Patents by Inventor Justin Koch
Justin Koch 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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Publication number: 20220124969Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring an agricultural implement. An example method includes, as an agricultural implement traverses a field, transmitting command signals to an implement actuator of the agricultural implement, whereby the implement actuator implements operating parameters associated with prescription data for the field. The method also includes receiving, at a monitor device, raw as-applied data from an implement sensor associated with the implement actuator, processing the raw as-applied data into processed as-applied data, and storing the processed as-applied data in a memory. The method further includes rendering a map representing the processed as-applied data, where the rendered map includes one or more application map images indicative of the processed as-applied data over an image of at least part of the field, and then displaying the rendered map.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Justin Koch, Doug Sauder, Tim Sauder, Jakob Stuber
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Patent number: 11307074Abstract: A method of calibrating a yield sensor of a harvesting machine. The yield sensor generates a grain force signal as clean grain piles are thrown by the elevator flights against the sensor surface of the yield sensor. A grain height sensor is disposed to detect a height of the clean grain pile on each passing elevator flight. Each grain height signal is associated with a corresponding grain force signal by applying a time shift to account for a time delay between the time the grain height signal is generated and the time at which the impact signal is generated. The grain force signal is corrected by multiplying the grain force signal by a correction factor. The correction factor is the sum of the grain height signals divided by the sum of the grain force signals over a predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Michael Strnad, Justin Koch
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Patent number: 11252857Abstract: In one aspect, a crop input applicator is provided. In one aspect, the applicator comprises a valve (e.g., voice coil valve) disposed to deposit liquid on or near a seed furrow and/or on or near a seed. In one aspect, the applicator includes one or more seed sensors disposed to detect passage of seeds.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: 360 YIELD CENTER, LLCInventors: Tyler Ritland, Connor Hesterberg, Timothy Sauder, Brandon Tate, Jonathan T. Welte, Justin Koch, Phillip Baurer
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Patent number: 11219155Abstract: A system and method for monitoring an agricultural implement. The system includes a monitor device, a communication module and a display device. The monitor device is in electrical communication with a plurality of sensors monitoring the operation of agricultural implement. The implement sensors generate “as-applied” data. The as-applied data is processed and transmitted to a display device via a communication module. The display device renders maps representing the as-applied data. The generated maps may be accessed and displayed as map overlays on a display device with a common view characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: The Climate CorporationInventors: Justin Koch, Doug Sauder, Tim Sauder, Jakob Stuber
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Patent number: 11191219Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for capturing images of a field and performing agricultural data analysis of the images. In one embodiment, a computer system for monitoring field operations includes a database for storing agricultural image data including images of at least one stage of crop development that are captured with at least one of an apparatus and a remote sensor moving through a field. The computer includes at least one processing unit that is coupled to the database. The at least one processing unit is configured to execute instructions to analyze the captured images, to determine relevant images that indicate a change in at least one condition of the crop development, and to generate a localized view map layer for viewing the field at the at least one stage of crop development based on at least the relevant captured images.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: THE CLIMATE CORPORATIONInventors: Phil Baurer, Justin Koch, Doug Sauder, Brad Stoller
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Publication number: 20210015024Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for agricultural data analysis. In one embodiment, a computer system for monitoring field operations includes a database for storing agricultural data including yield and field data and at least one processing unit that is coupled to the database. The at least one processing unit is configured to execute instructions to monitor field operations, to store agricultural data, to automatically determine whether at least one correlation between different variables or parameters of the agricultural data exceeds a threshold, and to perform analysis of the agricultural data to identify a category of man-made issues or other issues that have potentially caused the correlation when at least one correlation occurs between different variables or parameters of the agricultural data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: DOUG SAUDER, CORY MUHLBAUER, Justin KOCH
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Publication number: 20210003743Abstract: Described herein are systems and method for monitoring weather conditions and controlling field operations based on the weather conditions. In one embodiment, a system for monitoring weather conditions for field operations includes a plurality of weather devices for monitoring weather conditions of fields with at least at one weather device in proximity to each field being monitored and at least one weather device having an electronics module for determining weather data including precipitation data. The system also includes an agricultural computer system having at least one processing unit for executing instructions for monitoring weather conditions. The at least one processing unit is configured to execute instructions to receive weather data from the plurality of weather devices for monitoring weather conditions of fields, to process the weather data, and to generate data including precipitation rate for monitoring weather conditions and operations of the plurality of weather devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Dale Koch, Todd Swanson, Justin Koch
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Publication number: 20200352086Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
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Publication number: 20200329630Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired seed population rate during periods of acceleration of the agricultural planter. In one method, if the horizontal acceleration of the planter is greater than a predefined upper threshold, the seed disc is driven at a rotational speed to maintain the desired seed population rate based on a highest stable ground speed. In another method, if the horizontal acceleration is less than a predefined lower acceleration threshold, the seed disc is driven at a rotational speed to maintain the desired seed population rate based on a lowest stable ground speed. In another method, if the horizontal acceleration is less than the predefined upper acceleration threshold and is greater than the predefined lower acceleration threshold, the seed disc is driven at a rotational speed to maintain the desired seed population rate based on an a preferred planter ground speed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Phil Baurer, Keith Beyer, Ben Schlipf, Justin Koch
