Patents Assigned to Ag Leader Technology
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Publication number: 20250241222Abstract: A method and system for self-calibration of camera position on an agricultural vehicle is provided. The method includes the step of identifying at least one visually identifiable structural feature associated with the agricultural vehicle, each of the at least one visually identifiable structural feature having a known pose relative to a coordinate system. The method further includes the step of acquiring imagery with a camera mounted to the agricultural vehicle. The method further includes the step of processing the imagery at a computing device in operative communication with the camera, the imagery comprising the at least one visually identifiable feature, wherein the processing the imagery obtains depth information using the known pose of each of the least one visually identifiable feature and determines a pose of the camera, wherein the pose of the camera comprises a set of rotational offsets and a set of translational offsets relative to the agricultural vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2025Publication date: July 31, 2025Applicant: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.Inventors: Trent Anagnostopoulos, Josue Calderon
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Patent number: 12353210Abstract: The disclosure relates to the system and methods for generating a guidance path for automated navigation of large agricultural equipment. Vehicle path data from leading vehicles can be recorded, stored or inputted into the system for generation of guidance paths offset from the swaths traversed by the leading vehicle. Combines, planters sprayers and other vehicles utilizing guidance system can be used to record leading vehicle data for use by the following vehicle in real time or in subsequent cycles. Enterprise systems can manage multiple grain carts and/or combines or other vehicles to maximize efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 8, 2025Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: David Wilson, Adam Fett, Caleb Huitt, A J Steenhoek, Kolton Rottink, Mitchell Freshour, Nate Mohling, Ryan Kool, Steve Schulteis, Bill Cran, Joe Holoubek, Luke Call, Mike Myers
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Patent number: 12268115Abstract: A system for monitoring rocks in a field. The system includes at least one row unit having an opening disk, a gauge wheel, and a gauge wheel load sensor. The system further includes a processor and a storage media. In various implementations, the system evaluates gauge wheel load sensor data, vertical acceleration data, and/or down force bore pressure data to detect when a row unit strikes a rock. In some implementations, the system can detect the size of the rock, the location of the rock within the soil, and the severity of a rock strike.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventor: Brett Buehler
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Patent number: 12144282Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for flexible and accurate seed spacing control in a seed planting system. The various embodiments receive singulated seed from a metering device and control movement of the seed toward a seed spacing device that receives the seed. The seed spacing device, which is disposed near the soil surface, independently controls the ejection of the seed from the device and thus the spacing of the seed in the furrow.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Travis Campbell, Kurt Townsend, Loren Leusink, Richard K. Kaufman, Alan F. Barry, Douglas Gilbert
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Patent number: 11997939Abstract: Seed meters implementing air pressure to dispense seed into the ground in a controlled manner. In certain embodiments, a valve is actuated to push a single seed out of a seed chamber. The seed can be conveyed from the metering housing and through a seed delivery apparatus to the furrow at high speed. The seed is rapidly conveyed from the seed chamber to the furrow by a precisely controlled air pulse to eliminate variation enable high planting speeds.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Douglas Gilbert, Jeff Westbrook, Alex Hartogh
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Patent number: 11877530Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, systems, and corresponding methods to be used in connection with agricultural planters. More particularly to a vacuum and generator system including a housing, a fan assembly within the housing, a generator, and a hydraulic motor. Some implementations include a voltage regulator or voltage regulation module. The system allow for adjustable fan control without affecting electrical output, integral cooling, and multi-level voltage output from a single generator. Additionally, the system provides greater efficiency in operating an agricultural implement.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Alan F. Barry, Jeff Westbrook, Kirk Stevens, Vahid Ellig, Steven Brown
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Patent number: 11785881Abstract: Adjustable seed meters having a first seed disk having first openings defined therein and a second seed disk having second openings defined therein adjacent to the first openings such that the first and second openings are alignable to form adjustable seed cells. Various embodiments have a plate adjustment drive system to rotate the first and second seed disks in relation to each other. Other embodiments relate to methods of automatically adjusting a seed meter during operation of the overall planting system.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Brett Buehler, Alex Hartogh, Scott Eichhorn
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Patent number: 11790539Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for sensing or tracking relative position between objects or locations. A digital camera or imager captures one or more fiducials in its field of view. By calibration and processing, the imaged fiducials can be identified and distinguished from other objects and background in camera space, and position of imaged fiducials in camera space relative to a reference can be translated to position of the actual fiducials in physical space. In one example, the fiducials are IR LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.Inventor: Trenton Anagnostopoulos
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Patent number: 11758845Abstract: The disclosure relates to agricultural systems. The systems have stalk sensor assemblies and/or data visualization systems. The stalk sensor assemblies are configured for assessing the size and other characteristics about crops, such as corn and other grains entering an agricultural implement, such as a harvester. The stalk sensor assemblies may use an estimation of the stalk perimeter to establish stalk size and therefore further features about the crop. The visualization system utilizes data from the stalk sensor assemblies to calculate and display relevant information about the crop.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Logan Handsaker, Barry Anderson
