Patents by Inventor Peter A. Johnson

Peter A. Johnson 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: 20250098574
    Abstract: A basecutter assembly for a sugarcane harvester includes a cutting spindle powered by a first power source, and a transport spindle powered by a second power source independent of the cutting spindle. A torque sensor is coupled to the cutting spindle. A harvester controller defines a target cutting torque value for the cutting spindle based on a desired crop cut height and determines a current cutting torque of the cutting spindle while cutting the crop. The harvester controller may then control a height of the cutting spindle relative to a ground surface to maintain the current cutting torque substantially equal to the target cutting torque value to achieve the desired crop cut height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Bryan E. Dugas, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12102033
    Abstract: A harvester including an inlet configured to receive a crop including a stalk, a blade configured to cut the crop into a billet, a sensor configured to detect a three-dimensional appearance of at least a portion of the billet and generate a signal associated with the three-dimensional appearance of the at least a portion of the billet, and a control system having a processor, a memory, and a human-machine interface. The control system is configured to receive the signal from the sensor and programmed to 1) analyze the three-dimensional appearance of the at least a portion of the billet, 2) classify the three-dimensional appearance using an indicator of cut quality and 3) index the indicator of cut quality into the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan E. Dugas, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11974520
    Abstract: A control system for a harvester includes a plurality of actuators, each of which moves of one of the following: a knockdown roller for pressing crops down, a side knife for cutting crops along a substantially vertical plane, a base cutter for cutting crops along a substantially horizontal plane, and a crop divider configured to separate crops into rows. The control system also includes a controller in electrical communication with each actuator of the plurality of actuators. The controller receives a signal indicative of an operational position of at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators, and sends a signal to the at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators to initiate movement of the at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators in response to the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Rahul Gunda, Bryan E. Dugas, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11812694
    Abstract: A harvester including a mono-camera having a first field of view, where the camera outputs a first image representative of the first field of view, and where the first image is a two-dimensional representation of the first field of view. The harvester also includes a controller in operable communication with the mono-camera, where the controller establishes a second two-dimensional reference frame fixed relative to the first field of view, where the controller identifies a reference point within the first image, where the controller locates the reference point within the second two-dimensional reference frame, and where the controller calculates the location of the reference point relative to the first, three-dimensional reference frame based on the position of the reference point within the second two-dimensional reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John A. Dighton, Bryan E. Dugas, Rahul Gunda, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11788563
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a pre-charge gas pressure in a gas-charged hydraulic accumulator are disclosed. For example, systems and methods for determining pre-charged gas pressure of a gas-charged hydraulic accumulator included as part of a vehicle are disclosed. Further, the present disclosure provides for determining a pre-charge gas pressure of a gas-charged hydraulic accumulator using a position sensor. The accumulator may form part of a hydraulic system used to move one part of the vehicle relative to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Alexander C. Reiners, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11627143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A certified electronic credential may comprise a computer-readable file representative of a credential bestowed upon a recipient, in which the file is protected with one or more document integrity and document usage security feature. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential, and even an audit trail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: PARADIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Jackson, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11627144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: PARADIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Jackson, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220239667
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher S. JACKSON, Peter A. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20220151139
    Abstract: A harvester including an inlet configured to receive a crop including a stalk, a blade configured to cut the crop into a billet, a sensor configured to detect a three-dimensional appearance of at least a portion of the billet and generate a signal associated with the three-dimensional appearance of the at least a portion of the billet, and a control system having a processor, a memory, and a human-machine interface. The control system is configured to receive the signal from the sensor and programmed to 1) analyze the three-dimensional appearance of the at least a portion of the billet, 2) classify the three-dimensional appearance using an indicator of cut quality and 3) index the indicator of cut quality into the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Bryan E. Dugas, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220131875
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A certified electronic credential may comprise a computer-readable file representative of a credential bestowed upon a recipient, in which the file is protected with one or more document integrity and document usage security feature. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential, and even an audit trail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher S. JACKSON, Peter A. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11252164
