Topography (e.g., Land Mapping) Patents (Class 702/5)
  • Patent number: 8731748
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a search request that includes one or more search criteria for a body of water. The one or more search criteria include an identification of a fish species. One or more locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria are identified. The one or more locations include at least one predicted location of the fish species within the body of water. The one or more locations are highlighted on a map of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Strategic Fishing Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Keely Brian Haymart, Daniel Kevin Reed, Ryan Richard Rist
  • Patent number: 8731999
    Abstract: A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations is provided. Initial requests to perform such operations are improved, and such requests are intelligently assessed to appropriately allocate resources to perform operations. Technicians are effectively dispatched and may be provided with process guides to facilitate performance. A host of information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired (e.g., via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Publication number: 20140129146
    Abstract: A method of processing a set of data collected by at least one sensor at successive points on the travel over a plot of land by at least one vehicle. Each piece of the data being recorded with a time lag in relation to the vehicle passing a given point on the plot of the land, and being associated with a recording time and with a geographical position of a measuring point supplied by a geolocation system. An optimum difference value is estimated by minimizing a degree of projection of a three-dimensional map of values measured at each geographical point, and correction of the data being measured from this difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GEOSYS SA
    Inventor: Chloe Romier
  • Patent number: 8718941
    Abstract: A method for developing a landfill with a compactor machine having a three-dimensional position sensing equipment, a computer, and a display. The method includes traversing the worksite with the compactor machine and determining deflection of the worksite at a plurality of locations while each of the locations is beneath the compactor machine. The compactor machine defines wheel tracks over which a plurality of wheels pass while traversing the worksite. The method includes recording the determined deflection of each of the locations on the display. The deflection may be recorded beneath only the wheel tracks of the compactor machine, such that areas passing between the wheel tracks of the compactor machine are not recorded on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Geologic Computer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Williams, Alan R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8718940
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instructions encoded in a computer-readable medium can perform operations related to evaluating surface data. Geodetic data for a plurality of surface locations are received. The geodetic data may include surface gradient information and/or surface elevation information for multiple surface locations. A set of constraining relationships is generated based on the geodetic data. The set of constraining relationships relates undetermined values of surface elevation movement and/or undetermined values of surface gradient movement to measured surface elevation changes and/or measured surface gradient changes. Some or all of the constraining relationships include multiple undetermined values. Particular values for surface elevation movements and/or particular values for surface gradient movements are calculated for multiple surface locations based on determining a solution to the set of constraining relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Davis
  • Patent number: 8712805
    Abstract: A method of displaying geohazard information to a user includes providing a computer having a processor and receiving a search query from the user. The method also includes accessing, using the processor, a real estate database, determining, using the processor, a plurality of homes in the real estate database matching the search query, and displaying information related to the plurality of homes to the user. The method further includes accessing, using the processor, a geohazard database, determining, using the processor, one or more geohazards for one or more of the plurality of homes, and displaying information related to the one or more geohazards to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John Robert Thomas Ferries, John Chandler Hopkins, III
  • Publication number: 20140107927
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for processing LiDAR return data prior to analyzing the data to detect planted trees. LiDAR return data for an area in question is filtered to remove data that are not within a predetermined area of where trees have been planted. Planting data such as GPS data that is collected by tractors or other equipment records the location of where trees are planted. The planting data is used to filter the LiDAR return data by eliminating or ignoring LiDAR return data that are not within a buffer zone around the location where the trees have been planted. Once filtered, the LiDAR return data can be analyzed to detect trees or other items of interest in the LiDAR return data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Julio C. Rojas
  • Patent number: 8700445
    Abstract: A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations is provided. Initial requests to perform such operations are improved, and such requests are intelligently assessed to appropriately allocate resources to perform operations. Technicians are effectively dispatched and may be provided with process guides to facilitate performance. A host of information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired (e.g., via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Publication number: 20140100784
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an automatic wind turbine placement device may automatically place vertical axis wind turbines in a land plot. The automatic wind turbine placement device may factor a turbine parameter set describing a vertical axis wind turbine array with a land parameter set describing a land plot. The automatic wind turbine placement device may calculate an optimal vertical axis wind turbine placement on the land plot to maximize electrical power production based on the turbine parameter set and the land parameter set. The automatic wind turbine placement device may apply the optimal vertical axis wind turbine placement to a land plot description. The automatic wind turbine placement device may present an output land plot description describing the optimal vertical axis wind turbine placement in relation to the land plot to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Wind Harvest International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Nasson Thomas, Julian Richard Still, Phillippe Parmentier, Alin-Ionut Munteanu
  • Patent number: 8670939
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of providing facility information that may correct inaccurate information on a facility using site information and provide the corrected information in an augmented reality manner. A facility information providing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including: a site information analyzing unit that analyzes site information to identify a site facility; a facility information searching unit that retrieves facility information corresponding to the site information; a facility information mapping unit that maps the facility information with the site facility and corrects the facility information based on a mapped result to generate corrected facility information; and an augmented reality providing unit that synthesizes the corrected facility information with the site information to generate augmented reality information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang-Rak Yoon, Kyung-Ok Kim, Jong-Hyun Park, Hak-Cheol Kim, Ki-Jung Lee, Jae-Chul Kim, Yoon-Seop Chang, Sun-Rae Park, Seong-Ho Lee, Jae-Jun Yoo
  • Patent number: 8660796
    Abstract: Processing gamma count rate decay curves using neural networks. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising obtaining a gamma count rate decay curve one each for a plurality of gamma detectors of a nuclear logging tool (the gamma count rate decay curves recorded at a particular borehole depth), applying the gamma count rate decay curves to input nodes of a neural network, predicting by the neural network a geophysical parameter of the formation surrounding the borehole, repeating the obtaining, applying and predicting for a plurality of borehole depths, and producing a plot of the geophysical parameter of the formation as a function of borehole depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Jacobson, Dingding Chen, John A. Quirein
  • Patent number: 8655595
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a flood risk score may be determined for a property point that provides a comprehensive assessment of the property point's risk of flooding. Determining the flood risk score may include determining a flood risk characteristic for the property point and assigning a flood risk score that corresponds to the flood risk characteristic. In some embodiments, flood risk characteristics may include a difference in elevation between the elevation of the property point and an elevation of a calculated point (e.g., on a known flood risk zone boundary). Flood risk characteristics may also include a flood zone determination for the property point and/or proximity of the property point to a known flood risk zone boundary or a flood source. In some embodiments, flood risk scores may be provided on flood risk score reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Corelogic Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Charles Green, Lee Jason Sears, Wei Du, Jeff C. Himmelright, Kevin Eugene Madden
  • Patent number: 8645067
    Abstract: A road data apparatus is disclosed that predicts road conditions comprising a land surface data generator which derives a land surface data output from a plurality of current and forecast weather and location data, said current and forecast weather and location data comprising surface temperature, subsurface temperature, and precipitation depth, a pavement data generator which derives a road temperature and a road condition from said land surface data output and a plurality of pavement generator input data, said plurality of pavement generator input data comprising road layer data; and a roadway status indicator generator which derives a roadway status indicator from said road temperature, road condition and precipitation data. In one embodiment, the roadway status indicator is communicated to an end user through a distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Gallagher, Robert J. Dreisewerd, John N. McHenry
  • Patent number: 8634814
    Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Locator IP, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven A. Root, Michael R. Root
  • Patent number: 8630463
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area may be identified using one or more physical locate marks. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area comprising the dig area is received and processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more digital representations of the physical locate mark(s) applied to the dig area during the locate operation are added to the displayed input image(s) as “locate mark indicators” so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8626571
    Abstract: An electronically generated locate request ticket identifying a dig area includes first image data associated with the dig area. The first image data includes one or both of: i) a marked-up image of a geographic area including the dig area, wherein the marked-up image includes at least one dig area indicator to provide an indication of the dig area; and ii) geographic information relating to the at least one dig area indicator. The locate request ticket is electronically transmitted to at least one entity associated with the locate operation. A completed locate request ticket is electronically received including second image data and/or non-image data relating to the locate operation as performed. The completed locate request ticket is electronically processed so as to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8626401
    Abstract: A method and system of tillage and tillage management that includes the steps of establishing a plurality of soil profiles over an area of soil to be cultivated, creating soil map database by combining these soil profiles to establish a treatment and cultivation regime, cultivating the ground in accordance regime and recording the cultivation in the soil map database. A subsoil tool for carrying out the method and system, with a shank (18) connected to a vehicle and to a ripper foot (20) terminating in a ripper tooth (22); a hydraulic ram (26) attached at a lower end to a first pivot connection (28) and at an upper end to an actuator the first pivot connection is attached to a rear end of a laterally extending wing member (30), a front end of the wing member being pivotally attached to the shank through a second pivot point (32) and the wing member is selected in accordance with soil profile at any position on a soil map database and is oscillated in response to actuation of the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Randal Tomich
  • Patent number: 8620587
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of locate operations and marking operations. Exemplary systems and apparatus 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, locate devices and marking devices that communicate with each other (and optionally with other devices or systems) to share/exchange locate information and marking information, and a combined locate and marking apparatus that constitutes an integrated device capable of various functionality germane to respective locate and marking devices, and configured for generating electronic records of both locate information and marking information. An exemplary method for analyzing and processing locate information and marking information includes a computer-implemented method for visually rendering (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8615362
    Abstract: A technique includes receiving first data belonging to a first type of remote sensing data for a region of interest and receiving second data belonging to a different second type of remote sensing data for the region of interest. The technique includes determining at least one geomorphological feature of the region of interest based at least in part on the first and second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Andreas Laake
  • Publication number: 20130338921
    Abstract: Provided are a device which automatically specifies the elevation and location of a tunnel entrance, and a method thereof. An object entrance for specification of the elevation and/or the location of a tunnel entrance is selected from a map data storage unit. A road link which includes the selected object entrance is designated as an object road link. An elevation of a prescribed region which includes the object entrance is acquired. A boundary is determined between a flat portion and an inclined portion upon the object road link, on the basis of the acquired elevation. The elevation at the determined boundary is specified as the elevation of the object entrance, and/or the determined boundary is specified as the location of the object entrance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Mapmaster Incorporated
    Inventors: Cheng Li, Hiroyuki Tamba
  • Patent number: 8600680
    Abstract: Recorded seismic data are represented as a convolution of operators representing a reflectivity series of the earth and a seismic wavelet. The recorded seismic wavelet is represented as a convolution of operators representing a receiver ghost, a source ghost, a ghost-free source system response, an earth filter response, and a receiver system response. The operator representing the receiver ghost is removed from the convolution representing the seismic wavelet. The operator representing the source ghost is removed from the convolution representing the seismic wavelet. The operator representing the ghost-free source response is removed from the convolution representing the seismic wavelet. The operator representing the earth filter response is removed from the convolution representing the seismic wavelet. The operator representing the seismic wavelet is removed from the convolution representing the recorded seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Gregory Ernest Parkes, Stian Hegna, Anthony James Day
  • Publication number: 20130311092
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and categorizing subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs. Air samples are collected and analyzed by counting hydrocarbon ions, such as methane ions and counting at least one higher order hydrocarbon ions, such as propane, pentane or hexane. The methane ions and at least one higher order hydrocarbon ions are associated with location co-ordinates to form a first raw data set and second raw data set. The first and second raw data sets are analyzed and processed to produce hydrocarbon footprints. The hydrocarbon footprints are superpositioned with other available geological information and subsurface formations of interest are identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SKY HUNTER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken BRADLEY, Russ Duncan, Aaron BALASCH
  • Patent number: 8587651
    Abstract: A surveillance video system may include a surveillance image database storing a sequence of surveillance image files for a common area having image acquisition time metadata associated therewith, the sequence of surveillance image files defining an image acquisition rate. A processor may cooperate with the surveillance image database and may be configured to transcode the surveillance image files into a sequence of surveillance video frames retaining the image acquisition time metadata and at a video frame rate different from the image acquisition rate. The processor may also be configured to assemble a surveillance video transport stream from the sequence of surveillance video frames and retaining the image acquisition time metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert McDonald, John Delay, Kari J. Bonestroo, Tariq Bakir, John Heminghous
  • Patent number: 8577613
    Abstract: An improved methodology for managing hydrocarbon exploration of at least one prospect. The methodology involves iterative processing that allows decision makers to iterate on assumptions and refine underlying probabilistic models as well as optimize the set of recommended exploration activities that are to be performed over time as additional knowledge is gained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ian D. Bryant, Rodney Laver, Glenn Koller, Hans Eric Klumpen, Robin Walker, Andrew Bishop, Andrew Richardson
  • Patent number: 8558157
