Trimble Navigation Limited

Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC

Trimble Inc.

Peter Glen France

Robert Murie Allan

John Francis Rogers

James M Janky

Paul Robin Manson

Bruce Stephen James

Michelle Lynn Frye

Shawn D Weisenburger

Michael V McCusker

Harold L Longaker

Gregory C Best

Bruno M Scherzinger

Omar Soubra

Kevin Sharp

Hongbo Teng

Sy Bor Wang

Stuart E Ralston

John F Rogers

Gun Lee

Mark Billinghurst

Paul D Perreault

Arthur Francis Lange

Michael Cash

Robert James Lindores

Martin Clarence Bringuel

Colin Daniell

Julian Idle

Michelle Lynn Bergen

Jung Hyun Jun

Alistair Baker

Alan Greenstreet

Jeremy Wyn-Harris

Described herein are systems, methods, and other techniques for determining a period during which an implement of a construction machine is interacting with a ground surface. A vibration signal that is indicative of a movement of the implement is captured. One or more features are extracted from the vibration signal. The one or more features are provided to a machine-learning model to generate a model output. An implement-on-ground (IOG) start time and an IOG end time are predicted based on the model output, the IOG start time and the IOG end time forming the period.

Implement-on-ground detection using vibration signals

A material moving machine including an implement, a camera, an augmented display, and a controller. The controller is programmed to store a three-dimensional model of underground features of terrain, capture an implement image comprising the implement and terrain, generate a superimposed image by superimposing corresponding portions of the implement image and the three-dimensional model of underground features, overlay a virtual trench on the superimposed image to generate an augmented reality overlay image, generate the augmented reality overlay image, and display the augmented reality overlay image on the augmented display.

Augmented reality display for material moving machines

A material moving machine including an implement, a camera, an augmented display, and a controller including an image generator. The controller is programmed to store a three-dimensional model of underground features of the terrain, capture an implement image comprising the implement and terrain, generate through the image generator a superimposed image by superimposing corresponding portions of the implement image and the three-dimensional model of underground features, generate a virtual trench based on the position of the implement, overlay the virtual trench on the superimposed image to generate an augmented reality overlay image comprising the virtual trench and the superimposed portions of the implement image and the three-dimensional model of underground features, generate through the image generator the augmented reality overlay image, and display the augmented reality overlay image on the augmented display.

Method and apparatus are provided for image based positioning comprising capturing a first image with an image capturing device. Wherein said first image includes at least one object. Moving the platform and capturing a second image with the image capturing device. The second image including the at least one object. Capturing in the first image an image of a surface; capturing in the second image a second image of the surface. Processing the plurality of images of the object and the surface using a combined feature based process and surface tracking process to track the location of the surface. Finally, determining the location of the platform by processing the combined feature based process and surface based process.

Method and apparatus for image-based positioning

A method for determining absolute orientation of a platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sky polarization data set for a first time Ti is measured using a sky polarization sensor disposed on a platform. A second sky polarization data set is obtained at a second time Tj. A difference in orientation between the first sky polarization data set and the second sky polarization data set is determined using an orientation determiner. The difference in orientation is provided as at least one orientation parameter for the platform at time Tj. The at least one orientation parameter is used to provide a direction relative to a reference point on the platform.

Use of a sky polarization sensor for absolute orientation determination in position determining systems

A computer-implemented method of providing georeferenced information regarding a location of capture of an image is provided. The method includes receiving a first image at an image-based georeferencing system, the first image comprising digital image information and identifying a cataloged second image that correlates to the first image. The method further includes automatically determining reference features common to both the second image and the first image, accessing geographic location information related to the common reference features, utilizing the geographic location information related to the common features to determine a georeferenced location of capture of the first image and providing the georeferenced location of capture for access by a user of the image-based georeferencing system.

Image-based georeferencing

Target augmentation makes GIS data collection devices more intuitive and useful for GIS workers, and reduces GIS data collection errors.

Handheld GIS data collection device target augmentation

A method for matching a region on an object of interest with a geolocation in a coordinate system is disclosed. In one embodiment, an image of a region on an object of interest is captured on an image capture device. The image is processed to detect a located feature using a feature detection algorithm. Further processing of the located feature is performed to derive a first feature descriptor using a feature descriptor extraction algorithm. The feature descriptor is stored in a memory. A database of feature descriptors having geolocation information associated with the feature descriptors is searched for a match to the first feature descriptor. The geolocation information is then made available for access.

Location of image capture device and object features in a captured image

Embodiments of the present invention recite method for implementing a dual purpose Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network. In one embodiment, a first data stream which is compatible with a dedicated GIS data collection device is generated. The method further comprises generating a second data stream which is compatible with a mobile electronic device configured for collecting GIS data and which was not originally intended for use as a GIS data recording device.

Dual-purpose GIS data system

A method of automatic obstacle location mapping comprises receiving an indication of a feature to be identified in a defined area. An instance of the feature is found within an image. A report is then generated conveying the location of said feature.

Automatic obstacle location mapping

An apparatus for providing navigational information associated with locations of objects includes an imaging device configured to acquire image data, a visual display coupled to the imaging device and configured to display the image data, a position measuring device configured to determine position information associated with the imaging device, and an orientation device configured to determine orientation information associated with the imaging device. The apparatus may also include a rendering system coupled to the visual display, the position measuring device, and the orientation device. The rendering system may be configured to determine image coordinates associated with a location of an object and provide a navigational graphic on the visual display oriented relative to the image coordinates.

Methods and apparatus for providing navigational information associated with locations of objects

An image-based georeferencing system comprises an image receiver, an image identification processor, a reference feature determiner, and a feature locator. The image receiver is configured for receiving a first image for use in georeferencing. The image comprises digital image information. The system includes a communicative coupling to a georeferenced images database of images. The image identification processor is configured for identifying a second image from the georeferenced images database that correlates to the first image. The system includes a communicative coupling to a geographic location information system. The reference feature determiner is configured for determining a reference feature common to both the second image and the first image. The feature locator is configured for accessing the geographic information system to identify and obtain geographic location information related to the common reference feature.

A video alignment system is described in which the location of a modulated spot in a video scene is estimated with correlation techniques including tracking multiple camera phase shift candidates and normalizing correlation sums with a voting system.

Growing community of inventors

Christchurch, New Zealand

Peter Glen France