Patents by Inventor John Dix
John Dix 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: 20230345853Abstract: A position monitoring system for an agricultural system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a remote sensor signal from a remote sensor indicative of a state of a reference element on one of a work vehicle or an agricultural implement coupled to the work vehicle, determine an orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle based at least in part on the remote sensor signal, and output a control signal to control operation of the agricultural system based at least in part on the orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventor: Peter John Dix
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Patent number: 11770992Abstract: A position monitoring system for an agricultural system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a remote sensor signal from a remote sensor indicative of a state of a reference element on one of a work vehicle or an agricultural implement coupled to the work vehicle, determine an orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle based at least in part on the remote sensor signal, and output a control signal to control operation of the agricultural system based at least in part on the orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Peter John Dix
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Patent number: 11224154Abstract: A work vehicle guidance system includes a control system that has a controller having a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to determine a relative location of a work vehicle to a work area. Moreover, the control system is configured to determine an end-of-row turn path for the work vehicle based at least on the relative location of the work vehicle and a minimum turning radius of the work vehicle. The end-of-row turn path is configured to direct the work vehicle to turn from a first main swath of the work area to a headland swath of the work area, travel along the headland swath in direction toward a second main swath of the work area, and turn from the headland swath to the second main swath. Further, the control system is configured to output a guidance signal comprising guidance instructions to implement the end-of-row turn path.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Peter John Dix
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Publication number: 20200359543Abstract: A position monitoring system for an agricultural system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a remote sensor signal from a remote sensor indicative of a state of a reference element on one of a work vehicle or an agricultural implement coupled to the work vehicle, determine an orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle based at least in part on the remote sensor signal, and output a control signal to control operation of the agricultural system based at least in part on the orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventor: Peter John Dix
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Patent number: 10820477Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle of a work vehicle system is provided that includes at least one controller including a memory and a processor. The at least one controller is configured to determine an attitude of a working surface of an implement relative to a field. In addition, the at least one controller is configured to generate evenly spaced swaths of the field, each swath having a center line. Further, the at least one controller is configured to determine target altitudes for points along the center line for a respective swath. Even further, the at least one controller is configured to adjust a depth of the working surface of the implement relative to the field to meet the target altitudes at respective points while the work vehicle moves along the field.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Peter John Dix
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Patent number: 10822031Abstract: A turn control system for a work vehicle includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from a turn signal input assembly of the work vehicle indicative of a turn indication. The controller is also configured to output a second signal indicative of activation of a turn signal indication assembly based on the turn indication while in a manual control mode. In addition, the controller is configured to output a third signal to a movement control system indicative of instructions to control a turn direction of the work vehicle at an end of a guidance swath based on the turn indication while in an automatic control mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Peter John Dix
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Publication number: 20200296878Abstract: A work vehicle guidance system includes a control system that has a controller having a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to determine a relative location of a work vehicle to a work area. Moreover, the control system is configured to determine an end-of-row turn path for the work vehicle based at least on the relative location of the work vehicle and a minimum turning radius of the work vehicle. The end-of-row turn path is configured to direct the work vehicle to turn from a first main swath of the work area to a headland swath of the work area, travel along the headland swath in direction toward a second main swath of the work area, and turn from the headland swath to the second main swath. Further, the control system is configured to output a guidance signal comprising guidance instructions to implement the end-of-row turn path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventor: Peter John Dix
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Publication number: 20200029487Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle of a work vehicle system is provided that includes at least one controller including a memory and a processor. The at least one controller is configured to determine an attitude of a working surface of an implement relative to a field. In addition, the at least one controller is configured to generate evenly spaced swaths of the field, each swath having a center line. Further, the at least one controller is configured to determine target altitudes for points along the center line for a respective swath. Even further, the at least one controller is configured to adjust a depth of the working surface of the implement relative to the field to meet the target altitudes at respective points while the work vehicle moves along the field.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventor: Peter John Dix
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Publication number: 20190344827Abstract: A turn control system for a work vehicle includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from a turn signal input assembly of the work vehicle indicative of a turn indication. The controller is also configured to output a second signal indicative of activation of a turn signal indication assembly based on the turn indication while in a manual control mode. In addition, the controller is configured to output a third signal to a movement control system indicative of instructions to control a turn direction of the work vehicle at an end of a guidance swath based on the turn indication while in an automatic control mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventor: Peter John Dix
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Patent number: 10398084Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger
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Patent number: 10031525Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.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
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Patent number: 9974225Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignees: 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
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Patent number: 9968025Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignees: 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
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Publication number: 20170355398Abstract: A vehicle system includes a spatial location system configured to derive a geographic position of an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to the spatial location system, the computing device comprising a processor. The processor is configured select a calibration mode via a user input. The processor is also configured to execute an automatic steering calibration based on the calibration mode to update one or more steering parameters, wherein executing the automatic steering calibration comprises driving the vehicle via autoguidance to spatially follow a desired path segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Peter John Dix, John Arthur Mitsuru Petersen, Brenden Paul McCarthy, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Brian Robert Ray
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Publication number: 20170357262Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20170339821Abstract: A method for controlling an agricultural vehicle includes receiving, via a processor, a first signal from a user interface indicative of a value of at least one parameter. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a path of the agricultural vehicle toward a guidance swath based at least in part on the at least one parameter. In addition, the method includes outputting, via the processor, a second signal to a display of the user interface indicative of instructions to present a graphical representation of the path of the agricultural vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the agricultural vehicle, via the processor, based at least in part on the at least one parameter upon receiving at least a third signal from the user interface indicative of acceptance of the value of the at least one parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Brett Carson McClelland, Peter John Dix, Nathan Eric Bunderson
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Patent number: 9826673Abstract: A method for controlling an agricultural vehicle includes receiving, via a processor, a first signal from a user interface indicative of a value of at least one parameter. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a path of the agricultural vehicle toward a guidance swath based at least in part on the at least one parameter. In addition, the method includes outputting, via the processor, a second signal to a display of the user interface indicative of instructions to present a graphical representation of the path of the agricultural vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the agricultural vehicle, via the processor, based at least in part on the at least one parameter upon receiving at least a third signal from the user interface indicative of acceptance of the value of the at least one parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Brett Carson McClelland, Peter John Dix, Nathan Eric Bunderson
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Publication number: 20170308091Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
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Publication number: 20170202131Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
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Publication number: 20170192419Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger