TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160041803 | MONITORING AND CONTROL DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and system for controlling a display in a machine operating in a work area. A plurality of views are displayed on a screen, each of the plurality of views corresponding to a plurality of functions. A user of the machine is allowed to simultaneously monitor the work area and control one or more of the plurality of functions by way of one or more of the plurality of views. The functions include one or more physical activities performed by an implement, connected to the machine, in the work area. The user is allowed to control, via the display, the one or more physical activities using software executed on the machine while monitoring the work area. | 02-11-2016 |
20160004305 | Method and Apparatus for Construction Machine Visualization - A system for displaying information to an operator of a machine comprises a head tracking system and a projection system. One system for displaying information uses a projection system and a see-through display to present two-dimensional images to an operator. One system uses a projection system and a see-through display to present three-dimensional images to an operator. One system uses a pair of smart glasses to display information to a user based a direction a user is looking. | 01-07-2016 |
20160001701 | Machine Safety Dome - A site-aware controller and various sensors determine if objects are located within a safety dome surrounding a machine such as a construction vehicle. The site-aware controller compares data from the various sensors to determine if the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine are capable of impacting objects within the safety dome and/or travel of the machine into restricted areas. Detection of objects within the safety dome can trigger alerts (e.g., visual and/or audible) to an operator of the machine of a particular situation. Detection of objects within the safety dome can also prevent further movement of the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine to prevent impacting the objects. The system can also prevent movement of the machine into restricted areas. | 01-07-2016 |
20150379457 | Method and Apparatus for Task Driven Operations for Construction Machines - A system and method for scheduling tasks of a construction project includes dividing a plan for a construction project into a plurality of tasks. Each particular task of the plurality of tasks is defined by one or more parameters. The one or more parameters of each particular task are modified based on an operational model defining a sequence of actions for performing the particular task. A construction machine is assigned to each particular task based on the modified one or more parameters of the particular task. Each particular task is dispatched to the construction machine assigned to the particular task for presenting the sequence of actions for performing the particular task. | 12-31-2015 |
20150376869 | Method and Apparatus for Machine Synchronization - Systems and methods for automating a task of a construction machine include receiving machine data from a first construction machine and a second construction machine. A load balance of the first construction machine is determined based on the received machine data. A location on the first construction machine to release a load is determined based on the load balance. A message is sent to the second construction machine to control movement for releasing a load of the second construction machine at the determined location on the first construction machine. | 12-31-2015 |
20150376868 | Method and Apparatus for Implementing Operational Practices for Construction Machines - A system and method for providing guidance to a user of a construction machine include computing kinematic behavior of a construction machine based on data received from the construction machine while performing a task. The kinematic behavior is compared with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task. Feedback data is sent to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task. | 12-31-2015 |
20150358145 | Apparatus for correcting multipath errors in carrier phase measurements of a navigation receiver - A correction phase locked loop (CPLL), including a signal processing unit that receives a digitized input signal from a satellite, the signal processing unit comprising (a) a primary correlator and primary discriminator, connected in series and generating a main error signal Z | 12-10-2015 |
20150340763 | Compact Antenna System with Reduced Multipath Reception - An antenna is configured to operate with circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation in a low-frequency band and in a high-frequency band. The antenna comprises a ground plane and a radiator. The radiator comprises four pairs of radiating elements disposed as pairs of spiral segments on a cylindrical surface having a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the ground plane. Each pair of radiating elements comprises a low-frequency radiating element and a high-frequency radiating element. The low-frequency radiating element comprises a low-frequency conductive strip. The high-frequency radiating element comprises an electrically-connected series of at least one high-frequency conductive strip and at least one high-frequency capacitor. The electrical path lengths of the low-frequency radiating elements and the electrical path lengths of the high-frequency radiating elements are equal. | 11-26-2015 |
20150330054 | Optical Sensing a Distance from a Range Sensing Apparatus and Method - A method and a system for determining horizontal velocity of a construction vehicle and a distance from a range sensing apparatus to a surface is provided. In an embodiment, a plurality of video images of the surface generated by a video camera is received, an angular velocity is calculated by video processing, a distance from each of a plurality of laser rangefinders to the surface is measured, and linear horizontal velocity is calculated from angular velocity and distances. | 11-19-2015 |
