Topography (e.g., Land Mapping) Patents (Class 702/5)
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Publication number: 20030093222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Ola Eiken, Mark Zumberge, John Hildebrand
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Publication number: 20030088362Abstract: A system and method for generating custom geospatial information maps and precision corrected images allows realtime interactive production of a desired output image by incorporating user selectable parameters that define various image synthesizing operations. A graphical user interface allows a user to specify parameters that define the desired output image via a remote computing device over a public access network such as the Internet. The parameters define image synthesizing operations such as area, projection, datum, fusion, masking, blending, mosaiking, resampling, and others. The desired output image is processed by an image assembly server according to the parameters and a variety of geospatial image data sources, and electronically delivered to a user via a public access network. The geospatial information may also be correlated with non-georeferenced data such that relevant associations between non-georeferenced data and the geospatial data are integrated in the output information product.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: ImageLinks, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Melero, Douglas W. Shibla, Mark R. Lucas
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Publication number: 20030083819Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Daniel James Rooney, Marek Dudka, Mark Andrew Cheyne
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Patent number: 6553312Abstract: An ultra precise seed planter apparatus and method for generating a centimeter accuracy map of the location of seeds or vegetation as they are planted from an agricultural planting machine. The apparatus is fitted with a GPS receiver feeding a data logger, and optical sensors that are placed adjacent seed or vegetation dispenser. The data logger monitors GPS time and UTM coordinates, as well as the optical sensors. Ground speed and azimuth are also monitored. The seeds or vegetation are time-tagged as they are dispensed, and software is used to process the dispensing time and GPS location data and estimate the exact coordinates of each seed or plant and its distance from adjacent seeds or plants. As a result, a precise planting map is generated. The invention may also be used to determine the location to dispense seeds or vegetation, and activating the dispenser when that location is reached.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Shrini Upadhyaya, Mohammad Ehsani, Mark L. Mattson
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Patent number: 6549854Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided that use measurement data to create a model of a subsurface area. The method includes creating an initial parameterized model having an initial estimate of model parameter uncertainties; considering measurement data from the subsurface area; updating the model and its associated uncertainty estimate; and repeating the considering and updating steps with additional measurement data. A computer-based apparatus and article of manufacture for implementing the method are also disclosed. The method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are particularly useful in assisting oil companies in making hydrocarbon reservoir data acquisition, drilling and field development decisions.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alberto Malinverno, Michael Prange
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Publication number: 20030065446Abstract: A base station is installed in a predetermined area where a large number of target points are studded around the station. When the operator moves a mobile station around the base station, display means is provided for both or either of the base station that guides the operator and the mobile station, and a display screen of the display means displays 2 kinds of a Forward (foreground) mode and a Back (background) mode. In the Forward (foreground) mode, the display screen of the display means displays a landscape in a forward direction (opposite direction to the mobile station by 180° when seen from the base station) of the operator (mobile station) when the operator sees the base station from the current position of the mobile station, or from the next target point if the operator reaches the next target point.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCONInventors: Fumio Ootomo, Akio Kimura, Kaoru Kumagai, Kazuki Osaragi, Kunihiro Hayashi
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Patent number: 6529615Abstract: A process for determining the health of crops in a field and for correcting deficiencies in the health of the crops is disclosed. The process includes georeferencing aerial photographs of at least a portion of the field, the aerial photographs having a particular spatial resolution; determining the green plane in the aerial photographs thus taken; preparing a relative greenness map of the field based upon the nitrogen reference area, the relative greenness map providing crop status information having spatial resolution equivalent to the spatial resolution of the aerial photographs; converting the relative greenness map to a nitrogen recommendation map having spatial resolution equivalent to the spatial resolution of the photographs; and applying nitrogen to the field according to the nitrogen recommendation map, whereby the nitrogen is applied to the field without loss of spatial information. A process for treating crops is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Larry L. Hendrickson, Shufeng Han, Monte A. Dickson
