Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating a pair of components relative to one another using complex surfaces. One component has a complex surface, where the complex surface is smoothly contoured. Another component is shaped to be connected with the first component. A fixture locates the first component relative to the second component. The fixture includes a locator with a complex surface region shaped to mate with the complex surface of the one component to locate the fixture relative to that component. The fixture includes another locator to locate the fixture relative to the second component.

Abstract: An automated seed package identification apparatus is presented that may include a sensor device configured to read a machine-readable package identifier on a seed package which identifies the seed package and/or the seeds therein. A sensor positioning mechanism adjusts the position of the sensor device with respect to a seed tray assembly which is configured to retain seed packages. The sensor positioning mechanism may include a moveable track member which translates on a stationary track member, and the sensor device may translate along the moveable track member. A control unit may instruct the sensor positioning mechanism to move with respect to the seed tray assembly to thereby read the machine-readable package identifiers with the sensor device and record the positional layout of the seed packages. One or more cameras may be configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of seed packages retained in the seed tray assembly.

Abstract: A system for aggregating data obtained from different organizations within a seed company or within multiple seed companies is provided. The system may receive seed product development data from a seed product development source, seed production data from a seed production source, and/or seed sales and/or marketing data from a seed sales and/or marketing source. The data may be aggregated in a central storage unit based on the geospatial data associated with the received data. The aggregated data may then be accessed and/or output in response to a query and/or algorithm.

Abstract: An automated seed package identification apparatus is presented that may include a sensor device configured to read a machine-readable package identifier on a seed package which identifies the seed package and/or the seeds therein. A sensor positioning mechanism adjusts the position of the sensor device with respect to a seed tray assembly which is configured to retain seed packages. The sensor positioning mechanism may include a moveable track member which translates on a stationary track member, and the sensor device may translate along the moveable track member. A control unit may instruct the sensor positioning mechanism to move with respect to the seed tray assembly to thereby read the machine-readable package identifiers with the sensor device and record the positional layout of the seed packages. One or more cameras may be configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of seed packages retained in the seed tray assembly.

Abstract: A system for aggregating data obtained from different organizations within a seed company or within multiple seed companies is provided. The system may receive seed product development data from a seed product development source, seed production data from a seed production source, and/or seed sales and/or marketing data from a seed sales and/or marketing source. The data may be aggregated in a central storage unit based on the geospatial data associated with the received data. The aggregated data may then be accessed and/or output in response to a query and/or algorithm.

Abstract: A sensor system, method, and computer program product for determining physical characteristics of individual plants within a row located in an agricultural environment is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a sensor assembly including a plurality of emitters and a corresponding plurality of receivers disposed substantially opposite one another such that the receivers may receive a plurality of signals emitted by said emitters to generate a binary profile image of each plant within a row of plants positioned along a row axis. Embodiments of the present invention also include supplementary sensors for determining other plant characteristics including leaf pattern and plant location along the row axis. The method and computer program product embodiments of the present invention may also differentiate selected plants of interest from invasive or weed species using the outputs of the sensor device of the present invention.

Abstract: A system having a processor-based process control system for a plastic injection molding machine performing a plastic injection molding process having an I/O bus network containing a plurality of I/O modules operably connected to a corresponding I/O device associated with the plastic injection molding machine and a first computer having and I/O bus controller directly connected to the I/O bus network, a real-time operating system, and a first processor executing a plastic injection molding control program for controlling the plastic injection molding process.