20150308074 | Semi-Automatic Control of a Joystick for Dozer Blade Control - On a dozer, a semi-automatic system automatically translates a joystick to control blade elevation and provides an indicator display to guide manual control of blade slope angle. A mechanical linkage operably couples the joystick to an electrical motor. A computational system receives measurements from measurement units mounted on the dozer; calculates estimated values of elevation and slope angle; compares the estimated values to reference values; and calculates error and control signals. Drivers generate a motor drive signal and a display drive signal. In response to the motor drive signal, the electrical motor translates the joystick to control elevation. In response to the display drive signal, the indicator display generates a graphical representation of the status of slope angle. When the operator needs to take manual control, a proximity sensor detects the presence of at least a portion of the operator's hand, wrist, or forearm and disengages automatic control of elevation. | 10-29-2015 |
20150253431 | Detection of Scintillations in Signals of Global Navigation Satellite Systems Caused by Ionospheric Irregularities - A scintillation caused by ionospheric irregularities during Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements is detected. A first input GNSS measurement corresponding to a navigation satellite and corresponding to a first carrier frequency and a second GNSS measurement corresponding to the navigation satellite and corresponding to a second carrier frequency, in which the second carrier frequency is different from the first carrier frequency, are received. A geometry-free combination (GFC) parameter based at least in part on the first input GNSS measurement, the second input GNSS measurement, the first carrier frequency, and the second carrier frequency is calculated. The occurrence of a scintillation caused by an ionospheric irregularity is determined based at least in part on the GFC parameter. In an embodiment of the invention, the dispersion of the GFC parameter over a specified time interval is determined. A scintillation is detected if the dispersion exceeds a specified threshold value. | 09-10-2015 |
20150234742 | NAND Flash memory interface controller with GNSS receiver firmware booting capability - An architecture of a NAND Flash memory module interface controller (NAND-controller) provides access to data stored in an external NAND Flash memory module, and a method of booting firmware. NAND-controller automatically boots firmware from the NAND Flash memory into primary RAM of a system-on-a chip used for GNSS receivers. NAND-controller has a first external interface to connect NAND Flash memory, a second external interface to set parameters of booting firmware, and two internal interfaces: a high-speed one (system interface) and a low-speed one (control interface) to be connected to two types of SoC internal busses. Data exchange between the CPU and NAND Flash memory is implemented using a static RAM buffer which is a part of the NAND-controller and available for reading and writing via high-speed interface. Parameters of the first external interface are set and current state of data exchange process is controlled by the CPU. | 08-20-2015 |
20150226855 | Mitigation of Scintillations in Signals of Global Navigation Satellite Systems Caused by Ionospheric Irregularities - Scintillations caused by ionospheric irregularities during Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements are detected and mitigated. Detection is based at least in part on statistical properties of geometry-free combination parameters calculated from input GNSS measurements corresponding to the same navigation satellite and different carrier frequencies. Mitigation is based at least in part on ionosphere-free combination parameters calculated from input GNSS measurements corresponding to the same navigation satellite and different carrier frequencies. Depending on the number of satellites with detected scintillations, different algorithms are used to calculate values of target parameters from a set of ionosphere-free combination parameters or from a set of ionosphere-free combination parameters and the remaining input GNSS measurements. Different algorithms accommodate stand-alone mode code phase measurements, stand-alone mode carrier phase measurements, differential navigation mode code phase measurements, and differential navigation mode carrier phase measurements. | 08-13-2015 |
20150182825 | Method and Apparatus for Precise Determination of a Position of a Target on a Surface - A method and apparatus for determining the precise location of a target on a surface by utilizing a plurality of objects that are fixed in their position proximate to the location, thereby constituting a plurality of fixed reference points, upon which the target(s) resides or is otherwise located. The plurality of fixed references points are used either in conjunction with images of the target or certain distance measurements between the target and the fixed reference points to determine the precise location of the target(s) on the surface. | 07-02-2015 |
