Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Smith
Kevin M. Smith 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: 11974522Abstract: A method for forming a bale of crop material in an agricultural baler. The method includes rotating a baler power-take-off (PTO) shaft at a rotational speed, rotating a bale of crop material in a bale chamber, and sensing, by at least one sensor, at least one bale ejection condition. The at least one sensor is configured to provide at least one bale ejection condition value corresponding to the at least one sensed bale ejection condition. The method further includes receiving, by a controller, the at least one bale ejection condition value, and adjusting, by the controller, the rotational speed of the baler PTO shaft responsive to the at least one bale ejection condition value.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, John R. McClure
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Patent number: 11969578Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for inter-app communications between software applications on a mobile communications device. In one aspect, a computer-readable medium on a mobile computing device comprising an inter-application communication data structure to facilitate transitioning and distributing data between software applications in a shared app group for an operating system of the mobile computing device includes a scheme field of the data structure providing a scheme id associated with a target software app to transition to from a source software app, wherein the scheme id is listed on a scheme list stored with the source software app; and a payload field of the data structure providing data and/or an identification where to access data in a shared file system accessible to the software applications in the shared app group, wherein the payload field is encrypted.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Dexcom, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Morris, Scott M. Belliveau, Esteban Cabrera, Jr., Rian Draeger, Laura J. Dunn, Timothy Joseph Goldsmith, Hari Hampapuram, Christopher Robert Hannemann, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Katherine Yerre Koehler, Patrick Wile McBride, Michael Robert Mensinger, Francis William Pascual, Philip Mansiel Pellouchoud, Nicholas Polytaridis, Philip Thomas Pupa, Anna Leigh Davis, Kevin Shoemaker, Brian Christopher Smith, Benjamin Elrod West, Atiim Joseph Wiley
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Patent number: 11950537Abstract: A crop conditioning device for an agricultural harvesting machine. The crop conditioning device includes a frame, a first conditioning roll connected to the frame, and a second conditioning roll connected to the frame such that the second conditioning roll is movable relative to the first conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a tension mechanism connected to the second conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a roll-gap mechanism connected to the second conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a controller which is configured for automatically setting at least one of an initial tension force and an initial roll gap dependent upon at least one of a type of crop material and at least one operational setting.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Benjamin Steidinger, Jeffrey B. Fay, II, Kevin M. Smith, Jeffrey Laux
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Publication number: 20240091442Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for inter-app communications between software applications on a mobile communications device. In one aspect, a computer-readable medium on a mobile computing device comprising an inter-application communication data structure to facilitate transitioning and distributing data between software applications in a shared app group for an operating system of the mobile computing device includes a scheme field of the data structure providing a scheme id associated with a target software app to transition to from a source software app, wherein the scheme id is listed on a scheme list stored with the source software app; and a payload field of the data structure providing data and/or an identification where to access data in a shared file system accessible to the software applications in the shared app group, wherein the payload field is encrypted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Gary A. MORRIS, Scott M. BELLIVEAU, Esteban CABRERA, JR., Anna Leigh DAVIS, Rian W. DRAEGER, Laura J. DUNN, Timothy Joseph GOLDSMITH, Hari HAMPAPURAM, Christopher Robert HANNEMANN, Apurv Ullas KAMATH, Katherine Yerre KOEHLER, Patrick Wile MCBRIDE, Michael Robert MENSINGER, Francis William PASCUAL, Philip Mansiel PELLOUCHOUD, Nicholas POLYTARIDIS, Philip Thomas PUPA, Kevin SHOEMAKER, Brian Christopher SMITH, Benjamin Elrod WEST, Atiim Joseph WILEY
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Patent number: 11923916Abstract: A system for transmitting power and data between two circuit boards may include a fixed circuit board having a primary coil and a rotatable circuit board having a secondary coil. The system may further include a sensor in communication with the secondary coil of the rotatable circuit board. The fixed circuit board's primary coil may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil and may provide power and receive data from the sensor when inductively coupled to the secondary coil.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: NUSTEP, LLCInventors: Richard T. Smith, Daniel C. Shnidman, Kevin G. Obrigkeit, Neil M. Cole, Nathan V. Goslee
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Patent number: 11903379Abstract: A method for performing spraying operations includes monitoring a field condition of a first swath based on data received from a sensor as an agricultural sprayer makes a first pass across a field, the sensor being associated with a first boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the first pass. The method further includes controlling a nozzle assembly as the sprayer makes a second pass across the field to perform a spraying operation along the first swath based on the monitored field condition of the first swath, the nozzle assembly being associated with a second boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the second pass. Additionally, the method includes monitoring a field condition of a second swath based on data received from the sensor as the sprayer makes the second pass across the field.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Kevin M. Smith
