise distance measurement of a transmission line to any object below it is disclosed, along with a network of such devices. The technique employs ultrasonic sensor technology to measure the distance to the nearest object, be it vegetation or a crossing conductor below, and reports that distance wirelessly to the system operator or transmission asset owner. The ultrasonic measurement package may be part of a Transmission Line Security Monitor, which mounts to a transmission line conductor and is powered by the transmission line, transmitting the data by radio links. The technology is equally applicable to encroachment of objects from the side (for example, other transmission lines), as well as to other electrical lines, such as distribution lines, or to other sensing. A built-in transceiver allows the device to communicate with other devices and forward alerts from these devices in a daisy-chain fashion to the intended recipient.