20150117505 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE CURRENT SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO WHEN DECODING LDPC CODES - A method for measuring a signal-to-noise ratio when decoding Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes is provided. The method includes receiving from an input of a demodulator an input code word with “strong” or “weak” solutions, decoding the input code word in a LDPC decoder using a predetermined dependence of a mean number of iterations on the signal-to-noise ratio, recording a number of iterations performed during the decoding of the input code word, averaging derived values of the number of iterations for a specified time interval, estimating a signal-to-noise ratio based on averaged derived values of the number of iterations and based on the predetermined dependence of the mean number of iterations on the signal-to-noise ratio, and generating an output decoded code word. | 04-30-2015 |
20150109509 | Augmented Image Display Using a Camera and a Position and Orientation Sensor Unit - An augmented image is generated by capturing a visual image of a site with a digital camera, generating a virtual image or associated information from a digital model of the site, and superimposing the virtual image or associated information on the visual image. To register the digital model with the visual image, a sensor pole is introduced into the field of view, and a combined visual image of the site and an optical target on the sensor pole is captured. The position and orientation of the sensor pole with respect to the site reference frame are measured by sensors mounted on the sensor pole; the position and orientation of the digital camera with respect to the sensor pole are calculated from image analysis of the optical target on the sensor pole; and the position and orientation of the digital camera with respect to the site reference frame are calculated. | 04-23-2015 |
20150077299 | COMPACT ANTENNA SYSTEM - An antenna system for global navigation satellite systems includes a ground plane, an active antenna disposed above the ground plane, and a passive antenna disposed below the ground plane. The active antenna includes a conducting ring substantially parallel to the ground plane. A radiating conductor passes through substantially the center of the conducting ring; the ends of the radiating conductor are electrically connected to the conducting ring. An excitation pin is electrically connected to the radiating conductor. A set of reactive impedance elements is electrically connected between the conducting ring and the ground plane. The set of reactive impedance elements is disposed substantially orthogonal to the ground plane. The passive antenna is similar to the active antenna, except the passive antenna does not have an excitation pin. The antenna system effectively suppresses multipath reception, and its compact size and light weight make it suitable for integration with a surveying pole. | 03-19-2015 |
20150015451 | Ground Planes for Reducing Multipath Reception by Antennas - An antenna system for a global navigation satellite system reference base station is disclosed. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015439 | Common Coordinate-Quartz Loop for Reducing the Impact of Shock and Vibration on Global Navigation Satellite System Measurements - A navigation receiver operably coupled to an antenna can determine location by receiving and processing radiofrequency navigation signals from global navigation satellites. | 01-15-2015 |
20140376333 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING FALSE TARGETS IN ULTRASONIC RANGE SENSING APPLICATIONS - An ultrasonic range sensor comprises at least one transducer adapted to generate an ultrasonic pulse having a first axis of transmission and detect a reflected signal that is associated with the ultrasonic pulse and propagates along the first axis of transmission. The ultrasonic range sensor also comprises a deflecting region adapted to reflect the reflected signal along a second axis different from the first axis of transmission. In one embodiment, the second axis is deflected from the first axis by a non-zero angle determined by a characteristic of the deflecting region. | 12-25-2014 |
20140372670 | NAND Flash memory interface controller with GNSS receiver firmware booting capability - An architecture of a NAND Flash memory module interface controller (NAND-controller) provides access to data stored in an external NAND Flash memory module, and a method of booting firmware. NAND-controller automatically boots firmware from the NAND Flash memory into primary RAM of a system-on-a chip used for GNSS receivers. NAND-controller has a first external interface to connect NAND Flash memory, a second external interface to set parameters of booting firmware, and two internal interfaces: a high-speed one (system interface) and a low-speed one (control interface) to be connected to two types of SoC internal busses. Data exchange between the CPU and NAND Flash memory is implemented using a static RAM buffer which is a part of the NAND-controller and available for reading and writing via high-speed interface. Parameters of the first external interface are set and current state of data exchange process is controlled by the CPU. | 12-18-2014 |
20140240172 | Detection and Correction of Anomalous Measurements and Ambiguity Resolution in a Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver - A global navigation system includes a first navigation receiver located in a rover and a second navigation receiver located in a base station. Single differences of measurements of satellite signals received at the two receivers are calculated and compared to single differences derived from an observation model. Anomalous measurements are detected and removed prior to performing computations for determining the output position of the rover and resolving integer ambiguities. Detection criteria are based on the residuals between the calculated and the derived single differences. For resolving integer ambiguities, computations based on Cholesky information Kalman filters and Householder transformations are advantageously applied. Changes in the state of the satellite constellation from one epoch to another are included in the computations. | 08-28-2014 |