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Publication number: 20030036852Abstract: A system and method for creating crop input requirement maps for site-specific farming. Crop input requirement maps contain a prescription of crop inputs for each section of a field. The prescription of crop inputs is used to create an application map. The first step in creating crop input requirement maps is to input recommendation equations into a mapping system. The user either selects a pre-defined recommendation equation or inputs an equation using mathematical equations, nested programming, or tables. Next, a field attribute map containing various agronomic data is accessed by the mapping system. The field attribute map includes data such as soil test values, elevation, desired crop yield, soil survey, as-applied data, yield monitor data, and other information. The final step combines the recommendation equations and field attribute maps to create a prescription of crop inputs for each section of a field.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: AGCOInventors: Todd Ell, Don P. Kackman
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Publication number: 20030033087Abstract: To dynamically display a tide graph. A tide level calculation unit obtains a tide level at an interval of a time set by a display time setting unit on the basis of a date/time inputted from a date setting unit, a point inputted by a point setting unit and tidal component data at this point. Then, a tide level difference calculation unit obtains a tide level difference from a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of tide levels, a tide level range displayed by one segment is obtained by dividing this tide level difference by a segment count along a tide-level-axis, and the tide level range is changed. Accordingly, dynamic display utilizing a display area of a display unit to the full can be attained.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventor: Toshiyuki Yuzuki
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Publication number: 20030033086Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: James Beresford Lee, Timothy John Monks, Angela Bowles, Peter Mitchell Stone, Robert John Turner
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Patent number: 6516275Abstract: A method for spectral balancing of near- and far-offset seismic data, whereby velocity and offsets are determined for the seismic data. First, an NMO stretch compensation filter is created by the following steps. A frequency spectrum of the near-offset seismic data is estimated and a stretch factor &bgr; is calculated for the frequency spectrum, using the velocity and the offsets. A stretched frequency spectrum of near-offset seismic data is calculated, based on the stretch factor &bgr;. The frequency spectrum of near-offset seismic data is divided by the stretched frequency spectrum of near-offset seismic data, generating a first frequency response filter. High frequency gain is limited in the first frequency response filter, generating a first gain-limited filter. The first gain-limited filter is convolved with a low pass filter, generating the NMO stretch compensation filter. Then the NMO stretch compensation filter is applied to the seismic data.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventor: Spyridon K. Lazaratos
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Publication number: 20030018432Abstract: A method for producing a more accurate instantaneous unit hydrograph particularly for urban areas and for use in specifying the capacities of structures engineered to manage surface water runoff at the watershed catchment. The method uses map data verified by on-site inspections to obtain the input for the computer-performed calculation of initial probabilities, transition probabilities and mean waiting times, and subsequently the instantaneous unit hydrograph. This data includes the areas, links between streams, and slopes of various parts of the watershed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2001Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventor: Preston W. Helms
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Publication number: 20030018431Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2001Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventor: Glenn P. Hanson
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Publication number: 20030009287Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: John Willard Howard, Dan Martin Scott, Darin Wayne Higgins
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Patent number: 6505124Abstract: A GPS system to provide planter tripping for crop research plots provides the longitude and latitude of the first trip location and provide a continuous flow of location information. A control computer calculates the next tripping location and provides a signal to the planter at that location and each subsequent tripping location in the field grid. A GPS receiver mounted on the planter provides location information. When the first plot is manually tripped the computer will use vector information to determine the next tripping location. The computer has a program that allows entry of planted length and alley width so the system can calculate the next plot location from the original planter trip. Additional parameters entered in the program include the number of trips needed to pass across the field and the number of passes that would be needed to complete the planting grid.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Peter B. Moore, Donald F. Handorf, Timothy A. Schroeder
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Patent number: 6496780Abstract: A system for conveying a weather report includes a television transmitter, cable head-end or other broadcast device and a television receiver or other display device. A sequence of images broadcast by the transmitter and displayed by the receiver depict sun, sky, clouds, rain and other weather conditions superimposed on a landmark associated with a city, county or region which the report covers. To provide a temporal perspective of the report, a clock face, time line and/or rising/setting sun are superimposed on each of the images, indicating the hours at which the depicted weather conditions are forecasted to occur.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: WSI CorporationInventors: Ronald Alan Harris, Clifford Edward Medling, Jr., Peter Douglas Cote
