Patents by Inventor Michael R. Cozza

Michael R. Cozza 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: 20250037265
    Abstract: A system for detecting worn, damaged, or missing agricultural implement components includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to fly relative to an agricultural implement. The UAV includes a propulsion system configured to provide propulsive power to the UAV and a component status sensor mounted to the UAV and configured to generate data indicative of a status of one or more components of the agricultural implement. The system also includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the propulsion system and the component status sensor and configured to monitor the status of the component(s) of the agricultural implement based on the data generated by the component status sensor. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine when the component(s) of the agricultural implement is worn, damaged, or missing based on the monitored status of the component(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventor: Michael R. Cozza
  • Patent number: 12082517
    Abstract: A system for detecting material accumulation relative to rotating ground-engaging tools includes an agricultural implement having a frame and first and second ground-engaging tools supported relative to the frame, with the first ground-engaging tool corresponding to a different tool type than the second ground-engaging tool. The system also includes first and second speed sensor configured to provide data indicative of the rotational speeds of the first and second ground-engaging tools, respectively. In addition, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the first and second speed sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott Glovier, Michael R. Cozza, Heather Humphreys Paxinos, Jian Jiao
  • Publication number: 20240264601
    Abstract: In one aspect, an agricultural surveillance platform useful to identify an operating condition of an agricultural machine may include an autonomous sensor frame structured to fly in formation with an agricultural machine and detect an operating condition of the agricultural machine. The agricultural surveillance platform may include a propulsion system to provide propulsive power to the autonomous sensor frame, and an inertial measurement unit configured to generate flight data measurements. The agricultural surveillance platform may also include an object detection sensor having a field of view sized to capture an image scene that includes the agricultural machine and generate scene data representing the image scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventor: Michael R. Cozza
  • Patent number: 12004442
    Abstract: A system for detecting material accumulation relative to rotating ground-penetrating tools of an agricultural implement includes an agricultural implement having a frame and at least one rotating ground-penetrating tool supported relative to the frame. The rotating ground-penetrating tool(s) is configured to penetrate into the ground to a given penetration depth. The system also includes a tool speed sensor configured to provide data indicative of a rotational speed of the ground-penetrating tool(s) and a computing system communicatively coupled to the tool speed sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the rotational speed of the ground-penetrating tool(s) based on the data provided by the tool speed sensor, determine a threshold rotational speed based at least in part on the penetration depth of the ground-penetrating tool(s), and determine when the rotational speed of the ground-penetrating tool(s) falls below the threshold rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott Glovier, Michael R. Cozza, Heather Humphreys Paxinos, Jian Jiao
  • Publication number: 20240180055
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame, a ground-engaging tool supported on the frame, and a sensor. Additionally, the implement includes a sensor support assembly configured to support the sensor relative to the frame. The sensor support assembly includes a first support arm extending along a longitudinal axis of the from a first end to a second end, with the first end coupled to the frame and the second end coupled to the sensor. Moreover, the sensor support assembly includes a second support arm extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end, with the first end coupled to the frame and the second end arm coupled to the sensor. In addition, an oblique angle is defined between the longitudinal axis of the first support arm and the longitudinal axis of the second support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle J. Kapraun, Michael R. Cozza, Joshua D. Knoblauch
  • Publication number: 20240177538
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating performance of agricultural implements includes moving an agricultural implement in a direction of travel along a first swath of a field, and receiving data associated with a field profile of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the agricultural implement relative to the direction of travel as the implement is being moved along the first swath, with the aft portion including both the first swath and a second swath of the field located adjacent the first swath. The method also includes determining one or more profile parameters associated with the first swath and the second swath based at least in part on the data, and comparing the one or more profile parameters for the first swath to the one or more profile parameters for the second swath to assess an operating performance of the agricultural implement within the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventor: Michael R. Cozza
  • Publication number: 20240164239
