Abstract: A decision support system and method of assessing an intervention action in response to a hazard situation. The decision support system outputs information representing the hazard situation by combining data from data sources describing one of the hazard situation and a physical domain including at least one source of real-time data from the physical domain. A simulation is run using rules to predict the behavior of individual agents in response to the hazard situation, where the system selects one action from a set of candidate intervention actions based on the behavior predicted by the agent and tests the selected intervention action by initiating, for each of a predetermined set of possible outcomes of the selected intervention action, an operation to reiterate the simulation with a respective possible outcome as a factor influencing agent behavior.

Abstract: A farm work machine (1) operable in a variety of work modes includes a communications unit (5) that reads farm work information for a selected target farm work sector from a database of a management center storing the farm work information for each farm work sector, a work mode setting unit (46) which sets work modes, a work mode comparison unit (53) that effects comparison between a set work mode set by the work mode setting unit and a registered work mode included in farm work information read from the database, and a display data generation unit (55) that generates display data in order to display, on a display, the read farm work information and a result of the comparison effected by the mode comparison unit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising identifying field boundaries from aerial imagery; detecting entry upon a first field by an agricultural machine without operator intervention, the first field within the identified field boundaries; and providing a first path to be traversed in the first field at least in part by the agricultural machine.

Abstract: A cloud-based system for integration of agricultural data with geolocation-based agricultural operations is provided. The system receives agricultural-related data associated with a given geographic area and transforms the received data into an analysis-ready format. The system processes the received data through one or more algorithms to determine at least one operation to be performed within the given geographic area. The system generates a set of instructions for execution of the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation, where the instructions are coded for direct use by a controller of a specified type of agricultural equipment. The system transmits the instructions over a wireless communication channel to the controller, where the instructions cause the controller to direct operation of the agricultural equipment to perform the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation in an automated manner.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing messages for an individual. Using one or more social media services, encouraging messages are solicited from social media contacts of the individual, and in response, the encouraging messages are received from the social media contacts. The encouraging messages have a preferred sentiment and reference features of the event. One of the features is determined to be likely to be encountered by the individual within an amount of time based on a geographic position of the individual. During the event and based on the likelihood of the feature being encountered, an encouraging message is selected from the encouraging messages so that the selected encouraging message references the feature. The selected encouraging message is presented to the individual during the event.

Abstract: For textured digital elevation model generation, a method projects swath point projection coordinates of each lidar point of texel swaths into a corresponding texel swath with normalized projection coordinates. Each texel swath includes lidar points, an optical image, and swath output projection point coordinates of the lidar points into the optical image. The method generates a projection matrix including lidar point data for each lidar point of each texel swath. The method calculates enhanced lidar coordinates for each lidar point as a function of minimizing misregistration errors. In addition, the method creates enhanced output pixel coordinates for each image pixel based on the enhanced lidar coordinates for the lidar points and the associated output pixel coordinates. The method generates a textured digital elevation model based on the enhanced output pixel coordinates for each image pixel, and the enhanced lidar coordinates.

Abstract: In a method of for generating a crop recommendation, a plurality of data sets are received by a computer system from a plurality of disparate data sources, wherein each of said plurality of data sets describes a factor affecting a crop. A benchmark is created by the computer system for each of the data sets which describes how the factor affects the market value of the crop. A model is generated by the computer system which describes the crop based upon each of said benchmarks from the plurality of data sets. A report is then generated by the computer system comprising at least one recommendation to increase the market value of the crop.

Abstract: Techniques for using a scaling relationship between crop drymass and elevation at a farm level to redistribute crop yield data are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing crop yield is provided. The method includes the steps of: obtaining crop yield data for a farm; cleansing the crop yield data using a data filter(s), wherein one or more data points are eliminated from the crop yield data by the data filter; and redistributing a value of the data points eliminated from the crop yield data to data points remaining in the crop yield data to create a crop yield distribution for the farm.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are provided. An example method comprises accessing a record for a particular traversable map element. The record comprises an executable instruction. The example method further comprises receiving sensor data from one or more sensors. The sensor data corresponds to the particular traversable map element. The method further comprises executing, by a processor, the executable instruction. Executing the executable instruction causes analysis of at least a portion of the sensor data.

