Topography (e.g., Land Mapping) Patents (Class 702/5)
  • Patent number: 6842698
    Abstract: After FEMA flood maps are scanned and converted to raster maps on a computer system, they are georeferenced. The georeferenced raster maps are stored on the system. Map inset polygons are surrounded by a virtual bounding box and a determination is made whether each grid rectangle intersects any bounding box. For each such intersection, the relevant inset polygon is traced to determine if it actually intersects the grid rectangle. If there is such intersection, the inset polygon is added to a list attached to the grid rectangle. At the end of the process, the list for each grid rectangle identifies each inset polygon intersected thereby. When an address of a property subject to a flood zone determination is entered into the system and geocoded, the grid rectangle containing the address is immediately called up. If only one inset polygon is on the list, it is used to make the flood determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: SourceProse Corporation
    Inventors: John Willard Howard, Dan Martin Scott, Darin Wayne Higgins
  • Patent number: 6834234
    Abstract: A Land Surveyor System with Reprocessing is carried by a surveyor moving from a first known position at the start of a survey interval to a second known position at the end of the survey interval has an AINS (aided inertial navigation system) that provides a continuing sequence of time-indexed present position values. A Position Computing System uses a program that stores the sequence of time-indexed present position values in a memory. A reprocessing computer and program is activated at the second known position to access and process the continuing sequence of time-indexed present position values with a smoothing program to provide indexed and adjusted present position values for at least some of the time-indexed present position values. The system is packaged for transport and use by a surveyor. A switch permits the surveyor to signal that the unit is stationary as a reset for the AINS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation, Limited
    Inventors: Bruno Scherzinger, Blake Reid, Erik Lithopoulos
  • Patent number: 6829537
    Abstract: A system for filtering elevation-sensitive data. The system generates coincident contour and attribute maps of a physical structure. A filter band that is limited to a certain range of contour values is used to filter the attribute values that are output to a CBA attribute map. The filter band applied to the data is defined between upper and lower boundaries, with each boundary having a substantially constant contour value. Thus, each data point has a uniquely-shaped a real filter that is at least partly defined by the filter band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Dennis B. Neff, Scott A. Runnestrand, Franklin D. Lane
  • Patent number: 6813544
    Abstract: Remotely sensed spectral image data are used to develop a Vegetation Index file which represents spatial variations of actual crop vigor throughout a field that is under cultivation. The latter information is processed to place it in a format that can be used by farm personnel to correlate and calibrate it with actually observed crop conditions existing at control points within the field. Based on the results, farm personnel formulate a prescription request, which is forwarded via email or FTP to a central processing site, where the prescription is prepared. The latter is returned via email or FTP to on-side farm personnel, who can load it into a controller on a spray rig that directly applies inputs to the field at a spatially variable rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Institute of Technology Development
    Inventors: Kenneth Brown Hood, Michael R. Seal, Mark David Lewis, James William Johnson
  • Patent number: 6813564
    Abstract: The invention is a method for monitoring subsidence of the sea-bed (14) of a survey area (8) caused by compaction of an underground hydrocarbon reservoir (1), and comprises the following steps: Conducting at least two series (S1, . . . ,Si, . . . ,Sm) of time-indexed depth measurements (13a, . . . ,13n), with separation in time &Dgr; between the measurement series characteristic of a significantly detectable long-term change of seafloor elevation due to compaction to take place in the reservoir. Measurements are time-indexed and corrected for tidal depth variations. Depth measurements (13) are conducted on survey stations (2) arranged on benchmarks (6) which have settled in the locally consolidated seabed (14). To handle short-term depth variations several stationary time-indexed short-time local reference depth measurement series (19r) are conducted at short-term local reference stations (18r) at benchmarks (6) during each separate measurement series (Si).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ola Eiken, Mark Zumberge, John Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 6804608
    Abstract: This invention concerns an aircraft equipped for conducting airborne gravity surveys. In another aspect it concerns a process for creating airborne gravity surveys. The aircraft is equipped to perform the method using measured attitude data, laser range data and scan angle data, and aircraft position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Beresford Lee, Timothy John Monks, Peter Mitchell Stone, Robert John Turner
  • Publication number: 20040178795