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the agrochemicals and a variable rate controller operatively connected to the dispensing system and configured to control dispensement of agrochemicals from the dispensing system. The variable rate controller is programmed with an algorithm which uses a plant growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration. A method for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes acquiring a growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration, using the growth state appropriate plug value in the initial calibration, and applying agrochemicals to the geographical area according to the initial calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Kyle H. Holland
  • Publication number: 20130245946
    Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held, wireless engineering survey data collection system and method includes a survey data collector ruggedized to MIL-STD-810G, having a housing with a hand-held, tablet, form factor, and a processor, memory module, data storage, power source, and a full personal computer operating system. A user interface is supported by the housing and communicably coupled to the processor. A survey module configures the processor, memory module, data storage, and user interface to capture and store engineering survey data. Communications ports enable communication with peripheral devices. A survey-grade GNSS module configured for positioning accuracy within a margin of error of 3 cm, is supported by the housing and communicably couplable to the processor. An internal GNSS antenna is supported by the housing and communicably coupled to the GNSS module. The survey data collector is thus configured to capture engineering survey data including position data generated by the GNSS module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Carlson, William C. Herter
  • Patent number: 8538696
    Abstract: Methods and systems of the invention provide appropriate weather data for a location by associating it with a location or locations for which weather data is stored. Such stored data may have been collected from one or multiple weather data sources. An image or video may be associated with weather data selected from near-current stored weather data for one or more nearby locations. Certain methods also allow observation and/or forecast weather data for any specified location to be provided using stored weather data for a finite number of locations from one or more weather data sources. For example, the location coordinates of a specified location may be used to determine an appropriate location (exact or substitute) for which weather data was previously collected and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Weather Channel, LLC
    Inventor: William Anthony Cassanova
  • Publication number: 20130218472
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture provide object descriptors for objects in point cloud data for an urban environment by segmenting the point cloud data. Point cloud data for an urban environment is obtained using a ground-based laser scanner. Terrain points are filtered out from the point cloud data using ground filtering. The point cloud data is then segmented into two or more blocks. Objects that lie on neighboring adjacent blocks are combined. Object descriptors for the combined objects are then provided (e.g., to the user or a program used by the user).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Yan Fu, Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 8510047
    Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring an underground cable in a site of interest, multiple samples of magnetic field data and corresponding location data are collected periodically over a sampling period of extended time. The magnetic field data samples and corresponding location data are processed to determine respective topologies of one or more current-carrying conductors in the site and for each of the conductors respective magnetic field data relating to each sampled point are integrated with respect to a predetermined parameter of the respective conductor so as compute an integrated contribution of each sampled span along the respective conductor. The data relating to different conductors in the site are output in a manner that allows determination of a conductor for which the parameter changes during the sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Elta Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Lomes
  • Patent number: 8510048
    Abstract: A method for detecting tunnels within an area comprising in one embodiment the steps of providing horizontal tensor gravity gradients for the area, calculating a plurality of gravity gradient vector field pairs from the horizontal tensor gravity gradients, each gravity gradient vector field pair including one gravity gradient vector field and a respective orthogonal gravity gradient vector field, detecting dipolar points and polar source points in each of the one and respective orthogonal gravity gradient vector fields for each gravity gradient vector field pair, identifying the polar source points that are present in one but not in both of the one gravity gradient vector field and the respective orthogonal gravity gradient vector field for each gravity gradient vector field pair to identify endpoints, and distinguishing the endpoints resulting from surface features from the endpoints resulting from tunnels. The polar source points form the endpoints of the tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Dolgin, Clayton P. Davis
  • Publication number: 20130197807
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product cooperate to quantify a hazard risk, such as a flood risk, for a property. A mobile device, with a GPS module, to record specific locations on a property, each of which may be used in identifying a flood risk score (FRS). Using multiple specific locations on a property are valuable in that better resolution and assessment of potential damage to an improvement, such as a building, on that parcel, as opposed to using only a single parcel centroid for assessing the risk for the entire parcel. Moreover, if only a single point, such as the centroid of a parcel, is used for assessing the flood risk of the entire parcel, the risk assessment may be overlooking the possibility of more vulnerable (and valuable) portions of the parcel to flood damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Wei DU, Mark DROLLINGER, Jason STRADTNER
  • Patent number: 8494774
    Abstract: A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Saint Louis University
    Inventors: Robert W. Pasken, William Dannevik
  • Patent number: 8483960
    Abstract: An imaging sensor system comprising: a rigid mount plate affixed to a vehicle; a first rigid mount unit affixed to the mount plate and having at least two imaging sensors disposed within the first mount unit, wherein a first imaging and a second imaging sensor each has a focal axis passing through an aperture in the first mount unit and the mount plate, wherein the first and second imaging sensor each generates a first array of pixels, wherein each array of pixels is at least two dimensional, wherein the first and second imaging sensors are offset to have a first image overlap area in the target area, wherein the first sensors image data bisects the second sensors image data in the first image overlap area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Visual Intelligence, LP
    Inventor: Chester L. Smitherman
  • Patent number: 8483963
    Abstract: A method of modeling the spatial variation in wind resource at a prospective wind farm site. The method involves calculating terrain exposure at multiple locations of interest, such as the locations of meteorological towers and prospective wind turbine locations. Measured average wind speeds from the meteorological tower locations are empirically correlated with terrain exposure to create a model wherein annual average wind speed can be calculated for any location on the site as a function of terrain exposure. The method can use upwind terrain exposure, downwind terrain exposure, or both. It can also be used together with terrain elevation to create a robust three parameter model. The method requires wind measurements from at least two meteorological towers, with improved performance when measurements are available from a larger number of meteorological towers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: John Bertrand Kline
  • Patent number: 8483965
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and categorizing subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs. Air samples are collected and analyzed by counting hydrocarbon ions, such as methane ions and counting at least one higher order hydrocarbon ions, such as propane, pentane or hexane. The methane ions and at least one higher order hydrocarbon ions are associated with location co-ordinates to form a first raw data set and second raw data set. The first and second raw data sets are analyzed and processed to produce hydrocarbon footprints. The hydrocarbon footprints are superpositioned with other available geological information and subsurface formations of interest are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sky Hunter Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Bradley, Russ Duncan, Aaron Balasch
  • Publication number: 20130166212
    Abstract: A method for terrain correction of potential field geophysical survey data measured above an examined medium having density and/or magnetization is described, using potential field data including but not limited to gravity and/or magnetic total field and/or vector and/or tensor data. The potential field sensors may measure the gravity and/or magnetic total field and/or vector and/or tensor data at least one receiving position with respect to the examined medium. The terrain of the examined medium may be described by a spatially variable analytic function of the material properties of the examined medium. The terrain response for at least one component of the measured potential field in at least one receiver location (potential field data) may be calculated using special form of surface integral over the terrain based on 3D analog of the Cauchy-type integrals. This surface integration ensures accurate representation of the terrain response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNOIMAGING, LLC
    Inventor: Technolmaging, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130166210
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various geophysical survey systems and methods for mapping an electric potential field. At least one illustrative embodiment includes an electromagnetic (EM) source and geophysical survey cables that each includes multiple electrodes spaced apart along each geophysical survey cable's length, and multiple data acquisition units that each obtains measurements indicative of an electric potential between two the electrodes. A modeling module is included and configured to calculate a reference potential at a selected electrode for each of the plurality of geophysical survey cables, as well as a calculation module to combine signals representative of the measurements to produce signals indicative of the electric potential of each electrode relative to the reference potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Mattias Südow, Frederick James Barr, JR., Peter Lindqvist, Robert Juhasz
  • Publication number: 20130166211
    Abstract: A computer processor implemented method of identifying the location of a renewable energy system; providing a set of renewable energy systems having at least two location-known renewable energy systems each having a longitude and latitude pair and production data; providing at least one location-unknown renewable energy system in a computer processor; correlating by a computer processor each location-unknown renewable energy system to at least one location-known renewable energy system according to location-known renewable energy systems longitude and latitude pair and production data; providing a best-fit location for each location-unknown renewable energy system by triangulating the location-unknown renewable energy system to provide a triangulated latitude and longitude; setting the triangulated latitude and longitude for the location-unknown renewable energy system to become a location-known renewable energy system that is part of the set of renewable energy systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Shawn Kerrigan, Michael Herzig, Matthew Williams
  • Patent number: 8473227
    Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
  • Patent number: 8472023
    Abstract: The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Solum, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Preiner, Nicholas Carleton Koshnick, Justin Stewart White, John Paul Strachan
  • Publication number: 20130158874
    Abstract: System and method for maintaining the observed vertical structure of ocean temperature and salinity in data assimilation systems that otherwise would produce overly smoothed ocean vertical structure. The present embodiment uses a multi-layer least squares minimization technique in which the ocean is split into layers with fundamentally different vertical gradients, and the dynamic ocean layers are constrained by the observed vertical gradients of the layer itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AS REPRESENTE D BY THE SECRETARY OF NAVY
    Inventors: Robert W. Helber, Charlie N. Barron, Michael R. Carnes
  • Publication number: 20130144528
    Abstract: A method for developing a landfill with a compactor machine having a three-dimensional position sensing equipment, a computer, and a display. The method includes traversing the worksite with the compactor machine and determining deflection of the worksite at a plurality of locations while each of the locations is beneath the compactor machine. The compactor machine defines wheel tracks over which a plurality of wheels pass while traversing the worksite. The method includes recording the determined deflection of each of the locations on the display. The deflection may be recorded beneath only the wheel tracks of the compactor machine, such that areas passing between the wheel tracks of the compactor machine are not recorded on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: GEOLOGIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS
    Inventor: GeoLogic Computer Systems
  • Publication number: 20130131988
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to enhance surveying techniques. In one embodiment, a virtual response is estimated that corresponds to energy propagated within a subsurface region between a virtual source and a virtual source estimation receiver, wherein the subsurface region corresponds to a survey zone including: a plurality of receivers deployed within the survey zone, a first subzone having at least one actual source, a second subzone within the first subzone; the virtual source is a first receiver disposed in the second subzone; and the virtual source estimation receiver is a second receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: PIETER LEONARD VERMEER, DAVID FRASER HALLIDAY
  • Patent number: 8437960
    Abstract: This invention relates to improved techniques for processing potential field measurement data from airborne surveys such as gravity surveys, and to improved techniques for data acquisition which are enabled by the improved data processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ARKeX Limited
    Inventors: Gary Barnes, Mark Davies, John Morris Lumley, Phill Houghton
  • Publication number: 20130103318
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: CertusView Technologies, LLC.
    Inventor: CertusView Technologies, LLC.
  • Publication number: 20130096832
    Abstract: A farming field partition system calculates a cumulative solar radiation amount according to altitude at each position of a farming field using information of a shaded area and an unshaded area of the farming field at a specific time, groups the farming field based on a cumulative solar radiation amount according to a calculated altitude at a specific time at each position of the farming field, and visually displays a farming field partition according to a grouping result and displays the farming field partition on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicants: DONGAONE CO., LTD., ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Electronics and Telecommunications Research In, Dongaone Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8423319
    Abstract: A process of mapping piping systems associated with a refinery and petrochemical facilities is disclosed, which maps piping systems, which interconnect facility operating units with other operating units, utilities, distribution facilities and storage units. A system for aiding in the isolation of piping systems, operating units and other facility components is also disclosed. The system includes a search database having representations of the piping systems and its related components. A method of isolating an event within a facility is also disclosed. The method includes identifying the location of an event in the facility, performing a search to identify the impacted piping systems and related components, and identifying measures to isolate the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Hill, Elvis L. Calhoun, William Castro
  • Patent number: 8412419
    Abstract: A system obtains agricultural attribute data from the field. The agricultural attribute data is classified into a plurality of spatially distributed regions across the field. Samples are obtained to provide a second set of agricultural attribute data. A subset of the second set of agricultural attribute data is associated, by georeferencing, with one class of the spatially distributed regions. The subset is subclassified into respective zones, as may be done by interpolation to define contours. The classification process operates without regard to data that is not in the subset but is also taken from the second set of agricultural attribute data, i.e., the subclassification ignores data in the second set that is georeferenced to classes other than the class associated with the subset. The subclassification is repeated for all classes. An agroproduct prescription map is prepared for the application of agroproducts to the respective zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Helena Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steve Seamon, Derek Emerine, Christopher Givens, Subbarao Yarlagadda, Brian Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8406940
    Abstract: A method for mapping a railroad track is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track and determining coordinates of each track segment. The method also includes storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments and linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tom Otsubo, Wolfgang Daum, Craig Alan Stull, Gerald Hess, Andrew David Caple, Misty McCrea Chambers, Jason G. White, Robert Allen Coker, John Gregory Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8390444
    Abstract: A sensor-location system for locating sensors in a tract covered by an earth-based sensor network. The sensor-location system includes at least one sensor-identification device, and at least one sensor locator. The sensor-identification device is affixed to a respective sensor in the earth-based sensor network. The sensor locator is configured for use from on board of an aircraft. In addition, the sensor locator is configured to acquire geographic-location data of said sensor including an identifying signature from the sensor-identification device of the sensor in the tract covered by the earth-based sensor network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhiyong Li, Peter G. Hartwell