Abstract: Some embodiments may include a control system configured to monitor an online queue associated with a remote server for the presence of updated control software content; in the case of the presence of updated control software content in the online queue, provide data based thereon in an offline queue, wherein a portable computing device includes a storage for the offline queue; waiting for a time period in which a wired communication interface of the portable computing device is attached to a wired interface of the vehicle or a wireless communication interface of the vehicle is in range of a wireless communication interface of the portable computing device; and in the time period, transferring contents of the offline queue to the vehicle, wherein a processor of the vehicle distributes update(s) included in the contents to one or more of the GNSS receiver, the actuator assembly, and the steering control module.

Abstract: Cost of a precision farming guidance system is driven in part by the number of discrete system elements installed in a tractor including the steering actuator, guidance computer, user terminals, and the associated cable harnesses. An integrated guidance system arranges and integrates these separate elements into a base chassis and removable computer module to reduce cost and complexity while retaining flexibility to adapt to different vehicle configurations and to incorporate improved guidance computer technology into a common design platform.

Abstract: A navigation system aids a driver of a collection vehicle in keeping pace and distance with a lead harvester while collecting grain. The navigation system can be used for any leader-follower vehicle drive formation. A navigation system steers the head vehicle based on a continuously known position and attitude. Navigation data for the lead vehicle is broadcast to a following collection vehicle. A navigation system in the following vehicle processes the lead vehicle navigation data to determine a relative position and attitude. The navigation system in the following vehicle generates steering and speed commands based on the relative position and attitude to automatically drive to a designated target position alongside the lead vehicle. In one example, an artificial oscillation is induced into the target position to more evenly distribute material in the following vehicle.

Abstract: A steering wheel actuator is attached to a steering wheel column. The steering wheel actuator includes a gear assembly for turning a steering wheel on the steering wheel column, a motor for rotating the gear assembly, and an enclosure. A control system in the enclosure controls the motor to automatically steer the vehicle. The control system may receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from a GNSS antenna and GNSS receiver located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the GNSS signals. The control system also may receive inertial measurement unit (IMU) signals from an IMU located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the IMU signals. The control system also may receive user input signals from a user interface located on the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the user input signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to generating and utilizing three-dimensional terrain maps for vehicular control. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A thermal stabilization system stabilizes inertial measurement unit (IMU) performance by reducing or slowing operating variations over time of the internal temperature. More specifically, a thermoelectric heating/cooling device operates according to the Peltier effect, and uses thermal insulation and a mechanical assembly to thermally and mechanically couple the IMU to the thermoelectric device. The thermal stabilization system may minimize stress on the IMU and use a control system to stabilize internal IMU temperatures by judiciously and bidirectionally powering the thermoelectric heating/cooling device. The thermal stabilization system also may use compensation algorithms to reduce or counter residual IMU output errors from a variety of causes such as thermal gradients and imperfect colocation of the IMU temperature sensor with inertial sensors.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a control system configured to monitor an online queue associated with a remote server for the presence of updated control software content; in the case of the presence of updated control software content in the online queue, provide data based thereon in an offline queue, wherein a portable computing device includes a storage for the offline queue; waiting for a time period in which a wired communication interface of the portable computing device is attached to a wired interface of the vehicle or a wireless communication interface of the vehicle is in range of a wireless communication interface of the portable computing device; and in the time period, transferring contents of the offline queue to the vehicle, wherein a processor of the vehicle distributes update(s) included in the contents to one or more of the GNSS receiver, the actuator assembly, and the steering control module.

Abstract: A steering wheel actuator is attached to a steering wheel column. The steering wheel actuator includes a gear assembly for turning a steering wheel on the steering wheel column, a motor for rotating the gear assembly, and an enclosure. A control system in the enclosure controls the motor to automatically steer the vehicle. The control system may receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from a GNSS antenna and GNSS receiver located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the GNSS signals. The control system also may receive inertial measurement unit (IMU) signals from an IMU located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the IMU signals. The control system also may receive user input signals from a user interface located on the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the user input signals.

Abstract: An integrated computing system computes a geo-location of a vehicle based on location data generated by a GNSS receiver, operates one or more external communication interfaces, calculates a desired path for steering the vehicle based on the geo-location, and communicates the desired path to one or more external operating units via the one or more external communication interfaces. The integrated computing system may include one or more computer processing units programmed to provide shared coordinated execution of software functions that are all implemented and located within a same integrated circuit or enclosure. The integrated computing system lowers the overall cost and complexity of agricultural guidance systems by reducing and simplifying the number of chassis, boxes, connectors, power supplies, and manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A precision steering computer installed on a tractor uses waypoints generated by a hand-held smart-device to steer a tractor. The smart-device is the operators primary interface and is a component of the entire precision agriculture guidance system. The batched, time ordered waypoints represent a list of coordinates for steering the tractor. As the tractor is automatically steered in the field, the waypoints are consumed and discarded by the real-time steering computer in the order they are received from the non-real-time smart device. A planned path is generated by the tractor operator on the smart device and the tractors progress and status are displayed on the same smart-device.