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Publication number: 20230380330Abstract: A system for a row unit of a planting implement can include a frame. A residue manager assembly can be operably coupled with the frame. The residue manager assembly can include a ground-engaging tool. An actuator can be configured to alter a position of the ground-engaging tool relative to the frame. A sensor assembly can be configured to capture data indicative of a parameter associated with the ground-engaging tool. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor assembly. The computing system can be configured to receive the data indicative of the parameter associated with the ground-engaging tool and activate the actuator to alter the position of the ground-engaging tool relative to the frame based on a deviation of the detected position of the ground-engaging tool from a defined tool position range of the ground-engaging tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Trevor Stanhope
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Publication number: 20230366530Abstract: A directionally manipulatable view enhancement apparatus including a fixed base, a rotatable support supported on the fixed base and rotatable about a pan axis, a yoke disposed on and pivotable with respect to the rotatable support about a tilt axis substantially perpendicular to the pan axis, a pan motor that rotates the rotatable support and yoke about the pan axis, a tilt motor that rotates the yoke about the tilt axis, and a first clutch between the rotatable support and the pan motor permitting the rotatable support to rotate relative to the fixed base independently of the pan motor or a second clutch between the yoke and the tilt motor allowing the yoke to rotate relative to the rotatable support independently of the tilt motor. The yoke retains an electrical component and the pan motor and tilt motor are in electrical communication with a controller remote from the fixed base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: David J. SOUSA, Kevin M. SMITH, Sean BROWN, Tomasz J. WALCZAK
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Patent number: 11761757Abstract: A system for detecting plugging of ground-engaging tools of agricultural implements includes an aft sensor(s) configured to capture data indicative of a post-worked residue coverage of a portion of a field aft of a ground-engaging tool(s). The system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the aft sensor(s) and determine the post-worked residue coverage for the portion of the field. The controller is configured to identify when the ground-engaging tool(s) is experiencing a plugged condition based at least in part on the determined post-worked residue coverage for the field.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Kevin M. Smith
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Patent number: 11751556Abstract: A system for actuating a boom assembly of an agricultural sprayer, the system having a frame, a boom assembly supported relative to the frame, and a linkage assembly configured to couple the boom assembly to the frame. The linkage assembly includes a support arm pivotably coupled between the frame and the boom assembly, a lift actuator pivotably coupled between the frame and the support arm and configured to raise and lower the boom assembly in a vertical direction, and a nit actuator pivotably coupled between the frame and the boom assembly and configured to adjust a tilt angle of the boom assembly relative to the vertical direction. The system further includes a controller configured to selectively actuate the tilt actuator to adjust the tilt angle of the boom assembly to an operational tilt angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventor: Kevin M. Smith
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Patent number: 11751511Abstract: A method of controlling formation of a bale includes: forming a bale from crop material by rotating the bale in a bale chamber; receiving with a controller of a control system at least one operating condition value corresponding to at least one operating condition sensed by a sensor when the bale is forming; automatically determining with the controller a power take-off speed of a drive mechanism responsive to receiving the at least one received operating condition value; and applying with the control system the determined power take-off speed to the drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, John D. Gardus, John Posselius, Jan C. Van Groenigen
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Patent number: 11747000Abstract: A directionally manipulatable view enhancement apparatus including a fixed base, a rotatable support supported on the fixed base and rotatable about a pan axis, a yoke disposed on and pivotable with respect to the rotatable support about a tilt axis substantially perpendicular to the pan axis, a pan motor that rotates the rotatable support and yoke about the pan axis, a tilt motor that rotates the yoke about the tilt axis, and a first clutch between the rotatable support and the pan motor permitting the rotatable support to rotate relative to the fixed base independently of the pan motor or a second clutch between the yoke and the tilt motor allowing the yoke to rotate relative to the rotatable support independently of the tilt motor. The yoke retains an electrical component and the pan motor and tilt motor are in electrical communication with a controller remote from the fixed base.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: David J. Sousa, Kevin M. Smith, Sean Brown, Tomasz J. Walczak
