Patents by Inventor Colin D. Engel

Colin D. Engel 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: 20240090358
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan R. Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Noel W. Anderson, Colin D. Engel
  • Patent number: 11770991
    Abstract: A vehicle connection guidance system may include a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to be supported by a vehicle having a first width and a connection interface, the connection interface having a second width different than the first width and along which multiple connection points lie, wherein the sensor is to output steering angle signals. The Controller is configured to output presentation signals based upon the steering angle signals The presentation signals are to generate a visual presentation of a projected path of the width of the connection interface to an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Ohrstrom, Nathan R. Vandike, Duane M. Bomleny, Colin D. Engel, Stephen R. Corban
  • Patent number: 11369058
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural work vehicle includes a propulsion system for modifying vehicle speed, a harvesting system for harvesting crop, a perception system having at least one camera with a field of view of a forward zone in front of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller communicates with the propulsion, harvesting, and perception systems, and is configured to receive the perception signal, identify a harvest condition in the forward zone, adjust an operation setting of the propulsion system or harvesting system, and generate a forward-looking perception interface for a display screen. The forward-looking perception interface includes a forward zone area displaying the field of view and a status area displaying at least one harvest condition identified. The status area also displays a time and a sensitivity level associated with the at least one harvest condition identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mario L. Donini, Colin D. Engel
  • Publication number: 20220110238
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan R. Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Noel W. Anderson, Colin D. Engel
  • Publication number: 20220110262
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan R VANDIKE, Bhanu Kiran Reddy PALLA, Duane M. BOMLENY, Colin D. ENGEL, Stephen R. CORBAN
  • Publication number: 20220071079
    Abstract: A harvester may include a feeder house, a header mount interface proximate the feeder house; a header removably mounted to the feeder house by the header mount interface, the header having a mount interface for securing the header to a trailer; a sensor to output steering angle signals indicative of a steering angle of the harvester during an approach of the harvester carrying the header towards the trailer, and a controller to output control signals causing the display to overlay a representation of the mount interface on a real-time view of the approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Ohrstrom, Nathan R. Vandike, Duane M. Bomleny, Colin D. Engel, Stephen R. Corban
  • Patent number: 11212953
    Abstract: A vehicle attachment carrier loading guidance system may include a sensor for being supported by vehicle supporting a removable attachment having a mount interface for interacting with a mount on an attachment carrier distinct from the vehicle, wherein the sensor is output steering angle signals. The system may further comprise a controller to output presentation signals based upon the steering angle signals. The presentation signals are to generate a visual representation of a projected path of the mount interface with respect to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Ohrstrom, Nathan R. Vandike, Duane M. Bomleny, Colin D. Engel, Stephen R. Corban
  • Publication number: 20210127544
    Abstract: A vehicle connection guidance system may include a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to be supported by a vehicle having a first width and a connection interface, the connection interface having a second width different than the first width and along which multiple connection points lie, wherein the sensor is to output steering angle signals. The Controller is configured to output presentation signals based upon the steering angle signals The presentation signals are to generate a visual presentation of a projected path of the width of the connection interface to an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Ohrstrom, Nathan R. Vandike, Duane M. Bomleny, Colin D. Engel, Stephen R. Corban
  • Publication number: 20210127550
    Abstract: A vehicle attachment carrier loading guidance system may include a sensor for being supported by vehicle supporting a removable attachment having a mount interface for interacting with a mount on an attachment carrier distinct from the vehicle, wherein the sensor is output steering angle signals. The system may further comprise a controller to output presentation signals based upon the steering angle signals. The presentation signals are to generate a visual representation of a projected path of the mount interface with respect to the mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Ohrstrom, Nathan R. Vandike, Duane M. Bomleny, Colin D. Engel, Stephen R. Corban
  • Publication number: 20200296892