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Patent number: 11758848Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for use in agricultural, particularly for use in harvesting agricultural crop such as corn. Various implementations relate to methods and devices for measuring plant stalk cross-sectional area during harvest and providing additional methods of predicting and displaying yield on a row-by-row level in real time.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventor: Scott Eichhorn
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Patent number: 11678607Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for reducing cross-track error in harvesting row crops such as corn. A cross track error system including a corn head, a row unit disposed on the corn head. The row unit including a set of stripper plates, a resilient member disposed proximal to the stripper plates, a sensor unit in communication with the resilient member, and a processor. The processor is constructed and arranged to process signals generated by the sensor unit in response to deflection of the resilient member.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn
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Patent number: 11523554Abstract: A dual seed meter having a metering housing having first and second seed disks with a plurality of openings arranged along a curved path of each disk, wherein the disks overlap to form a convergence region such that seed traveling along the curved paths is delivered to a single point. Certain implementations also have a vacuum chamber defined between a first wall of the metering housing and the first and second seed disks and a seed chamber defined between a second wall of the metering housing and the first and second seed disks.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventor: Brett Buehler
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Patent number: 11315258Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for sensing or tracking relative position between objects or locations. A digital camera or imager captures one or more fiducials in its field of view. By calibration and processing, the imaged fiducials can be identified and distinguished from other objects and background in camera space, and position of imaged fiducials in camera space relative to a reference can be translated to position of the actual fiducials in physical space. In one example, the fiducials are IR LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.Inventor: Trenton Anagnostopoulos
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Patent number: 11297768Abstract: The present disclosure is related to agricultural devices, system, and methods, particularly for detecting and measuring plant stalks during harvest. The system may comprise a harvesting row unit, with a camera, a processing unit, and an in-cab display. The system may additionally include a stalk alignment guide, a leaf shield, an artificial light source, and/or a lens cleaning apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Rhett Schildroth, Roger Zielke, Barry Anderson, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Vahid Ellig
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Patent number: 11277961Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for flexible and accurate seed spacing control in a seed planting system. The various embodiments receive singulated seed from a metering device and control movement of the seed toward a seed spacing device that receives the seed. The seed spacing device, which is disposed near the soil surface, independently controls the ejection of the seed from the device and thus the spacing of the seed in the furrow.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Travis Campbell, Kurt Townsend, Loren Leusink, Richard K. Kaufman, Alan F. Barry, Douglas Gilbert
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Patent number: 11064653Abstract: The disclosure relates to agricultural systems. The systems have stalk sensor assemblies and/or data visualization systems. The stalk sensor assemblies are configured for assessing the size and other characteristics about crops, such as corn and other grains entering an agricultural implement, such as a harvester. The stalk sensor assemblies may use an estimation of the stalk perimeter to establish stalk size and therefore further features about the crop. The visualization system utilizes data from the stalk sensor assemblies to calculate and display relevant information about the crop.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Logan Handsaker, Barry Anderson
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Patent number: 10912249Abstract: A method for managing agricultural operations by predicting amount of crop or product remaining for a field includes performing agricultural operations on at least a portion of a field using an agricultural machine, sensing data associated with the agricultural operations using sensors associated with the agricultural machine, communicating the data associated with the agricultural operations to a computing device, analyzing the data associated with the agricultural operations performed using the computing device to determine an area prediction for a remaining portion of the field upon which the agricultural operations are to be performed, and using the area prediction for the remaining portion of the field by the computing device to determine a time associated with completing the agricultural operations for the field or an amount of material or other resources associated with completing the agricultural operations for the field.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.Inventor: David Wilson
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Patent number: 10813281Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to fluid distribution systems. The fluid distribution systems being made up of a plurality of positive displacement pumps disposed on a fluid distribution manifold and proximate to the tank and the point of product discharge. The system optionally has a valve system for precision control of fluid discharge.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Douglas Gilbert, Ron Farrington, John Howard
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Patent number: 10806072Abstract: An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.Inventor: Roger R. Zielke
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Patent number: 10743460Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods herein use air pressure to dispense seed into the ground in a controlled manner. In certain embodiments, a valve is actuated to push a single seed out of a seed chamber. The seed can be conveyed from the metering housing and through a seed delivery apparatus to the furrow at high speed. The seed is rapid conveyed from the seed chamber to the furrow by a precisely controlled air pulse to eliminate variation and enable high planting speeds.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Ag Leader TechnologyInventors: Douglas Gilbert, Jeff Westbrook, Alex Hartogh