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Patent number: 6490526Abstract: A multi-trace geometric attribute of a regularly gridded surface is calculated at multiple scales, wherein, first, a window size is selected. Next, a set of the grid points is defined defining grid cells of the selected window size. Next, the geometric attribute is calculated using the traces at the set of the grid points. Next, the above selecting and calculating steps are repeated for sets of the grid points defining grid cells of different window sizes. Finally, the window size is determined whose calculations best represent the geometric attribute.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Gianni Matteucci, Daniel H. Cassiani, Larry E. Ives
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Patent number: 6484101Abstract: A system and method for generating custom geospatial information maps and precision corrected images allows realtime interactive production of a desired output image by incorporating user selectable parameters that define various image synthesizing operations. A graphical user interface allows a user to specify parameters that define the desired output image. The parameters define image synthesizing operations such as area, projection, datum, fusion, masking, blending, mosaiking, resampling, and others. The desired output image is processed by an image assembly server, and electronically delivered to a user via a public access network. A user may therefore receive a desired output image that conforms to a variety of user-specified parameters interactively via the image assembly server, and interactively update and refine the desired output image via the graphical user interface, thereby providing an active archive of a set of images that can be revised dynamically.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: ImageLinks, Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Lucas, Kenneth Melero
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Patent number: 6484099Abstract: The inventive process for correcting atmospheric influences in multispectral optical remote sensing data, which are acquired as raw data in satellite or airborne sensors for earth observation, comprises the combination of a pre-classification (DERA) of the raw data for an automatic identification of predefined classes, a correction calculation (CORA) for a conversion of the uncorrected to corrected reflectances on the ground, including an incorporation of current atmospheric data for a precise description of the atmospheric condition. The pre-classification (DERA) permits a more precise correction calculation (CORA) by generating required a priori knowledge. The method has applications in satellite or airborne remote sensing of the earth's surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft -und Raumfahrt e.V.Inventors: Thomas Holzer-Popp, Michael Bittner, Erik Borg, Stefan Dech, Thilo Ebertseder, Bernd Fichtelmann, Marion Schroedter
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Publication number: 20020169558Abstract: An apparatus for analysing and mapping soil and/or terrain for physical and/or chemical properties thereof, comprises a sensor 1 for measuring conductivity of soil by electromagnetic induction, the device being movable over an area of ground to be analysed and mapped, a differential global positioning satellite (DGPS) receiver system 12 for determining the location of the sensor 1 on the area of the ground 30 to be analysed and mapped, and a personal computer (PC) 19 in communication with sensor 1 and DGPS system 12 for capturing the ground conductivity data from the sensor 1 in association with the determined location of the sensor 1 at which the conductivity data are obtained. The captured data can subsequently be used to generate soil maps of the area 30, showing variations in a range of soil parameters such as nutrients, pH, water content or soil type, from which improved ground management strategies can be developed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: John Justin Smith, Martin Peters
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Publication number: 20020161469Abstract: The present invention is directed to A cutting apparatus that includes a hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The computer has a central processor that executes instructions, a memory for storing instructions to be executed, and non-volatile storage for storing the messages. The executable computer instructions of the system include one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of modeling material removal swaths defined in simplified 2-axis cross-sections that are cut adjacent and parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the swaths are defined in simplified 2-axis surface contour-following rotation cutting means moved by the system's CPU, driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Lawrence Q. Faulkner, Mark E. Fisher, Justin Luton
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Publication number: 20020156582Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventor: Frederic M. Newman
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Publication number: 20020123844Abstract: A method and a system for locating mineral deposits which utilizes readily available data and is performed using a computer without the need for on-site exploration of the area of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventor: Ricardo A. Valls
