Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Schnicker
Bruce J. Schnicker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230177622Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a set of target seeds with optimal yield and risk performance. One example computer-implemented method includes generating, by a server, representative yield values for a group of seeds based on historical agricultural data, generating a dataset of risk values for the seeds, and generating a dataset of target seeds from the seeds for planting in one or more target fields based on: the dataset of risk values, the representative yield values, and properties for the target field(s). The method also includes generating, by the server, allocation instructions for the target seeds included in the dataset of target seeds, where the allocation instructions are indicative of, for each target seed, a planting quantity for the target seed and a planting location for the target seed within the target field(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Jason Kendrick BULL, Tonya S. EHLMANN, Timothy REICH, Bruce J. SCHNICKER, Matthew SORGE, Yao XIE, Xiao YANG
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Patent number: 11562444Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating a set of target hybrid seeds with optimal yield and risk performance, including a server receiving a candidate set of hybrid seeds along with probability of successful yield values, associated historical agricultural data and property information, and selecting a subset of the hybrid seeds that have probability of success values greater than a filtering threshold. The server generates representative yield values for hybrid seeds based on the historical agricultural data and risk values for each hybrid seed. The server generates a dataset of target hybrid seeds for planting based on the risk values, the yield values, and the properties for the target fields. The dataset of target hybrid seeds includes target hybrid seeds that meet a specific threshold for a range of risk values. The server causes display of the dataset of target hybrid seeds including yield values and risk values for the target fields.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: CLIMATE LLCInventors: Timothy Reich, Xiao Yang, Matthew Sorge, Tonya S Ehlmann, Jason Kendrick Bull, Bruce J. Schnicker, Yao Xie
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Patent number: 11357159Abstract: An automated method for operating an automated seed sampling system having a seed loading station, a seed transport subsystem, and a seed sampling station generally includes sensing whether individual seeds are successfully isolated from a bulk of seeds at the seed loading station, and sensing whether the isolated seeds are properly positioned by the seed transport subsystem adjacent the seed sampling station in preparation for removing tissue from the isolated seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Cargill, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20210342719Abstract: Embodiments generate digital plans for agricultural fields. In an embodiment, a model receives digital inputs including stress risk data, product maturity data, field location data, planting date data, and/or harvest date data. The model mathematically correlates sets of digital inputs with threshold data associated with the stress risk data. The model is used to generate stress risk prediction data for a set of product maturity and field location combinations. In a digital plan, product maturity data or planting date data or harvest date data or field location data can be adjusted based on the stress risk prediction data. A digital plan can be transmitted to a field manager computing device. An agricultural apparatus can be moved in response to a digital plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Shilpa Sood, Matthew Sorge, Nikisha Shah, Timothy Reich, Herbert Ssegane, Jason Kendrick Bull, Tonya S. Ehlmann, Morrison Jacobs, Susan Andrea Macisaac, Bruce J. Schnicker, Yao Xie, Allan Trapp, Xiao Yang
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Patent number: 11017306Abstract: Embodiments generate digital plans for agricultural fields. In an embodiment, a model receives digital inputs including stress risk data, product maturity data, field location data, planting date data, and/or harvest date data. The model mathematically correlates sets of digital inputs with threshold data associated with the stress risk data. The model is used to generate stress risk prediction data for a set of product maturity and field location combinations. In a digital plan, product maturity data or planting date data or harvest date data or field location data can be adjusted based on the stress risk prediction data. A digital plan can be transmitted to a field manager computing device. An agricultural apparatus can be moved in response to a digital plan.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: THE CLIMATE CORPORATIONInventors: Shilpa Sood, Matthew Sorge, Nikisha Shah, Timothy Reich, Herbert Ssegane, Jason Kendrick Bull, Tonya S. Ehlmann, Morrison Jacobs, Susan Andrea Macisaac, Bruce J. Schnicker, Yao Xie, Allan Trapp, Xiao Yang
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Publication number: 20200154628Abstract: An automated method for operating an automated seed sampling system having a seed loading station, a seed transport subsystem, and a seed sampling station generally includes sensing whether individual seeds are successfully isolated from a bulk of seeds at the seed loading station, and sensing whether the isolated seeds are properly positioned by the seed transport subsystem adjacent the seed sampling station in preparation for removing tissue from the isolated seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Kevin L. DEPPERMANN, Lee YANNAKAKIS, Andrew M. SINGLETON, Angela R. CARGILL, David W. FINLEY, Brian J. FORINASH, Allen N. ONDES, Sam R. EATHINGTON, Heather M. FORBES, Bruce J. SCHNICKER, Jason K. BULL