Abstract: Drones have become ubiquitous in performing risky and labor intensive areal tasks cheaply and safely. To allow them to be autonomous, their flight plan needs to be pre-built for them. Existing works do not precalculate flight paths but instead focus on navigation through camera based image processing techniques, genetic or geometric algorithms to guide the drone during flight. That makes flight navigation complex and risky. We present automated flight plan builder DIFPL which pre-builds flight plans for drones to survey a large area. The flight plans are built for subregions and fed into drones which allow them to navigate autonomously. DIFPL employs distributed paradigm on Hadoop MapReduce framework. Distribution is achieved by processing sections or subregions in parallel. Experiments performed with network and elevation datasets validate the efficiency of DIFPL in building optimal flight plans.

Abstract: This patent discloses methods and systems for remotely requesting a flood zone determination from a mobile device such as a smart phone. The methods and systems use the GPS receiver in the mobile device to determine the exact latitude and longitude of the user's location, thus eliminating the need for geocoding, eliminating errors introduced by manual data entry, and eliminating the need for the time consuming manual determination processes required, for example, for non-standard-addressed locations and for structures located near a 100-year flood zone.

Abstract: A system includes a retractable mounting assembly including a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes at least one substantially rigid frame member. In some embodiments, the frame assembly is configured to facilitate movement of an agricultural soil analyzer from a first position longitudinally proximate to a rear end of an agricultural implement to a second position longitudinally rearward of the first position, relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement, the frame assembly is configured to position the agricultural soil analyzer above a surface of an agricultural field while in the second position, and each of the at least one substantially rigid frame member is formed from a non-electrically interactive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting travel data include a mobile application capable of being executed on a mobile computing device and configured to monitor and log travel data related to travel of the mobile computing device, and to communicate the travel data over a network. A networked data processing device may be coupled to receive the travel-related data from the network and analyze the travel-related data to identify a mode of travel of the mobile computing device. A graphical user interface allows a user of the mobile computing device to verify accuracy of the identified means of travel.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may conduct micro scans of a wide variety of property types. A site identification system may allow for identification of a point or points of interest to be scanned via the micro scans. A coordinate offset system may calculate a coordinate offset of location coordinates from a satellite-based mapping system relative to real-time coordinate readings from an on-site UAV. Satellite-based location coordinates for the identified point(s) of interest may be adjusted based on the calculated coordinate offset to enhance the scanning itself, data association, visualization of scan data, and/or reporting of scan data.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for designing and/or implementing a drainage system for an agricultural area, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system might identify one or more elevation points at each of a plurality of locations within the agricultural area, based on 3-D topographical surveys and 3-D soil profiles. A location of one or more outlet points within the agricultural area, where water will drain out, may be identified. The computer system might also determine location, length, and/or cross-sectional size for each of one or more drainage pipes (including main, sub-main, and lateral drainage pipes), based at least in part on optimization of location and/or costs based at least in part on the 3-D topographical surveys, the 3-D soil profiles, the one or more elevation points, and/or the location of the one or more outlet points.

Abstract: Detection and identification a field's boundaries is performed in a workflow based on processing images of the field captured at different times, relative to a defined seed point. Images are clipped to align with the seed point and a bounding box around the seed point, and a mask is built by extracting edges of the field from the images. The workflow floods an area around the seed point that has pixels of a similar color, using the mask as an initial boundary. The flooded area is compared to threshold parameter values, which are tuned to refine the identified boundary. Flooded areas in multiple images are combined, and a boundary is built based on the combined flooded set. Manual, interactive tuning of floodfill areas allows for a separate boundary detection and identification workflow or for refinement of the automatic boundary detection workflow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for visual localization of a visual camera system outputting real-time visual camera data and a graphics processing unit receiving the real-time visual camera data. The graphics processing unit accesses a database of prior map information and generates a synthetic image that is then compared to the real-time visual camera data to determine corrected position data. The graphics processing unit determines a camera position based on the corrected position data. A corrective system for applying navigation of the vehicle based on the determined camera position can be used in some embodiments.

Abstract: A method for providing landing assistance for an aircraft is provided. The method analyzes terrain data; identifies one or more landing zones, based on analyzing the terrain data, each of the one or more landing zones comprising a flat area lacking obstacles to aircraft landing; and presents the one or more landing zones via a display element onboard the aircraft.

Abstract: Detection and identification a field's boundaries is performed in a workflow based on processing images of the field captured at different times, relative to a defined seed point. Images are clipped to align with the seed point and a bounding box around the seed point, and a mask is built by extracting edges of the field from the images. The workflow floods an area around the seed point that has pixels of a similar color, using the mask as an initial boundary. The flooded area is compared to threshold parameter values, which are tuned to refine the identified boundary. Flooded areas in multiple images are combined, and a boundary is built based on the combined flooded set. Manual, interactive tuning of floodfill areas allows for a separate boundary detection and identification workflow or for refinement of the automatic boundary detection workflow.

