Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles includes generating a number of mission plans for the one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles, determining a plan value for each of the number of mission plans, selecting a mission plan with the highest plan value, and executing the selected mission plan to control the one or more autonomous agricultural vehicles.

Abstract: System and method which automatically updates estimated field and in-transit yield values as a function of estimated vehicle load values and correction values determined from more accurate yield values obtained later, such as at a processing or other receiving facility, thereby providing better estimates of yield values between yield monitor system calibrations.

Abstract: A baler and a method of using the baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a tag into a bale of agricultural material during bale production is configured such that the tag is inserted within the bale material within reading distance of an outer surface of the final bale. In square bales, the tag is placed in either the first or last slice of the bale. In round bales, the tag is place in the outer circumferential layer of the bale as it is formed. The tag may be gravity fed or forcibly fed into the stream of crop material as it passes from the baling apparatus pick-up to the baling chamber.

Abstract: A slip control system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system configured to output a signal indicative of a first action if a magnitude of slippage of the off-road vehicle relative to a soil surface is greater than a first threshold value and less than or equal to a second threshold value. Furthermore, the control system is configured to output a signal indicative of a second action, different than the first action, if the magnitude of slippage is greater than the second threshold value.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for harvesting crops from a field and to a method for working a field by towing an apparatus such as a tilling apparatus, wherein the methods of the invention employ manned and unmanned vehicles. The operation and movement of the unmanned vehicles is controlled by the drivers of the manned vehicles which are continuously in the vicinity of the unmanned vehicles.

Abstract: A modular capacitive sensing switch provides a separate circuit module attachable to a variety of electrode modules, the latter having different configurations. Embodiments providing adhesive mounting and network connections allow simple configuration of a wide variety of capacitive touch panel systems.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for retracting tissue in a surgical field in a patient includes a retractor blade formed from a material so that the retractor blade is non-magnetic, electrically non-conductive, radiolucent, sterilizable and reusable. The material may be a glass filled polymer. A handle may be coupled to a proximal portion of the retractor blade. Additionally an illumination element such as an optical waveguide or light emitting diodes may be coupled to the retractor blade for illuminating the surgical field.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling bale forming operations is disclosed. The system and method includes a monitoring system for visually imaging a portion of a bale and providing a warning to an operator if the bale is wrapped or shaped incorrectly.

Abstract: Various emitters and emitter systems are disclosed. For instance, in various embodiments, an emitter can comprise a substrate, an insulator bonded to the substrate, a graphene layer bonded to the insulator, and a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact can be bonded over a first portion of the graphene layer, and the second electrical contact can be bonded over a second portion of the graphene layer. The graphene layer electrically couples the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact and is configured to receive the application of a pulsed input voltage between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact and to radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. An emitter system can comprise a plurality of emitters, each disposed on a single integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automation kit for an agricultural vehicle that includes a kit controller configured to receive feedback from at least one sensor, to receive a mission path, and to receive a location signal from a locating device, where the kit controller is configured to control a velocity of the agricultural vehicle based at least on the mission path, the feedback, and the location signal. The automation kit also includes a vehicle interface configured to communicatively couple the kit controller to a bus of the agricultural vehicle, where the bus is communicatively coupled to at least a brake controller configured to control a hydraulic valve of a braking system of the agricultural vehicle, and the kit controller is configured to control the velocity at least by selectively sending a signal to the brake controller to control the braking system.

Abstract: A controller configured to receive image data representative of the surroundings of a working vehicle. The image data comprises a plurality of portion data. The controller determines one or more features associated with each of the plurality of portion data. For each of the plurality of portion data, the controller applies a label-attribution-algorithm to attribute one of a plurality of predefined labels to the portion data in question based on: (i) features determined for the portion data in question; and (ii) features determined for proximate portion data, which is portion data that is proximate to the portion data in question. The labels are representative of objects. The controller provides a representation of the attributed labels and their position in the received image data.

Abstract: A multiple robot control architecture including a plurality of robotic agricultural machines including a first and second robotic agricultural machine. Each robotic agricultural machine including at least one controller configured to implement a plurality of finite state machines within an individual robot control architecture (IRCA) and a global information module (GIM) communicatively coupled to the IRCA. The GIMs of the first and second robotic agricultural machines being configured to cooperate to cause said first robotic agricultural machine and said second agricultural machine to perform at least one agricultural task.

Abstract: A system is provided that automatically assesses weight rating characteristics of a truck and trailer combination. The system coordinates movement and unloading functions of the grain cart to automatically load the trailer to correspond to a target total weight value and a target weight distribution value based on axle weight ratings of the axles of the truck and trailer combination.

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.

Abstract: A harvesting system for collecting crop grain crop residue in a single pass with a baler towed by a combine harvester is provided. The system includes a hydraulic system that hydraulically interconnects the combine harvester with the baler, allowing the engine of the combine harvester to hydraulically power systems and components of both the combine harvester and the baler. The hydraulic system may include a combine hydraulic system and a baler hydraulic system which may be hydraulically connected through multiple interconnections for hydraulically powering different functions of the baler using hydraulic pressure that is generated at the combine harvester. A first combine-to-baler hydraulic interconnection may transfer hydraulic power from a combine primary baler drive hydraulic circuit to a baler drive hydraulic circuit. A second combine-to-baler hydraulic interconnection may transfer hydraulic power from a combine spreader hydraulic circuit to a baler conveyor and/or auxiliary hydraulic.

Abstract: A harvesting system for collecting crop grain crop residue in a single pass with a baler towed by a combine harvester is provided. The system includes a hydraulic system that hydraulically interconnects the combine harvester with the baler, allowing the engine of the combine harvester to hydraulically power systems and components of both the combine harvester and the baler. The hydraulic system may include a combine hydraulic system and a baler hydraulic system which may be hydraulically connected through multiple interconnections for hydraulically powering different functions of the baler using hydraulic pressure that is generated at the combine harvester. A first combine-to-baler hydraulic interconnection may transfer hydraulic power from a combine primary baler drive hydraulic circuit to a baler drive hydraulic circuit. A second combine-to-baler hydraulic interconnection may transfer hydraulic power from a combine spreader hydraulic circuit to a baler conveyor and/or auxiliary hydraulic.

Abstract: A system includes an electronic control system for an agricultural system, including a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a mission of a work vehicle of the agricultural system. The controller is configured to determine a first desired path of travel of the work vehicle based on the mission. The controller is configured to output a second signal to the work vehicle indicative of the first desired path of travel, to receive a third signal indicative of a change event from the work vehicle or from an operator, to determine a response to the change event that facilitates completion of the mission, and to output a fourth signal indicative of the response to the work vehicle.

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.