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Publication number: 20200134485Abstract: Embodiments generate digital plans for agricultural fields. In an embodiment, a model receives digital inputs including stress risk data, product maturity data, field location data, planting date data, and/or harvest date data. The model mathematically correlates sets of digital inputs with threshold data associated with the stress risk data. The model is used to generate stress risk prediction data for a set of product maturity and field location combinations. In a digital plan, product maturity data or planting date data or harvest date data or field location data can be adjusted based on the stress risk prediction data. A digital plan can be transmitted to a field manager computing device. An agricultural apparatus can be moved in response to a digital plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Shilpa Sood, Matthew Sorge, Nikisha Shah, Timothy Reich, Herbert Ssegane, Jason Kendrick Bull, Tonya S. Ehlmann, Morrison Jacobs, Susan Andrea Macisaac, Bruce J. Schnicker, Yao Xie, Allan Trapp, Xiao Yang
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Patent number: 10542661Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Cargill, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20190139158Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating a set of target hybrid seeds with optimal yield and risk performance, including a server receiving a candidate set of hybrid seeds along with probability of successful yield values, associated historical agricultural data and property information, and selecting a subset of the hybrid seeds that have probability of success values greater than a filtering threshold. The server generates representative yield values for hybrid seeds based on the historical agricultural data and risk values for each hybrid seed. The server generates a dataset of target hybrid seeds for planting based on the risk values, the yield values, and the properties for the target fields. The dataset of target hybrid seeds includes target hybrid seeds that meet a specific threshold for a range of risk values. The server causes display of the dataset of target hybrid seeds including yield values and risk values for the target fields.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: TIMOTHY REICH, XIAO YANG, MATTHEW SORGE, TONYA S. EHLMANN, JASON KENDRICK BULL, BRUCE J. SCHNICKER, YAO XIE
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Publication number: 20170196161Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Cargill, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Patent number: 9551636Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Cargill, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20150241322Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Cargill, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Patent number: 8997398Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20130260366Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Patent number: 8443545Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20120288854Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Patent number: 8245439Abstract: A seed sampling system includes a seed transport configured to hold multiple individual seeds together as a group and transport the multiple individual seeds together as the group, and to allow the multiple individual seeds to be oriented, substantially simultaneously, while the multiple individual seeds are being held in the seed transport. The seed sampling system also includes a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds. And, a method for removing tissue from the multiple individual seeds includes loading the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport, orienting the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport substantially simultaneously, and removing tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20120021411Abstract: A seed sampling system includes a seed transport configured to hold multiple individual seeds together as a group and transport the multiple individual seeds together as the group, and to allow the multiple individual seeds to be oriented, substantially simultaneously, while the multiple individual seeds are being held in the seed transport. The seed sampling system also includes a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds. And, a method for removing tissue from the multiple individual seeds includes loading the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport, orienting the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport substantially simultaneously, and removing tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Patent number: 8028469Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampling and sorting system. The system includes an imaging station for collecting image data of a set of seeds and a seed orientation station for independently positioning each seed in the set in a desired orientation based on the collected image data. The system further includes a seed sample and sort station for extracting a sample from each seed in the set, sorting each sample to a sample tray and sorting each sampled seed to a seed tray.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
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Publication number: 20080317279Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampling and sorting system. The system includes an imaging station for collecting image data of a set of seeds and a seed orientation station for independently positioning each seed in the set in a desired orientation based on the collected image data. The system further includes a seed sample and sort station for extracting a sample from each seed in the set, sorting each sample to a sample tray and sorting each sampled seed to a seed tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull