Patents by Inventor Nathaniel M. Czarnecki

Nathaniel M. Czarnecki 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).

  • Patent number: 11946230
    Abstract: A system includes a work vehicle, user interface, and controller. The work vehicle includes a frame, boom, implement, perception sensor, and ground speed sensor. The perception sensor senses an approaching environment. The user interface includes controls and indicators. The controller is coupled to the controls, indicators, perception sensor, and ground speed sensor. The controller receives a command to move the work vehicle, drives the work vehicle, determines a distance to the container, determines the ground speed, determines a boom raising start distance from the container, receives a command to raise the boom, and activates one of the indicators if the user command to raise the boom occurs prior to the work vehicle reaching the boom raising start distance from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Scott J. Breiner, Kevin W. Campbell, Kurt A. Chipperfield, Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 11879231
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlled loading by a self-propelled work vehicle comprising ground engaging units supporting a main frame, and at least one work attachment moveable with respect to the main frame for loading and unloading material in a loading area external to the work vehicle. Using at least one detector, such as cameras and/or vehicle motion sensors, location inputs for the loading area are detected respective to the main frame and/or at least one work attachment. A trigger input is detected in association with transition of the work vehicle from a first work state to an automated second work state. In the second work state, at least movement of the main frame and/or the at least one work attachment is automatically controlled relative to a defined reference associated with the loading area. Such a system and method facilitates loading operations and accordingly higher productivity regardless of operator experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki, Ryan Stumvoll
  • Publication number: 20230133175
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for object detection for a work machine. In an embodiment, data may be received from at least one sensor associated with the work machine and corresponding to a field of view extending from the main frame. Objects are classified in respective locations in the field of view, and at least one segmentation mask is generated corresponding to contours for at least one portion of, or attachment to, the work machine as determined to be in the field of view, wherein each of the at least one segmentation mask defines a respective masked zone in the field of view. One or more of the classified objects may then be determined as separate from the portion/attachment, wherein the at least one segmentation mask is applied to the portion/attachment independently of the one or more separate objects in the field of view. The at least one segmentation mask may be dynamic in nature to account for detected movements of, e.g., attachments to the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Czarnecki, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Rachel Bruflodt, Christopher B. Howard
  • Patent number: 11609562
    Abstract: A work machine has a backup camera that captures images of an area of a worksite behind the work machine. A controller identifies pre-defined markings in the worksite and localizes the pre-defined markings to the work machine, based on the images. A control signal generator generates control signals to automatically control the work machine based upon the localized markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Amy K. Jones, Brett S. Graham, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki, Gordon E. Miller, Rachel Bruflodt
  • Patent number: 11512451
    Abstract: A method of indicating to an operator of a work vehicle a relative location of an object, an object indication system, and a work vehicle are provided. The method includes sensing the object with one or more sensors positioned at one or more sensor positions on the work vehicle and activating one or more indicators positioned at one or more indicator positions relative to the operator based on the sensing of the object with the one or more sensors. Each sensor position directionally corresponds to one or more of the indicator positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Amy K. Jones, Keith J. Lensing, Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20220333344
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlled loading by a self-propelled work vehicle comprising ground engaging units supporting a main frame, and at least one work attachment moveable with respect to the main frame for loading and unloading material in a loading area external to the work vehicle. Using at least one detector, such as cameras and/or vehicle motion sensors, location inputs for the loading area are detected respective to the main frame and/or at least one work attachment. A trigger input is detected in association with transition of the work vehicle from a first work state to an automated second work state. In the second work state, at least movement of the main frame and/or the at least one work attachment is automatically controlled relative to a defined reference associated with the loading area. Such a system and method facilitates loading operations and accordingly higher productivity regardless of operator experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki, Ryan Stumvoll
  • Patent number: 11472416
    Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile machine having a set of ground engaging elements includes receiving an image of terrain proximate the mobile machine, detecting a contour of the terrain, determining a projected path of the set of ground engaging elements based on the detected contour of the terrain, and controlling a display device to display the image with an overlay representing the projected path of the ground engaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Jena M. Bartodziej, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20220127824
