Patents by Inventor James W. Henry
James W. Henry 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).
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Patent number: 11930730Abstract: A method for determining soil clod size within a field includes receiving an image depicting an imaged portion of the field. Furthermore, the method includes identifying a soil clod present within the imaged portion of the field. Additionally, the method includes determining a maximum height of the identified soil clod above a soil surface of the field. Moreover, the method includes determining a maximum length of the identified soil clod. In addition, the method includes determining a radius of a sphere based on the determined maximum height and the determined maximum length, with the sphere including a first portion approximating a portion of the identified soil clod positioned above the soil surface and a second portion approximating a portion of the identified soil clod positioned below the soil surface. Furthermore, the method includes determining a size of the identified soil clod based on the determined radius.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11864484Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil clod size or soil surface residue coverage of a field may include an agricultural implement configured to perform a non-soil-working operation on the field as the agricultural implement is towed across the field. Furthermore, the system may include a non-contact-based sensor installed on the agricultural implement, with the non-contact-based sensor configured to capture data indicative of at least one of a soil clod size of the field or a soil surface residue coverage of the field. Additionally, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to receive data from the non-contact-based sensor as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine at least one of the soil clod size of the field or the soil surface residue coverage of the field based on the received data.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11849662Abstract: A system for identifying soil layers within a field includes a non-contact-based sensor configured to capture data indicative of a subsurface soil layer within the field. Furthermore, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the non-contact-based sensor. In this respect, the computing system is configured to determine a thickness of the subsurface soil layer in a vertical direction based on the data captured by the non-contact-based sensor. Moreover, the computing system is configured to identify the subsurface soil layer as one of a compaction layer or a B-horizon based on the determined thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11852621Abstract: A system for monitoring tilled floor conditions within a field includes a sensor frame and a tilled floor sensing assembly supported on the sensor frame. The assembly, in turn, includes a plurality of pins configured to be extended relative to the sensor frame such that each pin penetrates a top surface of the field. Furthermore, the assembly includes a plurality of position sensors, with each position sensor configured to capture data indicative of a position of a given pin of the plurality of pins relative to the sensor frame. Moreover, the assembly includes a plurality of force sensors, with each force sensor configured to capture data indicative of a force being applied to a given pin of the plurality of pins. Additionally, the data captured by the plurality of position sensors and the data captured by the plurality of force sensors is indicative of a tilled floor profile of the field.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Nicholas Nahuel Andrejuk, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11854218Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detecting terrain variations within a field includes receiving one or more images depicting an imaged portion of an agricultural field. The method also includes classifying a portion of the plurality of pixels that are associated with soil within the imaged portion of the agricultural field as soil pixels with each soil pixel being associated with a respective pixel height. Additionally, the method includes identifying each soil pixel having a pixel height that exceeds a height threshold as a candidate ridge pixel and each soil pixel having a pixel height that is less than a depth threshold as a candidate valley pixel. The method further includes determining whether a ridge or a valley is present within the imaged portion of the agricultural field based at least in part on the candidate ridge pixels or the candidate valley pixels.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick
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System and method for determining soil clod parameters of a field using three-dimensional image data
Patent number: 11810285Abstract: A method for determining soil clod parameters within a field includes receiving, with a computing system, three-dimensional image data depicting an imaged portion of the field. The three-dimensional image data, in turn, includes a first two-dimensional image depicting the imaged portion of the field relative to a first position and a second two-dimensional image depicting the imaged portion of the field relative to a second position, with the first position being spaced apart from the second position. Furthermore, the method includes identifying, with the computing system, a soil clod depicted with the received three-dimensional image data. Additionally, the method includes comparing, with the computing system, the first and second two-dimensional images to identify a shadow surrounding at least a portion of the identified soil clod. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a soil clod parameter associated with the identified soil clod based on the identified shadow.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL CANADA, LTD.Inventor: James W. Henry -
Publication number: 20230324314Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a computing system configured to store a machine-learned model and perform operations. The operations include receiving data from a transceiver-based sensor configured to emit an output signal directed toward soil within a portion of a field and receive an echo signal indicative of a backscattering of the output signal by the soil. Additionally, the operations include extracting a set of features associated with the echo signal from the received data. Moreover, the operations include inputting the set of features into the machine-learned model and receiving a preliminary soil moisture value for the set of features as an output of the machine-learned model. In addition, the operations include determining a final soil moisture value for the portion of the soil within the field based on the preliminary soil moisture value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Brittany Schroeder, Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry, Michael Pregesbauer
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Publication number: 20230292651Abstract: A system for monitoring seed placement within the ground during the performance of a planting operation with a planting implement includes a row unit of that has a furrow opening assembly configured to create a furrow in the soil and a furrow closing assembly configured to close the furrow after the seeds have been deposited therein. Each seed is treated with a treatment applied after the seed is received within a component of the planting implement and before the furrow is closed around the seed, the treatment having a treatment dielectric property that is greater than a dielectric property of the seeds without the treatment. Additionally, the system includes a computing system configured to determine a seed placement parameter associated with the seeds as treated and planted underneath the surface of the soil based on data generated by a seed placement sensor supported relative to the row unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: James W. Henry, Trevor Stanhope, Jamil Farhat
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Publication number: 20230292650Abstract: A system for monitoring seed placement within the ground during the performance of a planting operation includes a row unit including a furrow opening assembly configured to create a furrow in the soil and a furrow closing assembly configured to close the furrow after the seeds have been deposited therein. Particularly, the seeds are coated seeds that are coated with a coating having a coating dielectric property that is greater than a dielectric property of the seeds without the coating. The system further includes a seed placement sensor supported relative to the row unit and configured to generate data indicative of the coated seeds as planted underneath a surface of the soil. Additionally, the system includes a computing system configured to determine a seed placement parameter associated with the coated seeds underneath the surface of the soil based at least in part on the data generated by the seed placement sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Trevor Stanhope, Jamil Farhat, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11737383Abstract: In one aspect, a method for determining soil clods within a field includes receiving one or more images depicting an imaged portion of an agricultural field. The method also includes classifying a portion of the plurality of pixels that are associated with soil within the imaged portion of the field as soil pixels with each soil pixel being associated with a respective pixel height. The method also includes generating a first ray from a local maximum in a first direction and a second ray from the local maximum in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first ray until opposing endpoints are determined based on a detected edge condition. Lastly, the method includes determining whether a soil clod based at least in part the first ray or the second ray of the candidate soil clod.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick
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Patent number: 11711994Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the condition of a seedbed within a field may include a seedbed tool configured to ride along a seedbed floor as an implement frame is moved across the field. The system may also include an actuator configured to adjust the position of the seedbed tool along a lateral direction relative to the implement frame such that the seedbed tool traverses a lateral swath of the seedbed floor along the lateral direction. Furthermore, the system may include a seedbed floor sensor configured to detect the position of the seedbed tool relative to the implement frame. The position of the seedbed tool may be indicative of a profile of the lateral swath of the seedbed floor as the seedbed tool rides along the seedbed floor with movement of the implement frame in the forward travel direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Alan Forbes, James W. Henry, Robert A. Zemenchik
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Publication number: 20230196851Abstract: A system for monitoring the wear rates of agricultural implements may include an agricultural implement having ground-engaging tools configured to work a field area, at least one wear sensor configured to generate data indicative of wear of one or more of the ground-engaging tools, and a computing system communicatively coupled to the at least one wear sensor. The computing system may determine a first wear rate of the one or more of the ground-engaging tools based at least in part on the data indicative of the wear of the one or more of the ground-engaging tools and to compare the first wear rate to a threshold wear rate. Additionally, the computing system may perform a control action when a differential between the first wear rate and the threshold wear rate exceeds a wear rate differential threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Sai Raghavendra Prasad Poosa, Brittany Schroeder, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11650095Abstract: A system for identifying plugging within an agricultural implement is provided. The system includes a ground engaging tool configured to be supported by the agricultural implement. A weight sensor is operable to measure a weight of one or both of the ground engaging tool and the agricultural implement. A controller is communicatively coupled to the weight sensor. The controller is configured to receive, from the weight sensor, a signal that corresponds to the weight of one or both of the ground engaging tool and the agricultural implement. The controller is further configured to determine when the ground engaging tool is plugged based at least in part on the signal from the weight sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11589494Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool and an acoustic sensor configured to generate data indicative of an acoustic parameter of a sound produced as the ground engaging tool engages the ground when a ground engaging operation is performed within a field. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the acoustic sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the acoustic parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11566997Abstract: A system for monitoring soil composition within a field may have a ground-engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as an implement moves across the field. The system may further have a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a soil composition within the field, where the sensor is movable relative to the ground-engaging tool while the implement moves across the field such that the sensor generates data indicative of the soil composition at different depths within the field. Additionally, the system may have a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine the soil composition at the different depths within the field based at least in part on the data received from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11558990Abstract: A system for detecting the operational status of a ground engaging tool of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and a tool assembly supported relative to the frame. The ganged tool assembly includes a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a sensor coupled to the tool assembly and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s). Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) as being plugged when the monitored value(s) differs from the predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11538180Abstract: A method for determining residue length within a field includes receiving, with a computing system, a captured image depicting an imaged portion of the field from one or more imaging devices. Furthermore, the method includes determining, with the computing system, an image gradient orientation at each of a plurality of pixels within the captured image. Additionally, the method includes identifying, with the computing system, a residue piece present within the image portion of the field based at least in part on the determined image gradient orientations. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a length of the identified residue piece.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick, David John Powell
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Patent number: 11483960Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring seedbed conditions within a field may include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a seedbed sensing assembly supported thereon. The sensing assembly may, in turn, include a plurality of pins configured to be extended relative to the body such that each pin penetrates a top surface of the field. Furthermore, a plurality of position sensors may be configured to capture data indicative of a position of a given pin of the plurality of pins relative to the body of the UAV. Additionally, a plurality of force sensors may be configured to capture data indicative of a force being applied to a given pin of the plurality of pins. As such, the data captured by the position sensors and the force sensors may be indicative of at least one of the seedbed surface profile or the seedbed floor profile of the field.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Nicholas Nahuel Andrejuk, James W. Henry
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System and method for determining subsurface soil layer characteristics based on RADAR and load data
Patent number: 11470763Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining subsurface soil layer characteristics as an agricultural implement is towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a RADAR sensor configured to capture data indicative of a subsurface soil layer characteristic of the field. Furthermore, the system may include a load sensor configured to capture data indicative of a load applied to the agricultural implement by soil within the field, with the load being indicative of the subsurface soil layer characteristic. Additionally, a controller of the system may be configured to determine a first value of the subsurface soil layer characteristic based on the data received from the RADAR and a second value of the subsurface soil layer characteristic based on the data received from the load sensor. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine a differential between the first value and the second value.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL CANADA, LTD.Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry -
Publication number: 20220295688Abstract: A system for identifying soil layers within a field includes a non-contact-based sensor configured to capture data indicative of a subsurface soil layer within the field. Furthermore, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the non-contact-based sensor. In this respect, the computing system is configured to determine a thickness of the subsurface soil layer in a vertical direction based on the data captured by the non-contact-based sensor. Moreover, the computing system is configured to identify the subsurface soil layer as one of a compaction layer or a B-horizon based on the determined thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventor: James W. Henry