Abstract: A process for graphically guiding a user of a capture device (e.g., smartphone) to more accurately and completely capture a series of ground-level images of a building. Ground-level images are captured as the picture taker moves around the building—taking a plurality (e.g., 4-16 for an entire building) of ground level images from multiple angles and/or distances. The series of captured ground level images may be uploaded to an image processing system to create a 3D building model and returned to the user or processed locally. The returned 3D building model may incorporate scaled measurements of building architectural elements and may include a dataset of measurements for one or more architectural elements such as siding (e.g., aluminum, vinyl, wood, brick and/or paint), windows or doors.

Abstract: An evaluator can determine whether there is a material change in the observed parameter of a crop or field with respect to average measurements of the observed parameter. A location-determining receiver is adapted to determine a location of a vehicle corresponding to the material change in the observed parameter. An imaging device is adapted to collect the image data for a time interval associated with the material change. A data processor is arranged for associating the image data with the corresponding location data and storing the image data and corresponding location data in a data storage device.

Abstract: Methods and products are provided for facilitating application of variable-product agrochemicals, such as fertilizer, to an application area, such as a field. The fertilizer or agrochemical may include a single fertilizer or agrochemical type or a mixture. In one embodiment, a fertilizer-application area is divided into application cells, and a fertilizer product is determined for each cell, based on zones of the application area with a similar characteristic, such as topographic wetness index levels. Based on a determined product for each cell, instructions for controlling an agrochemical applicator are automatically generated.

Abstract: A modeling framework for estimating crop growth and development over the course of an entire growing season generates a continuing profile of crop development from any point prior to and during a growing season until a crop maturity date is reached. The modeling framework applies extended range weather forecasts and remotely-sensed imagery to improve crop growth and development estimation, validation and projection. Output from the profile of crop development profile generates a combination of data for use in auxiliary farm management applications.

Abstract: A directional filter for processing full-tensor gradiometer data is described. The filter processes input data using a method comprising receiving geophysical data collected based on characteristics of geographic features in an environment, and applying a directional filter to the received geophysical data in a first instance so as to provide first filtered data. A filtering direction of the directional filter is determined based on properties in the received geophysical data. The method also includes updating the filtering direction based on properties in the first filtered data, applying the directional filter to the received geophysical data in a subsequent instance using the updated filtering direction so as to provide subsequent filtered data, and based on the updated filtering direction having a subsequent update less than a threshold, outputting directionally filtered data. The subsequent update is determined due to properties in the subsequent filtered data output from the subsequent instance.

Abstract: Systems for adjusting for irregular movement during spectral imaging are provided herein. Exemplary systems include: a spectrograph measuring a plurality of spectrographic data sets; a camera capturing images, a processor communicatively coupled to the spectrograph and the camera; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a plurality of spectrographs for a series of respective locations and the images corresponding to the respective locations; generating a continuous image using the images; identifying a respective corresponding position in the continuous image for each spectrograph, such that each spectrograph is a measurement of the respective position; and associating each spectrograph with the respective position.

Abstract: A flood warning system and method are described. The system obtains localized flood depth information and, based upon alert parameter information provided by registered users, creates personalized flood alerts for the registered users. The method uses ultrasound derived localized flood depth information and alert parameter information provided by registered users to provide personalized flood alerts to the registered users.

Abstract: Provided are a computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for providing notifications. A ticket that specifies at least one activity to be performed, a location at which the activity is to be performed, and a period of time in which that activity is to occur is received. A message to be delivered is identified based on the activity, the location, and the period of time, wherein the message describes one or more measures to be taken based on the activity. The identified message describing the one or more measures is delivered to enable at least one of the measures to be taken before the activity occurs in the period of time specified in the ticket.

Abstract: In some embodiments, scripts may be used to perform parcel data acquisition, conversion, and clean-up/repair in an automated manner and/or through graphical user interfaces. The scripts may be used, for example, to repair geometries of new parcel data, convert multi-part parcel geometries to single part parcel geometries (explode), eliminate duplicate parcel geometries, append columns, create feature classes, and append feature classes. These scripts may be executed in a predetermined manner to increase efficiency. In some embodiments, different combinations of attributes may be appended to stored parcel data. In some embodiments, a tracking application may be used to track information about sources of data. In some embodiments, a tracking application may be used to track which system users are assigned to specific tasks (e.g., in a data acquisition project).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for displaying data products onto a geospatial map in real-time using a computer program. In one version, the method includes the steps of monitoring the one or more directories of one or more computer readable media for newly created data products, automatically reading the newly created data products, correlating positional information of the data products with the geospatial map of the computer program for mapping and exploitation, and rendering information onto the geospatial map indicative of the area covered by each newly created data product.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for creating data products in real-time with the aid of a ground station system. The method includes the steps of monitoring one or more communication links for newly captured sensor data and positional data of oblique images, saving the sensor data and positional data to one or more directories of one or more computer readable media, monitoring the one or more directories of one or more computer readable media for sensor data and positional data, processing the sensor data and positional data to create one or more data products for use by one or more mapping and exploitation systems responsive to the sensor data and positional data being saved in the one or more directories, and storing the one or more data products to one or more directories of one or more computer readable media.

