Patents by Inventor Noel Wayne Anderson

Noel Wayne Anderson 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: 11422519
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes deter mining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine based on i) determining a first distance between a first side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine and ii) determining a second distance between a second side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine, the first side is opposite the second side; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; and when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode to steer the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Publication number: 20200133216
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes deter mining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine based on i) determining a first distance between a first side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine and ii) determining a second distance between a second side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine, the first side is opposite the second side; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; and when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode to steer the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Patent number: 10539935
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes determining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Publication number: 20170269564
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes determining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Patent number: 9709969
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying a machine configuration, the machine configuration comprising a host machine connected to an auxiliary machine; determining a desired trajectory based on at least one of the host machine turning, a desired work path, or an alignment of the host machine and the auxiliary machine; and controlling steering of the auxiliary machine based on a desired trajectory of the host machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Patent number: 9538714
    Abstract: Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method and system for determining individual resource needs for each plant in a plurality of plants. Current conditions are identified using a sensor system. A plurality of per plant prescriptions are calculated for the plurality of plants using the individual resource needs and the current conditions. A resource is obtained from a selected resource source in a number of resource sources. The resource is stored in a mobile utility vehicle and applied from the mobile utility vehicle to each plant in the plurality of plants according to the plurality of per plant prescriptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9511633
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for managing an interface between a machine or work vehicle and a surface that the machine/work vehicle travels on in order to provide an optimum work performance level that balances fuel efficiency and surface adversity. Fleet management and reporting capabilities pertaining to such interface management are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Larry Lee Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9485900
    Abstract: A plug detection system for an agricultural implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a rotational speed sensor, a ground speed sensing system, and a controller. The rotational speed sensor may be configured to detect a rotational speed of the ground-engaging tool. The ground speed sensing system may be configured to detect a ground speed of the agricultural implement. The controller may be in communication with the rotational speed sensor and the ground speed sensing system and may be configured to determine a threshold rotational speed based on the ground speed and send an alert signal when the rotational speed is below the threshold rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Connell, Noel Wayne Anderson, Robert Thomas Casper
  • Patent number: 9426230
    Abstract: A system and method for intelligent computer-implemented downloading of up-to-date information at times when access to data connections are available to improve user efficiency. The system assesses data relevance, calculates the amount of time available for data connections, and prioritizes data downloads based on information relevance, file sizes, download times and other parameters to determine what information to download while access to a connection is available so that the information can be used at a later time when access to a connection may not be available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9357759
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a chemical dispersion system comprising a number of chemical dispersion nodes, a chemical dispersion manager, and a processor unit. The processor unit executes the chemical dispersion manager to identify a pest problem and generate a chemical dispersion plan for execution by the number of chemical dispersion nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9357760
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a chemical dispersion system comprising a number of chemical dispersion nodes, a chemical dispersion manager, and a processor unit. The processor unit executes the chemical dispersion manager to identify a pest problem and generate a chemical dispersion plan for execution by the number of chemical dispersion nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160088787
    Abstract: A plug detection system for an agricultural implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a rotational speed sensor, a ground speed sensing system, and a controller. The rotational speed sensor may be configured to detect a rotational speed of the ground-engaging tool. The ground speed sensing system may be configured to detect a ground speed of the agricultural implement. The controller may be in communication with the rotational speed sensor and the ground speed sensing system and may be configured to determine a threshold rotational speed based on the ground speed and send an alert signal when the rotational speed is below the threshold rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Connell, Noel Wayne Anderson, Robert Thomas Casper
  • Patent number: 9274524
    Abstract: A method and system that facilitates operation of autonomous equipment by providing a mission planner to maintain line-of-sight contact between a plurality of coordinated machines, including a method for maintaining line-of-sight (LoS) communication between a plurality of machines that creates a mission plan for a work site that includes a path plan for each of the plurality of machines that maintains the line-of-sight communication between the plurality of machines by taking into account a topography for the work site; and loads the path plan for each respective one of the plurality of machines into each respective one of the plurality of machines, wherein the path plan specifies a machine travel path for each respective one of the plurality of machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160029547
    Abstract: A soil distribution indicator is generated, and indicates a soil distribution. An action signal is automatically generated based on the soil distribution indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Casper, Rick B. Theilen, John M. Schweitzer, Victor Saul Sierra, Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9235214
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method for controlling a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a dynamic condition is identified and the vehicle is controlled using a knowledge base comprising a fixed knowledge base and a learned knowledge base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9188980
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for processing sensor data and controlling the movement of a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, an operating environment around the vehicle is identified and sensor data is selected from a set of sensors. The movement of the vehicle is controlled based on the operating environment identified. In another illustrative embodiment, a sensor system has some sensors that are more accurate in a particular environment than other sensors. A dynamic condition is identified by the sensor system and commands are sent to the steering system, the propulsion system, and the braking system to move the vehicle using the sensor data detected by the sensor system. The environment is identified using the plurality of different types of sensors on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9076105
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for performing horticultural tasks comprising a number of data storage devices, a diagnostic system, and a processor unit. The number of data storage devices includes a horticultural knowledge base, a logistics database, and a home site database. The processor unit executes the diagnostic system and accesses the horticultural knowledge base, the logistics database, and the home site database on the number of data storage devices to identify a horticultural need for a plurality of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150177736
    Abstract: A method and system that facilitates operation of autonomous equipment by providing a mission planner to maintain line-of-sight contact between a plurality of coordinated machines, including a method for maintaining line-of-sight (LoS) communication between a plurality of machines that creates a mission plan for a work site that includes a path plan for each of the plurality of machines that maintains the line-of-sight communication between the plurality of machines by taking into account a topography for the work site; and loads the path plan for each respective one of the plurality of machines into each respective one of the plurality of machines, wherein the path plan specifies a machine travel path for each respective one of the plurality of machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9043129
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a speed of a mobile machine is provided. Image data of a location is collected where currently generated sensor data and previously generated sensor data indicate a discontinuity in sensor data. The image data is analyzed to determine if a non-motion blur score for the image data is above a threshold value. Then, a speed of the mobile machine is adjusted based on a determination that the non-motion blur score is above the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary Thomas Bonefas, Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 9026315
    Abstract: A method and system that facilitates operation of autonomous equipment by providing a mission planner to maintain line-of-sight contact between a plurality of coordinated machines, including a method for maintaining line-of-sight (LoS) communication between a plurality of machines that creates a mission plan for a work site that includes a path plan for each of the plurality of machines that maintains the line-of-sight communication between the plurality of machines by taking into account a topography for the work site; and loads the path plan for each respective one of the plurality of machines into each respective one of the plurality of machines, wherein the path plan specifies a machine travel path for each respective one of the plurality of machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson