Patents by Inventor Daniel John Morwood

Daniel John Morwood 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).

  • Patent number: 9983589
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system for a base station includes a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal and send a second signal to an agricultural vehicle. The first signal indicates at least an acceleration of the vehicle, a current velocity of the vehicle, and a location relative to a terrain where the vehicle experienced the acceleration, and the second signal indicates a vehicle target velocity. The control system includes a controller configured to determine a bump severity value based on the acceleration and the current velocity of the vehicle, mark an area indicative of the bump on a map of the terrain when the bump severity value exceeds a threshold, and automatically generate the second signal when the vehicle enters the area. The target velocity is based on a proximity of the vehicle to the bump, the bump severity value, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Benoit Debilde, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 9974225
    Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment is a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path, displaying the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
  • Patent number: 9968025
    Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment includes a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, determining, via an iterative process, a maximum drivable speed based on a minimum speed and a target speed, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path at the maximum drivable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial American LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
  • Patent number: 9952596
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an autonomous vehicle system includes an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle includes a communications system configured to communicate with the base station, and a control system communicatively coupled to the communications system, the control system comprising a processor. The processor is configured to receive driving commands from the base station, execute the driving commands to drive the autonomous vehicle, and execute a vehicle controller-to-subsystems latency protocol to determine a communications latency between a vehicle controller and vehicle subsystems, and to stop the autonomous vehicle if the communications latency exceeds a user-configurable latency value, wherein the vehicle controller and vehicle subsystem are disposed in the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Publication number: 20170357400
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous agricultural system includes a display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation. The display is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first input. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is communicatively coupled to the display and configured to receive the first signal indicative of the first input and to send a second signal to the display indicative of instructions to display a second control in an unlocked state. The display is configured to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input. The controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Allen Bradford, Kim Richardson Barker
  • Publication number: 20170354079
    Abstract: The agricultural control system includes a base control system configured to communicate with a vehicle control system of an agricultural vehicle. The base control system is configured to plan an implement path through an agricultural field for an agricultural implement coupled to the agricultural vehicle based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the agricultural field. The base control system is configured to plan a vehicle path of the agricultural vehicle based at least in part on the planned implement path. The base control system is configured to send a first signal to the vehicle control system indicative of the vehicle path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Brian Robert Ray, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Nathan Eric Bunderson
  • Publication number: 20170357259
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an autonomous vehicle system includes an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle includes a communications system configured to communicate with the base station, and a control system communicatively coupled to the communications system, the control system comprising a processor. The processor is configured to receive driving commands from the base station, execute the driving commands to drive the autonomous vehicle, and execute a vehicle controller-to-subsystems latency protocol to determine a communications latency between a vehicle controller and vehicle subsystems, and to stop the autonomous vehicle if the communications latency exceeds a user-configurable latency value, wherein the vehicle controller and vehicle subsystem are disposed in the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Publication number: 20170354078
    Abstract: An agricultural control system includes a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to determine a first segment of an implement path that enables an agricultural implement to perform an agricultural operation on a first region of an agricultural field. The controller is configured to determine a first segment of a vehicle path of an agricultural vehicle coupled to the agricultural implement based at least in part on the first segment of the implement path to direct the agricultural implement along the first region. The controller is configured to determine a first end-of-row turn of the vehicle path at an end of the first segment of the vehicle path independently of the implement path between the first segment of the implement path and a second segment of the implement path and to output a first signal indicative of the vehicle path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, James Brian Stewart, Joshua Hill Henrie
  • Publication number: 20170357262
    Abstract: A swath tracking system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system with a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to receive a plurality of vehicle location points and a current vehicle state, wherein the current vehicle state comprises a current vehicle location, generate a planned vehicle path through one or more of the plurality of vehicle location points, generate a correction path from the current vehicle location to a point along the planned vehicle path ahead of the current vehicle location along a direction of travel, generate a blended path by blending the planned vehicle path and the correction path based at least in part on an assigned weight, wherein the assigned weight is based at least in part on a heading error, a distance between the current vehicle location and the planned path, or a combination thereof, and guide the off-road vehicle along the blended path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Peter John Dix, Brett Carson McClelland, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Brian Robert Ray, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Robert Dean Ashby, John Arthur Mitsuru Petersen, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Publication number: 20170339820
    Abstract: A system includes a scouting vehicle. The scouting vehicle includes a spatial location system configured to derive a geographic position of the scouting vehicle. The scouting vehicle further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to the spatial location system and to a communication system, the computing device comprising a processor configured to create a shape on a map based on a drive of the scouting vehicle. The scouting vehicle also includes the communication system configured to transmit the geographic position, a recording of the drive, the shape, or a combination thereof, to a base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger, Erik E. Veikle
  • Publication number: 20170323263
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method includes storing in non-volatile memory a library of equipment configuration code files, each equipment configuration code file including configuration code for configuration and control of a work vehicle, for configuration and control of an attachment to be carried or towed by the work vehicle, or for combined configuration and control of both the work vehicle and the attachment in combination, receiving an altered version of at least one equipment configuration code file, the altered version including OEM data provided by or altered by an original equipment manufacturer of the work vehicle or the attachment, dealer or distributor data provided by or altered by a dealer or distributor of the work vehicle or the attachment, and user data provided by or altered by a user of the work vehicle or attachment, and storing the altered version in the non-volatile memory of the library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Publication number: 20170318735
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an equipment configuration code file for configuration and control of a work vehicle, for configuration and control of an attachment to be carried or towed by the work vehicle, or for combined configuration and control of both the work vehicle and the implement in combination, altering the equipment configuration code file for use of the work vehicle, the implement, or both in an actual work setting, and storing the altered equipment configuration code file in an electronic storage medium for later access for use of the work vehicle, the implement, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Publication number: 20170308091
    Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment includes a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, determining, via an iterative process, a maximum drivable speed based on a minimum speed and a target speed, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path at the maximum drivable speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
  • Publication number: 20170202131
    Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment is a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path, displaying the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
  • Publication number: 20170197621
    Abstract: A method for controlling an off-road vehicle includes selecting an operating mode from a plurality of candidate operating modes. The plurality of candidate operating modes includes a first operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a first desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle; a second operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a first desired gear ratio of the transmission and substantially maintaining a first desired engine speed of the engine; a third operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a second desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle and substantially maintaining a second desired engine speed of the engine; and a fourth operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a third desired gear ratio of the transmission and substantially maintaining a third desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Michael G. Hornberger, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin, Benjamin Craig Spendlove
  • Publication number: 20170192419
    Abstract: A control system for a haul vehicle, includes a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal from a second transceiver, wherein the first signal is indicative of a first determined position and a first determined velocity of the target vehicle. The control system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the controller automatically controls the speed of the haul vehicle by determining a desired position and a desired speed of the haul vehicle based at least in part on the first determined position and the first determined velocity of the target vehicle, instructing an automated speed control system to establish the ground speed of the haul vehicle to reach the target position, and instructing the automated speed control system to control the ground speed of the haul vehicle to maintain the target position, including during turning of the target and haul vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger
  • Publication number: 20170192431
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles includes generating a number of mission plans for the one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles, determining a plan value for each of the number of mission plans, selecting a mission plan with the highest plan value, and executing the selected mission plan to control the one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Publication number: 20170101103
    Abstract: A slip control system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system configured to output a signal indicative of a first action if a magnitude of slippage of the off-road vehicle relative to a soil surface is greater than a first threshold value and less than or equal to a second threshold value. Furthermore, the control system is configured to output a signal indicative of a second action, different than the first action, if the magnitude of slippage is greater than the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Eric Emerson Veikle, Michael G. Hornberger, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Publication number: 20170010619
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automation kit for an agricultural vehicle that includes a kit controller configured to receive feedback from at least one sensor, to receive a mission path, and to receive a location signal from a locating device, where the kit controller is configured to control a velocity of the agricultural vehicle based at least on the mission path, the feedback, and the location signal. The automation kit also includes a vehicle interface configured to communicatively couple the kit controller to a bus of the agricultural vehicle, where the bus is communicatively coupled to at least a brake controller configured to control a hydraulic valve of a braking system of the agricultural vehicle, and the kit controller is configured to control the velocity at least by selectively sending a signal to the brake controller to control the braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger, Bret Todd Turpin, Jeremy A. Harris
  • Publication number: 20160334798
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system for a base station includes a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal and send a second signal to an agricultural vehicle. The first signal indicates at least an acceleration of the vehicle, a current velocity of the vehicle, and a location relative to a terrain where the vehicle experienced the acceleration, and the second signal indicates a vehicle target velocity. The control system includes a controller configured to determine a bump severity value based on the acceleration and the current velocity of the vehicle, mark an area indicative of the bump on a map of the terrain when the bump severity value exceeds a threshold, and automatically generate the second signal when the vehicle enters the area. The target velocity is based on a proximity of the vehicle to the bump, the bump severity value, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Benoit Debilde, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger, Bret Todd Turpin