Patents by Inventor Brandon M. McDonald

Brandon M. McDonald 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: 20240049616
    Abstract: A guidance system that automatically switches guidance modes in connection with executing an end turn. As the agricultural machine travels in a first, row sense guidance mode along a first guidance line in a non-coverage area, an approaching boundary between the non-coverage area and a headland area is identified. If the headland area contains crop rows, then, upon reaching the boundary, the guidance system switches to a second, GPS guidance mode. The agricultural machine travels along a first turn guidance line from the first guidance line to a preexisting headland guidance line, wherein the guidance system switches to the first guidance mode. The agricultural machine then travels in a direction parallel to the crop rows of the headland area. When leaving the headland guidance line, the guidance system switches to the second guidance mode, and then back to the first guidance mode upon the agricultural machine returning to the boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Michael A. Torzewski, Pradeep Ghorpade, Amey Katti, Kshitija Harish Petkar, Brandon M. McDonald
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230298394
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to obtain diagnostic information for a system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes vehicle interface circuitry to obtain information corresponding to a detected problem of a vehicle, cloud interface circuitry to obtain, via a network communication, an output of a machine learning model executed based on the information, the output to indicate (a) a component associated with the detected problem, and (b) a probability associated with the component, instruction generation circuitry to generate instructions for performing a test on the component, and user interface control circuitry to cause the instructions to be displayed on a mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Brandon M. McDonald, Timothy A. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20230189711
    Abstract: A mobile agricultural machine includes a header configured to engage crop at a worksite and a controllable header actuator configured to drive movement of the header relative to a surface of the worksite. The mobile agricultural machine further includes a crop constituent sensor system configured to sense the crop and generate a crop constituent sensor signal indicative of a value of a constituent of the crop. The mobile agricultural machine further includes a control system configured to generate a control signal to control the mobile agricultural machine based on the detected value of the constituent of the crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon M. MCDONALD, Ryan F. SATCHELL, Christopher L. ROTH, Timothy O. MEISTER, Noel W. ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20230189710
    Abstract: A map is obtained by an agricultural system. The map includes values of one or more characteristics at different geographic locations in a worksite. In-situ sensor data indicative of values of one or more crop constituents at cut heights is obtained as the mobile machine operates at the worksite. A predictive model generator generates a predictive model that models a relationship between values of the one or more crop constituents at cut heights and the values of the one or more characteristics in the map. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts values of the one or more crop constituents at two or more cut heights at different geographic locations in the worksite based on the predictive model. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Brandon M. MCDONALD, Timothy O. MEISTER, Christopher L. ROTH, Ryan F. SATCHELL
  • Publication number: 20230048683
    Abstract: A geographic position of an agricultural machine is captured. Agricultural data is received that corresponds to a geographic position. Georeferenced visual indicia are displayed that are indicative of the received agricultural data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Noel W. Anderson, Brandon M. McDonald, Nathan Ogden, Brittany Sprabery, Sean A. Mahrt, Sarah L. Schinckel, Mark D. Moran
  • Publication number: 20230046844
    Abstract: A geographic position of an agricultural machine is captured. Agricultural data is received that corresponds to a geographic position. Georeferenced visual indicia are displayed that are indicative of the received agricultural data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Cary S. Hubner, Brandon M. McDonald, Nathan Ogden, Brittany Sprabery, Sean A. Mahrt, Sarah L. Schinckel, Mark D. Moran
  • Publication number: 20230046882
    Abstract: A geographic position of an agricultural machine is captured. Agricultural data is received that corresponds to a geographic position. Georeferenced visual indicia are displayed that are indicative of the received agricultural data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Cary S. HUBNER, Brandon M. MCDONALD, Nathan OGDEN, Brittany SPRABERY, Sean A. MAHRT, Sarah L. SCHINCKEL, Mark D. MORAN
  • Patent number: 11490560
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for distributing fertilizer to a plurality of rows includes a fertilizer container, a plurality of fertilizer metering units, and a plurality of motors. The fertilizer containers are used for storing the fertilizer prior to the fertilizer being distributed to the soil. The plurality of fertilizer metering units each include a housing and a metering device positioned in the housing. The housing has an inlet configured to receive fertilizer from the fertilizer container and an outlet. The plurality of motors are each drivingly coupled to and configured to rotate at least one metering device to distribute fertilizer to a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Cristian T. Prado, Brandon M. McDonald, Donald K. Landphair
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11310954