    Abstract: A method of and system for locating a single passive underground marker type may distinguish false indications caused by other marker types. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, minimization or elimination of false marker indications may be accomplished by processing the response from a marker to determine which frequency has the largest response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Tempo Research Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Thompson, William C. Wood
  • Patent number: 6782321
    Abstract: The QuickSite™ method provides a framework for conducting accurate, timely and economical site investigations and characterizations of potentially contaminated regions. QuickSite™ organizes the investigative steps into three phases, each of which has different objectives but which share a similar iterative nature. The first phase, using any existing data if available, determines the geologic and hydrogeologic features of a site which affect contaminant distribution. The second phase, based on the framework of the first phase, determines the extent of contamination within the site under investigation and the third phase predicts the future contaminant distribution within the site and can provide analysis of different remedial or corrective scenarios if appropriate. Throughout the data collecting, analysis and interpretation steps of each phase rigorous quality control and assurance practices are implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Jacqueline C. Burton
  • Patent number: 6775617
    Abstract: In a method of determining hydrographic parameters describing a sea swell field from analog signal sequences supplied by radar devices, wherein a sequence of digitized signal in spatial coordinates is generated from the analog signal sequences and, by Fourier transformation, a three-dimensional complex value frequency wave number spectrum is determined therefrom, which is filtered on the basis of the dispersion relation principle that inter-links the wave numbers and the frequencies of the sea swell for a localization of the sea swell-specific parameters by separating the signals from the noise and determining the signal to noise ratio and from the ratio the height of the waves and, by localizing the signal coordinates in the surface area defined by the dispersion relationship, parameters describing the surface currents of the sea swell field in a three-dimensional spectral space and the water depth, from the phase information concerning the waves monitored in the sea swell field the parameters of the sea swe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Seemann, Christian M. Senet, Friedwart Ziemer
  • Patent number: 6766251
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of pest management by a grower. The method includes gathering pest sampling data in connection with a crop of the grower. The pest sampling data includes pest identification information gathered using a pest identification sensor. The pest sampling data further includes locational information thereof. The method further includes transmitting the gathered pest sampling data to a pest sampling database. The pest sampling database includes pest sampling data regarding respective crops from a plurality of other growers. The pest sampling database is in electrical communication with pest management analysis software for generation of pest management analysis. The method further includes electronically receiving the generated pest management analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: ISCA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Agenor Mafra-Neto, Reginald R. Coler
  • Publication number: 20040138817
    Abstract: A method for assigning of geocodes to addresses identifying entities on a street includes ordering a set of entity geocodes associated with a street segment based on ordering criteria such as the linear distance of the geocodes along the length of the street segment. Assignable addresses are matched with the ordered geocodes creating a correspondence between a numerical order of the assignable addresses and a linear order of the ordered set of geocodes, consistent with address range direction data and street segment side data. The geocodes may be implicit or explicit, locally unique or globally unique. The set of entity geocodes may be obtained by identifying image features in aerial imagery corresponding to streets and buildings and correlating this information with data from a street map database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jack M. Zoken, Prashant P. Devdhar
  • Patent number: 6763303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel system for seafloor classification using artificial neural network (ANN) hybrid layout with the use of unprocessed multi-beam backscatter data and more importantly, this invention relates to an real-time seafloor roughness classifier using backscatter data after training the self-organized mapping (SOM) network and learning vector quantization (LVQ) network wherein, the system of the present invention has the unique capability for the combined use of unsupervised SOM followed by supervised LVQ to achieve a highly improved performance in the said roughness classification, which was hitherto non-existent and has the additional capability for the use of a combination of the two variants of the LVQ layout to work together to achieve the best results in seafloor roughness classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Bishwajit Chakraborty, Vijay Kodagali, Jennifer Baracho, Anthony Joseph
  • Patent number: 6751515
    Abstract: A method of collecting yield data from a harvesting machine includes the steps of establishing a first data set comprising raw data by continuously recording yield and position data periodically at data points when the harvesting machine is in a harvesting area. Each data point is tagged with a code indicative of a harvesting parameter of the said harvesting machine. A filtering process is applied to the first data set to create a second data set, wherein invalid data is removed by the filtering process. The filtering process includes the step of identifying all data points in the filtering process where the status of at least one harvesting parameter indicates that the harvester is not harvesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: AGCO Limited
    Inventor: Mark Ramon Moore
  • Patent number: 6751554
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for searching a large database of dig location tickets for tickets of particular interest. A user can locate an area of concern on an on-screen map and can view a list of tickets received for a given date range of the map. For example, when underground plant damage occurs in a particular region, users need not text-search in the database to locate a particular ticket that may have caused the damage, but can instead locate the ticket using the enhanced on-screen map of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Michael L. Asher, Uday Bhaskar, Hossein Eslambolchi, Bala Surya Siva Sri Gaddamanugu, Charles C. Giddens, Harold Jeffrey Stewart
  • Patent number: 6751553
    Abstract: A system and method of mapping underground utilities and other subsurface objects involves one or more of acquiring utility location data using a number of different detectors and sensors, processing the multiple detector/sensor output data to produce mapping data, storing the mapping data in a database, and providing access to and use of the stored mapping data by subscribing users on a usage fee basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary Neal Young, Kevin L. Alft
  • Patent number: 6748121
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to interpolation methods for automatic generation of an accurate digital elevation model, and more particularly relates to intelligent interpolation methods for accurate extraction of 3-dimensional digital elevation models from satellite images, aerial photographs, or land surveying. The present invention is composed of three basic processes: The first process (102) of COG/ECI elimination, the second process (104) of hole-fill segmentation, and the third process (103) of noise-remove segmentation. The invention produces an accurate digital elevation model even for the areas with open boundaries such as the sea off the coast and over a river.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Seung Bum Kim, Tag Gon Kim
  • Patent number: 6728638
    Abstract: A method of monitoring service operations performed on a well involves creating, directly at the well site, a cohesive report of what work was done to the well and which of several contractors did the work. The report includes supporting data generated by one or more transducers. The transducers sense various conditions of a process or service operation, which is being performed by a contractor with the assistance of a special service vehicle. The report is computer generated and can be conveyed from a remote well site to a home base location using two computers communicating across a wireless communication link. The method is particularly useful when the work at the well involves several independent contractors using different service vehicles to perform different service operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Key Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic M. Newman
  • Publication number: 20040078143
    Abstract: After FEMA flood maps are scanned and converted to raster maps on a computer system, they are georeferenced. The georeferenced raster maps are stored on the system. Map inset polygons are surrounded by a virtual bounding box and a determination is made whether each grid rectangle intersects any bounding box. For each such intersection, the relevant inset polygon is traced to determine if it actually intersects the grid rectangle. If there is such intersection, the inset polygon is added to a list attached to the grid rectangle. At the end of the process, the list for each grid rectangle identifies each inset polygon intersected thereby. When an address of a property subject to a flood zone determination is entered into the system and geocoded, the grid rectangle containing the address is immediately called up. If only one inset polygon is on the list, it is used to make the flood determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: SourceProse Corporation
    Inventors: John Willard Howard, Dan Martin Scott, Darin Wayne Higgins
  • Patent number: 6721660
    Abstract: A method of extracting a road from images photographed from an artificial satellite or aircraft, which includes a first step of calculating an orientation of an initial input coordinate after selection thereof, a second step of generating a template window which is inclined by the calculated orientation with respect to the initial input coordinate, a third step of generating an initial target window moved from the generated template window in a direction of the orientation of the input coordinate, a fourth step of calculating an origin point of the optimal target window and a new orientation thereof by performing template matching for the generated initial target window, a fifth step of generating a new initial target window moved from the calculated origin point in the a direction of the calculated new orientation and repeatedly performing the fourth step until all the images have been completely processed, and a sixth step of generating the road on a map by connecting the origin points obtained from the ima