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the status of shank assembly of agricultural implements includes a shank assembly configured to supported relative to an agricultural implement, the shank assembly including a shank. The system also includes a surface profile sensor configured generate data indicative of a surface profile of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the shank assembly relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. Additionally, the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the surface profile sensor. The controller is configured to monitor the data received from the surface profile sensor and determine an operating status of the shank assembly based at least in part on the surface profile of the aft portion of the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventor: Michael R. Cozza
  • Publication number: 20230184909
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to emit output signals for reflection off of a surface and detect reflections of the output signals as return signals. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a computing system configured to control the sensor such that the sensor emits the output signals for reflection off of a calibration device including a base portion and a plurality of projections extending outward from the base portion such that a top surface of the calibration device approximates a surface profile of the field. Moreover, the computing system is configured to receive data indicative of a profile of the top surface of the calibration device from the sensor in a spatial domain. Additionally, the computing system is configured to convert the received data to a frequency domain using a spectral analysis technique and calibrate an operation of the sensor based on the converted data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Surya Saket Dasika, Michael R. Cozza, Thamer Z. Alharbi
  • Publication number: 20230180650
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a sensor supported on the frame. The sensor, in turn, is configured to emit output signals for refection off of a field surface of a field and detect reflections of the output signals as return signals. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the sensor. In this respect, the computing system configured to receive data associated with the detected reflections from the sensor and fit a line or plane to received data. In addition, the computing system is configured to determine at least one of an orientation of the frame or a distance between the frame and the field surface based on the fitted line or plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Sai Raghavendra Prasad Poosa, Surya Saket Dasika, Michael R. Cozza, Thamer Z. Alharbi
  • Patent number: 11624829
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil clod size distribution as an agricultural implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a vision-based sensor provided in operative association with one of the work vehicle or the agricultural implement. As such, the vision-based sensor may be configured to capture vision data associated with a portion of the field present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to receive vision data from the vision-based sensor. Moreover, the controller may be further configured to analyze the received vision data using a spectral analysis technique to determine a size distribution of soil clods present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Surya Saket Dasika, Michael R. Cozza
  • Patent number: 11528836
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include first and second ground-engaging tools configured to perform first and second operations, respectively, on a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. Furthermore, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to determine a first value of a field characteristic based on the received sensor data and adjust an operating parameter of the first ground-engaging tool based on the determined first value. After adjusting the operating parameter of the first ground-engaging tool, the controller may be configured to determine a second value of the field characteristic based on the sensor data and adjust an operating parameter of the second ground-engaging tool based on the determined second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mircea F. Lupu, Thamer Z. Alharbi, Andrew Wilson, Michael R. Cozza
  • Patent number: 11503756
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil levelness as an agricultural implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a vision-based sensor configured to capture vision data associated with a portion of the field present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. A controller of the system may be configured to receive, from the vision-based sensor, the vision data associated with the portion of the field present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a soil levelness of the portion of the field present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor based on a spectral analysis of the received vision data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Cozza, Mircea F. Lupu, Surya Saket Dasika, Sai Raghavendra Prasad Poosa, Thamer Z. Alharbi
  • Publication number: 20220338405
    Abstract: A system for detecting material accumulation relative to rotating ground-penetrating tools of an agricultural implement includes an agricultural implement having a frame and at least one rotating ground-penetrating tool supported relative to the frame. The rotating ground-penetrating tool(s) is configured to penetrate into the ground to a given penetration depth. The system also includes a tool speed sensor configured to provide data indicative of a rotational speed of the ground-penetrating tool(s) and a computing system communicatively coupled to the tool speed sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the rotational speed of the ground-penetrating tool(s) based on the data provided by the tool speed sensor, determine a threshold rotational speed based at least in part on the penetration depth of the ground-penetrating tool(s), and determine when the rotational speed of the ground-penetrating tool(s) falls below the threshold rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Glovier, Michael R. Cozza, Heather Humphreys Paxinos, Jian Jiao
  • Publication number: 20220338406