20140125544 | Flat Semi-Transparent Ground Plane for Reducing Multipath - Multipath reception by an antenna is reduced by mounting the antenna on a semi-transparent ground plane that has a controlled distribution of layer impedance over a central region and a peripheral region. The central region includes a continuous conductive segment on which the ground element of the antenna is disposed. The distribution of the layer impedance over the peripheral region is configured by multiple conductive segments electromagnetically coupled by lumped circuit elements. A semi-transparent ground plane can be fabricated by depositing a metal film on a dielectric substrate and etching grooves into the metal film to form a desired pattern of conductive segments. Lumped circuit elements can be fabricated as discrete devices, surface mount devices, and integrated circuit devices. Various semi-transparent ground planes can be configured for linearly-polarized and circularly-polarized radiation. | 05-08-2014 |
20140072084 | Digital system and method of estimating quasi-harmonic signal non-energy parameters using a digital Phase Locked Loop - The present invention proposes a digital system and method of measuring (estimating) non-energy parameters of the signal (phase, frequency and frequency rate) received in additive mixture with Gaussian noise. The first embodiment of the measuring system consists of a PLL system tracking variable signal frequency, a block of NCO full phase computation (OFPC), a block of signal phase primary estimation (SPPE) and a first type adaptive filter filtering the signal from the output of SPPE. The second embodiment of the invention has no block SPPE, and NCO full phase is fed to the input of a second type adaptive filter. The present invention can be used in receivers of various navigation systems, such as GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO, which provide precise measurements of signal phase at different rates of frequency change, as well as systems using digital PLLs for speed measurements. | 03-13-2014 |
20130342409 | COMPACT CIRCULAR POLARIZATION ANTENNA SYSTEM WITH REDUCED CROSS-POLARIZATION COMPONENT - Patch antennas for signals of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are described. A compact antenna system reduces directional diagram level in the rear hemisphere primarily for cross-polarized (left hand circularly-polarized) component. It can be used for reducing multipath reception. The antenna receives GNSS signals and includes a patch circularly-polarized radiator consisting of a radiating patch, a ground plane under it and a loop radiator coaxially located around the patch radiator. The loop radiator is excited by a separate power circuit or by a passive method where LHCP waves of MP and loop radiators in the rear hemisphere would be anti-phase added. A dual-band antenna system includes an active HF radiator, under which there is an active LF radiator under which there is a passive LF radiator, a loop HF radiator being coaxially located around the active HF radiator. | 12-26-2013 |
20130261902 | Automatic Control of a Joystick for Dozer Blade Control - Dozers outfitted with manual or electric valves can be retrofitted with a control system for automatically controlling the elevation and orientation of the blade. No modification of the existing hydraulic drive system or existing hydraulic control system is needed. An arm is operably coupled to the existing joystick, whose translation controls the elevation and orientation of the blade. The arm is driven by an electrical motor assembly. Measurement units mounted on the dozer body or blade provide measurements corresponding to the elevation or orientation of the blade. A computational system receives the measurements, compares them to target reference values, and generates control signals. Drivers convert the control signals to electrical drive signals. In response to the electrical drive signals, the electrical motor assembly translates the arm, which, in turn, translates the joystick. If necessary, an operator can override the automatic control system by manually operating the joystick. | 10-03-2013 |
20130193200 | Method and Apparatus for Tracking Items and Providing Item Information - A method and apparatus for tracking products and providing product information receives information from a user device at a product server. A user scans a Quick Response code (QR code) using a mobile communication device which transmits product identification information from the QR code and user device information to a product server. The product server determines product information associated with the product identified by product identification information received from the user device. The product information is transmitted by the product server to the user device. The information received from the user device can also be used to track the location of products and acquire user information. | 08-01-2013 |
20130076564 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF GNSS RECEIVER HEADING DETERMINATION - The present invention relates to processing information generated by GNSS receivers received signals such as GPS, GLONASS, etc. GNSS receivers can determine their position in space. The receivers are capable of determining both coordinates and velocity of their spatial movement. When a receiver is used in any machine control systems, velocity vector heading (in other words, velocity vector orientation) should be determined along with velocity vector's absolute value. Angle, determining velocity vector orientation, is calculated based on velocity vector projections which are computed in navigation receivers. The accuracy of velocity vector orientation calculated based on velocity vector projections strongly enough depends on velocity vector's absolute value. To enhance the accuracy, a method of smoothing primary estimates of velocity vector orientation angles using a modified Kalman filter has been proposed. The bandwidth of this filter is varied depending on current estimates of velocity vector's absolute value which were calculated based on the same velocity vector projections. | 03-28-2013 |
