Patents by Inventor Jason D. Walter

Jason D. Walter 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: 20230345859
    Abstract: An agricultural machine may include a first plurality of sensors configured to measure characteristics of product stored on the machine for use during the machine's operation. The machine may also include a second plurality of sensors configured to measure characteristics associated with operation of the machine, in particular, in the form of feedback from ground engaging mechanisms of the machine, such as row units and wheel assemblies coupled to a frame of the machine. Based on the measured characteristics of the stored product and the measured characteristics associated with the machine's operation, a controller may adjust actuators coupled between adjacent sections of the frame to transfer weight of the stored product between certain sections of the frame, which in turn optimizes the machine's operational characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Gerald E. Rains, Bin Shi, Kevin P. Cowles, Jason D. Walter, Shawn A. Kenny, Olaf J. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20230136658
    Abstract: A plurality of different controllers on an agricultural machine are time synchronized. A first controller, identifies an action to be taken based upon a location of the agricultural machine and a speed of the agricultural machine, and also based on a geographic location of where the action is to be taken, and generates a timestamp indicating a time at which the action is to be taken. An action identifier and the timestamp are sent to an actuator controller that controls an actuator to take the action. The actuator controller identifies an actuator delay corresponding to the actuator and controls the actuator to take the action at a time identified in the timestamp based upon the actuator delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Pradeep KALE, Jason D. WALTER, Omkar JOSHI
  • Patent number: 11510357
    Abstract: A plurality of different controllers on an agricultural machine are time synchronized. A positioning system detects a geographic location and a timestamp, which is indicative of a time when the geographic location was sensed, is applied to the geographic location. A first controller, that identifies an action to be taken based upon a location of the agricultural machine and a speed of the agricultural machine, and also based on a geographic location of where the action is to be taken, generates a future timestamp indicating a future time at which the action is to be taken. An action identifier (that identifies the action) and the future timestamp is sent to an actuator controller that controls an actuator to take the action. The actuator controller identifies an actuator delay corresponding to the actuator and controls the actuator to take the action at a time identified in the future timestamp based upon the future timestamp, a current time, and the actuator delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Pradeep Kale, Jason D. Walter, Omkar Joshi
  • Publication number: 20220217898
    Abstract: A seed sensor senses seeds on a row unit and generates a seed sensor signal. A number of planting characteristics, such as a seed orientation, seed slugging, delivery system wear, and seed abnormalities, can be detected based on the seed sensor signal. The planter can be controlled based on the detected planting characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jason D. WALTER, James Z. Liu
  • Publication number: 20220174859
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Jason D. Walter, Michael E. Frasier, Lawrence D. Green, James Z. Liu, Donald K. Landphair
  • Patent number: 11284559
    Abstract: A seed sensor senses seeds on a row unit and generates a seed sensor signal. A number of planting characteristics, such as a seed orientation, seed slugging, delivery system wear, and seed abnormalities, can be detected based on the seed sensor signal. The planter can be controlled based on the detected planting characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Walter, James Z. Liu
  • Publication number: 20220015283
    Abstract: An example agricultural machine comprises a material distribution system that includes a material distribution line configured to convey particulate material to a component. The agricultural machine comprises a sensing system that includes a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of a measure of a flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, a second sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of a measure of the flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, and a correlation generation component configured to receive indications of the first and second sensor signals and to generate a correlation metric that represents a correlation between the first and second sensor signals. In one example, the correlation metric is applied to a sensor signal from a second material distribution line to determine a flow rate in the second material distribution line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Terry L. Snipes, Robert T. Casper, William C. Hughes, Gerald E. Rains, Jason D. Walter, Elijah B. Garner, Matt D. Bartelson, Sahil C. Desai, Andrew J. Scholl
  • Patent number: 11202404
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason D. Walter, Michael E. Frasier, Lawrence D. Green, James Z. Liu, Donald K. Landphair
  • Publication number: 20210378164
    Abstract: A plurality of different controllers on an agricultural machine are time synchronized. A positioning system detects a geographic location and a timestamp, which is indicative of a time when the geographic location was sensed, is applied to the geographic location. A first controller, that identifies an action to be taken based upon a location of the agricultural machine and a speed of the agricultural machine, and also based on a geographic location of where the action is to be taken, generates a future timestamp indicating a future time at which the action is to be taken. An action identifier (that identifies the action) and the future timestamp is sent to an actuator controller that controls an actuator to take the action. The actuator controller identifies an actuator delay corresponding to the actuator and controls the actuator to take the action at a time identified in the future timestamp based upon the future timestamp, a current time, and the actuator delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Pradeep KALE, Jason D. Walter, Omkar Joshi
  • Patent number: 11154004
    Abstract: An example agricultural machine comprises a material distribution system that includes a material distribution line configured to convey particulate material to a component. The agricultural machine comprises a sensing system that includes a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of a measure of a flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, a second sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of a measure of the flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, and a correlation generation component configured to receive indications of the first and second sensor signals and to generate a correlation metric that represents a correlation between the first and second sensor signals. In one example, the correlation metric is applied to a sensor signal from a second material distribution line to determine a flow rate in the second material distribution line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Snipes, Robert T. Casper, William C. Hughes, Gerald E. Rains, Jason D. Walter, Elijah B. Garner, Matt D. Bartelson, Sahil C. Desai, Andrew J. Scholl
  • Publication number: 20210289687
    Abstract: A seeding machine (32,100) includes a seeding mechanism (34,130,150) driven by a seeding motor (194,196). A motor command signal is compensated for accelerations based on a wheel based speed of a towing vehicle (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Heinold, Jason D. Walter, Christian Waibel, Ricardo Zamudio, II, Grant J. Wonderlich, Jacob W. Stohl, Michael C. Steele
  • Patent number: 11057334
    Abstract: Message management and classification techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a message received from a sender for delivery via a user account is examined to extract one or more features of the message. A determination is then made as to whether the message corresponds to one or more categories based on the extracted features, the categories usable to enable features to be applied to the message in a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Midgen, Vasantha K. Vemula, Krishna Vitaldevara, Jason D. Walter, Eliot C. Gillum, Mihai Costea, Douglas J. Hines, Wei Jiang, Malcolm H. Davis, Samuel J. L. Albert, Michael James Ahiakpor
  • Publication number: 20200390026
    Abstract: A seed sensor senses seeds on a row unit and generates a seed sensor signal. A number of planting characteristics, such as a seed orientation, seed slugging, delivery system wear, and seed abnormalities, can be detected based on the seed sensor signal. The planter can be controlled based on the detected planting characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jason D. Walter, James Z. Liu
  • Publication number: 20200337223
    Abstract: An example agricultural machine comprises a material distribution system that includes a material distribution line configured to convey particulate material to a component. The agricultural machine comprises a sensing system that includes a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of a measure of a flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, a second sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of a measure of the flow of the particulate material in the material distribution line, and a correlation generation component configured to receive indications of the first and second sensor signals and to generate a correlation metric that represents a correlation between the first and second sensor signals. In one example, the correlation metric is applied to a sensor signal from a second material distribution line to determine a flow rate in the second material distribution line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Terry L. SNIPES, Robert T. CASPER, William C. HUGHES, Gerald E. RAINS, Jason D. WALTER, Elijah B. GARNER, Matt D. BARTELSON, Sahil C. DESAI, Andrew J. SCHOLL
  • Publication number: 20200281111
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Jason D. Walter, Michael E. Frasier, Lawrence D. Green, James Z. Liu, Donald K. Landphair
  • Patent number: 10285325
    Abstract: A seeding apparatus and a method is disclosed in which a seed spacing variability value is determined and displayed to the operator during a planting operation. Any method of determining variability among a set of data can be used to determine the seed spacing variability value. Three examples are shown: standard deviation; coefficient of variation; and coefficient of uniformity. Data can be stored for later comparison with harvest yield data to determine the effects of seed spacing on yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: John M. Schweitzer, Jason D. Walter, James R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10143128
    Abstract: A seeding machine includes a main frame, and a row unit coupled to the main frame. The row unit has a row unit frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the row unit frame, and a furrow opener coupled to the row unit frame, the furrow opener having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and moves soil. The row unit also includes a furrow closer, the furrow closer having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and presses soil. The seeding machine also includes a downforce adjustment system for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including a moisture sensor, a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor, and an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald K. Landphair, Michael E. Frasier, James Z. Liu, Jason D. Walter, Lawrence D. Green
  • Publication number: 20170265377
    Abstract: A seeding machine includes a main frame, and a row unit coupled to the main frame. The row unit has a row unit frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the row unit frame, and a furrow opener coupled to the row unit frame, the furrow opener having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and moves soil. The row unit also includes a furrow closer, the furrow closer having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and presses soil. The seeding machine also includes a downforce adjustment system for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including a moisture sensor, a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor, and an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Donald K. Landphair, Michael E. Frasier, James Z. Liu, Jason D. Walter, Lawrence D. Green
  • Patent number: 9675004
    Abstract: A seeding machine includes a main frame, and a row unit coupled to the main frame. The row unit has a row unit frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the row unit frame, and a furrow opener coupled to the row unit frame, the furrow opener having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and moves soil. The row unit also includes a furrow closer, the furrow closer having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and presses soil. The seeding machine also includes a downforce adjustment system for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including a moisture sensor, a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor, and an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Landphair, Michael E. Frasier, James Z. Liu, Jason D. Walter, Lawrence D. Green
  • Patent number: 9641962
    Abstract: Sensor information is received from a set of sensors. First and second sets of machine monitoring data are generated from the sensor information. The first set of machine monitoring data is sent to a control system with a display in an operator compartment of a mobile machine. The second set of machine monitoring data is sent to a processing system that is separate from the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kilworth, Scott Pilarczyk, Jason D. Walter, Tim Roszhart, Gerald E. Rains, Brent A. Smith, Sean Mahrt, James Lawrence Sachs, David C. Smart