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for efficient material application. An example landscape treatment apparatus includes a main carrier tank to store a solvent, a concentrate tank to store a solute, and a first mix tank to receive the solvent and the solute as a first mixture. The example apparatus further includes a second mix tank to receive the solvent and the solute as a second mixture, where the first mix tank is to receive the solvent and the solute in alternation with the second mix tank receiving the solvent and the solute. The example apparatus also includes a boom to apply the first mixture and the second mixture to a landscape via a plurality of nozzles, where the boom is to apply the first mixture and the second mixture in alternation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Travis J. Davis, Brandon M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 11032967
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle platform comprises a central body that can support one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units. A plurality of adjustable legs extends downward from the central body. Each adjustable leg has a corresponding leg actuator to adjust a respective vertical height of each adjustable leg. Each adjustable leg supports the central body. Planting row units are supported by or suspended from the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Connell, Michael M. Miller, Austin N. Thompson, Brandon M. McDonald, Shayne C. Rich
  • Patent number: 10912251
    Abstract: A method for treating plants comprises estimating a growth state or maturity state of a plant based on a planting date, a current date and the crop type of the plant. A root zone estimator or data processor estimating a size, diameter or radius of a root zone of the plant based on the determined growth state or maturity state. The data processor adjusts a lateral offset of a distribution pattern of a crop input or nutrient from at least one nutrient knife based on the size, diameter or radius of the root zone and safety zone about the root zone, where the at least one nutrient knife tracks a path outside of or bounded by the root zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Richard J. Connell, Larry L. Hendrickson, Frederick W. Nelson, Brandon M. McDonald, Noel W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20210007274
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for distributing fertilizer to a plurality of rows includes a fertilizer container, a plurality of fertilizer metering units, and a plurality of motors. The fertilizer containers are used for storing the fertilizer prior to the fertilizer being distributed to the soil. The plurality of fertilizer metering units each include a housing and a metering device positioned in the housing. The housing has an inlet configured to receive fertilizer from the fertilizer container and an outlet. The plurality of motors are each drivingly coupled to and configured to rotate at least one metering device to distribute fertilizer to a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Cristian T. Prado, Brandon M. McDonald, Donald K. Landphair
  • Patent number: 10830751
    Abstract: A method for treating plants with respect to estimated root zones comprises estimating a growth state or maturity state of a plant based on a planting date, a current date and the crop type of the plant. A root zone estimator or data processor estimating a size, diameter or radius of a root zone of the plant based on the determined growth state or maturity state. The data processor or nozzle control module adjusts a lateral offset of a spray pattern of a nozzle assembly of one or more nozzles based on the size, diameter or radius to target alignment or maximization of overlap area of a crop input directed to a strip or zone with respect to the corresponding root zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Richard J. Connell, Larry L. Hendrickson, Frederick W. Nelson, Brandon M. McDonald, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10813263
    Abstract: A vehicle platform comprises a central body that can support one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units. A plurality of adjustable legs extends downward from the central body. An arm assembly has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is pivotably coupled the central body and the second end coupled to a support beam. A plurality of nozzle assemblies is supported from the support beam. An arm actuator is arranged to control a transverse position of the support beam and the nozzle assemblies with respect to a reference point on the central body, such that each nozzle assembly may be aligned with a row of seeds or plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard Connell, Shayne C. Rich, Brandon M. McDonald, Newton L. Lingenfelter, Michael M. Miller, Austin N. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10617057
    Abstract: A laterally movable carrier is associated with a row frame. The carrier is connected to a frame member, an opener, a first outlet and a second outlet to allow for dynamically variable adjustment of the lateral separation between a first row of planted seed and a second row of planted seed, where the first row of seed is adjacent to the second row of seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Connell, Brandon M. McDonald, Larry L. Hendrickson
  • Publication number: 20200107495
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle platform comprises a central body that can support one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units. A plurality of adjustable legs extends downward from the central body. Each adjustable leg has a corresponding leg actuator to adjust a respective vertical height of each adjustable leg. Each adjustable leg supports the central body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Connell, Michael M. Miller, Austin N. Thompson, Brandon M. McDonald, Shayne C. Rich
  • Publication number: 20200100424
    Abstract: A distributed metering system and method for metering liquid anhydrous ammonia is disclosed. The distributed metering system can comprise a plurality of applicator devices coupled to a plurality of metering units, and an electronic control unit coupled to the plurality of metering units. The electronic control unit is configured to control an application rate of a crop input material supplied from the plurality of metering units by adjusting an operating parameter of a component of each of the plurality of metering units when the application rate exceeds or falls below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Scott M. Buse, Brandon M. McDonald