Trimble Navigation Limited

Richard David Williams

James C Green

Jim Green

Paul Robin Manson

Jonathan Miles Marshall

Christopher George Muller

An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass and a satellite positioning system having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Signals that are received from satellites are used to determine position of the integrated position and direction system. The orientation of the satellites relative to the determined position and relative to the orientation of the integrated position and direction system is then determined. In one embodiment, direction determined using the digital compass is used to determine the orientation of the satellites relative to the determined position and relative to the orientation of the integrated position and direction system. Alternatively, heading is used to determine the orientation of the satellites relative to the determined position and relative to the orientation of the integrated position and direction system. In one embodiment the direction of movement or &ldquo;heading&rdquo; determined by the SATPOS is used to orient the displayed skyplot when the SATPOS is moving, and the direction given by the digital compass is used to orient the displayed skyplot when the SATPOS is not moving.

Integrated position and direction system with skyplot

An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass and a satellite positioning system (SATPOS) having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Direction is determined using the digital compass and heading is determined using the SATPOS. The integrated position and direction system is operable to display, on a display device, map information that is oriented according to a current orientation regardless of whether the system is stationary or moving. The map display is oriented according to either heading determined using the satellite positioning system or direction determined using the digital compass. The integrated position and direction system updates the map display to orient the map display with a current position. Moreover, the integrated position and direction system updates the map display to orient the map display with a current orientation (e.g., heading or direction).

Integrated position and direction system with map display oriented according to heading or direction

An integrated position and direction system and method thereof for determining drift. The integrated position and direction system comprises a satellite positioning system and a digital compass. The satellite positioning system is used for determining position and heading, and the digital compass is used for determining direction. An amount of drift can be determined using the heading and the direction. Knowing the amount of drift, a course compensating for the drift can be determined. Thus, a craft that has drifted from its planned course can be directed to a course that will allow it to reach its intended destination.

Method for determining drift with a digital compass

An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass, wherein the digital compass includes at least three sensors, and a satellite positioning system (SATPOS) having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Direction is determined using the digital compass and heading is determined using the SATPOS. At a first location, the integrated position and direction system is oriented to the offset feature and is operated to determine a first set of measurements relative to the offset feature using the digital compass and the satellite positioning system. At a second location, the integrated position and direction system is oriented to the offset feature and is operated to determine a second set of measurements relative to the offset feature using the digital compass and the satellite positioning system. The integrated position and direction system calculates the position of the offset feature using the first and second sets of measurements.

Integrated position and direction system for determining position of offset feature

An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass, wherein the digital compass includes at least three sensors, and a satellite positioning system having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Direction is determined using the digital compass and heading is determined using the SATPOS. When the integrated position and direction system is moving, heading is indicated. When the integrated position and direction system is not moving direction is indicated. The integrated position and direction system automatically switches between the display of heading (when the integrated position and direction system is moving) and the display of direction (when the integrated position and direction system is not moving).

Integrated position and direction system with three-sensor digital compass

An integrated position and direction system is disclosed that includes a digital compass and a satellite positioning system having a receiver adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. Direction is determined using the digital compass and heading is determined using the SATPOS. When the integrated position and direction system is moving, heading is indicated. When the integrated position and direction system is not moving direction is indicated. The integrated position and direction system automatically switches between the display of heading (when the integrated position and direction system is moving) and the display of direction (when the integrated position and direction system is not moving).

Integrated position and direction system

A new and useful method and apparatus are provided for collecting, recording and displaying data pertaining to artifacts in a time based fashion. The apparatus includes a data measurement device such as a GPS receiver or other measurement device for collecting data such as position information pertaining to artifacts, a memory for recording collected data and a user interface having an input for receiving recorded information such as qualitative information pertaining to artifacts from the user and a display for displaying the collected data as it is collected by a user. The user interface includes a time scale to associate the data collected pertaining to the artifacts with the time at which the data was collected providing a useful project management tool for the user as well as for management personnel supervising the user and for providing an accurate time based archival record of data pertaining to artifacts such as their location and physical condition.

Growing community of inventors

Christchurch, New Zealand

Richard David Williams