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Taejung Kim, Seung-Ran Park
  • Patent number: 6721694
    Abstract: A method for generating a model of a portion of the floor of a body of water from a plurality of depth measurement sources includes determining an overlap of any of the plurality of depth measurement sources with another depth measurement source and generating a relative shift between any two depth measurement sources that overlap. For each depth measurement source that overlaps with at least one other source, generating an overall shift based on the generated relative shifts. The method also includes generating a desired grid having a plurality of grid nodes and generating a model depth at a plurality of the grid nodes based, at least in part, on a global shift for the measurements of the plurality of sources based on the relative shift. Further, an output is generated of all model depths at respective grid nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Lambrecht, Eugene J. Molinelli
  • Publication number: 20040064256
    Abstract: A system and method that provides economical and accurate data for a selected area (jurisdiction) from a centralized location by generating a base-line map from commercially available information and distributing portions of this map to local jurisdictions. Inaccuracies and other information only available locally are stored in a local database. Periodically these databases are uploaded to a central location and reconciled with the base line map. Advantageously, such reconciliation may include a rules based reconciliation wherein the geo-coordinates from the commercial vendors are used and applied to the local data. A new base line map is then generated and distributed back to the local user. In this manner, the local user has an accurate yet economical map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Barinek, Daniel H. Hoskins, Gary Douglas Pulford, Douglas W. Stevens, David Weksel
  • Patent number: 6708117
    Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Ernest A. Carroll, Christopher M. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6704654
    Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Ernest A. Carroll, Christopher M. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20040044477
    Abstract: A method for correcting position error in a navigation system enables one to more accurately match a position measurement of a moving object on a digital map. Particularly, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a current position measurement of a moving object from GPS/DR (Dead Reckoning)—based information; correcting the current location measurement using a displacement-corrected value; performing map matching using the corrected current position measurement; calculating variation of correction angle by extracting a current correction angle out of the map matching result; converting and correcting a previous displacement-corrected value to the current correction angle; and compensating the displacement-corrected value by applying a predetermined constant to the converted displacement-corrected value, and storing the compensated displacement-corrected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Mun Ho Jung, Moon Jeung Joe
  • Publication number: 20040034473
    Abstract: A method of extracting a road from images photographed from an artificial satellite or aircraft, which includes a first step of calculating an orientation of an initial input coordinate after selection thereof, a second step of generating a template window which is inclined by the calculated orientation with respect to the initial input coordinate, a third step of generating an initial target window moved from the generated template window in a direction of the orientation of the input coordinate, a fourth step of calculating an origin point of the optimal target window and a new orientation thereof by performing template matching for the generated initial target window, a fifth step of generating a new initial target window moved from the calculated origin point in the a direction of the calculated new orientation and repeatedly performing the fourth step until all the images have been completely processed, and a sixth step of generating the road on a map by connecting the origin points obtained from the ima
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Taejung Kim, Seung-Ran Park
  • Patent number: 6687616
    Abstract: The present invention provides a post-harvest reporting system that includes an apparatus and method for using time-stamped and location-based data recorded from multiple GPS receivers uploaded to a central information system. The apparatus and method include a GPS receiving device and a data logging device mounted on each of various vehicles used to harvest and transport crop from the field to a final storage place, and a way to upload the data to a central information system and generate reports therefrom. Data is input into the central information system such that data integrity checks can be performed. Reports are generated which track the path of a load of crop from harvest to storage; can be used to evaluate efficiency of the harvest operation; will track yield in certain portions of a field; and source a particular load of crop to certify its origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Peterson, Doug L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6678615
