Patents by Inventor Curtis A. Maeder

Curtis A. Maeder 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).

  • Patent number: 12372959
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a processor and memory, coupled to the processor, which memory contains instructions that when executed cause the processor to provide an autonomy management application. The autonomy management application includes an autonomy approval function. The autonomy approval function provides a user interface configured to display at least one aspect of an autonomy job to a user and receive user acceptance of the autonomy job. The autonomy approval function is configured to instruct the user to move within a pre-determined distance from an autonomous work machine that will execute the autonomy job and provide a machine-verified indication of user proximity within the pre-determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Margaux M. Ascherl, Jeffrey E. Runde, Curtis A. Maeder, David A. Johnson, Erich Wassilak, Mario L. Donini
  • Patent number: 12364193
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating an agricultural work machine is provided. The method includes initiating row sensing guidance for the agricultural work machine to guide steering of the agricultural work machine based at least one signal from a row sensor; obtaining contextual information; determining whether a row is present based on the contextual information; and selectively ignoring the at least one signal from the row sensor based on whether a row is present. An agricultural work machine and a control system for an agricultural work machine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Tyler D. Schleicher, Curtis A. Maeder, Hichem Bouguerra
  • Patent number: 12340637
    Abstract: An implement management system detects implement wear and monitors implement states to modify operating modes of a vehicle. The system can determine implement wear using the pull of the implement on the vehicle, the force and angle of which is represented by an orientation vector. The system may measure a current orientation vector and determine an expected orientation vector using sensors and a model (e.g., a machine learned model). Additionally, the implement management system can determine an implement state based on images of the soil and the implement captured by a camera onboard the vehicle during operation. The system may apply different models to the images to determine a likely state of the implement. The difference between the expected and current orientation vectors or the determined implement state may be used to determine whether and how the vehicle's operating mode should be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Curtis A. Maeder, Tyler D. Schleicher, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 12314052
    Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Solomon J. Sawlaw, Ryan C. Burnley, Ray M. Scheufler, Curtis A. Maeder, Sean A. Mahrt
  • Patent number: 12254689
    Abstract: An implement management system detects implement wear and monitors implement states to modify operating modes of a vehicle. The system can determine implement wear using the pull of the implement on the vehicle, the force and angle of which is represented by an orientation vector. The system may measure a current orientation vector and determine an expected orientation vector using sensors and a model (e.g., a machine learned model). Additionally, the implement management system can determine an implement state based on images of the soil and the implement captured by a camera onboard the vehicle during operation. The system may apply different models to the images to determine a likely state of the implement. The difference between the expected and current orientation vectors or the determined implement state may be used to determine whether and how the vehicle's operating mode should be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Tyler D. Schleicher, Curtis A. Maeder, Noel W. Anderson, Jeffrey E. Runde
  • Publication number: 20250028323
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous work machine includes a robotic controller, a position detection system coupled to the robotic controller, and a sensor coupled to the robotic controller and configured to provide a sensor signal. A controlled system is coupled to the robotic controller to receive control signals from the robotic controller. The robotic controller is configured to generate an event relative to an object in an environment around the autonomous work machine or a machine health/job quality issue, document the event, and store the documented event. The robotic controller is further configured to selectively generate a communication containing at least some information relative to the documented event to a supervisor and to receive user input from the supervisor and take responsive action based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Margaux M. ASCHERL, Jeffrey E. RUNDE, Curtis A. MAEDER, David A. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 12140964
    Abstract: A control system for an autonomous work machine includes a robotic controller, a position detection system coupled to the robotic controller, and a sensor coupled to the robotic controller and configured to provide a sensor signal. A controlled system is coupled to the robotic controller to receive control signals from the robotic controller. The robotic controller is configured to generate an event relative to an object in an environment around the autonomous work machine or a machine health/job quality issue, document the event, and store the documented event. The robotic controller is further configured to selectively generate a communication containing at least some information relative to the documented event to a supervisor and to receive user input from the supervisor and take responsive action based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Margaux M Ascherl, Jeffrey E. Runde, Curtis A. Maeder, David. A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12102024
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for determining a heading of a vehicle and a heading of an implement of a farming machine when the farming machine is stationary or moving at a speed below a threshold speed. The vehicle and the heading are attached together via a pivot hitch. A farming machine management system receives coordinates from a first location sensor coupled to the vehicle and a second location sensor coupled to the implement. The farming machine management system determines intersection points between a first circle centered at the first location sensor and a second circle centered at the second location sensor. The farming machine management system selects one of the intersection points based on an output of a machine learning model. The farming machine management system determines the headings of the vehicle and the implement and generates instructions for operating the farming machine based on the headings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Procuniar, Qiang R. Liu, Curtis A. Maeder
  • Publication number: 20240312204