20130039448 | MULTI-CHANNEL SEQUENTIAL VITERBI DECODER - A multi-channel sequential Viterbi decoder includes: an input buffer, a “Read Data from Input Buffer” signal driver, a processing unit selector, a decoder channel parameters registers unit, a processing unit for a “Reset Path Metrics” command, a processing unit for a “Set Path Metric Value for the Given Path Number” command, a processing unit for a “Get Single Bit from the Path with Given Number” command, a processing unit for a “Process Input Samples” command, a memory for storing decoding paths and path metrics, a unit for generating an address for the memory, and data buffers for decoder channels output. | 02-14-2013 |
20120327240 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING VEHICLE SPEED BASED ON MOVEMENT OF VIDEO CAMERA - A digital video camera is placed on a vehicle. The video camera is attached to the vehicle and is directed to a surface at a certain angle to the surface. The camera angle can change while vehicle is in motion. The camera angle is constantly measured by angular sensor (i.e., inclinometer). Images of the surface are projected onto a video matrix and transformed into a sequence of digital frames that are formed at a pre-set time interval. A speed of the video camera relative to the surface is calculated as a ratio of an off-set between the adjacent frames and the time interval between the frames. Then a known relative speed of the vehicle can be corrected by multiplication of the height of the camera (above the surface) by a coefficient that equals a ratio of the known vehicle speed and the measured camera speed. | 12-27-2012 |
20120323491 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Direction of the Beginning of Vehicle Movement - A method of movement mode determination comprising measurement of vehicle's position and orientation and calculation of movement parameters, a compass on the vehicle, is azimuthally oriented along the prevailing and is mostly used movement direction (“forward” direction), a movement vector measurement unit, is used for measuring the azimuth of movement vector. A calculation unit being used for measuring an angle between vehicle movement vector azimuth measured by the movement vector measurement unit and vehicle azimuth measured by the compass fixed on the vehicle; movement is regarded as ‘backward” if the calculated angle is greater than 90 degrees, and “forward” if the calculated angle is smaller than 90 degrees. Also, an apparatus for movement direction determination includes a compass and a computation unit and further comprises a movement vector measurement unit for determining vehicle movement azimuth and connected through a signal connection to the computation unit. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323489 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DATA COMMUNICATION UNITS IN NAVIGATION RECEIVER - Navigation data processing system, comprising a navigation receiver that receives a positioning signal; a data communication subsystem comprising a plurality of data communication units for receiving correction signal and routing it to the navigation receiver, and conversion interfaces for communicating the correction data in a common format. The navigation receiver includes a navigation subsystem that generates augmented navigation data based on the positioning and correction signals. A user terminal displays the augmented data. Navigation receiver includes a profile database comprising a plurality of profiles for receiving the correction signal; a script database comprising commands for controlling a particular data communication unit. Navigation receiver sets up communication to the correction signal source, processes the positioning and correction signals and generates the augmented data based on a script and a profile of the data communication unit and the interface converter. | 12-20-2012 |
20120277988 | Object Detection and Position Determination by Reflected Global Navigation Satellite System Signals - A navigation receiver mounted on a moving vehicle receives navigation signals transmitted from global navigation satellites. The navigation signals are separated into direct navigation signals, navigation signals reflected from an object, and navigation signals reflected from an environmental surface. The signal separation is based on algorithms including various combinations of signal strength, change in signal strength, delay time, spectral width, change in spectral width, and user-defined thresholds. The navigation signals reflected from an environmental surface are eliminated from further processing. The position of the navigation receiver is calculated based on the direct navigation signals. The object is detected, and the position of the object is calculated, based on the navigation signals reflected from the object. If the object is determined to lie in the path of the moving vehicle, a command can be generated to avoid collision between the moving vehicle and the object. | 11-01-2012 |
20120268347 | Compact Dual-Frequency Patch Antenna - A dual-frequency patch antenna includes a ground plane, an inside radiator, and an outside radiator. The inside radiator is configured as a region with a periphery, along which is a series of first protrusions separated by first grooves. The outside radiator is configured as a ring with an outer periphery and an inner periphery, along which is a series of second protrusions separated by second grooves. A set of conducting elements electrically connect the series of second protrusions with the ground plane. The inside radiator and the outside radiator can be fabricated on a dielectric substrate separated from the ground plane by a dielectric solid or air. The inside radiator and the outside radiator can be disposed on the same surface or on different surfaces of the dielectric substrate, with specific geometries of the first protrusions and first grooves relative to the second protrusions and second grooves. | 10-25-2012 |
20120239258 | Automatic Blade Slope Control System - The slope angle of a blade on an earthmoving machine is automatically controlled based on measurements from a three-axis gyroscope, a blade slope angle tilt sensor, and a blade tip angle tilt sensor mounted on the blade. A three-axis gyroscope has high dynamic response and high resistance to mechanical disturbances but is subject to potentially unbounded errors. A tilt sensor has bounded errors but has a slow dynamic response and a high sensitivity to mechanical disturbances. The combination of a three-axis gyroscope and two tilt sensors provides an advantageous measurement system. Algorithms for performing proper fusion of the measurements account for the lack of synchronization between the three-axis gyroscope and the tilt sensors and also screen out invalid measurements from the tilt sensors. The blade slope angle is controlled based on a reference blade slope angle and an estimate of the blade slope angle computed from properly fused measurements. | 09-20-2012 |
20120198710 | Method and apparatus for azimuth determination - A method of azimuth determination includes determination of local star time and latitude, where the azimuth determination unit is fixed at an object and oriented relative to the local horizon or the vertical; two or more celestial bodies with known coordinates are selected among visible celestial bodies and the line of sight is aimed at celestial bodies in turn, after that elevations over the horizon or zenith ranges to celestial bodies, horizontal angles between bodies are measured and measured times are recorded; and local star time, site latitude and azimuth are calculated. An apparatus for azimuth determination comprising an orientation unit to orient relative to the local horizon or the vertical line, an optical unit to aim at point light sources, a horizontal angle measurement unit, an elevation measurement unit, a time measurement unit and a computation unit, characterized in that orientation, aiming, angle and time measurement units are connected to a computation unit. The computation unit calculates azimuth, latitude and local star time based on horizontal and elevation angles of point light sources, such as celestial bodies, and measurement times. | 08-09-2012 |
20120154241 | Flat Semi-Transparent Ground Plane for Reducing Multipath - Multipath reception by an antenna is reduced by mounting the antenna on a semi-transparent ground plane that has a controlled distribution of layer impedance over a central region and a peripheral region. The central region includes a continuous conductive segment on which the ground element of the antenna is disposed. The distribution of the layer impedance over the peripheral region is configured by multiple conductive segments electromagnetically coupled by lumped circuit elements. A semi-transparent ground plane can be fabricated by depositing a metal film on a dielectric substrate and etching grooves into the metal film to form a desired pattern of conductive segments. Lumped circuit elements can be fabricated as discrete devices, surface mount devices, and integrated circuit devices. Various semi-transparent ground planes can be configured for linearly-polarized and circularly-polarized radiation. | 06-21-2012 |
20120130602 | Automatic Blade Control System with Integrated Global Navigation Satellite System and Inertial Sensors - Disclosed are method and apparatus for controlling the blade elevation and blade slope angle of a dozer blade. Elevation and slope angle measurements are calculated from measurements received from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna and an inertial measurement unit mounted on the dozer blade. The inertial measurement unit includes three orthogonally placed accelerometers and three orthogonally placed rate gyros. The measurements are processed by algorithms to calculate estimates of the blade elevation, blade vertical velocity, blade slope angle, and blade slope angular velocity. These estimates are then provided as inputs to a control algorithm which provides control signals to control a dozer hydraulic system which controls the blade elevation and blade slope angle. | 05-24-2012 |
20120059554 | Automatic Blade Control System during a Period of a Global Navigation Satellite System ... - For precision grading of terrain by a dozer, the dozer blade can be automatically controlled based on measurements from a combination of a global navigation satellite system real-time kinematic mode (GNSS RTK) system and inertial sensors. At least one GNSS sensor and at least one inertial sensor are mounted on the dozer. Control algorithms are based on blade elevation and blade slope angle. During a period of GNSS RTK system outage, control of blade elevation is not available. Blade control is maintained by switching to control algorithms based on blade slope angle and blade pitch angle. Blade slope angle and blade pitch angle are controlled based on extrapolated target values of blade slope angle and blade pitch angle. The extrapolated target values of the angles are extrapolated from target values of the angles prior to the GNSS RTK system outage with the use of a distance travelled by the dozer. | 03-08-2012 |
