Patents by Inventor Thilo Krause
Thilo Krause 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: 11716930Abstract: An agricultural work machine is provided comprising a surroundings detection device for detecting a surroundings in sections, and one or more controllable working elements, wherein the surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine, wherein the surroundings detection device is designed as a scanner, which scans the surroundings in scanning planes, and wherein each scanning plane is assigned to the control of working elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Rene Middelberg, Thilo Krause
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Publication number: 20230236320Abstract: A device for detecting the surroundings of a vehicle and a method for detecting the surroundings, and a vehicle designed to carry out said method comprise a camera module, a camera control apparatus, an analysis unit and an illumination device. The illumination device is formed by a matrix headlight of the vehicle and is designed such that it can project a light pattern into the surroundings. The projected light pattern is imaged in the detection region of the camera module and the 3D position of measurement points formed by the light pattern in the surroundings is determined by the analysis unit. However, the illumination device projects the light pattern only into regions of the surroundings in which the analysis unit has ascertained, based on image data, a value that is critical for 3D position determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicants: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, AUDI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Thilo KRAUSE, Markus HEIDRICH, Timo IKEN
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Patent number: 11672193Abstract: A method for the operation of a self-propelled agricultural working machine has at least one working element and a driver assistance system for generating control actions within the working machine. A sensor arrangement for generating surroundings information is provided, and the driver assistance system generates the control actions based on the surroundings information. The sensor arrangement comprises a camera-based sensor system and a laser-based sensor system, each of which generates sensor information regarding a predetermined, relevant surroundings area of the working machine. The sensor information of the camera-based sensor system is present as starting camera images. The starting camera images are segmented into image segments by an image processing system according to a segmentation rule, and the segmented camera images are combined by a sensor fusion module with the sensor information from the laser-based sensor system.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: CLAAS E-SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Dennis Neitemeier, Boris Kettelhoit, Andreas Skiba, Thilo Krause
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Publication number: 20220000025Abstract: An agricultural work machine is provided comprising a surroundings detection device for detecting a surroundings in sections, and one or more controllable working elements, wherein the surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine, wherein the surroundings detection device is designed as a scanner, which scans the surroundings in scanning planes, and wherein each scanning plane is assigned to the control of working elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Rene Middelberg, Thilo Krause
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Patent number: 11122740Abstract: An agricultural work machine is provided comprising a surroundings detection device for detecting a surroundings in sections, and one or more controllable working elements, wherein the surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine, wherein the surroundings detection device is designed as a scanner, which scans the surroundings in scanning planes, and wherein each scanning plane is assigned to the control of working elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: CLAAS Scibstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Rene Middelberg, Thilo Krause
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Patent number: 11116132Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine for harvesting a crop field has a ground drive including multiple working units, a control system and a sensor system. The sensor system periodically emits transmitted pulses of electromagnetic transmission beams in at least one transmission direction onto the crop field and the transmitted pulses are reflected on the crop field and are received as echo pulses by the sensor system. For at least one portion of the transmitted pulses, different partial beams of a single transmission beam are reflected by plants of the crop field lying one behind the other with a time offset, so the particular resultant echo pulse is composed of time-offset partial echo pulses. The control system determines a value for the crop density on the basis of a time correlation within the resultant echo pulse, and controls the ground drive and/or the working units on the basis of the determined crop density.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBHInventors: Thilo Krause, Jannik Redenius
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Publication number: 20190261569Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine for harvesting a crop field has a ground drive including multiple working units, a control system and a sensor system. The sensor system periodically emits transmitted pulses of electromagnetic transmission beams in at least one transmission direction onto the crop field and the transmitted pulses are reflected on the crop field and are received as echo pulses by the sensor system. For at least one portion of the transmitted pulses, different partial beams of a single transmission beam are reflected by plants of the crop field lying one behind the other with a time offset, so the particular resultant echo pulse is composed of time-offset partial echo pulses. The control system determines a value for the crop density on the basis of a time correlation within the resultant echo pulse, and controls the ground drive and/or the working units on the basis of the determined crop density.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: THILO KRAUSE, JANNIK REDENIUS
