Patents by Inventor BENJAMIN M. SMITH

BENJAMIN M. SMITH 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).

  • Patent number: 12270802
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a vibration stimulation source configured to generate a vibration stimulation signal directed toward plant matter and a sensor system configured to sense electromagnetic radiation reflected from the plant matter, generate a first signal based on the sensed electromagnetic radiation, and generate a second signal indicative of a resonant vibration response of the plant matter, that is in response to the vibration stimulation signal. The agricultural machine includes a plant evaluation system configured to, based on the first and second signals, generate plant characterization data indicative of one or more physical characteristics of the plant matter, and a control system configured to generate an action signal based on the plant characterization data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mahesh N. Bhanu, Benjamin M. Smith, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 12183024
    Abstract: An data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within an obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels, along with an adjustment based on analysis of any exposed portions of the harvestable plant component. A user interface is configured to provide a yield indicator based on the detected size of the harvestable plant component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Gurmukh H. Advani, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240306530
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising an implement configured to perform an agricultural operation. The system additionally comprises an autonomous power unit for autonomously propelling the implement. The system further comprises a coupling assembly configured to connect the implement to the power unit. The coupling assembly provides at least six degrees of freedom of movement between the implement and the power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M. Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A. Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Patent number: 12010938
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising an implement configured to perform an agricultural operation. The system additionally comprises an autonomous power unit for autonomously propelling the implement. The system further comprises a coupling assembly configured to connect the implement to the power unit. The coupling assembly provides at least six degrees of freedom of movement between the implement and the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Publication number: 20240040951
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising a mobile power unit including a frame and a power supply. A position of the power supply is shiftable with respect to the frame of the mobile power unit. The autonomous agricultural system additionally includes an implement releasably secured to the mobile power unit. The mobile power unit is configured to transport the implement. The mobile power unit is further configured to provide power from the power supply to the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M. Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A. Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Publication number: 20240040949
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising a mobile power unit including a frame and a power supply. A position of the power supply is shiftable with respect to the frame of the mobile power unit. The autonomous agricultural system additionally includes an implement releasably secured to the mobile power unit. The mobile power unit is configured to transport the implement. The mobile power unit is further configured to provide power from the power supply to the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M. Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Publication number: 20240040950
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising a mobile power unit including a frame and a power supply. A position of the power supply is shiftable with respect to the frame of the mobile power unit. The autonomous agricultural system additionally includes an implement releasably secured to the mobile power unit. The mobile power unit is configured to transport the implement. The mobile power unit is further configured to provide power from the power supply to the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Patent number: 11849661
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising a mobile power unit including a frame and a power supply. A position of the power supply is shiftable with respect to the frame of the mobile power unit. The autonomous agricultural system additionally includes an implement releasably secured to the mobile power unit. The mobile power unit is configured to transport the implement. The mobile power unit is further configured to provide power from the power supply to the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Patent number: 11839173
    Abstract: A compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area may include determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon M. McDonald, Jacob D. Mayer, Thomas G. Mueller, Benjamin M. Smith, Ryan Jensen
  • Patent number: 11783576
    Abstract: An electronic data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within the obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels. A user interface is configured to provide an aggregate, sectional yield, or per row yield based on a detected size of the harvestable plant component for the one or more target plants as an indicator of yield of the one or more plants or standing crop in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Gurmukh H. Advani, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11741589
    Abstract: An electronic data processor is configured to estimate a spatial region of interest of plant pixels of one or more target plants in the obtained image data for a harvestable plant component and its associated harvestable plant component pixels of the harvestable plant component. The electronic data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within the obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels. A user interface is configured to provide the detected size of the harvestable plant component for the one or more target plants as an indicator of yield of the one or more plants or standing crop in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Gurmukh H. Advani, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11641790
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a vehicle path planning system and a method for planning a path of a vehicle having a work tool are provided. The method includes determining an actual path through a work area, modifying the actual path with a margin to determine a modified path plan through the work area, and passing the work tool through the work area with the vehicle along the modified path plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Smith, Jacob D. Mayer, Terence D. Pickett, Noel W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20220312662
    Abstract: A compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area may include determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: BRANDON M. MCDONALD, JACOB D. MAYER, THOMAS G. MUELLER, BENJAMIN M. SMITH, RYAN JENSEN
  • Patent number: 11395452
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area are provided. The method includes determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon M. McDonald, Jacob D. Mayer, Thomas G. Mueller, Benjamin M. Smith, Ryan Jensen
  • Publication number: 20220138925
    Abstract: An electronic data processor is configured to estimate a spatial region of interest of plant pixels of one or more target plants in the obtained image data for a harvestable plant component and its associated harvestable plant component pixels of the harvestable plant component. The electronic data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within the obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels. A user interface is configured to provide the detected size of the harvestable plant component for the one or more target plants as an indicator of yield of the one or more plants or standing crop in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Gurmukh H. Advani, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220138987
    Abstract: An electronic data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within the obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels. A user interface is configured to provide an aggregate, sectional yield, or per row yield based on a detected size of the harvestable plant component for the one or more target plants as an indicator of yield of the one or more plants or standing crop in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Gurmukh H. Advani, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220132737
    Abstract: An data processor is configured to identify the component pixels of a harvestable plant component within an obtained image data of plant pixels of the one or more target plants. An edge, boundary or outline of the component pixels is determined. The data processor is configured to detect a size of the harvestable plant component based on the determined edge, boundary or outline of the identified component pixels, along with an adjustment based on analysis of any exposed portions of the harvestable plant component. A user interface is configured to provide a yield indicator based on the detected size of the harvestable plant component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Gurmukh H. Advani, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11240961
    Abstract: A georeferenced probability distribution is generated indicating a probability that a harvester will reach its full capacity at different locations in a field. A control signal is generated to control the harvester based upon the georeferenced probability distribution. The control signal is used to control one of a plurality of different controllable subsystems, such as the propulsion system (to control harvester speed), a steering subsystem (to control the harvester's path), or other controllable subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11178818
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a path processing system that obtains a predicted crop yield at a plurality of different field segments along a harvester path on a field, and obtains field data corresponding to one or more of the field segments generated based on sensor data as the agricultural harvesting machine is performing a crop processing operation. A yield correction factor is generated based on the received field data and the predicted crop yield at the one or more field segments. Based on applying the yield correction factor to the predicted crop yield, a georeferenced probability metric is generated indicative of a probability that the harvested crop repository will reach the fill capacity at a particular geographic location along the field. A control signal generator generates a control signal to control the agricultural harvesting machine based on the georeferenced probability metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Tyler S. Brammeier, Noel W. Anderson, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210212249
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising an implement configured to perform an agricultural operation. The system additionally comprises an autonomous power unit for autonomously propelling the implement. The system further comprises a coupling assembly configured to connect the implement to the power unit. The coupling assembly provides at least six degrees of freedom of movement between the implement and the power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A Reed, Chris Coleman