Patents Assigned to Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10459447
    Abstract: A control system of an agricultural work vehicle system includes a controller that includes a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to determine multiple partitions based, at least in part, on a map of an agricultural field. Further, the controller is configured to determine a partition list of the multiple partitions based, at least in part, on a set of bounding characteristics of each of the multiple partitions. In addition, the controller is configured to determine an order of the multiple partitions based on the partition list of the multiple partitions. Moreover, the controller is configured to output a signal indicative of a travel path for the agricultural work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Taylor Chad Bybee, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 10448555
    Abstract: A system includes a scouting vehicle. The scouting vehicle includes a spatial location system configured to derive a geographic position of the scouting vehicle. The scouting vehicle further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to the spatial location system and to a communication system, the computing device comprising a processor configured to create a shape on a map based on a drive of the scouting vehicle. The scouting vehicle also includes the communication system configured to transmit the geographic position, a recording of the drive, the shape, or a combination thereof, to a base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger, Erik E. Veikle
  • Patent number: 10398084
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger
  • Patent number: 10390474
    Abstract: A path planning system for a work vehicle includes a controller configured to determine an initial path between an end point of a first swath and a starting point of a second swath. In addition, the controller is configured to identify a restricted region positioned along the initial path and to determine, in response to identifying the restricted region positioned along the initial path, a first bounding point of the restricted region. Furthermore, the controller is configured to determine a first waypoint based on the first bounding point and to determine an updated path that intersects the first waypoint. The controller is also configured to output signal(s) indicative of the updated path and/or instructions to direct the work vehicle along the updated path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC., Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Kelley, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 10394238
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles includes generating a number of mission plans for the one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles, determining a plan value for each of the number of mission plans, selecting a mission plan with the highest plan value, and executing the selected mission plan to control the one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 10372126
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a control system in an automation system including a first portion located at a first vehicle, which includes a first autonomous module that autonomously controls operation of the first vehicle to perform operations in a first area based at least in part on a first target operation result while the first portion is in an autonomous mode; and a second portion located at a second vehicle, in which the second portion includes a second autonomous module that autonomously controls operation of the second vehicle to perform operations in a second area based at least in part on a second target operation result while the second portion is in the autonomous mode and a first command module that determines the first target operation result and the second target operation result based at least in part on a global plan that indicates a total target operation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Bret T. Turpin, Daniel J. Morwood
  • Publication number: 20190220022
    Abstract: Drivable path plan systems and methods for autonomous vehicles disclosed herein may receive original path plan data, including a first path element tangentially connected to a second path element at a transition connection point. A drivable path plan may be calculated for the autonomous vehicle between the first path element and the second path element using a clothoid spline. An initial connection point may be identified, as well as an initial heading and an initial curvature along the first path element, and a final connection point, a final heading, and a final curvature along the second path element. The clothoid spline may be inserted between the initial connection point along the first path element and the final connection point along the second path element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 10314224
    Abstract: A system has an algorithm for organizing the actions of agricultural machines and servicing vehicles in a field. The algorithm divides the field into logical chunks of work, including at least one swath within at least one headland and within at least one land, which it then assigns to the agricultural machines in order. Priority is first given to working the headlands, then to working swaths within lands where an agricultural machine can perform its function while remaining accessible to the servicing vehicles. When the agricultural machine is in an area where it is not accessible to a servicing vehicle and needs service, the agricultural machine creates an impromptu servicing area. This may be an area within a swath that the agricultural machine has cleared of crops in order to provide the servicing vehicle, such as a haul vehicle or grain cart, access to the agricultural machine and space to turn around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: Autonomous Solutions, Inc., CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bret T. Turpin, Daniel J. Morwood, Christopher Alan Foster
  • Patent number: 10212400
    Abstract: A controller for a work vehicle includes a processor and a memory device communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory device stores instructions that cause the processor to receive a first signal from an image capturing device, such that the first signal is indicative of image data associated with an environment of the work vehicle. Furthermore, the memory device stores instructions that may cause the processor to associate the first signal with a corresponding position of the work vehicle to generate a video log in response to a triggering event, such that the video log has a duration between a first time and a second time, and the triggering event includes a command to stop the work vehicle, a command to start a mission, a command to end a mission, a user input to override an autonomous command, a user input to override a highly automated command, detection of an obstacle, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Carson McClelland, Christopher Alan Foster, Taylor Chad Bybee, Bret Todd Turpin, James Patrick Yonk, Lyle Shawn Frisby
  • Patent number: 10203694
    Abstract: Drivable path plan systems and methods for autonomous vehicles disclosed herein may receive original path plan data, including a first path element tangentially connected to a second path element at a transition connection point. A drivable path plan may be calculated for the autonomous vehicle between the first path element and the second path element using a clothoid spline. An initial connection point may be identified, as well as an initial heading and an initial curvature along the first path element, and a final connection point, a final heading, and a final curvature along the second path element. The clothoid spline may be inserted between the initial connection point along the first path element and the final connection point along the second path element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Publication number: 20190033874