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Patent number: 6446006Abstract: Method of producing impact point position probability maps for a well. It consists in defining a fixed, invariant target point chosen a priori on an initial location E0 of the surface S, discretizing the surface S with the aid of a grid composed of nodes and of grid cells, assigning at least one elementary geometrical uncertainty vector to each node of the grid of the surface S, determining a statistically significant number of occurrences of locations of the surface S as a function of the geometrical uncertainties affecting it, projecting the target point onto each occurrence of location of the surface so as to deduce a point of impact therefrom, transferring the set of impact points onto the location E0 of the surface S by allocating, to each of these points, surface co-ordinates identical to those which it had on the occurrence of location of the surface containing it.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Elf Exploration ProductionInventor: Pierre Thore
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Patent number: 6442483Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for defining surrogate addresses that translate land descriptions used in the subdivision of public domain lands, including descriptions more recently extended into non-public domain areas, as set forth in the U.S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS), commonly known as the system of Townships and Ranges (T/R). This system of local coordinate (surrogate) addresses translates existing township and range quarter section declarations to a pair of positive integers, thereby eliminating cardinal point references while, substituting the lengthy legal descriptions of the existing (T/R) system, with a more versatile, useful, and more commonly understood grid coordinate identification system of location identifiers. The advantages of the system are numerous, including ease of visualization and ease of locating places on coordinated maps as well as, the enhanced capability relating to the automated processing of geospatial data.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Inventor: Arthur George Doglione
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Patent number: 6438494Abstract: An apparatus for designing roads has an input unit for inputting information of design conditions and/or a command of design processing and so on, an input control unit for controlling the input unit, a design conditions database for storing data such as the information of the design conditions, a road design processing unit for executing road design in accordance with the command of the design processing and/or the information of the design conditions, a result database for storing a data file such as a road design map, an image data processing unit for converting the data file such as the road design map into a suitable output format, an output unit for outputting the road design map as three dimensional computer graphics and/or printer papers and an output control unit for controlling the output unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Sanei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Yamamoto, Eihachirou Nakamae
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Publication number: 20020107639Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of pest management and crop certification of crops by a grower. The method includes gathering pest sampling data in connection with a crop of the grower, the pest sampling data including locational information thereof. The gathered pest sampling data is transmitted 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 which is received by the grower. The crop is harvested and a crop certification is received regarding the crop based upon the generated pest management analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventor: Agenor Mafra-Neto
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Patent number: 6421000Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating multipath signal distortion using a multi-element antenna array is provided. The multi-element antenna array is used to discriminate between the desired signal and its multipath components based on spatial angle of arrival. A reference signal, provided by the positioning system receiver, is used to compute element weightings that are utilized to null out the multipath components before they reach the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Charles E. McDowell
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Patent number: 6421610Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over 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 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. The computer containing the resultant geospatial image and software controlling the same are connected to the internet so that internet users have access to the data.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Inventors: Ernest A. Carroll, Christopher M. Gardner
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Patent number: 6418377Abstract: A map for providing television antenna recommendations for a selected geographic area is disclosed. The map comprises multiple contours, a legend and a channel list. Each contour corresponds to a type of antenna. The legend associates each contour with a type of antenna. The channel list includes television channels that were used in generating the map contours. A preferred method for generating the maps of the present invention uses terrain data representing the topography of a geographic area. A set of television channels being broadcast in the geographic area is identified. A set of signal characteristics is calculated based on the identified set of television channels and the terrain data. The calculated signal characteristics include signal strength of at least one television channel at various points in the geographic area, and include multi-path characteristics and signal blockage characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Conus CommunicationsInventor: Raymond A. Conover