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Patent number: 10292321Abstract: An agricultural work machine configured to avoid anomalies is disclosed. Agricultural work machines may encounter anomalies, such as obstacles (e.g., tires) or irregularities in the crop (e.g., weeds), which can reduce the quality of the harvested crop. Manually steering the agricultural work machine requires the constant attention of the vehicle operator. Thus, the agricultural work machine is configured to include sensors to generate one or more images (such as images of various regions of the agricultural work machine), an image processing system to process the images and a control unit to avoid the anomalies (e.g., avoid the identified anomalies, to drive in tracks, and/or to stop the agricultural work machine).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Dennis Neitemeier, Thilo Krause, Timo Korthals, Andreas Skiba, Boris Kettelhoit
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Publication number: 20190098825Abstract: A method for the operation of a self-propelled agricultural working machine has at least one working element and a driver assistance system for generating control actions within the working machine. A sensor arrangement for generating surroundings information is provided, and the driver assistance system generates the control actions based on the surroundings information. The sensor arrangement comprises a camera-based sensor system and a laser-based sensor system, each of which generates sensor information regarding a predetermined, relevant surroundings area of the working machine. The sensor information of the camera-based sensor system is present as starting camera images. The starting camera images are segmented into image segments by an image processing system according to a segmentation rule, and the segmented camera images are combined by a sensor fusion module with the sensor information from the laser-based sensor system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: CLAAS E-Systems KGaA mbH & Co KGInventors: DENNIS NEITEMEIER, BORIS KETTELHOIT, ANDREAS SKIBA, THILO KRAUSE
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Patent number: 10091932Abstract: An agricultural work machine, such as a self-propelled harvester, is provided. The agricultural work machine includes a crop gathering machine which has a crop cutting device, a crop collecting device and/or a crop feeding device, and at least one crop conveyor, and comprising an image processing system, a data output unit, and at least one sensor system assigned to the crop gathering machine for recording a crop flow in the crop gathering machine. The sensor system is coupled to the image processing system for transferring images. The image processing system processes a selection of available images, such as by pre-processing the images to be transferred in a first step, in a further step determining an optical flow and corresponding vector fields from the pre-processed images, and in a subsequent step deriving and assessing speed trends of the crop flow from the corresponding vector fields.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Dennis Neitemeier, Thilo Krause, Andreas Nienhaus, Andreas Skiba, Boris Kettelhoit
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Patent number: 10034427Abstract: A harvesting system or device formed with an agricultural harvesting machine having a crop transfer device that that swivels about a swivel angle (?) for transferring crop and allows for setting a setpoint swivel angle (? soll) for discharging the crop, and a hauling vehicle that receives the crop. The crop that is discharged from the agricultural harvesting machine impacts the hauling vehicle at an adjustable impact point. If the deflection of the transfer device deviates from the setpoint swivel angle (? soll), a return of the transfer device to the setpoint swivel angle (? soll) is regulated by changing the ground speed (VE) of the agricultural harvesting machine, the ground speed (VT) of the hauling vehicle or bother while maintaining a position of the impact point substantially unchanged.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Thilo Krause, Rene Middelberg, Bastian Kriebel
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Publication number: 20180084708Abstract: An agricultural work machine configured to avoid anomalies is disclosed. Agricultural work machines may encounter anomalies, such as obstacles (e.g., tires) or irregularities in the crop (e.g., weeds), which can reduce the quality of the harvested crop. Manually steering the agricultural work machine requires the constant attention of the vehicle operator. Thus, the agricultural work machine is configured to include sensors to generate one or more images (such as images of various regions of the agricultural work machine), an image processing system to process the images and a control unit to avoid the anomalies (e.g., avoid the identified anomalies, to drive in tracks, and/or to stop the agricultural work machine).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Dennis Neitemeier, Thilo Krause, Timo Korthals, Andreas Skiba, Boris Kettelhoit
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Publication number: 20180084719Abstract: An agricultural work machine, such as a self-propelled harvester, is provided. The agricultural work machine includes a crop gathering machine which has a crop cutting device, a crop collecting device and/or a crop feeding device, and at least one crop conveyor, and comprising an image processing system, a data output unit, and at least one sensor system assigned to the crop gathering machine for recording a crop flow in the crop gathering machine. The sensor system is coupled to the image processing system for transferring images. The image processing system processes a selection of available images, such as by pre-processing the images to be transferred in a first step, in a further step determining an optical flow and corresponding vector fields from the pre-processed images, and in a subsequent step deriving and assessing speed trends of the crop flow from the corresponding vector fields.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Dennis Neitemeier, Thilo Krause, Andreas Nienhaus, Andreas Skiba, Boris Kettelhoit