    Abstract: A path controller for guiding an autonomous vehicle along a desired path may include an input module that may receive input signals such as, a normal error signal that indicates an off-path deviation of the autonomous vehicle relative to a desired path, a heading signal, and a curvature signal associated with the autonomous vehicle. The path controller may also include a curvature rate module that calculates a curvature rate output signal to guide the autonomous vehicle along the desired path and a communication module that communicates the curvature rate output signal to a steering control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. BERKEMEIER
  • Patent number: 10188021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Taylor Chad Bybee, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 10153543
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a body having at least one fender positioned over at least one wheel or track of the off-road vehicle. The at least one wheel or track is configured to engage a ground surface. The off-road vehicle also includes at least one spatial locating antenna positioned beneath the at least one fender. A top side of the at least one fender is positioned above the at least one spatial locating antenna relative to the ground surface, and the top side extends beyond a lateral extent and a longitudinal extent of the at least one spatial locating antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Frank George Rabusic, Eric Michael Jacobsthal, Frank Zsigmond Asztalos, Brett Carson McClelland, Matthew Huenemann, John Henry Posselius, Dwayne St. George Jackson, John Bradley Lukac, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 10144453
    Abstract: A control system is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a current position of a vehicle and a second signal indicative of a desired path for the vehicle. The control system is configured to calculate a virtual path between the current position and a target position on the desired path and to output a third signal indicative of curvature command corresponding to an initial curvature of the virtual path to cause a steering control system of the vehicle to adjust a steering angle of the vehicle. The control is also configured to iteratively receive an updated current position, receive any updates to the desired path, calculate an updated target position, calculate an updated virtual path based on the updated current position and updated desired path, and output an updated curvature command corresponding to a respective initial curvature of the updated virtual path as the vehicle travels across a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, John Arthur Mitsuru Petersen, Brian Robert Ray
  • Patent number: 10143126
    Abstract: The agricultural control system includes a base control system configured to communicate with a vehicle control system of an agricultural vehicle. The base control system is configured to plan an implement path through an agricultural field for an agricultural implement coupled to the agricultural vehicle based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the agricultural field. The base control system is configured to plan a vehicle path of the agricultural vehicle based at least in part on the planned implement path. The base control system is configured to send a first signal to the vehicle control system indicative of the vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Brian Robert Ray, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Nathan Eric Bunderson
  • Patent number: 10139826
    Abstract: A path controller for guiding an autonomous vehicle along a desired path may include an input module that may receive input signals such as, a normal error signal that indicates an off-path deviation of the autonomous vehicle relative to a desired path, a heading signal, and a curvature signal associated with the autonomous vehicle. The path controller may also include a curvature rate module that calculates a curvature rate output signal to guide the autonomous vehicle along the desired path and a communication module that communicates the curvature rate output signal to a steering control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 10123475
    Abstract: A method for automatically monitoring soil surface roughness as a ground-engaging operation is being performed within a field may include receiving pre-operation surface roughness data associated with a given portion of the field and receiving post-operation surface roughness data associated with the given portion of the field. In addition, the method may include analyzing the pre-operation and post-operation surface roughness data to determine a surface roughness differential associated with the performance of the ground-engaging operation and actively adjusting the operation of at least one of an associated work vehicle and/or implement when the surface roughness differential differs from a target set for the surface roughness differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Luca Ferrari, Taylor C. Bybee, Bret T. Turpin
  • Patent number: 10073457
    Abstract: A control system for an off-road vehicle configured to traverse an off-road vehicle through a field by determining whether a partial row exist or contour differences exist between opposite edges if a route of traversal is used. If a partial row or a contour difference exist adjust the route to increase overlap of rows of the off-road vehicle to distribute the width of the field evenly among the rows or incrementally adjust each row from a first contour of a first edge to a second contour of a second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Bret T. Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 10053105
    Abstract: A method for controlling an off-road vehicle includes selecting an operating mode from a plurality of candidate operating modes. The plurality of candidate operating modes includes a first operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a first desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle; a second operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a first desired gear ratio of the transmission and substantially maintaining a first desired engine speed of the engine; a third operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a second desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle and substantially maintaining a second desired engine speed of the engine; and a fourth operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a third desired gear ratio of the transmission and substantially maintaining a third desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Michael G. Hornberger, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin, Benjamin Craig Spendlove
  • Patent number: 10053100
    Abstract: A slip control system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system configured to output a signal indicative of a first action if a magnitude of slippage of the off-road vehicle relative to a soil surface is greater than a first threshold value and less than or equal to a second threshold value. Furthermore, the control system is configured to output a signal indicative of a second action, different than the first action, if the magnitude of slippage is greater than the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Eric Emerson Veikle, Michael G. Hornberger, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood