Patents by Inventor John D. Preheim
John D. Preheim 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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Patent number: 11184507Abstract: System and techniques for adaptive color transformation to aid computer vision are described herein. Colors from an image are mapped into a multi-dimensional space to create a distribution of colors in the image. A line can be fit to the distribution. Here, the line includes an angle relative to a coordinate system of the multi-dimensional space. A transformation to colors can then be applied to the image based on the angle of the line. The transformation producing a reduced image where a color complexity of the original image is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
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Publication number: 20210357664Abstract: An autonomous obstacle monitoring and vehicle control system includes a remote sensing device including one or more sensors. The remote sensing device is movable relative to an agricultural system, and configured to observe obstacles proximate to a path of an agricultural system or proximate to the agricultural system. An obstacle recognition module communicates with the remote sensing device, and is configured to identify and index obstacles proximate to the path or proximate to the agricultural system. An autonomous agricultural system controller is configured for communication with the agricultural system. The autonomous agricultural system controller includes a mission administration module configured to operate the remote sensing device, and a vehicle operation module configured to control the agricultural system based on the identified and indexed obstacles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, John D. Preheim, W. Wade Robey
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Patent number: 11170530Abstract: System and techniques for calibrating a crop row computer vision system are described herein. An image set that includes crop rows and furrows is obtained. Models of the field are searched to find a model that best fits the field. A calibration parameter is extracted from the model and communicated to a receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
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Patent number: 11134668Abstract: In an example, a system for nozzle control includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
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Patent number: 11100648Abstract: System and techniques for detecting a crop related row from an image are described herein. An image that includes several rows where the several rows including crop rows and furrows can be obtained. The image can be segmented to produce a set of image segments. A filter can be shifted across respective segments of the set of image segments to get a set of positions. A line can be fit members of the set of positions, the line representing a crop row or furrow.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
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Publication number: 20210195824Abstract: An agricultural vehicle monitoring system includes one or more noncontact sensors configured to sense multiple objects along a scanline. A comparative vehicle monitor is in communication with the one or more noncontact sensors. The comparative vehicle monitor is configured to provide a specified row width and to identify one or more crop rows from the scan line and determine one or more lengths of scan line segments between identified crop rows. The comparative vehicle monitor is further configured to determine a vehicle position including one or more of a vehicle angle or a vehicle location according to the specified row width and the one or more determined lengths of scan line segments between the identified crop rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel, Alex John Weidenbach, John D. Preheim, Drew John Waltner
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Publication number: 20210132618Abstract: An agricultural vehicle monitoring system includes first and second noncontact sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural vehicle, where the first and second noncontact sensors are configured to sense respective first and second environmental characteristics for determining a position of the agricultural vehicle in a field. The system further includes a comparative vehicle monitor in communication with the first and second noncontact sensors. The comparative vehicle monitor includes a filter module to filter outputs of the first and second noncontact sensors based on an indicator of a relative quality of the output of each sensor. The comparative vehicle monitor additionally includes an evaluation module to determine a vehicle position of the agricultural vehicle relative to at least one of the first and second environmental characteristics according to filtered outputs of the first and second noncontact sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel, Alex John Weidenbach, John D. Preheim, Drew John Waltner, Joel Quentin Quanbeck
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Publication number: 20210037694Abstract: An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Alex Weidenbach, John D. Preheim
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Publication number: 20210012517Abstract: A device to determine a height disparity between features of an image includes a memory including instructions and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured by the instructions to obtain an image including a first repetitive feature and a second repetitive feature. The processing circuitry is further configured by the instructions to determine a distribution of pixels in a first area of the image, where the first area includes an occurrence of the repetitive features, and to determine a distribution of pixels in a second area of the image, where the second area includes another occurrence of the repetitive features. The processing circuitry is further configured by the instructions to evaluate the distribution of pixels in the first area and the distribution of pixels in the second area to determine a height difference between the first repetitive feature and the second repetitive feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim
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Patent number: 10842067Abstract: An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: Alex Weidenbach, John D. Preheim
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Publication number: 20200334859Abstract: System and techniques for calibrating a crop row computer vision system are described herein. An image set that includes crop rows and furrows is obtained. Models of the field are searched to find a model that best fits the field. A calibration parameter is extracted from the model and communicated to a receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
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Publication number: 20200107538Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for nozzle control. The system includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
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Publication number: 20200029484Abstract: An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Alex Weidenbach, John D. Preheim
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Publication number: 20200029548Abstract: A semi-active suspension system includes a suspension element having a damping coefficient range. The suspension element optionally includes an implement end and a chassis end. The semi-active suspension system includes a suspension control circuit in communication with the suspension element. The suspension control circuit optionally includes a kinematic assessment circuit in communication with one or more sensors. The kinematic assessment circuit is configured to measure or determine kinematic characteristics of one or more of the agricultural implement and the chassis. The suspension control circuit optionally includes a damping control circuit, and the damping control circuit generates a specified damping characteristic based on the measured or determined kinematic characteristics. The damping control circuit optionally directs the suspension element to operate within the damping coefficient range based on the specified damping characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Alex Weidenbach, Jesse Lee Wagers, John D. Preheim
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Publication number: 20200021716Abstract: System and techniques for adaptive color transformation to aid computer vision are described herein. Colors from an image are mapped into a multi-dimensional space to create a distribution of colors in the image. A line can be fit to the distribution. Here, the line includes an angle relative to a coordinate system of the multi-dimensional space. A transformation to colors can then be applied to the image based on the angle of the line. The transformation producing a reduced image where a color complexity of the original image is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
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Publication number: 20190373880Abstract: A localized product injection system includes a composite boom tube having a carrier fluid passage within a tube body, and at least one injection product passage within the tube body isolated from the carrier fluid passage. A plurality of port stations are provided at locations along the tube body. Each of the port stations includes a carrier fluid outlet port and at least one injection product outlet port. A localized injection interface is coupled at a port station. The injection interface includes a carrier fluid input coupled with the carrier fluid outlet port, and at least one injection product input coupled with the at least one injection product outlet port. The injection interface includes at least one throttling element in communication with the at least one injection product input, a mixing chamber, and an injection port configured for localized coupling and injection to a product dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael, John D, Preheim, Brent A. Driesen
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Patent number: 10368538Abstract: A system and method for nozzle control includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
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Patent number: 10173236Abstract: A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Nicholas O. Michael, Jared Ernest Kocer
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Publication number: 20180042214Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for nozzle control. The system includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
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Publication number: 20170348718Abstract: A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Nicholas O. Michael, Jared Ernest Kocer