    Abstract: An implement management system detects implement wear and monitors implement states to modify operating modes of a vehicle. The system can determine implement wear using the pull of the implement on the vehicle, the force and angle of which is represented by an orientation vector. The system may measure a current orientation vector and determine an expected orientation vector using sensors and a model (e.g., a machine learned model). Additionally, the implement management system can determine an implement state based on images of the soil and the implement captured by a camera onboard the vehicle during operation. The system may apply different models to the images to determine a likely state of the implement. The difference between the expected and current orientation vectors or the determined implement state may be used to determine whether and how the vehicle's operating mode should be modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Tyler D. Schleicher, Curtis A. Maeder, Noel W. Anderson, Jeffrey E. Runde
  • Patent number: 12085955
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to select track paths for one or more vehicles in a field are disclosed. An example apparatus includes input interface circuitry to obtain a request for a first track path for a first vehicle, path instruction generation circuitry to, in response to the request, obtain information defining a plurality of track paths in a field, and select, based on the request, the first track path from the plurality of track paths, and update circuitry to update the information to indicate that the first track path is claimed by the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Curtis A. Maeder, Qiang R. Liu
  • Patent number: 12026940
    Abstract: An implement management system detects implement wear and monitors implement states to modify operating modes of a vehicle. The system can determine implement wear using the pull of the implement on the vehicle, the force and angle of which is represented by an orientation vector. The system may measure a current orientation vector and determine an expected orientation vector using sensors and a model (e.g., a machine learned model). Additionally, the implement management system can determine an implement state based on images of the soil and the implement captured by a camera onboard the vehicle during operation. The system may apply different models to the images to determine a likely state of the implement. The difference between the expected and current orientation vectors or the determined implement state may be used to determine whether and how the vehicle's operating mode should be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Tyler D. Schleicher, Curtis A. Maeder, Noel W. Anderson, Jeffrey E. Runde
  • Publication number: 20240045437
    Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Solomon J. Sawlaw, Ryan C. Burnley, Ray M. Scheufler, Curtis A. Maeder, Sean A. Mahrt
  • Patent number: 11877528
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling a mobile agricultural machine includes obtaining prior field data representing a position of plants in a field, obtaining in situ plant detection data from operation of the mobile agricultural machine in the field, determining a position error in the prior field data based on the in situ plant detection data, and generating a control signal that controls the mobile agricultural machine based on the determined position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Tyler D. Schleicher, Curtis A. Maeder, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11825761
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for field operations based on historical field operation data. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a field map generator to generate a field map including locations of a plurality of crop rows, the locations of the plurality of crop rows determined based on a first implement path travelled by a first implement of a first vehicle during a first operation, the first implement having a first operational width, the first implement path different from a first vehicle path of the first vehicle during the first operation, and a guidance line generator to generate a guidance line for a second vehicle during a second operation on the field, the second vehicle including a second implement to perform the second operation, the second implement having a second operational width different from the first operational width, the guidance line based on (a) the field map and (b) the second operational width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Curtis A. Maeder, Qiang R. Liu, Terence D. Pickett, Jeffery J. Adams
  • Patent number: 11822339
    Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Solomon J. Sawlaw, Ryan C. Burnley, Ray M. Scheufler, Curtis A. Maeder, Sean A. Mahrt
  • Patent number: 11778935
    Abstract: A digital fence of a work area is generated and loaded into a machine control system that controls an off-road machine. The machine control system detects whether the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence and automatically controls operating parameters of the off-road machine when the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David August Johnson, Curtis A. Maeder, Jeffrey M. Tott, Megan L. Leininger
  • Publication number: 20230121416
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to select track paths for one or more vehicles in a field are disclosed. An example apparatus includes input interface circuitry to obtain a request for a first track path for a first vehicle, path instruction generation circuitry to, in response to the request, obtain information defining a plurality of track paths in a field, and select, based on the request, the first track path from the plurality of track paths, and update circuitry to update the information to indicate that the first track path is claimed by the first vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis A. Maeder, Qiang R. Liu
  • Publication number: 20230085133
    Abstract: A digital fence of a work area is generated and loaded into a machine control system that controls an off-road machine. The machine control system detects whether the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence and automatically controls operating parameters of the off-road machine when the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Johnson, Curtis A. Maeder, Jeffrey M. Tott, Megan L. Leininger
  • Publication number: 20230060628
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling a mobile agricultural machine includes obtaining prior field data representing a position of plants in a field, obtaining in situ plant detection data from operation of the mobile agricultural machine in the field, determining a position error in the prior field data based on the in situ plant detection data, and generating a control signal that controls the mobile agricultural machine based on the determined position error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Tyler D. SCHLEICHER, Curtis A. MAEDER, Noel W. ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20230004167
    Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Solomon J. Sawlaw, Ryan C. Burnley, Ray M. Scheufler, Curtis A. Maeder, Sean A. Mahrt