20120056787 | Patch Antenna with Capacitive Radiating Patch - A patch antenna includes a capacitive radiating patch, a ground plane, and vertical coupling elements electrically connected to defined portions of the capacitive radiating patch and the ground plane. The capacitive radiating patch includes an array of conductive segments along the periphery and within the interior of the capacitive radiating patch. Capacitors are electrically connected to specific conductive segments in a defined pattern. Vertical coupling elements electrically connect specific conductive segments along the periphery of the capacitive radiating patch to the ground plane. Vertical coupling elements can be conductors or defined combinations of resistors, inductors, and capacitors. Various embodiments of the patch antenna are configured for linear polarization and circular polarization. Relative to a conventional patch antenna of a similar size, a patch antenna with a capacitive radiating patch has a broader operational bandwidth and a broader radiation pattern in the forward hemisphere. | 03-08-2012 |
20120026329 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING VEHICLE SPEED BASED ON MOVEMENT OF VIDEO CAMERA - A digital video camera is placed on a vehicle. The video camera is attached to the vehicle and is directed to a surface at a certain angle to the surface. The camera angle can change while vehicle is in motion. The camera angle is constantly measured by angular sensor (i.e., inclinometer). Images of the surface are projected onto a video matrix and transformed into a sequence of digital frames that are formed at a pre-set time interval. A speed of the video camera relative to the surface is calculated as a ratio of an off-set between the adjacent frames and the time interval between the frames. Then a known relative speed of the vehicle can be corrected by multiplication of the height of the camera (above the surface) by a coefficient that equals a ratio of the known vehicle speed and the measured camera speed. | 02-02-2012 |
20110307767 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO ESTIMATION IN CONVOLUTIONAL CODES (VITERBI) DECODER - A method of estimating signal-to-noise ratio in a Viterbi decoder comprising: setting a threshold SNR value; determining a dependence on SNR of the average decoding path length; filling branch metrics matrix, minimal path metrics matrix, path metrics matrix and paths matrix with initial values; receiving packets from a communication channel; calculating the matrices that contains paths stored during operation of Viterbi algorithm in its rows, and a minimal path metrics matrix, including calculating an estimate of a decoding path length, where all the paths converge, based on the paths matrix; calculating current SNR estimate using an estimate of a decoding path length, based on results of previous steps; setting a decoder control signal to an active state if the current estimated SNR does not exceed the threshold, and to an inactive state otherwise; if the decoder control signal is in active state, the branch metrics matrix, the minimal path metrics matrix, the paths metrics matrix and the paths matrix are filled with the initial values; generating a decoded symbol; and repeating the steps on a next packet if one is available. | 12-15-2011 |
20110243274 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF PORTABLE ANTENNA MODULES - Antenna identification data is transferred over a regular channel that is normally used for transferring navigation signals. Modulation of the received signal is used for transferring the portable antenna parameter data. Antenna identifications and parameters are written into a portable antenna module. The antenna module is attached to a radio receiver. The antenna module and the receiver are powered up. The portable antenna module receives radio signals that are amplified in a low-noise amplifier. Then, a level of the output signal is discretely modulated in the amplitude modulator and the signal is transferred to the radio receiver. The discrete fluctuations of the level of the signal are determined in the amplitude demodulator. The fluctuation of the level of the signal carries the information about the identification parameters of the portable antenna module. An analog-to-digital conversion of the determine signal fluctuation is performed in an analog-to-digital converter. The converted digital signal is used for receiving data related to the type and parameters of the portable antenna module. | 10-06-2011 |
20110211660 | MULTI -CHANNEL SEQUENTIAL VITERBI DECODER - A multi-channel sequential Viterbi decoder includes: an input data buffer, a “Read Single Data Word from Input Data Buffer” signal driver, a processing unit selector, a decoder channel parameters registers unit, a processing unit for the “Reset Path Metrics” command, a processing unit for the “Set Path Metric Value for the Given Path Number” command, a processing unit for the “Get Single Bit from the Path with Given Number” command, a processing unit for the “Process Input Samples” command, a decoding paths and path metrics RAM, a unit for generating current decoder channel base address for the decoding paths and path metrics RAM, a unit for generating cell address for the decoding path and path metric RAM, and a data buffers unit for decoder channels output. | 09-01-2011 |
20110169949 | System and Method for Orienting an Implement on a Vehicle - A system for determining an orientation of an implement on a vehicle is provided. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle, and a target object within a field of vision of the camera and mounted to the implement. The target object includes markings to enable a determination of the orientation of the implement with respect to the camera. A method of determining an orientation of an implement on a vehicle is provided. A system of orienting an implement is provided. A method of installing an implement orientation system is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method of determining an orientation of an implement when executed. | 07-14-2011 |
20110115676 | Compact Multipath-Resistant Antenna System with Integrated Navigation Receiver - A patch antenna system with improved multipath resistance includes a top antenna assembly and a bottom antenna assembly. Each antenna assembly includes a radiator patch and a ground plane separated by a dielectric medium. The radiator patch on the top antenna assembly is excited by an exciter and an excitation circuit. The bottom antenna assembly is electromagnetically coupled to the top antenna assembly. The resonant frequency of the bottom antenna assembly is approximately equal to the resonant frequency of the top antenna assembly. Electromagnetic fields induced in the bottom antenna assembly are in opposite phase to the electromagnetic fields excited in the top antenna assembly. Amplitudes of electromagnetic fields induced in the bottom antenna assembly are subtracted from amplitudes of electromagnetic fields excited in the top antenna assembly, and multipath signals are suppressed. Single band and dual band antenna systems suitable for global navigation satellite systems can be implemented. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115669 | Detection and Correction of Anomalous Measurements and Ambiguity Resolution in a Global ... - A global navigation system includes a first navigation receiver located in a rover and a second navigation receiver located in a base station. Single differences of measurements of satellite signals received at the two receivers are calculated and compared to single differences derived from an observation model. Anomalous measurements are detected and removed prior to performing computations for determining the output position of the rover and resolving integer ambiguities. Detection criteria are based on the residuals between the calculated and the derived single differences. For resolving integer ambiguities, computations based on Cholessky information Kalman filters and Householder transformations are advantageously applied. Changes in the state of the satellite constellation from one epoch to another are included in the computations. | 05-19-2011 |
20110050903 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING POSITION AND ORIENTATION OF VEHICLE TRAILERS - A method and system for determining orientation and positioning of a vehicle trailer. A digital camera is placed on a vehicle. The camera is pointed to a trailer attached to the vehicle. The camera acquires images of the trailer. These images are processed and spatial positioning and orientation of the trailer is determined based on image processing. A special marker visible by the camera is set on the trailer. Relative positions of devices attached to the vehicle—global positioning receiver, spatial orientation measuring device and the digital camera are measured. When each digital frame is formed, coordinates and orientation data of the camera are measured. Pixels corresponding to the marker in the image are determined. A simplified copy of the image, containing only the data related to the marker pixels, is generated. The marker pixels are used for calculating position and azimuth orientation of the marker. The azimuth orientation of the trailer is calculated based on calculated azimuth orientation of the marker. | 03-03-2011 |
20100299031 | Semiautomatic Control of Earthmoving Machine Based on Attitude Measurement - The blade on an earthmoving machine is controlled by a semiautomatic method comprising a combination of a manual operational mode and an automatic operational mode. An operator first enters the manual operational mode and manually sets the height of the blade. The operator then enters the automatic mode and sets a reference pitch angle and an initial control point. The height of the blade is automatically controlled based on pitch angle measurements received from pitch angle sensors. Automatic control is effective over a particular range of soil conditions. When the automatic control range is exceeded, the operator manually shifts the control point, and automatic control resumes about the new control point. Blade slope is automatically controlled based on roll angle measurements received from roll angle sensors. | 11-25-2010 |
20090069987 | Automatic Blade Control System with Integrated Global Navigation Satellite System and Inertial Sensors - Disclosed are method and apparatus for controlling the blade elevation and blade slope angle of a dozer blade. Elevation and slope angle measurements are calculated from measurements received from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna and an inertial measurement unit mounted on the dozer blade. The inertial measurement unit includes three orthogonally placed accelerometers and three orthogonally placed rate gyros. The measurements are processed by algorithms to calculate estimates of the blade elevation, blade vertical velocity, blade slope angle, and blade slope angular velocity. These estimates are then provided as inputs to a control algorithm which provides control signals to control a dozer hydraulic system which controls the blade elevation and blade slope angle. | 03-12-2009 |
20090038185 | Valve Switch Unit - A valve switch unit has a detector configured to detect an input, such as current, from a machine controller. The valve switch unit also has a switching circuit configured to switch control of the one or more valves an automatic controller to the machine controller if the input from the machine controller exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the current detected exceeds the predetermined threshold, the circuit switches control from the automatic controller to the machine controller. In a similar fashion, when the current falls below the predetermined threshold, the circuit switches control back to the automatic controller. | 02-12-2009 |