Patents by Inventor Bob Heston

Bob Heston 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).

  • Publication number: 20230230202
    Abstract: A method for generating a 2D orthomosaic map including obtaining a series of images of a field from a camera located on a ground based vehicle, processing the series of images to mark pixels of the ground based vehicle and optionally an implement, identifying, marking, and removing pixels containing plants, stitching together the series of images into a single map, and reintroducing pixels containing plants into the single map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Bob Heston
  • Publication number: 20220174855
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for protecting open seed trenches form ingress of foreign material, such as plant residue. The preventing foreign material from entering the open seed trench during planting increases crop yield by minimizing delayed germination and late plant emergence. Various implementations of adjustable row cleaners may be used to prevent ingress of foreign material. Also, various shields may be disposed on the row units of a planter to prevent ingress of foreign material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Tony Woodcock, Scott Eichhorn, Brett Buehler, Bob Heston, Joe Holoubek, Jonathan Brand
  • Publication number: 20220142039
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for on-the-go monitoring and controlled feedback in a supplemental downforce application. Certain implementations provide real-time monitoring of furrow depth via contact and non-contact approaches, some of which are combined with gauge wheel feedback to calibrate and otherwise control the application of supplemental downforce to the row unit. A combination of sensor types are employed in collecting furrow depth measurements, which can be used to adjust the supplemental downforce through a control system module. A gauge wheel load sensor may be used to modify the application of supplemental downforce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Brett Buehler, Steven Brown, Roger Zielke, Bob Heston
  • Publication number: 20190297769
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for protecting open seed trenches form ingress of foreign material, such as plant residue. The preventing foreign material from entering the open seed trench during planting increases crop yield by minimizing delayed germination and late plant emergence. Various implementations of adjustable row cleaners may be used to prevent ingress of foreign material. Also, various shields may be disposed on the row units of a planter to prevent ingress of foreign material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Tony Woodcock, Scott Eichhorn, Brett Buehler, Bob Heston, Joe Holoubek, Jonathan Brand
  • Publication number: 20190254223
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for on-the-go monitoring and controlled feedback in a supplemental downforce application. Certain implementations provide real-time monitoring of furrow depth via contact and non-contact approaches, some of which are combined with gauge wheel feedback to calibrate and otherwise control the application of supplemental downforce to the row unit. A combination of sensor types are employed in collecting furrow depth measurements, which can be used to adjust the supplemental downforce through a control system module. A gauge wheel load sensor may be used to modify the application of supplemental downforce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Brett Buehler, Steven Brown, Roger Zielke, Bob Heston