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Patent number: 10791666Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for agricultural data analysis. In one embodiment, a computer system for monitoring field operations includes a database for storing agricultural data including yield and field data and at least one processing unit that is coupled to the database. The at least one processing unit is configured to execute instructions to monitor field operations, to store agricultural data, to automatically determine whether at least one correlation between different variables or parameters of the agricultural data exceeds a threshold, and to perform analysis of the agricultural data to identify a category of man-made issues or other issues that have potentially caused the correlation when at least one correlation occurs between different variables or parameters of the agricultural data.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: THE CLIMATE CORPORATIONInventors: Doug Sauder, Cory Muhlbauer, Justin Koch
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Patent number: 10785905Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
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Publication number: 20200296885Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
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Patent number: 10768340Abstract: Described herein are systems and method for monitoring weather conditions and controlling field operations based on the weather conditions. In one embodiment, a system for monitoring weather conditions for field operations includes a plurality of weather devices for monitoring weather conditions of fields with at least at one weather device in proximity to each field being monitored and at least one weather device having an electronics module for determining weather data including precipitation data. The system also includes an agricultural computer system having at least one processing unit for executing instructions for monitoring weather conditions. The at least one processing unit is configured to execute instructions to receive weather data from the plurality of weather devices for monitoring weather conditions of fields, to process the weather data, and to generate data including precipitation rate for monitoring weather conditions and operations of the plurality of weather devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: THE CLIMATE CORPORATIONInventors: Dale Koch, Todd Swanson, Justin Koch
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Publication number: 20200264025Abstract: A method of calibrating a yield sensor of a harvesting machine. The yield sensor generates a grain force signal as clean grain piles are thrown by the elevator flights against the sensor surface of the yield sensor. A grain height sensor is disposed to detect a height of the clean grain pile on each passing elevator flight. Each grain height signal is associated with a corresponding grain force signal by applying a time shift to account for a time delay between the time the grain height signal is generated and the time at which the impact signal is generated. The grain force signal is corrected by multiplying the grain force signal by a correction factor. The correction factor is the sum of the grain height signals divided by the sum of the grain force signals over a predetermined period.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Michael Strnad, Justin Koch
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Patent number: 10736258Abstract: A seeding control system and method to improve yield by minimizing overplanting and underplanting during planting operations. As the planter traverses the field, a precise seed placement map is created by associating the time of each seed pulse generated by the seed sensors with the location of a GPS unit. Based on the generated seed placement map, a stop-planting boundary is defined by previously planted seed or other field boundary such that when a swath of the planter crosses over the stop-planting boundary the swath controllers disengage the drivers of the corresponding seed meters to prevent planting of seeds. The swath controllers cause the drivers to reengage allowing planting to resume when the affected swaths pass out of the stop planting boundary.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Phil Baurer, Keith Beyer, Ben Schlipf, Justin Koch
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Publication number: 20200224808Abstract: A delivery assembly for a crop input delivery system. The delivery system includes a boom adapted to be supported at a proximal end from a mobile vehicle, the mobile vehicle holding a supply of the crop input, the boom supporting a conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with the supply of crop input. The delivery system further includes a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler is supported on a distal end of the boom and is coupled to the conduit. The second coupler is in fluid communication with a storage tank disposed on the implement, the second coupler configured to fluidly couple with the first coupler. A clamping assembly releasably couples the first and second couplers in fluid engagement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Nowell Moore, Justin Koch, Jesse Kaiser, Nathan Bidner
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Patent number: 10681862Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: THE CLIMATE CORPORATIONInventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
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Patent number: 10677628Abstract: A method of determining a mass flow rate, volumetric flow and test weight of grain during harvesting operations. A sensor is disposed in the harvesting machine against which clean grain piles are thrown by the clean grain elevator flights. The sensor changes the direction of the clean grain pile such that each clean grain pile compresses into a substantially discrete, contiguous shape producing discrete grain forces resulting in discrete signal pulse magnitudes generated by the sensor. The mass flow rate is calculated by summing the signal magnitudes and dividing the summed magnitudes by the sampling period. The volumetric flow rate is calculated by multiplying the pulse width generated by the sensor by a multiplier which relates pulse width to volumetric flow. The test weight of the clean grain is calculated by dividing the mass flow rate by the volumetric flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Michael Strnad, Justin Koch
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Publication number: 20200132658Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated sensor system with modular sensors and wireless connectivity components for monitoring properties of field soil is described. In an embodiment, an integrated sensor system comprises one or more sensors that are configured to determine one or more measures of at least one property of soil. The integrated sensor system also includes one or more processing units that are configured to receive, from the sensors, the measures of at least one property of soil and calculate soil property data based on the measures. The system further includes a transmitter that is configured to receive the soil property data from the processing units, establish a communications connection with at least one computer device, and automatically transmit the soil property data to the at least one computer device via the communications connection. In an embodiment, the communications connection is a wireless connection established between the transmitter and a smart hub or a LoRA-enabled device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Justin Koch, Michael H. Malone, Phil David Baurer, Nalini Gupta, Calden Nathaniel Carroll Stimpson, Andreas Markus Wenzel, Jordan Kusiek, Michael Gall, Jeffrey Lawrence Kohne, Eric L. Borrowman
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Publication number: 20200126166Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring one or more agricultural implements during agricultural operations and for monitoring operator performance criterion. In some embodiment, the operator performance criterion may be reported to a monitor on the agricultural implement as well as a remote fleet monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Justin Koch, William Frank, Doug Sauder