Patents by Inventor Christopher Foster

Christopher Foster 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).

  • Publication number: 20150319913
    Abstract: A system includes an electronic control system for an agricultural system, including a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a mission of a work vehicle of the agricultural system. The controller is configured to determine a first desired path of travel of the work vehicle based on the mission. The controller is configured to output a second signal to the work vehicle indicative of the first desired path of travel, to receive a third signal indicative of a change event from the work vehicle or from an operator, to determine a response to the change event that facilitates completion of the mission, and to output a fourth signal indicative of the response to the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Paul J. Lewis, Bret Todd Turpin, Jeremy Alexander Harris, James Brian Stewart, Max J. Barfuss, Joshua Hill Henrie, Daniel John Morwood, Brandon Chamberlain Adams
  • Publication number: 20150325065
    Abstract: A system includes an electronic control system for an agricultural system including a controller. The controller is configured to instruct a display of a user interface to present a gauge having a first indication of a current state of operation of a controllable device of the agricultural system. Moreover, the controller is configured to receive an input indicative of a desired state of operation of the controllable device. Furthermore, the controller is configured to output a signal to the controllable device indicative of the desired state of operation, and to instruct the display to present a second indication on the gauge indicative of the desired state of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Brian Stewart, Paul J. Lewis, Bret Todd Turpin, Joshua Hill Henrie, Max J. Barfuss, Jeremy Alexander Harris
  • Patent number: 9173347
    Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material sufficient to crush the nodes as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the crushed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, a pressure sufficient to crush the nodes of the crop may be exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density than conventional bales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Edward H. Priepke, Kevin M. Smith, Scott Allen Shearer, Michael David Montross, William C. Adams
  • Publication number: 20150310323
    Abstract: A system for tracking a harvested agricultural product unit includes a magazine configured to be disposed on an agricultural implement and to facilitate insertion of one or more stakes into the harvested agricultural product unit. The magazine is also configured to store the one or more stakes having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is configured to identify the harvested agricultural product unit and to associate the harvested agricultural product unit with harvesting data. Further, the system includes an insertion device configured to insert one of the stakes from the magazine into the harvested agricultural product unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Douglas S. Fitzkee, John H. Posselius, Edward H. Priepke, Justin R. Ringwald
  • Patent number: 9155250
    Abstract: A baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Christopher A Foster, Kevin M. Smith, Edward H. Priepke
  • Publication number: 20150264866
    Abstract: A system is provided that automatically assesses weight rating characteristics of a truck and trailer combination. The system coordinates movement and unloading functions of the grain cart to automatically load the trailer to correspond to a target total weight value and a target weight distribution value based on axle weight ratings of the axles of the truck and trailer combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Adam R. Rusciolelli, Tyson J. Dollinger, John Posselius, Brian R. Ray, Todd S. Aznavorian
  • Patent number: 9014901
    Abstract: A control system and method is provided to control the trajectory of a transport vehicle (20) to follow the trajectory of a harvester (10). The harvester can send control information such as the harvester's current position and future position waypoints to the transport vehicle. The control system can then use the information from the harvester to determine the trajectory for the transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Guoping Wang, Riccardo Morselli, Olivier Vanhercke, Christopher Foster
  • Patent number: 8972123
    Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Riccardo Morselli, Mark Wilenieo, James W. Henry, Gianluca Conti, Christopher A. Foster, Mark K. Chow
  • Publication number: 20150040528
    Abstract: Residue management systems for an agricultural vehicle include a managing assembly configured to manage agricultural residue. The managing assembly includes a rotating member configured to rotate about a shaft that extends along a lateral axis of the agricultural vehicle relative to the direction of travel a frame configured to support the managing assembly. The managing assembly also includes a support arm coupled to the frame and configured to pivotally couple to a support structure of the agricultural vehicle proximate to a rear end of the agricultural vehicle relative to the direction of travel. The support arm is configured to facilitate movement of the managing assembly between a lowered operational position and a raised transport position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan C. Grotelueschen, Lyle P. Mangen, Edward H. Priepke, Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius
  • Patent number: 8942897
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of an unloaded unit of agricultural product and locating a desired unit of agricultural product or identifying a candidate unit of agricultural product as a function of sensing system information indicating contact of the unit with the ground or other surface onto which the unit is unloaded, global positioning system or other location system information identifying the contact or related location, and heading information, which information can then be used to discern the unit from others at the location for desired loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Justin R. Ringwald
  • Patent number: 8943450
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automatically providing circuit designers with verification coverage information for analog/mixed-signal circuit designs. A graphical user interface based environment allows circuit designers to assemble a schematic representation of a lower-level circuit design from pre-defined building blocks and various types of connections. Embodiments convert the schematic representation into a behavioral model for rapid simulation. Building blocks in the behavioral circuit have coverage-related terms defined either by the designer or by default, such as input and output value ranges, internal state changes, and state timers and timing-related constraints. Embodiments simulate the behavioral circuit, and determine and tangibly output coverage-related information. Manual and automatic behavioral circuit and stimulus modification can maximize coverage for improved behavioral circuit verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Hartong, Paul Christopher Foster, Jinduo Sun
  • Publication number: 20140358466
    Abstract: System and method which automatically updates estimated field and in-transit yield values as a function of estimated vehicle load values and correction values determined from more accurate yield values obtained later, such as at a processing or other receiving facility, thereby providing better estimates of yield values between yield monitor system calibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Justin R. Ringwald, Douglas S. Fitzkee, Kevin S. Richman, Jesse H. Orsborn, Thomas H. Brown, JR., John H. Posselius
  • Publication number: 20140331635
    Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Kevin M. Smith, Edward H. Priepke
  • Publication number: 20140336818
    Abstract: A multiple robot control architecture including a plurality of robotic agricultural machines including a first and second robotic agricultural machine. Each robotic agricultural machine including at least one controller configured to implement a plurality of finite state machines within an individual robot control architecture (IRCA) and a global information module (GIM) communicatively coupled to the IRCA. The GIMs of the first and second robotic agricultural machines being configured to cooperate to cause said first robotic agricultural machine and said second agricultural machine to perform at least one agricultural task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Santosh K. Pitla, Scott A. Shearer, Joe D. Luck, Michael P. Sama, Rodrigo S. Zandonadi
  • Publication number: 20140311365
    Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: John Henry Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Johan A.E. Vande Ryse, Didier O.M. Verhaeghe
  • Publication number: 20140278083
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of an unloaded unit of agricultural product and locating a desired unit of agricultural product or identifying a candidate unit of agricultural product as a function of sensing system information indicating contact of the unit with the ground or other surface onto which the unit is unloaded, global positioning system or other location system information identifying the contact or related location, and heading information, which information can then be used to discern the unit from others at the location for desired loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Justin R. Ringwald
  • Patent number: 8820040
    Abstract: A baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Edward H. Priepke, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8800255
    Abstract: A baler and a method of using the baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Johan A. Vande Ryse, Didier O. M. Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 8776679
    Abstract: A bale ejection sequence for ejecting a bale from a baler is initiated from an operator command based upon monitored bale ejection factors. A controller implements a timing sequence that is based on a calibration of a cycle timing of a tailgate of the baler. The timing sequence relates to movement of the tractor, a position of the tailgate, and a hydraulic flow rate of fluid to a hydraulic system connected to the tailgate to move the tailgate between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher A. Foster, Riccardo Morselli, Kevin M. Smith, Mark Wileniec
  • Publication number: 20140162740
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester discharge guide includes a porous apparatus adapted for mounting to a discharge end of the agricultural harvester for guiding crop residue discharged from the agricultural harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. FOSTER, Douglas S. FITZKEE, John H. POSSELIUS, Mike MIELKE