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A certified electronic credential may comprise a computer-readable file representative of a credential bestowed upon a recipient, in which the file is protected with one or more document integrity and document usage security feature. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential, and even an audit trail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: PARADIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Jackson, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210332836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a pre-charge gas pressure in a gas-charged hydraulic accumulator are disclosed. For example, systems and methods for determining pre-charged gas pressure of a gas-charged hydraulic accumulator included as part of a vehicle are disclosed. Further, the present disclosure provides for determining a pre-charge gas pressure of a gas-charged hydraulic accumulator using a position sensor. The accumulator may form part of a hydraulic system used to move one part of the vehicle relative to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: ALEXANDER C. REINERS, JOHN A. DIGHTON, PETER A. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11118605
    Abstract: An exemplary method generally includes charging hydraulic fluid into or out of a cavity of an accumulator at a controlled flowrate, detecting movement of a machine component from a first position toward a second position, determining an idle time spanning from a start of the charging to detection of the movement of the machine component, and determining a pre-charge of the accumulator based upon the idle time and a flowrate value of the controlled flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Reiners, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210015042
    Abstract: A harvester including a frame supported by a drive assembly for movement along a support surface, a head unit coupled to the harvester and configured to selectively harvest crop material, a camera coupled to the frame and configured to generate one or more images of a field of view, and a controller in operable communication with the camera and the head unit, where the controller is configured to determine one or more crop attributes based at least in part on the one or more images produced by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: John A. Dighton, Bryan E. Dugas, Rahul Gunda, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200404844
    Abstract: A control system for a harvester includes a plurality of actuators, each of which moves of one of the following: a knockdown roller for pressing crops down, a side knife for cutting crops along a substantially vertical plane, a base cutter for cutting crops along a substantially horizontal plane, and a crop divider configured to separate crops into rows. The control system also includes a controller in electrical communication with each actuator of the plurality of actuators. The controller receives a signal indicative of an operational position of at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators, and sends a signal to the at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators to initiate movement of the at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators in response to the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Rahul Gunda, Bryan E. Dugas, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10827676
    Abstract: A harvester including a frame supported by a drive assembly for movement along a support surface, a head unit coupled to the harvester and configured to selectively harvest crop material, a camera coupled to the frame and configured to generate one or more images of a field of view, and a controller in operable communication with the camera and the head unit, where the controller is configured to determine one or more crop attributes based at least in part on the one or more images produced by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Dighton, Bryan E. Dugas, Rahul Gunda, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200337232
    Abstract: A method for mapping an agricultural crop in a field is provided. The method comprising receiving signals, with a control unit on an agricultural machine, from a yield sensor, which senses a yield characteristic of the crop, and a processing sensor, which senses a processing characteristic of the crop, associated with an agricultural work machine; determining the presence of a void crop plant using the received signals; determining a location of the void crop plant using at least a time and a location of the agricultural work machine; and generating a void crop map showing the location of the void crop within the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Peter A. Johnson, John A. Dighton
  • Patent number: 10806079
    Abstract: A method of moving a component of a harvester that includes a topper for cutting top portions of crops, a conveyor for transporting the cut stalks of the crops, a primary hood, and a secondary hood, each of the primary and secondary hoods operable to direct the cut top portions of the crops away from the conveyor. The method includes selecting a cutting mode of operation from the following modes of operation: circular cutting mode and face cutting mode; selecting a crop position from the following crop positions: crop at right and crop at left; selecting at least one component from the following components: the conveyor, the primary hood, or the secondary hood; and in response to selecting at least one component, automatically moving the selected at least one component to one of a first operational position or a second operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Rahul Gunda, Bryan E. Dugas, John A. Dighton, Peter A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200287912
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A certified electronic credential may comprise a computer-readable file representative of a credential bestowed upon a recipient, in which the file is protected with one or more document integrity and document usage security feature. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential, and even an audit trail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher S. JACKSON, Peter A. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 10736271
    Abstract: A method of collecting material with a harvester when a storage vehicle is spaced from the harvester includes moving material from the field into the basket, actuating the conveyor for a first time period when the sensed parameter is above the set amount, transporting a first portion of the material a first distance with the actuated conveyor, after the first time period has elapsed, stopping the conveyor to store the first portion of the material on the conveyor, after the first time period has elapsed, if the conveyor can store more material, actuating the conveyor for a second time period, transporting a second portion of the material a second distance with the actuated conveyor and transporting the first portion of the material a third distance with the actuated conveyor, and if the conveyor cannot store more material, alerting an operator that the conveyor is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter A. Johnson, Bryan E. Dugas, John A. Dighton, Rahul Gunda