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural work vehicle includes a propulsion system for modifying vehicle speed, a harvesting system for harvesting crop, a perception system having at least one camera with a field of view of a forward zone in front of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller communicates with the propulsion, harvesting, and perception systems, and is configured to receive the perception signal, identify a harvest condition in the forward zone, adjust an operation setting of the propulsion system or harvesting system, and generate a forward-looking perception interface for a display screen. The forward-looking perception interface includes a forward zone area displaying the field of view and a status area displaying at least one harvest condition identified. The status area also displays a time and a sensitivity level associated with the at least one harvest condition identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Mario L. Donini, Colin D. Engel
  • Patent number: 10782672
    Abstract: A method performed by a control system for a work machine includes receiving machine data indicative of operating parameters on the work machine, receiving a set of performance scores indicative of relative machine performance in a set of different performance categories, each performance score being generated by a different performance score generator based on sensor data associated with the work machine, accessing a set of rules that each map one or more triggering conditions to a corresponding adjustment action on the work machine, identifying a set of potential adjustment actions by evaluating fulfillment of the set of rules based on the operating parameters and performance scores, and correlating each potential adjustment action to one or more of the performance categories, selecting a particular adjustment action, from the set of potential adjustment actions, based on an indication of a selected target performance category, and outputting a control instruction based on the particular adjustment action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Colin D Engel
  • Publication number: 20190354081
    Abstract: A method performed by a control system for a work machine includes receiving machine data indicative of operating parameters on the work machine, receiving a set of performance scores indicative of relative machine performance in a set of different performance categories, each performance score being generated by a different performance score generator based on sensor data associated with the work machine, accessing a set of rules that each map one or more triggering conditions to a corresponding adjustment action on the work machine, identifying a set of potential adjustment actions by evaluating fulfillment of the set of rules based on the operating parameters and performance scores, and correlating each potential adjustment action to one or more of the performance categories, selecting a particular adjustment action, from the set of potential adjustment actions, based on an indication of a selected target performance category, and outputting a control instruction based on the particular adjustment action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Colin D. Engel
  • Publication number: 20190353483
    Abstract: A method for planning a turn path of a vehicle includes monitoring coverage by the vehicle and/or a second vehicle, determining a turn start intersection point defined by an intersection of a first track path of a plurality of track paths and an inner headland pass at its corresponding edge, determining a turn end intersection point defined by an intersection of a second track path of the plurality of track paths and the inner headland pass at its corresponding edge, and creating a curved turn path from the turn start intersection point to the turn end intersection point based on coverage by the at least one of the vehicle and a second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: QIANG RAY LIU, COLIN D. ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20190104685
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing a local electrical power source at a header of a combine harvester. An alternator is mechanically coupled to a header backshaft. The header backshaft is mechanically coupled to a drive mechanism of the combine harvester to cause rotation of the header backshaft which, in turn, causes the alternator to generate electrical power. A power supply circuit transferred electrical power from the alternator to one or more electric devices mounted on the header. In some implementations, the header does not include any physical cables between the combine and the header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Colin D. Engel
  • Patent number: 10188039
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing a local electrical power source at a header of a combine harvester. An alternator is mechanically coupled to a header backshaft. The header backshaft is mechanically coupled to a drive mechanism of the combine harvester to cause rotation of the header backshaft which, in turn, causes the alternator to generate electrical power. A power supply circuit transferred electrical power from the alternator to one or more electric devices mounted on the header. In some implementations, the header does not include any physical cables between the combine and the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Colin D. Engel
  • Publication number: 20170086374
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing a local electrical power source at a header of a combine harvester. An alternator is mechanically coupled to a header backshaft. The header backshaft is mechanically coupled to a drive mechanism of the combine harvester to cause rotation of the header backshaft which, in turn, causes the alternator to generate electrical power. A power supply circuit transferred electrical power from the alternator to one or more electric devices mounted on the header. In some implementations, the header does not include any physical cables between the combine and the header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Colin D. Engel