    Abstract: A system for detecting material accumulation relative to rotating ground-engaging tools includes an agricultural implement having a frame and first and second ground-engaging tools supported relative to the frame, with the first ground-engaging tool corresponding to a different tool type than the second ground-engaging tool. The system also includes first and second speed sensor configured to provide data indicative of the rotational speeds of the first and second ground-engaging tools, respectively. In addition, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the first and second speed sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Glovier, Michael R. Cozza, Heather Humphreys Paxinos, Jian Jiao
  • Patent number: 11369052
    Abstract: A system for monitoring basket plugging for agricultural implements includes a basket assembly configured to be supported by an agricultural implement and a range sensor positioned relative to the basket assembly such that the range sensor is configured to transmit detection signals towards an interior of the basket assembly and receive return signals based on reflection of the detection signals off at least one surface. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the range sensor. The controller is configured to analyze data received from the range sensor as the basket assembly rotates relative to the range sensor to determine when the basket assembly is experiencing a plugged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Cozza, Scott Glovier, Raul Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20210153418
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include first and second ground-engaging tools configured to perform first and second operations, respectively, on a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. Furthermore, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to determine a first value of a field characteristic based on the received sensor data and adjust an operating parameter of the first ground-engaging tool based on the determined first value. After adjusting the operating parameter of the first ground-engaging tool, the controller may be configured to determine a second value of the field characteristic based on the sensor data and adjust an operating parameter of the second ground-engaging tool based on the determined second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Mircea F. Lupu, Thamer Z. Alharbi, Andrew Wilson, Michael R. Cozza
  • Patent number: 11015993
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring the operational status of ground-engaging tools includes an attachment structure, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot point, and a shear pin at least partially extending through both the attachment structure and ground-engaging tool. In addition, the system includes a conductive member extending within the shear pin to form an electrical circuit therein, and a wireless circuit monitor coupled to the conductive member such that the circuit monitor is configured to detect a circuit parameter associated with the electrical circuit. Moreover, the system includes an antenna configured to receive data transmitted wirelessly from the circuit monitor that is indicative of the circuit parameter, and a controller configured to monitor the data received by the antenna and identify a change in a working condition of the shear pin based on a detected variation in the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott Glovier, Raul Espinosa, Michael R. Cozza
  • Publication number: 20210102856
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring the operational status of ground-engaging tools includes an attachment structure, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot point, and a shear pin at least partially extending through both the attachment structure and ground-engaging tool. In addition, the system includes a conductive member extending within the shear pin to form an electrical circuit therein, and a wireless circuit monitor coupled to the conductive member such that the circuit monitor is configured to detect a circuit parameter associated with the electrical circuit. Moreover, the system includes an antenna configured to receive data transmitted wirelessly from the circuit monitor that is indicative of the circuit parameter, and a controller configured to monitor the data received by the antenna and identify a change in a working condition of the shear pin based on a detected variation in the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Glovier, Raul Espinosa, Michael R. Cozza
  • Publication number: 20210084805
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil levelness as an agricultural implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a vision-based sensor configured to capture vision data associated with a portion of the field present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. A controller of the system may be configured to receive, from the vision-based sensor, the vision data associated with the portion of the field present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a soil levelness of the portion of the field present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor based on a spectral analysis of the received vision data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael R. Cozza, Mircea F. Lupu, Surya Saket Dasika, Sai Raghavendra Prasad Poosa, Thamer Z. Alharbi
  • Publication number: 20210080586
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil clod size distribution as an agricultural implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a vision-based sensor provided in operative association with one of the work vehicle or the agricultural implement. As such, the vision-based sensor may be configured to capture vision data associated with a portion of the field present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to receive vision data from the vision-based sensor. Moreover, the controller may be further configured to analyze the received vision data using a spectral analysis technique to determine a size distribution of soil clods present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Surya Saket Dasika, Michael R. Cozza