Patents by Inventor James J. Phelan

James J. Phelan 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: 10832351
    Abstract: A sensing system bias is reduced across a first agricultural machine and a second agricultural machine. A collection of agronomic data is accessed, that is indicative of an estimated crop yield. The collection that is accessed, for example, includes at least a first set of data sensed by the first agricultural machine and a second set of data sensed by the second agricultural machine. In addition, the first and second sets of data can be scaled based on a yield correction factor. A bias between the scaled first set of data and the scaled second set of data is determined, and a smoothing operation is performed on the scaled first and second sets of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Robert A. Stevens, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Noel W. Anderson, James J. Phelan
  • Patent number: 10664726
    Abstract: A method and non-transitory computer-readable medium capture an image of bulk grain and apply a feature extractor to the image to determine a feature of the bulk grain in the image. For each of a plurality of different sampling locations in the image, based upon the feature of the bulk grain at the sampling location, a determination is made regarding a classification score for the presence of a classification of material at the sampling location. A quality of the bulk grain of the image is determined based upon an aggregation of the classification scores for the presence of the classification of material at the sampling locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Carl Knox Wellington, Aaron J. Bruns, Victor S. Sierra, James J. Phelan, John M. Hageman, Cristian Dima, Hanke Boesch, Herman Herman, Zachary Abraham Pezzementi, Cason Robert Male, Joan Campoy, Carlos Vallespi-gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10295703
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a harvester head having a crop harvesting width, different components across the harvesting width to interact with plants being harvested, at least one sensor to sense a power characteristic associated with each of the different components and a processing unit to output a crop quantity distribution signal based upon differences in the power characteristic associated with the different components across the harvesting width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Noel W. Anderson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan
  • Patent number: 10126282
    Abstract: A method and apparatus estimate yield. A first signal is received that indicates an aggregate yield measured by an aggregate yield sensor during a measurement interval. A second signal is received that indicates a plurality of geo-referenced regions across which a harvester has traveled prior to the measurement interval. The method and apparatus allocate, to each of at least two geo-referenced regions, an aggregate yield portion allocation based upon different travel times for crops to the aggregate yield sensor and pre-harvest weighting data value differences amongst the at least two georeferenced regions. The aggregate yield portion allocations are output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, James J. Phelan, Dohn W. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 10126153
    Abstract: A particulate matter impact sensor (301) for sensing impacts of particles (106) comprises a support layer (302); and a sensing media layer (300) disposed in front of the support layer (302).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Lutz Bischoff, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, James J. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20180164471
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a harvester head having a crop harvesting width, different components across the harvesting width to interact with plants being harvested, at least one sensor to sense a power characteristic associated with each of the different components and a processing unit to output a crop quantity distribution signal based upon differences in the power characteristic associated with the different components across the harvesting width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Noel W. Anderson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20180122020
    Abstract: A sensing system bias is reduced across a first agricultural machine and a second agricultural machine. A collection of agronomic data is accessed, that is indicative of an estimated crop yield. The collection that is accessed, for example, includes at least a first set of data sensed by the first agricultural machine and a second set of data sensed by the second agricultural machine. In addition, the first and second sets of data can be scaled based on a yield correction factor. A bias between the scaled first set of data and the scaled second set of data is determined, and a smoothing operation is performed on the scaled first and second sets of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Robert A. Stevens, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Noel W. Anderson, James J. Phelan
  • Patent number: 9903979
    Abstract: A method and apparatus estimate yield. A first method comprises receiving a first signal indicating an aggregate yield measured by an aggregate yield sensor during a measurement interval, receiving a second signal indicating a plurality of geo-referenced regions across which a harvester head has traveled prior to the measurement interval, allocating a portion of the aggregate yield to each of at least two geo-referenced regions based upon different travel times for crops from different portions of the head and outputting aggregate yield portion allocations. A second method estimates yield based upon sensed power characteristics across the harvesting width of a harvesting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Noel W. Anderson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20180025254
