Patents by Inventor Aaron C. Stichter
Aaron C. Stichter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230146942Abstract: A machine control system for an agricultural operation includes sensors mounted on the machine and providing output signals corresponding to machine operations. A roll-up reporting function produces reports of machine operation, and status. The system can be programmed for providing such reports a predetermined intervals, e.g., at the start of each work day. A portion control method embodying the present invention includes the steps of: providing sensors on an agricultural machine; outputting from the sensors signals corresponding to machine operations; roll-up reporting of the machine operations; and comparing the operational report to a work order for the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Greg S. Guyette, Aaron C. Stichter, Shane Martin Walker
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Patent number: 8649930Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: AgJunction LLCInventors: David R. Reeve, Malcolm B. Jones, Andreas F. Ramm, Aaron C. Stichter, Joshua M. Gattis
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Patent number: 8634993Abstract: A spray control method employs a spray vehicle including a material tank, a pump communicating with the tank, and nozzles of a spray boom communicating with the pump. A GNSS receiver mounted on the vehicle and interfaced to a controller tracks its position in relation to stored position coordinates of field boundaries separating spray zones from spray exclusion zones. The tank is activated and deactivated by the controller to retain spray of the material within the spray zones and to prevent spray of the material in the exclusion zones, by processing an offset of the spray nozzles from the receiver, the spray range of the nozzles, spray turn-on and turn-off lag times, and the velocity of the spray vehicle, all in relation to the field boundaries. An alternative embodiment individually controls spray from the nozzles by using associated valves interfaced to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: AgJunction LLCInventors: John A. McClure, Aaron C. Stichter
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Publication number: 20120215410Abstract: A spray control method employs a spray vehicle including a material tank, a pump communicating with the tank, and nozzles of a spray boom communicating with the pump. A GNSS receiver mounted on the vehicle and interfaced to a controller tracks its position in relation to stored position coordinates of field boundaries separating spray zones from spray exclusion zones. The tank is activated and deactivated by the controller to retain spray of the material within the spray zones and to prevent spray of the material in the exclusion zones, by processing an offset of the spray nozzles from the receiver, the spray range of the nozzles, spray turn-on and turn-off lag times, and the velocity of the spray vehicle, all in relation to the field boundaries. An alternative embodiment individually controls spray from the nozzles by using associated valves interfaced to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: John A. McClure, Aaron C. Stichter
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Publication number: 20110231061Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: David R. Reeve, Malcolm B. Jones, Andreas F. Ramm, Aaron C. Stichter, Joshua M. Gattis
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Patent number: 8018376Abstract: A GNSS-based, bidirectional mobile communication system includes a mobile unit, such as a vehicle or a personal mobile system, with GNSS (e.g., GPS) and Internet (worldwide web) access. A base station also has GNSS and Internet access, and provides differential (e.g., DGPS) correctors to the mobile unit via the Internet. The Internet communications link enables audio and/or video (AV) clips to be recorded and played back by the mobile unit based on its GNSS location. The playback function can be triggered by the mobile unit detecting a predetermined GNSS location associated with a particular clip, which can be GNSS position-stamped when recorded. Alternatively, clips can be generated by utilities and loaded by the application either from a personal computer or automatically over the Internet. Moreover, maps, vehicle travel paths and images associated with particular GNSS-defined locations, such as waypoints, can be updated and position-stamped on the data server.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Hemisphere GPS LLCInventors: John A. McClure, Dennis M. Collins, Aaron C. Stichter, John T. E. Timm
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Publication number: 20100161179Abstract: An integrated dead reckoning (DR) and GNSS/INS control system and method are provided for guiding, navigating and controlling vehicles and equipment. A controller generally prioritizes GNSS navigation when satellite signals are available. Upon signal interruption, DR guidance can be integrated with INS to continue autosteering and other automated functions. Exemplary applications include logistics operations where ships, cranes and stacked containers can block satellite signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: John A. McClure, Aaron C. Stichter
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Publication number: 20090251366Abstract: A GNSS-based, bidirectional mobile communication system includes a mobile unit, such as a vehicle or a personal mobile system, with GNSS (e.g., GPS) and Internet (worldwide web) access. A base station also has GNSS and Internet access, and provides differential (e.g., DGPS) correctors to the mobile unit via the Internet. The Internet communications link enables audio and/or video (AV) clips to be recorded and played back by the mobile unit based on its GNSS location. The playback function can be triggered by the mobile unit detecting a predetermined GNSS location associated with a particular clip, which can be GNSS position-stamped when recorded. Alternatively, clips can be generated by utilities and loaded by the application either from a personal computer or automatically over the Internet. Moreover, maps, vehicle travel paths and images associated with particular GNSS-defined locations, such as waypoints, can be updated and position-stamped on the data server.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: John A. McClure, Dennis M. Collins, Aaron C. Stichter, John T.E. Timm
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Patent number: RE47101Abstract: A spray control method employs a spray vehicle including a material tank, a pump communicating with the tank, and nozzles of a spray boom communicating with the pump. A GNSS receiver mounted on the vehicle and interfaced to a controller tracks its position in relation to stored position coordinates of field boundaries separating spray zones from spray exclusion zones. The tank is activated and deactivated by the controller to retain spray of the material within the spray zones and to prevent spray of the material in the exclusion zones, by processing an offset of the spray nozzles from the receiver, the spray range of the nozzles, spray turn-on and turn-off lag times, and the velocity of the spray vehicle, all in relation to the field boundaries. An alternative embodiment individually controls spray from the nozzles by using associated valves interfaced to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLCInventors: John A. McClure, Aaron C. Stichter
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Patent number: RE47648Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLCInventors: David R. Reeve, Malcolm B. Jones, Andreas F. Ramm, Aaron C. Stichter, Joshua M. Gattis