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Patent number: 9807938Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine such as a combine harvester has multiple working units for processing crop picked up from a field, a driver assistance system for the sensor-supported control of the working units, an environmental sensor system for detecting environmental information and spatial areas of applicability located in the environment of the harvesting machine. The driver assistance system has a memory for storing data and a computing unit for processing data, including the data stored in the memory. A functional system model for at least one part of the harvesting machine is stored in the memory. The computing unit functions as a characteristic control on the basis of the system model and autonomously determines machine parameters of at least one working unit and specifies these to the particular working unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBHInventors: Andreas Wilken, Christoph Heitmann, Bastian Bormann, Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Boris Kettelhoit, Thilo Krause, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Felix Herter
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Patent number: 9795081Abstract: A method for operating a combine harvester configured with a number of working assemblies driven by at least one belt drive, and a ground drive, wherein the at least one belt drive and the ground drive are driven by a main drive comprising an engine, monitors for and accommodates slip. The working assemblies are monitored by sensors with respect to an occurrence of slip in the at least one belt drive. Signals representing slip are transmitted to a control device. The control device is connected to an input/output. The signals representing the slip are evaluated by the control device and the result is weighted. Depending on the weighting of the result, at least one measure is initiated by the control device, which results in a reduction of the slip and the at least one initiated measure is signalled by the input/output unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Rene Middelberg, Stefan Teroerde, Bastian Bormann, Thilo Krause
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Patent number: 9738310Abstract: A steering system for an agricultural vehicle has at least one steering cylinder for changing a steering angle of the agricultural vehicle, a hydraulic main steering valve for pressurizing the at least one steering cylinder, a steering transducer for actuating the main steering valve, a steering boost for controlling an adjustment characteristic between the steering transducer and the at least one steering cylinder and a sensor system for detecting an external signal of the agricultural vehicle. The steering boost controls the adjustment characteristic on the basis of the detected external signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Frederic Fischer, Detlev Meiners, Bastian Kriebel, Thilo Krause, Daniel Irmer, Sebastian Juette, Philipp Sundermeier
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Patent number: 9648807Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has a control arrangement including an optical sensor device for recording image series of a continuous main crop stream, an evaluation device for ascertaining a portion of damaged grain, a portion of non-grain in the main crop stream or both, on the basis of an image analysis of the recorded image series and a visualization device for displaying the portion of damaged grain and/or the portion of non-grain. The control arrangement cyclically records image series of the continuous main crop stream and, within a predetermined processing time after an image series has been recorded, displays a current portion of damaged grain, a current portion of non-grain or both, based on the image series.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Mathias Escher, Georg Eggenhaus, Thilo Krause, Boris Kettelhoit, Allan Kildeby, Jan Van De Sluis, Willi Behnke, Thomas Roewekamp, Stephan Recknagel
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Publication number: 20170118915Abstract: An agricultural work machine is provided comprising a surroundings detection device for detecting a surroundings in sections, and one or more controllable working elements, wherein the surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine, wherein the surroundings detection device is designed as a scanner, which scans the surroundings in scanning planes, and wherein each scanning plane is assigned to the control of working elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Rene Middelberg, Thilo Krause
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Publication number: 20170088132Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural working machine has at least one working unit such as a ground drive, a driver assistance system for generating control actions within the working machine, and a sensor system for generating pieces of environmental information. The driver assistance system generates the control actions on the basis of the pieces of environmental information. The driver assistance system assigns an urgency level to each of the pieces of environmental information and generates the control actions on the basis of the pieces of environmental information and the particular assigned urgency levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Burkhard Sagemueller, BORIS KETTELHOIT, THILO KRAUSE, CHRISTIAN LAING, JESPER VILANDER, BENJAMIN HEYNE, MORTEN RUFUS BLAS, KASPER LUNDBERG LYKKEGAARD, JOHANN INGIBERGSSON, TOMMY ERTBOLLE MADSEN
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Publication number: 20160309656Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine such as a combine harvester has multiple working units for processing crop picked up from a field, a driver assistance system for the sensor-supported control of the working units, an environmental sensor system for detecting environmental information and spatial areas of applicability located in the environment of the harvesting machine. The driver assistance system has a memory for storing data and a computing unit for processing data, including the data stored in the memory. A functional system model for at least one part of the harvesting machine is stored in the memory. The computing unit functions as a characteristic control on the basis of the system model and autonomously determines machine parameters of at least one working unit and specifies these to the particular working unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: ANDREAS WILKEN, CHRISTOPH HEITMANN, BASTIAN BORMANN, JOACHIM BAUMGARTEN, SEBASTIAN NEU, BORIS KETTELHOIT, THILO KRAUSE, CHRISTOPH BUSSMANN, HENNER VOECKING, FELIX HERTER