Abstract: A system and method for labelling aerial images. A neural network generates predicted map data. The parameters of the neural network are trained by optimizing an objective function which compensates for noise in the map images. The function compensates both omission noise and registration noise.

Abstract: So as to obtain color parallax images, it has been necessary to prepare an image capturing optical system and an image capturing element that are complex, to capture the parallax images. In view of the above, provided is an image processing apparatus including: an image obtaining section; a disparity amount operation section; and an image converting section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting cell site parameters are described. The systems and methods cause a map of a geographical area to be displayed, access known or stored location coordinates for antennas at a cell site that is located within the of the geographical area, and present display elements representing the antennas at first positions within the displayed map that correspond to the known location coordinates for the antennas at the cell site. In response to input received from a user, the systems and methods adjust the known location coordinates for the antennas at the cell sites to new location coordinates associated with second positions of the display elements within the displayed map. Further details are described herein.

Abstract: A cloud-based system for integration of agricultural data with geolocation-based agricultural operations is provided. The system receives agricultural-related data associated with a given geographic area and transforms the received data into an analysis-ready format. The system processes the received data through one or more algorithms to determine at least one operation to be performed within the given geographic area. The system generates a set of instructions for execution of the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation, where the instructions are coded for direct use by a controller of a specified type of agricultural equipment. The system transmits the instructions over a wireless communication channel to the controller, where the instructions cause the controller to direct operation of the agricultural equipment to perform the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation in an automated manner.

Abstract: A system adapted to determine a projected range of a vehicle is described. The system includes: a storage element adapted to store a set of parameters associated with a vehicle; a map evaluation element adapted to retrieve information regarding a geographic area associated with a position of the vehicle; and a processing element adapted to determine the projected range of the vehicle based at least partly on the set of parameters and the retrieved information. An automated method of projecting a range of a vehicle includes: generating a set of range projection links; generating a monochrome bitmap based at least partly on the set of range projection links; rendering the set of range projection links within the monochrome bitmap; and tracing the rendered links to generate a polygon outline of the range of the vehicle. An automated method of caching map data for vehicle range projection is described.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may utilize one or more scanning techniques to provide useful assessments and/or reports for structures and other objects. The scanning techniques may be performed in sequence and optionally used to further fine tune each subsequent scan. A first image may be a nadir image in some embodiments. A boustrophedonic scan of the area may include images captured during a boustrophedonic flight pattern within a first altitude range. Distances to an underlying surface (e.g., ground or structure) may also be determined. A loop scan of the structure may be performed at a second flight pattern in which the UAV travels around the perimeter of the structure. A micro scan of the structure in a third flight pattern may include vertical approaches proximate the structure to capture detail images of the structure.

Abstract: A method and a device for simplifying space data are provided, and the method includes: an original coordinate point of original space data is transformed into a view coordinate point of a view window according to predetermined view control parameters; the view coordinate point is analyzed that whether it accords with a simplification condition; the original coordinate point corresponding to the view coordinate point that accords with the simplification is simplified according to an analysis result. The method for simplifying space data transforms the original coordinate point of original space data into the view coordinate point of the view window and performs analysis processing, which can ensure that not only the space relation of each simplified space data of random complex itself is displayed correctly, but also the space relations between all the simplified space data are displayed correctly.

Abstract: A method for management of a land base includes interfacing a machine or equipment to a computer running a geographical information system (GIS) application such that the computer is configured to monitor the operations performed by the equipment or machine on the land base and store the operations as map points, lines, or polygons on at least one data layer within the GIS application. The method further includes displaying the GIS application to the operator at the point and time of performing the operations.

Abstract: In order to enable a geopositioning receiver of a user to resolve phase ambiguities without necessarily using multi-frequency observations, assistance data is developed thanks to measurements made at a reference network (10, 12, 14) and sent to the receiver of the user. The assistance data used preferably consist of transmitter clock values associated with the carrier code sliding combination (?eme) or with data sufficient for reconstructing said values. The transmitter clock values associated with the carrier code sliding combination (?eme) can be reconstructed from iono-free transmitter clock values (heme) and clock biases (C?eme), for example.

