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US 2010/0245169 A1Published application
Three dimensional terrain mapping
AssigneeTopcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
InventorRaymond M. O'Connor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeTopcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
InventorRaymond M. O'Connor
Estimating the term…
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.
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The method of claim 11 wherein said mobile units serve a primary purpose other than mapping said terrain.
The method of claim 11 wherein said mobile units are golf carts.
The method of claim 11 wherein said mobile units are lawn mowers.
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
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A method for generating a three dimensional terrain map comprising:
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The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said mobile units serve a primary purpose other than mapping said terrain.
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said mobile units are golf carts.
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said mobile units are lawn mowers.
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising:
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising:
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Apparatus for generating a three dimensional terrain map comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.