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Patent number: 6405135Abstract: An imbedded Internet sensor system for protecting real property from the consequences of subterranean chemical pollution. The system provides real time monitoring of the first occurrence of contaminants in the subsurface of a property. An onsite processor controls a local network of sensors and a communication device relays the data to a remotely located database. The local network of sensor are made up of multiple acoustic wave sensors differentiated by sensor coatings configured into a sensor array. As a vapor contaminant passes across the surface of the surface acoustic wave sensor crystals, a shift is caused in the frequency of the acoustic wave. The shift is translated into an electronic signal that is communicated to the onsite processor, which in turn communicates the signal in the form of electronic data to a remote facility wherein remedial measures may be dispatched and appropriate parties notified.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventors: John J. Adriany, Brian M. Kahl, Scott S. Fenby
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Patent number: 6401041Abstract: An automated graphical representation of agricultural information features entry of agricultural data through an Internet web page, preferably by outside resources such as county extension agents. The data is stored within a temporary table until validated. Once the data is verified, it is transferred to a main database, to be included as a part of the data available for third-party graphical representation. The agricultural data is displayed using colors representative of the status or condition of a characteristic that is being evaluated by an end-user. This is preferably done by selecting one pre-established and uniquely colored layer from several that are available, most preferably with the color corresponding to the status. The unique graphical representation allows a very diverse base of users to quickly and readily ascertain the agricultural information, while simultaneously being able to quickly compare the information from one region against another or against historical norms.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Inventor: Clayton Petersen
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Patent number: 6401040Abstract: A map for providing television antenna recommendations for a selected geographic area is disclosed. The map comprises multiple contours, a legend and a channel list. Each contour corresponds to a type of antenna. The legend associates each contour with a type of antenna. The channel list includes television channels that were used in generating the map contours. A preferred method for generating the maps of the present invention uses terrain data representing the topography of a geographic area. A set of television channels being broadcast in the geographic area is identified. A set of signal characteristics is calculated based on the identified set of television channels and the terrain data. The calculated signal characteristics include signal strength of at least one television channel at various points in the geographic area, and include multi-path characteristics and signal blockage characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Conus CommunicationsInventor: Raymond A. Conover
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Patent number: 6385544Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of pest management and crop certification of crops by a grower. The method includes gathering pest sampling data in connection with a crop of the grower, the pest sampling data including locational information thereof. The gathered pest sampling data is transmitted 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 which is received by the grower. The crop is harvested and a crop certification is received regarding the crop based upon the generated pest management analysis.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Inventor: Agenor Mafra-Neto
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Patent number: 6380886Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to allow altimeter data sets from multiple altimeter satellites to be used together. The measurable portion of geographically correlated orbit error (GCOE) is removed from the altimeter data sets, thereby allowing the data sets to be combined consistently. The GCOE structure for a reference data set is estimated through crossover difference analysis. The unmeasurable portion of the GCOE is not removed, although the spatial structure of this portion is determined. A reference mean sea level (SL) is corrected for the measurable GCOE and is then used as a reference surface for estimating the GCOE structure for an independent altimeter data set. This is performed by examining crossover differences between the altimeter mean SL and the reference mean SL at the multimission crossover points. The change in sea surface height (SSH) between the input data set and the reference data set is determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Gregg A. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20020049541Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventor: Donald L. O'Neall
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Publication number: 20020040273Abstract: A software-based system and method for analyzing data contained in a computerized database. A plan document specifies data to be used by each of a plurality of software modules. A decision tree document identifies a set of the software modules to be invoked and specifies an order in which the identified set of software modules are to be invoked. Each of the identified set of software modules are provided a version of the plan document. Each version of the plan document provided to each of the identified set of software modules is transformed into a transformed plan document such that each one of the identified set of software modules has an associated transformed plan document. The identified set of software modules are invoked in the order specified in the decision tree. Each of the identified set of software modules performs operations using data from the transformed plan document associated with the software module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Michael J. John, Don P. Kackman, Todd Ell