Abstract: This disclosure generally describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer-program products, and computer systems, for predicting well markers. One computer-implemented method includes separating neural-network (NN)-predicted facies output associated with a plurality of wells into two sets, a first set of NN-predicted facies output of training wells and a second set of NN-predicted facies output of target wells, calculating, for each training well of the plurality of wells, a sameness score between zones of NN-predicted facies output and human-identified lithostratigraphic units (finer zones), calculating a mean sameness score for the finer zones for all training wells, identifying finer zones with a mean sameness score greater than a threshold value as dominant facies zones, and iterating over each target well to calculate a top and depth position of each dominant facies zone determined based upon the NN-predicted facies output of the target well.

Abstract: A distributed wireless sensor network includes two or more wireless nodes adapted for sensing a condition at any first node, first programming located within each node for transmitting a signal representing the sensed condition from the first node to another node, second programming located within each node for receiving the signal transmitted from any other node and for retransmitting a received signal representing the sensed condition along with additional data indicating the number of retransmissions of the signal between nodes.

Abstract: A fall detector includes an accelerometer for producing a time series of measurement samples representing the acceleration acting on the fall detector; a processor for estimating a vertical velocity and/or displacement of the fall detector from the measurement samples and using the estimated vertical velocity and/or displacement to determine whether the user has suffered a fall. The processor is configured to estimate a vertical velocity and/or displacement of the fall detector by estimating a corresponding time series of unit vectors representing acceleration due to gravity in the reference frame of the accelerometer from the time series of measurement samples; projecting each measurement sample onto the corresponding unit vector and subtracting acceleration due to gravity to give a series of estimates for the vertical acceleration of the fall detector; and integrating the series of estimates to give a time series of values for the vertical velocity and/or displacement of the fall detector.

Abstract: Landing hazard avoidance displays can provide rapidly understood visual indications of where it is safe to land a vehicle and where it is unsafe to land a vehicle. Color coded maps can indicate zones in two dimensions relative to the vehicles position where it is safe to land. The map can be simply green (safe) and red (unsafe) areas with an indication of scale or can be a color coding of another map such as a surface map. The color coding can be determined in real time based on topological measurements and safety criteria to thereby adapt to dynamic, unknown, or partially known environments.

Abstract: An approach for seismic data analysis is provided. In accordance with embodiments of this approach, parallel regions within a volume of seismic data are modeled. Residual regions within the volumetric data set are identified, where the residual regions comprise those regions not modeled as parallel regions. The residual regions or a graphic derived from the residual regions are displayed for review.

Abstract: A web-based platform and method for personalizing the training regimen of an athlete. The platform includes a processor and a training log server for maintaining an athlete profile that includes a training record updatable by the athlete and a training plan supplied by a coach.

Abstract: A farm work management system includes a communication apparatus for transmitting location information of a worker carrying out a farm work and a farm work management apparatus for managing a progress of the farm work based on the location information transmitted from the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus includes a notifying unit for notifying the farm work management apparatus to the effect that the farm work is started or the farm work is finished in a case where an operation unit receives the predetermined operation. The farm work management apparatus includes a work location identifying unit for identifying the work location based on the location information transmitted from the communication apparatus, a calculating unit for calculating an estimated work time from read information, and a transmitting unit for transmitting to the communication apparatus the information about the read work content and the estimated work time having been calculated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating electronic records of locate operations and marking operations are described. Exemplary systems and methods include marking devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of marking information, locate devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of locate information, and locate devices and marking devices that communicate with each other (and optionally with other devices or systems) to share/exchange locate information and/or marking information. An exemplary method for analyzing and processing locate information and marking information includes a computer-implemented method for visually rendering (e.g., in a display field of a display device) various aspects of locate and marking operations.

Abstract: A method for making a log of material properties in a plurality of beds from an instrument utilizes steps such as estimating material properties for said plurality of beds and/or estimating positions for a plurality of bed boundaries and/or estimating orientations for said plurality of bed boundaries wherein the bed boundary orientations are individually variable. The estimated positions, orientations, and/or material properties can be utilized to compute the log.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a location. Soil sensor units are deployed in the location in a forest from a group of aerial vehicles. Information is generated about a number of soil conditions in the location in the forest using the soil sensor units in the location. The information is transmitted from the soil sensor units to a remote location for analysis.