Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for detecting and compensating for yaw orientation error or misalignment of an IMU in a vehicle navigation system. Acceleration measurements available from the IMU can be used for fast, reliable, and compact estimation of alignment error whether or not the IMU and fixed-body frames share an origin or not. The detection can be included in a navigation solution for guidance and control systems of a vehicle without having to utilize other measurements such as GPS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a practical approach to alleviate or remove the jerky heading change in ArVs. The rate of change of articulation angle in heading kinematics is effectively canceled. This modification (also called as transformer) can be done such that articulated vehicles can change their heading similar to front wheel-steered vehicles.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, or system of estimating vehicle heading taking GNSS antenna movement and/or mounting position into account. Measurements from the GNSS can be used to estimate GNSS antenna yaw or misalignment relative a pivot or control point, or vehicle fixed-body origin. Side-slip is either ignored or, if known, can be used to adjust the estimation of vehicle heading.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A field computer for use in an agricultural vehicle is provided. The field computer includes a housing, a processor disposed within the housing, a touchscreen display operatively connected to the housing and the processor and forming an outer surface of the field computer, and a light bar comprising a plurality of lighting elements arranged in a line on the field computer. The lighting elements of the light bar are positioned such that the lighting elements remain hidden when not in use. The field computer is configured to provide feedback associated with operation of the agricultural vehicle by lighting one or more of the lighting elements in the light bar.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for informing an on-tractor navigation system of position of a towed implement. In one aspect, a non-GNSS sensor mounted on the implement provides heading information to the navigation system. Knowledge of the geometry of the implement along with navigation coordinate frame position information from the navigation system, allows a relatively economical and flexible way to derive implement position information without the expense of a GNSS receiver on the implement Adding inertial sensors on the implement can allow position determination of any point on the implement relative to the ground. This can be advantageously used for swath and rate control for implements.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for use in agricultural equipment with automatic steering control. One method includes the steps of calculating a heading to provide greater accuracy than heading information obtained from the GNSS system or calculated in an equivalent manner using GNSS locations at successive sample periods and using the heading in providing automatic steering control, swath control, or rate control of planting, spraying, or other application functions for the agricultural equipment.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems providing enhanced feed rate control of tubing and conduit feeds by a powered feeder to an in-ground placement device moved across the ground by a steerable vehicle. In one aspect, ground speed of the vehicle is sensed. Feed motor speed is correlated to length of tubing or conduit estimated to be fed per feed wheel revolution by the feed motor. A controller adjusts feed motor speed to match ground speed to feed rate. In another aspect, instead of estimating feed rate by feed wheel rotation, actual speed of movement of the tubing or conduit is sensed. Feed motor speed is automatically and dynamically adjusted to match ground speed to tubing or conduit speed. In either embodiment, sensing of ground speed can be used to sense starting and stopping of the vehicle. This can be used to turn the feed motor on or off. In either embodiment, integration with a precision agriculture intelligent controller can allow operator control right from the precision ag display.

Abstract: A planter downforce system includes a plurality of hydraulic accumulators. Each of the plurality of hydraulic accumulators is operatively connected to a pressure line associated with a row unit of a planter. A pressure sensor is operatively connected to the pressure line. An orifice is operatively connected to the pressure line to limit flow of fluid within the pressure line to a hydraulic zero-pressure tank. A controller is operatively connected to the pressure sensor and configured to determine accumulator charge pressure of the accumulators.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for automatically gathering seed-specific data for an agricultural crop. Simulated seeds with contactless machine-readable data are co-mingled with actual seeds. Whether in stored form prior to planting, during planting, or after planting with the actual seed in the ground, appropriate readers can quickly and accurately read the seed-specific data for a variety of purposes. That can include simply confirming that the actual seed at least in proximity to a simulated seed is of a particular hybrid or variety. It could also include other seed-specific data such as time and date of planning, seed production company, seed-specific usage restrictions, etc. The data can be utilized by other systems. One example would be a precision agricultural system.

Abstract: A yield monitor system is configured to determine how the calibration characteristics of a grain mass flow sensor on an individual combine are affected by grain moisture content and/or other grain parameters which can be measured instantaneously or periodically by the yield monitor system or its operator, or which can be observed by the operator, or which can be determined from other reference information, such as maps of where different grain varieties or hybrids were planted. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A tracking device for assisting in traceability of grain includes a plastic body, an RFID chip disposed within the plastic body, and a weight comprised of a ferromagnetic material disposed within the plastic body. A method provides for dispensing tracking devices into a stream of grain so as to associate identifying information with the stream of grain. A system includes a dispensing device configured to singulate and dispense tracking devices into a flow of grain.

Abstract: A tracking device for assisting in traceability of grain includes a plastic body, an RFID chip disposed within the plastic body, and a weight comprised of a ferromagnetic material disposed within the plastic body. A method provides for dispensing tracking devices into a stream of grain so as to associate identifying information with the stream of grain. A system includes a dispensing device configured to singulate and dispense tracking devices into a flow of grain.

Abstract: A pitch plow and a method of controlling an elevation of a cutting edge of a pitch plow having a frame and a shank that is pivotally mounted to the frame, with the shank defining a cutting edge includes a control system that controls an elevation of the cutting edge. The control system includes a hydraulic control between the shank and the frame to pivotally adjust the shank and an electronic control to control the hydraulic actuator. The electronic control includes a processor and first and second sensors. The processor produces an output that adjusts the hydraulic control in a manner that controls the elevation of the cutting edge. The first sensor may measure GNS location and provides a GNS location input to the processor. The second sensor may measure orientation of said shank and provides a shank orientation input to the processor.