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for evaluating a characteristic or trait present at a geographic location in a plurality of non-georeferenced maps. In operation, the method comprises constructing a virtual bounding box around each inset of the maps, and then defining a virtual rectangular geographic grid system covering the total area covered by the maps. For each grid rectangle that intersects an inset bounding box, tracing the inset enclosed by the bounding box to determine if there is intersection of the grid rectangle and the inset. If there is intersection of a grid rectangle and an inset, adding the identity of the inset to a list associated with the grid rectangle, geocoding the location of the geographic location, and examining the insets contained in the list associated with the one grid rectangle containing the geocoded location, and performing the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: SourceProse Corporation
    Inventors: John Willard Howard, Dan Martin Scott, Darin Wayne Higgins
  • Publication number: 20040000910
    Abstract: A method for geographical surveying includes the steps of determining an observation grid comprising observation points above a solution volume in the ground; making gravitational measurements at the observation points over a survey area; compiling a matrix having elements relating a set of gravitational accelerations and gravity gradient values at the points to the mass values for volume elements in the solution volume; and calculating the three-dimensional density distribution of the volume under the survey area based on the gravitational measurements and the inverse of the matrix. By measuring the magnetic field and gradient at the observation points, the three-dimensional magnetic susceptibility distribution of the volume under the survey area can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Bjarni V. Tryggvason
  • Patent number: 6658356
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for programmatically deriving street geometry data from address data which is presented in textual format. A collection of address information is used as input, and is processed in a novel manner to populate tables of a spatially-enabled database. Preferred embodiments use a data mart schema which is disclosed, and leverage built-in functions of a spatially-enabled object relational database system. In contrast to prior art techniques, the present invention does not require input data to be encoded in a “well-known” format (i.e. a format that adheres to particular predefined syntax conventions known as “WKT” or “WKB”); rather, textual information of the type which is readily available from government and/or commercial sources may be used as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-wei Chen, Robert R. Cutlip
  • Patent number: 6654690
    Abstract: An automated method is for making a topographical model of an area including terrain and buildings thereon based upon randomly spaced data of elevation versus position. The method may include processing the randomly spaced data to generate gridded data of elevation versus position conforming to a predetermined position grid, processing the gridded data to distinguish building data from terrain data, and performing polygon extraction for the building data to make the topographical model of the area including terrain and buildings thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Donald Rahmes, John Philip Karp
  • Patent number: 6651005
    Abstract: A method for establishing universal standards as a measure of a crop grower's skill and management uses crop yield and soil productivity values to determine real-time yield indices which are provided such as on a video display during crop harvesting. This allows a harvesting equipment operator to visually inspect the field at the time these measurements are made to observe specific conditions, i.e., weeds, insects, disease, drainage, fertility, etc., at any location in the field to identify opportunities to improve management and cultural practices for any given tract of land. By alerting the operator to the relationships between the various aforementioned conditions, as well as to changes in these relationships, to plant productivity, important information is made available, and may be stored for subsequent review and analysis, for improving crop yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Donald L. O'Neall
  • Publication number: 20030212494
    Abstract: A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: John Franklin Alexander, Gerald Merckel, J. David Lambert
  • Publication number: 20030212493
    Abstract: A disaster predicting method, a disaster predicting apparatus, a disaster predicting program, and a computer-readable recording medium recorded with a disaster predicting program, which automatically order satellite image data based on periodically observed or predicted natural phenomenon, and also automatically analyze the obtained satellite image data to predict a disaster, thereby enabling to deal promptly with a disaster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Shuichi Tanahashi
  • Publication number: 20030208319
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for creating demo application maps for site-specific farming. The demo application maps contain a blend of agricultural products. The blend of agricultural products can be viewed or printed either numerically or graphically. Once the demo application maps are combined with a map payment system, the blend of agricultural products can be used by an application machine to apply products to a field. The demo application maps are created by first inputting product information into a mapping system. The agricultural product information contains a percentage of crop inputs contained in the products. Next, the mapping system accesses crop input requirement maps. The crop input requirement maps contain a prescription of crop inputs to apply to a field. The product information and crop input requirement maps are combined to create a blend of agricultural products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: AGCO
