Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.

Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon

Raymond M O'Connor

Kyle Snow

Ivan Giovanni Di Federico

Xiankun Wang

Kaoru Kumagai

Jun-ichi Kodaira

Sergey Vladislavovich Averin

Daniel Milyutin

Chris McKee

Justin Tuente

Vernon Joseph Brabec

Clyde C Goad

Everett McKee

Jason Killpack

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.

Method and apparatus for precise determination of a position of a target on a surface

A method and apparatus is provided that determines and simulates the proper putting stroke using at least aiming direction and speed for successfully making a particular putt based on particular putting green characteristics and the location of the golf hole on the putting green, and which is interactive with the user thereby providing an enhanced playing experience and improved putting results.

Method and apparatus for personalized putting of a golf ball

A putting stroke apparatus and method is provided that determines and simulates the proper putting stroke using at least an aiming direction and initial ball speed for successfully making a particular putt based on particular putting green characteristics and the location of the golf hole on the putting green. A pendulum putter apparatus is coupled with a putting diagnostic tool wherein the putting diagnostic tool determines at least an aiming direction and initial ball speed for a particular putt using inputs such as: (i) topographic information (e.g., contours) specific to the green; (ii) the green speed at a particular time; (iii) the golf hole location (i.e., the physical location of the golf hole); and (iv) the golf ball location on the green (i.e., the physical location of the golf ball).

Precision pendulum putter

A method and system utilizing one or more agricultural drones in combination with agricultural equipment, e.g., an agricultural boom sprayer, to evaluate the crops being farmed, and to improve the real-time delivery and dispensing of liquid from the sprayer including monitoring and verifying that the liquid is being dispensed correctly and/or in accordance with a desired distribution pattern or level.

Agricultural crop analysis drone

An optimum measurement subset with a specified number of elements is generated from a set of input global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. A design matrix and a weight matrix are generated. Values of a set of coefficients corresponding to the set of input GNSS measurements are calculated. The value of a specific coefficient is calculated as the ratio of the change in value of the at least one target parameter resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement to the change in value of the sum of squared residuals resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement. The optimum measurement subset is selected based at least in part on the values of the set of coefficients.

Selection of a subset of global navigation satellite system measurements based on relation between shifts in target parameters and sum of residuals

A construction machine control system comprises a laser surveying instrument for projecting a laser beam in rotary irradiation at constant speed and a construction machine for operating in a photodetection range of the laser beam, and in the construction machine control system, the construction machine comprises a working mechanical unit for carrying out construction operation, a machine control device for controlling the working mechanical unit, and at least three beam detectors which are disposed at known positions with respect to a device reference position of the construction machine and have a photodetector for receiving the laser beam and a direction of the construction machine is calculated based on photodetection timing of each of the beam detectors and the machine control device controls the working mechanical unit so that direction of the construction machine is set to a condition as required based on a result of calculation.

Construction machine control method and construction machine control system

An optimum measurement subset with a specified number n of elements is generated from a set of N&#x3e;n weighted input global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. A group of trial measurement subsets is generated by removing a different individual weighted input GNSS measurement from the set. A value of accuracy criterion for a target parameter is calculated for each trial measurement subset, and the trial measurement subset with the minimum value of accuracy criterion is selected. A new group of trial measurement subsets is generated by removing a different individual weighted GNSS measurement from the previously selected trial measurement subset. A value of accuracy criterion is calculated for each new trial measurement subset, and a new trial measurement subset with the new minimum value of accuracy criterion is selected. The process is repeated until the selected trial measurement subset has the specified number n of elements.

Selection of a subset of global navigation satellite system measurements based on prediction of accuracy of target parameters

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.

Method and apparatus for tracking items and providing item information

A construction machine control system comprises a laser surveying instrument for projecting N-shaped beams in rotary irradiation, a construction machine operated within a predetermined range of the N-shaped beams, and an elevation angle detecting unit. The construction machine comprises a working mechanical unit for carrying out construction operation, a machine control device for controlling the working mechanical unit, and at least three beam detectors disposed at known positions with respect to reference position of the construction machine. The beam detectors detect the three fan beams and output result of photodetection. The elevation angle detecting unit obtains elevation angles of each of the beam detectors with respect to the laser surveying instrument based on result of photodetection of three fan beams from the beam detectors. The machine control device is configured to control tilting of the working mechanical unit based on the elevation angle obtained.

Disclosed is a technique for generating a three dimensional terrain map of a geographic area. Mobile units are equipped with satellite receivers (e.g., GPS receivers) for generating location data. A map generator uses the location data to generate a three dimensional terrain map. In one embodiment, the mobile units have primary uses other than mapping, and are traversing the geographic area to be mapped in connection with their primary function. The map generation process may be performed iteratively over time, as additional location data becomes available. During a time period when location data is unavailable for a portion of the three dimensional terrain map, the map generator may estimate the missing portion of the map using the available data. The estimated portion may later be updated with actual data as that data becomes available. The map may also contain enhancements based on enhancement data received by the map generator.

Three dimensional terrain mapping

The position of an apparatus moving along a surface is determined by calculating a plurality of vertical angles between the apparatus and a known location, where the vertical angles vary only within a range having a largest expected maximum angle. A plurality of horizontal distances between the apparatus and the known location are determined, each of the horizontal distances associated with one of the vertical angles. The horizontal distances are computed to within a tolerance based at least in part on the largest expected maximum angle. A plurality of heights of the apparatus are then determined using the plurality of vertical angles and associated horizontal distances. In particular embodiments, the known location may be associated with a rotating laser used with a photodetector at the target to determine the vertical angle. Further, the target may comprise a GPS receiver for use in determining the horizontal distance measurements.

Growing community of inventors

Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Raymond M O'Connor