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Publication number: 20230240188Abstract: An agricultural machine includes: a machine frame; and a feeder system coupled with the machine frame and including a windguard assembly, the windguard assembly being configured for selectively occupying a first position and a second position by moving therebetween, the first position being associated with a normal flow direction of a crop material relative to the feeder system, the second position being associated with a reversal of the normal flow direction of the crop material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Albert Childs, Kevin M. Smith
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Patent number: 11712005Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes: a chassis; a crop material handler carried by the chassis and configured to handle crop material; a communication interface carried by the chassis; and a controller operatively coupled to the communication interface and configured to: define a field map corresponding to a field; receive a bale drop zone input signal; define a bale drop zone within the field map based on the received bale drop zone input signal, the bale drop zone defining a location and a bale drop area within the field map; determine if the bale drop zone is sufficiently sized for a number of bales formed from crop material on the field to be placed in the bale drop zone; and output a drop zone insufficient signal if the bale drop zone is not sufficiently sized for the number of bales to be placed in the bale drop zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Devin Cooley, Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith
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Publication number: 20230200305Abstract: A bale release assembly for an agricultural baler includes: a pair of spaced apart side sheets defining a bale release opening with an opening width therebetween; a tailgate associated with the bale release opening and defining a closed position where the tailgate closes the bale release opening and an open position where the bale release opening is open; and a pair of grasping arms associated with the bale release opening and pivotable about a pivot axis. The grasping arms are each movable between a respective ramp position to form a ramp from the bale release opening to the ground and a respective grasping position where a grasping width defined between the grasping arms is greater than the opening width. The grasping arms define a ramp width therebetween that is less than the grasping width when each grasping arm is in its respective ramp position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith, Albert Childs, Daniel M. Geesey
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Publication number: 20230175996Abstract: An agricultural baler includes: a frame; a bale chamber coupled with the frame; and a control system including: at least one sensor coupled with the frame, positioned circumferentially relative to the bale chamber, and configured for sensing an operative parameter of a crop material in the bale chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith, Derek Hart
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Patent number: 11647687Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
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Publication number: 20230117784Abstract: A system for an agricultural vehicle can include a nozzle assembly positioned along a boom assembly. A position sensor can be associated with the boom assembly. A field sensor can be associated with the nozzle assembly. A computing system can be operably coupled with the nozzle assembly, the position sensor, and the field sensor. The computing system can be configured to detect a target within a field based on data from the field sensor, determine a boom deflection model based on data from the position sensor, and activate the nozzle assembly to apply an agricultural product to the target at a first flow rate based on the boom deflection model. The first flow rate is varied from a nominal flow rate when the boom assembly is deflected.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Rex Leroy Ruppert, Kevin M. Smith, Roy A. Bittner
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Patent number: 11619530Abstract: A system for detecting the operational status of ground engaging tools for agricultural implements includes an agricultural implement including a frame and a ground engaging tool coupled to the frame. The system further includes one or more sensors supported relative to the frame. The sensor(s) are configured to capture data indicative of a fluid flow past the ground engaging tool as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system further includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor(s) and identify an operational status of the ground engaging tool based at least in part on a comparison between one or more monitored values associated with the fluid flow past the ground engaging tool as the agricultural implement is moved across the field and a predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Kevin M. Smith
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Patent number: 11607703Abstract: A system for actuating a sensor of an agricultural sprayer may include a boom assembly and a sensor assembly supported on a portion of the boom assembly. The sensor assembly may include a field sensor movable relative to the portion of the boom assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, where the field sensor generates data indicative of one or more field conditions when in the extended position. The sensor assembly may further include a sensor actuator that moves the field sensor between the extended and retracted positions, and a controller that controls the sensor actuator to move the field sensor between the extended and retracted positions. The field sensor is spaced relative to the portion of the boom assembly by a larger distance when in the extended position than when in the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Kevin M. Smith