Abstract: A control system fuses different sensor data together to determine an orientation of a vehicle. The control system receives visual heading data for the vehicle from a camera system, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) heading data from a GNSS system, and inertial measurement unit (IMU) heading data from an IMU. The control system may assign weights to the visual, GNSS, and IMU heading data based on operating conditions of the vehicle that can vary accuracy associated with the different visual, GNSS, and IMU data. The control system then uses the weighted visual, GNSS, and IMU data to determine a more accurate vehicle heading.

Abstract: A DGNSS-based guidance system, wherein a rover receiver first utilizes data from a master base station transceiver, a DGNSS reference network, or some other differential source to compute a differentially corrected location to establish a reference DGNSS relationship. Using this location and data observed only at the rover, the rover computes an internal set of differential corrections, which set is stored in computer memory, updated as necessary, and applied in future times to correct observations taken by the rover. As the rover enters into areas of other base station receiver reference networks, the rover transceiver will send positional information it receives from the master base station to the new, secondary base station. The secondary base station then calibrates its own reference information using information sent from the original master base station.

Abstract: A system and method for interrupting a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based automatic steering mode of a hydraulic steering system on a vehicle. When a steering wheel is manually turned by an operator, pressurized hydraulic fluid from a steering directional control valve activates an interrupter having an interrupter valve. The interrupter valve blocks pressurized fluid flow to the automatic steering system, thus overriding automatic steering and giving the operator full manual steering control via the steering wheel. The hydraulic interrupt system is mechanical with no electronic elements.

Abstract: A guidance system identifies a parking path and a target point in a parking area. The guidance system calculates steering commands to steer the vehicle and trailer onto the parking path. The guidance system calculates a distance of the trailer from the target point and calculates speed commands for the vehicle based on the distance of the trailer from the target point. The guidance system sends the steering and speed commands to a steering and speed control system to steer the vehicle and move the trailer along the parking path until the trailer reaches the target point in the parking area.

Abstract: A calibration system calibrates inertial sensor readings on a vehicle. The calibration system estimates an attitude of the ground from a series of height and position measurements and reads an attitude from an inertial sensor subsystem attached to the vehicle. The calibration system then calculates an attitude offset between the vehicle and inertial sensor subsystem based on a difference between the estimated attitude of the ground and the attitude reading of the inertial sensor subsystem. The calibration system may estimate a slope of the ground from a 3-dimensional terrain map. The slope of the ground is converted into an estimated roll and/or pitch of the vehicle which is then compared with the roll and pitch readings from the inertial sensor subsystem to determine the attitude offset.

Abstract: A line acquisition system generates a curvature profile based on initial vehicle states (starting position, heading, curvature and speed), vehicle steering capabilities (calibrated vehicle curvature and curvature rate limits), and initial vehicle position errors relative to the destination path. The curvature profile describes changes in vehicle curvature over a path distance from a current position to a destination path. The line acquisition system constructs an acquisition path from a combination of clothoid, circular arc, and straight lines corresponding with different segments of the curvature profile. The acquisition path can be displayed on a user interface allowing a vehicle operator to observe, prior to automatic steering engagement, the path the vehicle would take from a current state to the destination path.

Abstract: A GNSS integrated multi-sensor guidance system for a vehicle assembly includes a suite of sensor units, including a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor unit comprising a receiver and an antenna. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) outputs vehicle dynamic information for combining with the output of the GNSS unit. A controller with a processor receives the outputs of the sensor suite and computes steering solutions, which are utilized by vehicle actuators, including an automatic steering control unit connected to the vehicle steering for guiding the vehicle. The processor is programmed to define multiple behavior-based automatons comprising self-operating entities in the guidance system, which perform respective behaviors using data output from one or more sensor units for achieving the behaviors. A GNSS integrated multi-sensor vehicle guidance method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A guidance and vehicle control system for automatically steering a vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle or a tractor, through a field. The system includes a GNSS receiver and antenna for determining the vehicle's instantaneous position, a guidance CPU, and an automatic steering subsystem integrated with the vehicle's electrical power system. The automatic steering subsystem can be interfaced with the steering column of the vehicle, and mechanically activates the steering column, thereby steering the vehicle according to instructions received from the CPU based upon the vehicle's position and a predetermined path. An interrupt element, such as a wheel movement sensor or a slip gear, may be interfaced with the automatic steering subsystem to allow for manual steering override of the automatic steering control.

Abstract: A raster-based system for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) guidance includes a vehicle-mounted GNSS antenna and receiver. A processor provides guidance and/or autosteering commands based on GNSS-defined pixels forming a grid representing an area to be treated, such as a field. Specific guidance and chemical application methods are provided based on the pixel-defined treatment areas and preprogrammed chemical application prescription maps, which can include variable chemical application rates and dynamic control of the individual nozzles of a sprayer.

Abstract: A vehicle control system having a controller and a spatial database adapted to provide spatial data to the controller at control speed. The spatial data provided from the spatial database to the controller includes images collected from an optical sensor subsystem in addition to other data collected by a variety of sensor types, including a GNSS or inertial measurement system. The spatial data received by the controller from the database forms at least part of the control inputs that the controller operates on to control the vehicle. The advantage provided by the present invention allows control system to “think” directly in terms of spatial location. A vehicle control system in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention comprises a task path generator, a spatial database, at least one external spatial data receiver, a vehicle attitude compensation module, a position error generator, a controller, and actuators to control the vehicle.