Patents by Inventor Christopher Alan Foster

Christopher Alan Foster 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: 20230345857
    Abstract: An agricultural system includes a plurality of components, a plurality of valves configured to control fluid flow to the plurality of components to control actuation of the plurality of components, and a controller having a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to operate the agricultural system in a calibration mode to associate respective valves of the plurality of valves with actuation control of respective components of the plurality of components, determine a calibration based on associating the respective valves with the actuation control of the respective component, receive an indication to actuate a target component of the plurality of components, and output a control signal to a valve associated with the target component based on the calibration in response to receipt of the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Brett McClelland, Christopher Alan Foster, Timothy S. Hunt
  • Patent number: 11669804
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method includes storing in non-volatile memory a library of equipment configuration code files, each equipment configuration code file including configuration code for configuration and control of a work vehicle, for configuration and control of an attachment to be carried or towed by the work vehicle, or for combined configuration and control of both the work vehicle and the attachment in combination, receiving an altered version of at least one equipment configuration code file, the altered version including OEM data provided by or altered by an original equipment manufacturer of the work vehicle or the attachment, dealer or distributor data provided by or altered by a dealer or distributor of the work vehicle or the attachment, and user data provided by or altered by a user of the work vehicle or attachment, and storing the altered version in the non-volatile memory of the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Publication number: 20230071005
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle system includes a chassis and a vehicle bed coupled to the chassis. The vehicle bed includes an attachment system configured to fasten a detachable mission platform onto the vehicle bed. The vehicle system further includes a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis and configured to carry the chassis over a ground. The vehicle system further includes a control system. The control system includes a processor configured to determine a mission type for the detachable mission platform. The processor is also configured to load a set of instructions specific to the mission type to a memory of the control system. The processor is also configured to instruct the detachable mission platform to actuate at least one actuator based on the set of instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Jesse H. Orsborn, Christopher Alan Foster
  • Patent number: 11500379
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle system includes a chassis and a vehicle bed coupled to the chassis, the vehicle bed comprising an attachment system configured to fasten a detachable mission platform onto the vehicle bed. The vehicle system further includes a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis and configured to carry the chassis over a ground. The vehicle system additionally includes a control system comprising a processor configured to determine a mission type for the detachable mission platform. The processor is additionally configured to communicate with the detachable mission platform to actuate at least one actuator of the detachable mission platform based on the mission type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Jesse H. Orsborn, Christopher Alan Foster
  • Patent number: 11178804
    Abstract: An agricultural system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to determine a steering angle of a work vehicle of the agricultural system, determine a target height of a ground engaging tool of the agricultural system based on the steering angle, and output a signal to control a height of the ground engaging tool relative to a soil surface based on the target height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Scott Andrew Elkins, John Henry Posselius
  • Patent number: 11169689
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous agricultural system includes a display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation. The display is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first input. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is communicatively coupled to the display and configured to receive the first signal indicative of the first input and to send a second signal to the display indicative of instructions to display a second control in an unlocked state. The display is configured to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input. The controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Allen Bradford, Kim Richardson Barker
  • Patent number: 11157162
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous agricultural system includes a display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation. The display is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first input. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is communicatively coupled to the display and configured to receive the first signal indicative of the first input and to send a second signal to the display indicative of instructions to display a second control in an unlocked state. The display is configured to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input. The controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Allen Bradford, Kim Richardson Barker
  • Publication number: 20210255603
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method includes storing in non-volatile memory a library of equipment configuration code files, each equipment configuration code file including configuration code for configuration and control of a work vehicle, for configuration and control of an attachment to be carried or towed by the work vehicle, or for combined configuration and control of both the work vehicle and the attachment in combination, receiving an altered version of at least one equipment configuration code file, the altered version including OEM data provided by or altered by an original equipment manufacturer of the work vehicle or the attachment, dealer or distributor data provided by or altered by a dealer or distributor of the work vehicle or the attachment, and user data provided by or altered by a user of the work vehicle or attachment, and storing the altered version in the non-volatile memory of the library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 11006564
    Abstract: A swath tracking system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system with a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to receive a plurality of vehicle location points and a current vehicle state, wherein the current vehicle state comprises a current vehicle location, generate a planned vehicle path through one or more of the plurality of vehicle location points, generate a correction path from the current vehicle location to a point along the planned vehicle path ahead of the current vehicle location along a direction of travel, generate a blended path by blending the planned vehicle path and the correction path based at least in part on an assigned weight, wherein the assigned weight is based at least in part on a heading error, a distance between the current vehicle location and the planned path, or a combination thereof, and guide the off-road vehicle along the blended path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Taylor Chad Bybee, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Publication number: 20200383260