    Inventors: Todd Ell, Joe Tevis
  • Publication number: 20030200028
    Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Soil and Topography Information, LLC, a Wisconsin corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Rooney, Marek Dudka, Mark Andrew Cheyne
  • Patent number: 6631326
    Abstract: A system and method for performing flood zone determinations using scanned, georeferenced, digital raster map images. The user, to determine the flood zone classification of a particular property, first enters the street address, or full legal address, into a data processing system. The system determines, from the address, which raster map includes that particular property. The system retrieves that map, and utilizes georeferencing information to locate the property on the raster map. The user can visually verify the location of the property as marked on the displayed raster map, and can at that point examine the flood zone indications on the raster map. Further, the system can compare the geographic coordinates of the property against a database of flood zone boundaries for an automated flood zone determination. The system can also generate, store, and produce flood zone certificates according to the flood zone determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: SourceProse Corporation
    Inventors: John Willard Howard, Dan Martin Scott, Darin Wayne Higgins
  • Patent number: 6615139
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digitally implemented method for determining basement depths of 3-dimensional density interfaces from gridded gravity data, wherein density contrast above the interface is assumed to be varying parabolically with depth, the present invention method assumes a continuous decrease in density contrast of sedimentary rocks with depth, a phenomena well observed all over the world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventor: Vishnubhotla Chakravarthi
  • Publication number: 20030158667
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for programmatically deriving street geometry data from address data which is presented in textual format. A collection of address information is used as input, and is processed in a novel manner to populate tables of a spatially-enabled database. Preferred embodiments use a data mart schema which is disclosed, and leverage built-in functions of a spatially-enabled object relational database system. In contrast to prior art techniques, the present invention does not require input data to be encoded in a “well-known” format (i.e. a format that adheres to particular predefined syntax conventions known as “WKT” or “WKB”); rather, textual information of the type which is readily available from government and/or commercial sources may be used as input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-Wei Chen, Robert R. Cutlip
  • Publication number: 20030158668
    Abstract: A geographical information system and a method are disclosed for geospatially mapping at least one parcel polygon within a geographical region and for displaying at least one specific attribute of each parcel polygon, i.e. a topological area within the given geographical region, as an attached attribute of latitude and longitude coordinates. The centroid or center point of each of the parcel polygons is determined and stored into conventional computer storage means. The latitude and longitude point feature at the centroid of each parcel polygon is established and similarly stored. A unique tax identification number, e.g. the Assessor Parcel Number (APN) or Parcel Identifier Number (PIN), is assigned to each of the point features. A correlation is then made between the unique tax identification number of the point feature to a text list of at least one attribute, e.g., the physical address of the parcel polygon, of each of the point features. This attribute becomes attached to each point feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: James J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6609062
    Abstract: A nested grid structure of a geographical referencing system includes one or more regional grids generally centered on one or more respective grid origins, each regional grid including a plurality of cells. One or more local cities are located at least partially within the one or more regional grids. One or more local city grids, each including a plurality of cells, are generally centered on one or more respective local city origins of the one or more local cities. At least some of the plurality of cells of the one or more local city grids directly overlap and coincide with at least some of the plurality of cells of the one or more regional grids to form a nested grid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: WGRS Licensing Company, LLC
    Inventor: S. Lee Hancock
  • Patent number: 6606542
    Abstract: A system for creating application maps for controlling a dispensing apparatus based upon field data, the system including a system for maintaining field data. The field data may be georeferenced relative to geographic coordinates of the location of the field data. Application rate equations for correlating field data relative to desired output may be selectively defined based upon selected field data and desired output to produce application maps for a particular field. A processor is designed to selectively access field data for a particular field to execute application rate equations for the field data to produce an application map which may be used for variable rate application of material by dispensing apparatus based upon the selected field data and the desired output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Agco Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph I. Hauwiller, Youxuan Jin
  • Patent number: 6603313
    Abstract: A method for surface estimation of reservoir properties, wherein location of and average earth resistivities above, below, and horizontally adjacent to the subsurface geologic formation are first determined using geological and geophysical data in the vicinity of the subsurface geologic formation. Then dimensions and probing frequency for an electromagnetic source are determined to substantially maximize transmitted vertical and horizontal electric currents at the subsurface geologic formation, using the location and the average earth resistivities. Next, the electromagnetic source is activated at or near surface, approximately centered above the subsurface geologic formation and a plurality of components of electromagnetic response is measured with a receiver array. Geometrical and electrical parameter constraints are determined, using the geological and geophysical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Leonard J. Srnka
  • Patent number: 6597995
    Abstract: A method for forming a prograde kinematic model allowing reproduction in 3D intermediate geometries of geologic objects of an underground zone such as a sedimentary basin, from an initial state to a current state. A representation of the current geometry of the geologic objects of the zone is formed by interpretation of acquired data obtained by seismic exploration, by in-situ measurements and by observations, then each geologic object is subdivided into layers separated by deformation interfaces. Each one of the layers is defined by means of a grid pattern into a series of hexahedral volume elements. Tectonic deformations are then applied separately and successively to each series of volume elements of a layer in relation to an underlying layer while conserving the thickness and the surface area of an intermediate neutral surface in each volume element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Tristan Cornu, Frédéric Schneider
  • Patent number: 6597992
    Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Soil and Topography Information, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel James Rooney, Marek Dudka, Mark Andrew Cheyne
  • Patent number: 6597983
    Abstract: A method of using a geographical location identifier of a real estate property listing as a multi-listing service identifier of the listing includes providing a geographical location identifier that represents the geographical location of a real estate property listing, and using the geographical location identifier as the multi-listing service identifier for the real estate property listing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: WGRS Licensing Company, LLC
    Inventor: S. Lee Hancock
  • Publication number: 20030135330
    Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest A. Carroll, Christopher M. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20030135328
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining a survey measurement dataset and a position dataset into a single dataset containing both measurement and position data is disclosed. The survey measurement data may be obtained from a ground penetrating radar, an inductometer, a magnetometer, or an optical camera. Positioning information is collected and merged with the survey information so that the position of the survey tool is known at each data point. Also provided are channel-equalization filters, spiking deconvolution filters, and frame filters that can be used in conjunction with the positioning information to enhance the quality of the images obtained from the data collected by the survey tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: WITTEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Macyln Burns, Anthony Derubeis, Paul Albats, Robert Casadonte, Ralf Birken, Ross Deming, Jakob Haldorsen, Thorkild Hansen, Douglas E. Miller, Michael L. Oristaglio
  • Publication number: 20030135329
    Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest A. Carroll, Christopher M. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20030125877
    Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing and managing plots of land is provided. Information related to elevation, soil conductivity, crop yield, and grower history is organized into profiles to generate a management zone profile. The management zone profile divides the plot of land into agronomy zones having attributable characteristics related to the elevation, soil conductivity, crop yield, and grower history information. The management zone profile is utilized to create a variable prescription of items, such as fertilizer, seed and pesticides, to be applied to the plot of land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: MZB Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Glenn P. Hanson
  • Patent number: 6574561
    Abstract: A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: The University of North Florida
    Inventors: John Franklin Alexander, Gerald Merckel, J. David Lambert