    Abstract: A system includes a work vehicle, user interface, and controller. The work vehicle includes a frame, boom, implement, perception sensor, and ground speed sensor. The perception sensor senses an approaching environment. The user interface includes controls and indicators. The controller is coupled to the controls, indicators, perception sensor, and ground speed sensor. The controller receives a command to move the work vehicle, drives the work vehicle, determines a distance to the container, determines the ground speed, determines a boom raising start distance from the container, receives a command to raise the boom, and activates one of the indicators if the user command to raise the boom occurs prior to the work vehicle reaching the boom raising start distance from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Scott J. Breiner, Kevin W. Campbell, Kurt A. Chipperfield, Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20220127816
    Abstract: A system includes a work vehicle, user interface, and controller. The work vehicle includes a frame, boom, implement, perception sensor, position sensor, and ground speed sensor. The perception sensor senses an approaching environment. The position sensor senses a position of the boom or implement. The user interface includes controls and indicators. The controller is coupled to the controls, indicators, perception sensor, position sensor, and ground speed sensor. The controller receives a command to move the work vehicle, drives the work vehicle, determines a distance to the container, determines the ground speed, determines the position of the boom or the implement, receives a command to raise the boom, raises the boom during travel, determines whether the distal end will reach a threshold height before the work vehicle reaches the container, and activates the indicators if the distal end will not reach the threshold height in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Scott J. Breiner, Kevin W. Campbell, Kurt A. Chipperfield, Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20210381202
    Abstract: A method of indicating to an operator of a work vehicle a relative location of an object, an object indication system, and a work vehicle are provided. The method includes sensing the object with one or more sensors positioned at one or more sensor positions on the work vehicle and activating one or more indicators positioned at one or more indicator positions relative to the operator based on the sensing of the object with the one or more sensors. Each sensor position directionally corresponds to one or more of the indicator positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: AMY K. JONES, KEITH J. LENSING, MICHAEL G. KEAN, NATHANIEL M. CZARNECKI
  • Publication number: 20210339753
    Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile machine having a set of ground engaging elements includes receiving an image of terrain proximate the mobile machine, detecting a contour of the terrain, determining a projected path of the set of ground engaging elements based on the detected contour of the terrain, and controlling a display device to display the image with an overlay representing the projected path of the ground engaging elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Mark J. CHERNEY, Jena M. BARTODZIEJ, Nathaniel M. CZARNECKI
  • Publication number: 20210333790
    Abstract: A work machine has a backup camera that captures images of an area of a worksite behind the work machine. A controller identifies pre-defined markings in the worksite and localizes the pre-defined markings to the work machine, based on the images. A control signal generator generates control signals to automatically control the work machine based upon the localized markings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Michael G. KEAN, Amy K. JONES, Brett S. GRAHAM, Nathaniel M. CZARNECKI, Gordon E. MILLER, Rachel BRUFLODT
  • Patent number: 11091100
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system utilized onboard a work vehicle includes, among other components, vehicle cameras and a display device utilized within an operator station of the work vehicle. The vehicle cameras provide vehicle camera feeds of the work vehicle's surrounding environment, as captured from different vantage points. A controller, which is coupled to the vehicle cameras and to the display device, is configured to: (i) generate, on the display device, a multi-camera display including framing icons, gallery display areas within the framing icons, and a main display area; (ii) identify a currently-selected vehicle camera feed and one or more non-selected vehicle camera feeds from the multiple vehicle camera feeds; and (iii) present the currently-selected vehicle camera feed in the main display area of the multi-camera display, while concurrently presenting the one or more non-selected vehicle camera feeds in a corresponding number of the gallery display areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20210101540
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system utilized onboard a work vehicle includes, among other components, vehicle cameras and a display device utilized within an operator station of the work vehicle. The vehicle cameras provide vehicle camera feeds of the work vehicle's surrounding environment, as captured from different vantage points. A controller, which is coupled to the vehicle cameras and to the display device, is configured to: (i) generate, on the display device, a multi-camera display including framing icons, gallery display areas within the framing icons, and a main display area; (ii) identify a currently-selected vehicle camera feed and one or more non-selected vehicle camera feeds from the multiple vehicle camera feeds; and (iii) present the currently-selected vehicle camera feed in the main display area of the multi-camera display, while concurrently presenting the one or more non-selected vehicle camera feeds in a corresponding number of the gallery display areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: Nathaniel M. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 10882468
    Abstract: A composite panoramic vision system utilized onboard a work vehicle includes a display device, a vehicle-mounted camera array, and a controller. The vehicle-mounted camera array includes, in turn, first and second vehicle cameras having partially overlapping fields of view and positioned to capture first and second camera feeds, respectively, of the work vehicle's exterior environment from different first vantage points. During operation of the composite panoramic vision system, the controller receives the first and second camera feeds from the first and second cameras, respectively; generates a composite panoramic image of the work vehicle's exterior environment from at least the first and second camera feeds; and then presents the composite panoramic image on the display device for viewing by an operator of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathaniel M. Czarnecki, John M. Hageman, Michael G. Kean