    Abstract: An agricultural system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to determine a steering angle of a work vehicle of the agricultural system, determine a target height of a ground engaging tool of the agricultural system based on the steering angle, and output a signal to control a height of the ground engaging tool relative to a soil surface based on the target height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Scott Andrew Elkins, John Henry Posselius
  • Patent number: 10821829
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an autonomous vehicle includes a controller and a control interface disposed in an enclosure on the side of the autonomous vehicle. The control interface includes a display communicatively coupled to the controller. The display is used to at least setup or control operation of an implement attached to the autonomous vehicle, setup or control operation of the autonomous vehicle, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Frank Zsigmond Asztalos, Eric Michael Jacobsthal, Matthew Huenemann, Dwayne St. George Jackson
  • Patent number: 10826167
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a body having at least one fender positioned over at least one wheel or track of the off-road vehicle. The at least one wheel or track is configured to engage a ground surface. The off-road vehicle also includes at least one spatial locating antenna positioned beneath the at least one fender. A top side of the at least one fender is positioned above the at least one spatial locating antenna relative to the ground surface, and the top side extends beyond a lateral extent and a longitudinal extent of the at least one spatial locating antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Frank George Rabusic, Eric Michael Jacobsthal, Frank Zsigmond Asztalos, Brett Carson McClelland, Matthew Huenemann, John Henry Posselius, Dwayne St. George Jackson, John Bradley Lukac, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Publication number: 20200324985
    Abstract: A system for refilling a resource of an agricultural system includes the agricultural system including a tank that stores the resource. The system also includes a support vehicle including a container that stores the resource, a locating system that outputs a first signal indicative of a position of the support vehicle, a transfer system that includes a resource transfer device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the locating system and the transfer system including a processor and a memory. The controller determines a target location in a field to position the support vehicle, control the support vehicle such that the support vehicle is directed toward the target location, and instruct the transfer system to activate the resource transfer device to transfer the resource from the container to the tank while the position of the agricultural system is within a threshold distance of the target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Todd Sarkis Aznavorian, Tyson J. Dollinger, Christopher Alan Foster, Brian Robert Ray, Adam Robert Rusciolelli, Nadav Y Daniel
  • Publication number: 20200319637
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle system includes a chassis and a vehicle bed coupled to the chassis, the vehicle bed comprising an attachment system configured to fasten a detachable mission platform onto the vehicle bed. The vehicle system further includes a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis and configured to carry the chassis over a ground. The vehicle system additionally includes a control system comprising a processor configured to determine a mission type for the detachable mission platform. The processor is additionally configured to communicate with the detachable mission platform to actuate at least one actuator of the detachable mission platform based on the mission type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Jesse H. Osborn, Christopher Alan Foster
  • Patent number: 10729055
    Abstract: A control system of an agricultural work vehicle system includes a controller configured to receive a set of swath paths, and separate each swath path of the set of swath paths into a set of half swaths. Also, the controller is configured to determine multiple possible connecting paths, and each connecting path of the multiple possible connecting paths connects one half swath of a first half swath of the set of half swaths to a second half swath of the set of half swaths. Moreover, the controller is configured to determine a cost for each possible connecting path of the multiple possible connecting paths. Further, the controller is configured to select a chosen connecting path from the multiple possible connecting paths based on the cost, and output a signal indicative of a travel path for an agricultural work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 10714816
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a roof panel forming a portion of a cab of the work vehicle. The work vehicle also includes a headliner disposed between the roof panel and an interior of the cab. In addition, the work vehicle includes a spatial locating antenna positioned between the roof panel and the headliner, such that a top side of the roof panel is positioned above the spatial locating antenna relative to a ground surface. Furthermore, the top side of the roof panel extends beyond a lateral extent and a longitudinal extent of the spatial locating antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Frank Zsigmond Asztalos, Eric Michael Jacobsthal, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Publication number: 20200201502
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous agricultural system includes a display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation. The display is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first input. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is communicatively coupled to the display and configured to receive the first signal indicative of the first input and to send a second signal to the display indicative of instructions to display a second control in an unlocked state. The display is configured to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input. The controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Allen Bradford, Kim Richardson Barker
  • Publication number: 20200150843
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous agricultural system includes a display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation. The display is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first input. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is communicatively coupled to the display and configured to receive the first signal indicative of the first input and to send a second signal to the display indicative of instructions to display a second control in an unlocked state. The display is configured to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input. The controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Brandon Chamberlain Adams, James Allen Bradford, Kim Richardson Barker
  • Patent number: 10649457
    Abstract: A system includes a processor. The processor is configured to derive one or more partitions of a field based on a vehicle system data via a learning system. The processor is further configured to derive one or more turn features representative of vehicle turns in the field based on the vehicle system via the learning system. The processor is also configured to derive an autonomous vehicle plan based on the partitions of the field and the turn features via a planning system, wherein the autonomous vehicle plan comprises a planned route of the autonomous vehicle in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Nathan Eric Bunderson
  • Patent number: D890226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Dwayne St. George Jackson, Frank Zsigmond Asztalos, David Melvin Wilkie, Eric Michael Jacobsthal, Jesse Weldon Gonzales, Christopher Alan Foster, John Bradley Lukac