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Publication number: 20020035431Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of creating application maps for site-specific farming. The application maps are developed using a modular process. The first step of the process is to develop field attribute maps. The field attribute maps contain the various types of agricultural inputs used to create an application map. The second step of the process is to create crop input requirement maps. The crop input requirement maps combines the information from the field attribute maps and recommendation equations. The last step of the process is to create an application map. The application map combines the crop input requirement maps and product inputs to create a blend of commercial products apply to a field.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventor: Todd Ell
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Publication number: 20020035432Abstract: A method of spatially indexing land by selecting a parcel (100) of land and extending its boundaries (110) to include a portion of adjacent streets (125) and alleys (122) to define a cell (150). A unique identifier is assigned to the cell as well as a reference point (170) within the cell (150). The reference point has a known location in a global referencing system. An internet address is assigned to the cell which identifies its location, such as the location of the reference point within the cell. This information and other data associated with the cell is then stored in an OX Spatial Index database and includes the street address for the cell and other relevant information such as owner, what type building if any is on the property, location of utility lines, etc. A Spatial Internet Address which includes the geographic location of the cell is assigned for each cell and this information is also stored in the index.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Boguslaw Kubica, Craig W. Robertson
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Publication number: 20020029112Abstract: A map for providing television antenna recommendations for a selected geographic area is disclosed. The map comprises multiple contours, a legend and a channel list. Each contour corresponds to a type of antenna. The legend associates each contour with a type of antenna. The channel list includes television channels that were used in generating the map contours. A preferred method for generating the maps of the present invention uses terrain data representing the topography of a geographic area. A set of television channels being broadcast in the geographic area is identified. A set of signal characteristics is calculated based on the identified set of television channels and the terrain data. The calculated signal characteristics include signal strength of at least one television channel at various points in the geographic area, and include multi-path characteristics and signal blockage characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventor: Raymond A. Conover
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Publication number: 20020022929Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for creating field attribute maps for site-specific farming. Field attribute maps contain agricultural data that is collected from a field and converted into a format used to create application maps. To create field attribute maps, agricultural data is collected from a field and input to a mapping system. The agricultural data is then cleansed and validated. The cleansing process corrects any data errors and converts the data into a standard format. The validation process verifies the latitude and longitude of the data. The data is then converted into a two-dimensional grid format. The end result is a field broken into multiple grid cells, where each cell contains agricultural data. The two-dimensional grid format allows the mapping system to more efficiently create application maps.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Applicant: AGCOInventor: Todd Ell
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Patent number: 6338023Abstract: The autonomous survey system (AutoSurvey) is used to automatically maximize area coverage with swath sensors and to minimize survey time while ensuring the collected data meets specified quality constraints. The autonomous survey system (AutoSurvey) evaluates the effects of the environment and system performance on the collected survey data by modulizing the data collection into a series of modules—data collection and error detection, data georectification, data quality validation, swath-edge fit, next-line way point generation, and the autopilot. All of these processes are implemented in near real-time, allowing unfettered survey progress. The data is applied directly between processes, providing operator independent system operation; the autosurvey system directly controls the survey vessel via the autopilot. Through the real-time data acquisition the system provides automation of the operator quality and coverage assessment tasks and also provides quantified data assessment.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Brian S. Bourgeois, Andrew B. Martinez, Peter J. Alleman, Jami J. Cheramie, John M. Gravley
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Patent number: 6336066Abstract: A process for using localized agricultural data to optimize the cultivation of perennial plants, the process including: passage through a parcel of perennial plants by a farm machine; automatic production of positioning signals at several points in the parcel, by means of an absolute positioning sensor, for example, of the differential GPS type installed on board the farm machine; automatic measurement by means of appropriate sensors of one or more pieces of agricultural data at each of these points; recording of the positioning signals and the data measured at these points by a data processing unit; processing of the positioning signals by means of a computer and an appropriate algorithm so as to organize them according to the rows of the parcel, so that the same row can be found again unambiguously during different passes; real-time or deferred representation of the positions passed through and/or the agricultural data in the form of a computer-generated map.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Pellenc S.A.Inventors: Roger Pellenc, Antoine Bourely
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Patent number: 6330503Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) controlled marking apparatus for staking and a method of using the apparatus to stake a surface. The apparatus uses a standard architectural or other surface site application program and a stakeout driver program in a standard computer and includes a GPS receiver, a stakeout tool, an autopilot, a vehicle, a geographical drawing converter, and a location comparator. The geographical drawing converter converts an image of a drawing pattern to geographical mark locations. The autopilot guides the vehicle to the geographical mark locations. The location comparator detects a location march between the geographical mark locations of the drawing pattern and a current geographical location determined by the GPS receiver. Information for the location match is used by the stakeout tool for driving a stake into the ground.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Kevin Andrew Ian Sharp, Charles David Hope Manning
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Patent number: 6314349Abstract: A process for generating fly-around boundaries for use by projectiles such as missiles or the like which facilitates the steps of providing original cartographic data representative of at least one geographical position on a landmass and providing a predetermined value for the spacing of a fly-around boundary from the geographical position; digitizing the original data and creating a landmass model in a format which includes latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the geographical position; inputting the digitized data and the predetermined value into a data analyzer; generating new data representative of the fly-around boundary using the data analyzer based on the predetermined value and the land mass model, preferably by offsetting fly-around segments from the landmass model a distance equal to the predetermined value; and providing a navigational control for receiving the new data and using the new data for controlling the flight path of the missile along the boundary.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Steven W. Tomasi, Karen Benevides, Jeffrey Roy
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Patent number: 6311124Abstract: A device for selecting vehicles to be sent to a site of a fire is provided. The device includes a storage unit provided with a vehicle table and a fire-spreading condition table. Fire-extinguishing ability data and arrival time data for each vehicle are stored in the vehicle table as numerical data. Initial fire power data and fire-spreading rate data are stored in the fire-spreading condition table as numerical data. The device also includes a vehicle organizing part deriving a relationship between total fire-extinguishing ability of vehicles and total fire-spreading power of the fire with respect to time, and selecting vehicles to be sent to the fire site based on the relationship.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Fijitsu LimitedInventors: Koichi Maeda, Akio Mukai
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Publication number: 20010034579Abstract: 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 data base 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: John Willard Howard, Dan Martin Scott, Darin Wayne Higgins
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Publication number: 20010004726Abstract: A method for determining measurements of a surface includes determining a trend for a plurality of measurements and determining, for each of at least one of the plurality of measurements, an associated residual between the trend and the measurement and determining, for each of at least one of the associated residuals, an interpolated value for the residual. The method also includes comparing, for each of the at least one associated residuals, the residual to the interpolated value of the residual to determine whether a measurement associated with the residual is anomalous. In response to determining that a measurement associated with the residual is anomalous, the anomalous measurement is discarded. The remaining measurements then represent the surface of interest. The system includes a processor for executing a program of the method. Further, the system includes memory, an input device, and an output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2001Publication date: June 21, 2001Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Mark A. Lambrecht
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Patent number: 6236907Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc.Inventors: Joseph I. Hauwiller, Youxuan Jin
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Patent number: H1997Abstract: A system for concomitant scenario topography with the aid of a digital computer such that a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map is produced and displayed which illustrates the combined effects, particularly geo-environmental, of multiple, diverse criteria and factors relative to uniquely-referenced, uniform, small areas of a plane surface or the surface of a solid. The topography system employs plural interrelated tables, worksheets and mapping systems to receive, contain and apply various political, economic, scientific, and technical criteria and factors as attributes of a particular small area, and subsequently map the processed data. Each table includes at least one join field which links that table to at least one other table or worksheet. At least one worksheet includes capability for rapid, dynamic user-interaction to facilitate generation of a myriad of actual or imagined scenarios.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1997Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Peter Fleischer