Patents Assigned to Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10031525
    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 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter John Dix, Brett Carson McClelland, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Brian Robert Ray, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Robert Dean Ashby, John Arthur Mitsuru Petersen, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 10010021
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an equipment configuration code file for configuration and control of a work vehicle, for configuration and control of an attachment to be carried or towed by the work vehicle, or for combined configuration and control of both the work vehicle and the implement in combination, altering the equipment configuration code file for use of the work vehicle, the implement, or both in an actual work setting, and storing the altered equipment configuration code file in an electronic storage medium for later access for use of the work vehicle, the implement, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 9983589
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system for a base station includes a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal and send a second signal to an agricultural vehicle. The first signal indicates at least an acceleration of the vehicle, a current velocity of the vehicle, and a location relative to a terrain where the vehicle experienced the acceleration, and the second signal indicates a vehicle target velocity. The control system includes a controller configured to determine a bump severity value based on the acceleration and the current velocity of the vehicle, mark an area indicative of the bump on a map of the terrain when the bump severity value exceeds a threshold, and automatically generate the second signal when the vehicle enters the area. The target velocity is based on a proximity of the vehicle to the bump, the bump severity value, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Benoit Debilde, Daniel John Morwood, Michael G. Hornberger, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 9974225
    Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment is a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path, displaying the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
  • Patent number: 9968025
    Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment includes a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, determining, via an iterative process, a maximum drivable speed based on a minimum speed and a target speed, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path at the maximum drivable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial American LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood, Brian Robert Ray, Peter John Dix, Brendan Paul McCarthy, Bret Todd Turpin, Brett McClelland
  • Patent number: 9952596
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an autonomous vehicle system includes an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle includes a communications system configured to communicate with the base station, and a control system communicatively coupled to the communications system, the control system comprising a processor. The processor is configured to receive driving commands from the base station, execute the driving commands to drive the autonomous vehicle, and execute a vehicle controller-to-subsystems latency protocol to determine a communications latency between a vehicle controller and vehicle subsystems, and to stop the autonomous vehicle if the communications latency exceeds a user-configurable latency value, wherein the vehicle controller and vehicle subsystem are disposed in the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 9949423
    Abstract: An agricultural system includes agricultural equipment and a user interface. The agricultural equipment includes a command and control system and an equipment configuration code file. The command and control system, in operation, configures and controls the agricultural equipment based at least in part on the equipment configuration code file. The agricultural equipment comprises a work vehicle or an implement to be carried or towed by a work vehicle. The user interface displays information to, and receive inputs from a user for one or more data fields in the equipment configuration code file for the agricultural equipment. The data fields comprise a user-given name and at least one of a compatible implement, an accessory, or a task for which the agricultural equipment may be configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Brian Stewart
  • Patent number: 9849828
    Abstract: An indicator system for an autonomous agricultural vehicle includes a multicolor lighting assembly. The indicator system includes a controller comprising a memory operatively coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to select a status indication from a plurality of status indications that corresponds to a current operating state of a plurality of operating states. The processor is configured to output a second signal indicative of instructions to control the multicolor lighting assembly based on the status indication. The multicolor lighting assembly emits a light in response to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Bret Todd Turpin, Mitchel R. Torrie, John H. Posselius
  • Publication number: 20170357265
    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: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 9826673
    Abstract: A method for controlling an agricultural vehicle includes receiving, via a processor, a first signal from a user interface indicative of a value of at least one parameter. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a path of the agricultural vehicle toward a guidance swath based at least in part on the at least one parameter. In addition, the method includes outputting, via the processor, a second signal to a display of the user interface indicative of instructions to present a graphical representation of the path of the agricultural vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the agricultural vehicle, via the processor, based at least in part on the at least one parameter upon receiving at least a third signal from the user interface indicative of acceptance of the value of the at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Ray, Brett Carson McClelland, Peter John Dix, Nathan Eric Bunderson
  • Patent number: 9819925
    Abstract: A vehicle including a chassis, a drive system carrying the chassis, and a vision system carried by the chassis. The vision system having a stereo visible light camera producing a colorized 3D point cloud and a stereo long wave infrared camera producing 3D data. The vision system being configured to fuse the 3D data with the 3D point cloud thereby producing an enhanced 3D point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Bret T. Turpin, Daniel J. Morwood, Thomas M. Petroff, Brad A. Baillio, Chad B. Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 9801331
    Abstract: A system includes an electronic control system for an agricultural system including a controller. The controller is configured to instruct a display of a user interface to present a gauge having a first indication of a current state of operation of a controllable device of the agricultural system. Moreover, the controller is configured to receive an input indicative of a desired state of operation of the controllable device. Furthermore, the controller is configured to output a signal to the controllable device indicative of the desired state of operation, and to instruct the display to present a second indication on the gauge indicative of the desired state of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Brian Stewart, Paul J. Lewis, Bret Todd Turpin, Joshua Hill Henrie, Max J. Barfuss, Jeremy Alexander Harris
  • Publication number: 20170280614
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicants: Autonomous Solutions, Inc., CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bret T. Turpin, Daniel J. Morwood, Christopher Alan Foster
  • Patent number: 9746854
    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: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Publication number: 20170186125
    Abstract: Vehicle dispatch system includes upper stage unit, lower stage unit and interface communication unit. The upper stage unit, configured to generate vehicle schedules, is communicatively connected to the interface communication unit. The lower stage unit, communicatively connected to the upper stage unit and the interface communication unit, has two storage units and a control unit. The first storage unit stores in a state representation multiple possible states having multiple possible actions. The control unit, which receives the schedule as a state representation, is configured to simulate states during an episode by selecting a state action and determining a reward value. The second storage unit stores the reward value and has a policy linked to one possible action for each state. The interface communication unit, operable to receive and transmit vehicle communications, is configured to access the policy and its associated action and communicate the action to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Petroff
  • Publication number: 20170185087
    Abstract: A method for dispatching a plurality of vehicles operating in a work area among a plurality of destination locations and a plurality of source locations includes implementing linear programming that takes in an optimization function and constraints to generate an optimum schedule for optimum production, utilizing a reinforcement learning algorithm that takes in the schedule as input and cycles through possible environmental states that could occur within the schedule by choosing one possible action for each possible environmental state and by observing the reward obtained by taking the action at each possible environmental state, developing a policy for each possible environmental state, and providing instructions to follow an action associated with the policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Petroff
  • Publication number: 20170064278
    Abstract: A vehicle including a chassis, a drive system carrying the chassis, and a vision system carried by the chassis. The vision system having a stereo visible light camera producing a colorized 3D point cloud and a stereo long wave infrared camera producing 3D data. The vision system being configured to fuse the 3D data with the 3D point cloud thereby producing an enhanced 3D point cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicants: Autonomous Solutions, Inc., CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Bret T. Turpin, Daniel J. Morwood, Thomas M. Petroff, Brad A. Baillio, Chad B. Jeppesen
  • Publication number: 20160313735
    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: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Publication number: 20160313737
    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: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 9296411
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a chassis, a conveyance system carrying the chassis, and a controller configured to steer the conveyance system. The controller is further configured to execute the steps of receiving steering radius information from a source; and creating steering instructions for the vehicle dependent upon the steering radius information from the source. The source not being from the vehicle itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hornberger