    Abstract: A method and non-transitory computer-readable medium capture an image of bulk grain and apply a feature extractor to the image to determine a feature of the bulk grain in the image. For each of a plurality of different sampling locations in the image, based upon the feature of the bulk grain at the sampling location, a determination is made regarding a classification score for the presence of a classification of material at the sampling location. A quality of the bulk grain of the image is determined based upon an aggregation of the classification scores for the presence of the classification of material at the sampling locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Carl Knox Wellington, Aaron J. Bruns, Victor S. Sierra, James J. Phelan, John M. Hageman, Cristian Dima, Hanke Boesch, Herman Herman, Zachary Abraham Pezzementi, Cason Robert Male, Joan Campoy, Carlos Vallespi-gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9779330
    Abstract: A method and non-transitory computer-readable medium capture an image of bulk grain and apply a feature extractor to the image to determine a feature of the bulk grain in the image. For each of a plurality of different sampling locations in the image, based upon the feature of the bulk grain at the sampling location, a determination is made regarding a classification score for the presence of a classification of material at the sampling location. A quality of the bulk grain of the image is determined based upon an aggregation of the classification scores for the presence of the classification of material at the sampling locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Carl Knox Wellington, Aaron J. Bruns, Victor S. Sierra, James J. Phelan, John M. Hageman, Cristian Dima, Hanke Boesch, Herman Herman, Zachary Abraham Pezzementi, Cason Robert Male, Joan Campoy, Carlos Vallespi-gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9702753
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9645006
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9494538
    Abstract: A moisture sensor that has a drive electrode and a separate sense electrode is described. Both electrodes have surfaces that face the sensed material and the surfaces are co-planar. The drive electrode receives an excitation signal and generates an electric field that produces a current in the sense electrode. The current is indicative of moisture in the sensed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andrze J Kozicki, Michael Tuchscherer, Michael L. Rhodes, Jefrey S. Wigdahl, James J. Phelan, Brian J. Booth, Jerry B. Hall
  • Publication number: 20160189007
    Abstract: A method and non-transitory computer-readable medium capture an image of bulk grain and apply a feature extractor to the image to determine a feature of the bulk grain in the image. For each of a plurality of different sampling locations in the image, based upon the feature of the bulk grain at the sampling location, a determination is made regarding a classification score for the presence of a classification of material at the sampling location. A quality of the bulk grain of the image is determined based upon an aggregation of the classification scores for the presence of the classification of material at the sampling locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Carl Knox Wellington, Aaron J. Bruns, Victor S. Sierra, James J. Phelan, John M. Hageman, Cristian Dima, Hanke Boesch, Herman Herman, Zachary Abraham Pezzementi, Carson Robert Male, Joan Campoy, Carlos Vallespi-gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20160084987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus estimate yield. A first method comprises receiving a first signal indicating an aggregate yield measured by an aggregate yield sensor during a measurement interval, receiving a second signal indicating a plurality of geo-referenced regions across which a harvester head has traveled prior to the measurement interval, allocating a portion of the aggregate yield to each of at least two geo-referenced regions based upon different travel times for crops from different portions of the head and outputting aggregate yield portion allocations. A second method estimates yield based upon sensed power characteristics across the harvesting width of a harvesting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Noel W. Anderson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20160084813
    Abstract: A method and apparatus estimate yield. A first signal is received that indicates an aggregate yield measured by an aggregate yield sensor during a measurement interval. A second signal is received that indicates a plurality of geo-referenced regions across which a harvester has traveled prior to the measurement interval. The method and apparatus allocate, to each of at least two geo-referenced regions, an aggregate yield portion allocation based upon different travel times for crops to the aggregate yield sensor and pre-harvest weighting data value differences amongst the at least two georeferenced regions. The aggregate yield portion allocations are output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, James J. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20160025531
    Abstract: A particulate matter impact sensor (301) for sensing impacts of particles (106) comprises a support layer (302); and a sensing media layer (300) disposed in front of the support layer (302).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Lutz Bischoff, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, James J. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20150377689
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Publication number: 20150377690
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Publication number: 20150285752
    Abstract: A moisture sensor that has a drive electrode and a separate sense electrode is described. Both electrodes have surfaces that face the sensed material and the surfaces are co-planar. The drive electrode receives an excitation signal and generates an electric field that produces a current in the sense electrode. The current is indicative of moisture in the sensed material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Andrzej Kozicki, Michael Tuchscherer, Michael L. Rhodes, Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, James J. Phelan, Brian J. Booth, Jerry B. Hall