Trimble Navigation Limited

Trimble Inc.

Curt A Conquest

John F Cameron

Gregory C Best

Kurt Maynard

David G Bird

Kurtis L Maynard

Daniel Wallace

Darin Muncy

Douglas Mayfield

Doug Eggert

Dale C Hermann

Techniques for transmitting global navigation satellite system (GNSS) correction data to a rover. GNSS signals are wirelessly received by a base station from one or more GNSS satellites. GNSS correction data is generated by the base station based on the GNSS signals. A beacon frame is formed by the base station to include a frame header, a frame body, and a frame check sequence (FCS). The frame body is formed to include the GNSS correction data. The beacon frame is wirelessly transmitted by the base station for receipt by the rover. The rover wirelessly receives the beacon frame. The GNSS correction data is extracted by the rover from the beacon frame. A geospatial position of the rover is calculated based on the GNSS correction data.

Base station transmission of GNSS correction data via beacon frame

In a method for determining a tilt angle of a crane, a portion of the crane is rotated about a pivot point. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver antenna is disposed on the portion of said crane. At least three locations of the GNSS receiver antenna are determined by a GNSS receiver in a geo-referenced coordinate system during the rotating. A tilt angle of the crane based on the at least three locations of said GNSS receiver antenna is determined by a processor.

Determining a crane tilt angle

A crane collision avoidance system is disclosed. One example includes a load locator to determine a location of a load of a crane and provide the location information to a mapping module. In addition, a map receiver module procures a map of a site and provides the map to the mapping module. A tag scanner scans the site for one or more tags defining an obstacle and provides the obstacle information to a mapping module. The mapping module combines the location information, the map and the obstacle information into a user accessible information package that is displayed on a graphical user interface.

Crane collision avoidance

A method for performing a dynamic load test on a bridge includes providing a vehicle with an imaging device coupled to the vehicle and moving the vehicle across the bridge. While moving the vehicle across the bridge, a series of images is obtained using the imaging device. A position of the vehicle on the bridge is determined as a function of time using the series of images, and a response of the bridge is determined as a function of time as the vehicle crosses the bridge. The position of the vehicle on the bridge is associated with the response of the bridge.

Monitoring a response of a bridge based on a position of a vehicle crossing the bridge

A method for monitoring movement of a surface using ground based radar interferometry measurements includes identifying micro climates on the surface and determining boundaries of the micro climates on the surface. One or more first sensors are arranged at a measurement site for measuring first atmospheric conditions at the measurement site. One or more additional sensors are arranged in each of the micro climates for measuring atmospheric conditions in the micro climates. An atmospheric correction is determined for each of the micro climates. The atmospheric correction for each micro climate is based on the first atmospheric conditions at the measurement site and the atmospheric conditions at the micro climate. The ground based radar interferometry measurements are performed across the surface, and the ground based radar interferometry measurements within the boundary of each micro climate are corrected using the atmospheric correction for the micro climate.

Micro climate corrections for radar interferometry measurements

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator and sway indicator includes: a plurality of RFID tags at different locations on or around the crane; at least two RFID readers at different locations on the crane; a navigation satellite system (NSS) position receiver; and a load information interface. The RFID readers comprise a range determiner to provide range measurements between each of the RFID readers and each of the RFID tags. The sway determiner is coupled with a hook block of the crane. The NSS position receiver is coupled with the crane and comprises an antenna fixedly coupled with approximately the front of a jib of the crane. The load information interface combines information from range measurements, the sway determiner and the NSS position receiver to generate location and sway information of the load with respect to the crane and provide this information in a user accessible format.

RFID for location of the load on a tower crane

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator and sway indicator is disclosed and includes: a plurality of RFID tags at different locations on or around the tower crane; at least two RFID readers at different locations on the tower crane; a navigation satellite system (NSS) position receiver; and a load information interface. The RFID readers comprising a range determiner to provide range measurements between each of the RFID readers and each of the plurality of RFID tags. The sway determiner is coupled with a hook block of the tower crane. The NSS position receiver is coupled with the tower crane. The load information interface to combine information from range measurements, the sway determiner and the NSS position receiver to generate location and sway information of the load with respect to the tower crane and provide the location and sway information in a user accessible format.

A system and method for controlling power usage of a reporting device associated with an asset is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method determines whether the reporting device is in a sleep mode or an active mode and in response to determining the reporting device is in the sleep mode, the method maintains the sleep mode and in response to determining a state change associated with the reporting device, the method powers up the reporting device to the active mode.

Method for controlling power usage of a reporting device

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator is disclosed. One example includes at least four RFID components to provide RFID range measurements between the at least four RFID components. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the RFID range measurements to determine a location of the load. A load information generator provides the location of the load information suitable for subsequent access by a user.

Growing community of inventors

Longmont, CO, United States of America

Curt A Conquest