Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting a location of an object relative to the agricultural harvester and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices receive first data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the first data indicating the location of the object relative to the agricultural harvester, receive image data from the camera and use the image data to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle. If the object is a receiving vehicle, the one or more computing devices use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of the unload conveyor and the receiving vehicle. An electronic device including a graphical user interface presents the graphical representation on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural harvester with an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices detect the presence of an object using data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, use image data from the camera to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle and, if the object is a receiving vehicle, generate automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align an unload conveyor of the agricultural harvester with a grain bin of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: One or more computing devices are configured to receiving image data from a camera on a harvester during a harvest operation, apply a machine learning model to identify, using only image data from the camera, a receiving vehicle from among a plurality of possible different receiving vehicles, determine dimensions associated with the identified receiving vehicle, and determine, using the dimensions and the image data, a location of the receiving vehicle relative to the harvester. An electronic device including a graphical user interface is configured to receive the location data from the one or more computing devices, use the location data to generate a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of an unload conveyor of the harvester and a grain bin of the receiving vehicle, and present the graphical representation on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an unload conveyor for transferring a stream of processed crop out of the agricultural harvester and a camera for capturing images of an area proximate the agricultural harvester and generating image data. A computing device is configured to receive the image data from the camera during a harvest operation; apply a machine learning model to identify, using only image data from the camera, a receiving vehicle from among a plurality of possible different receiving vehicles; determine dimensions associated with the identified receiving vehicle; determine, using the dimensions and the image data, a location of the receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester; and generate automated navigation data based on the location of the receiving vehicle, the automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align an unloading conveyor with the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural crop receiving vehicle with a bin for receiving and holding agricultural crop material and a camera positioned to capture images of an area proximate the receiving vehicle. One or more computing devices receive the image data from the camera, identify one or more features of a harvester in the image data, determine a location of the agricultural harvester relative to the crop receiving vehicle, and use the location of the agricultural harvester to generate control signals for controlling movement of the agricultural crop receiving vehicle to coordinate receiving crop material in the bin from the harvester or for controlling a graphical user interface to present a visual indicator of the relative locations of the agricultural crop receiving vehicle and the agricultural harvester.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural crop receiving vehicle with a bin for receiving and holding agricultural crop material and an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for generating data indicating the presence and location of a harvester proximate the agricultural crop receiving vehicle. One or more one or more computing devices are configured to receive the data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, determine a location of the harvester relative to the agricultural crop receiving vehicle, and use the location information to generate control signals for controlling movement of the agricultural crop receiving vehicle to coordinate receiving crop material in the bin from the harvester or for controlling a graphical user interface to present a visual indicator of the relative locations of the agricultural crop receiving vehicle and the harvester.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor for reducing crop material to processed crop and an unload conveyor for transferring processed crop out of the agricultural harvester. One or more sensors generate data indicating a fill level of processed crop within a receiving vehicle. A camera generates image data including at least a portion of the receiving vehicle. A controller receives the data from the one or more sensors, determines the fill level of the processed crop in the grain bin of the receiving vehicle, receives the image data from the camera and generates a graphical indicator of the fill level. The graphical indicator includes a graphical depiction of the receiving vehicle from the image data and a graphical marker superimposed over at least a portion of the graphical depiction of the receiving vehicle. A graphical user interface presents the graphical indicator of the fill level to a user.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies that use LIDAR and computer vision to detect locations of receiving vehicles grouped together relative to a forage harvester and detect fill levels of crop material within each receiving vehicle and path and landing position of material expelled from the harvester into a bin of a receiving vehicle of the group. Such information is used as feedback for operating the harvester or one or more self-propelled vehicles moving the receiving vehicles. Some embodiments detect ground level in front of the harvester or the receiving vehicles and use such information as feedback. Some embodiments include a link to communicate the feedback to a GUI for user visualization of the feedback and semi-automated operations. For example, readings from LIDAR and a camera of the harvester detect a position and a crop material fill level for each receiving vehicle in the group, and the GUI outputs the information.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies that use LIDAR and computer vision to detect a location of a receiving vehicle relative to a forage harvester, fill levels of crop material within the receiving vehicle, and path and landing position of material expelled from the forage harvester and received by a bin of the receiving vehicle. The technologies use such information as feedback for operating the harvester or the receiving vehicle. Some embodiments detect ground level in front of the harvester or the receiving vehicle, and such information is used as feedback too. Some embodiments include a link to communicate the feedback to a GUI for user visualization of the feedback and semi-automated operations of the harvester or the receiving vehicle. For example, readings from LIDAR and a camera of the harvester detect a topography of the material deposited in the bin of the receiving vehicle, and a GUI outputs the topography.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mapping the distribution of residue material in an environment in which one or more agricultural machines are operable. A sensing arrangement including one or more sensors mounted or otherwise coupled to an agricultural machine operating within the environment is used to obtain sensor data indicative of residue material spread by a spreader tool of the machine. A local distribution of material associated with the spreader tool is determined and used to update a map of a global distribution of the material across the environment. The map of the global distribution comprises one or more sub-regions categorized based on the local distribution dependent on material characteristics at those sub-regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping the distribution of residue material in an environment in which one or more agricultural machines are operable. A sensing arrangement having one or more sensors mounted or otherwise coupled to an agricultural machine operating within the environment is used to obtain sensor data indicative of residue material spread by a spreader tool of the agricultural machine. From this a local distribution of residue material associated with the spreader tool is determined which is used to update a map of a global distribution of the residue material across the environment. The map comprises a grid-based map having a plurality of cells corresponding to sub-regions within the environment, wherein a value associated with each cell is representative of a measure of the residue material present within the corresponding sub-region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine. A sensing arrangement including one or more sensors, with the sensors defining a sensing region corresponding to an operating area of the spreader tool. A lighting arrangement including one or more light sources for illumination to at least part of the sensing region depending on a capture state of the one or more sensors of the sensing arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including receiving image data from an imaging sensor indicative of a residue material spread by the spreader tool within a sensing region rearwards of the agricultural machine and where one or more image transformations are applied to image data to generate an enhanced image of the distribution of the residue material including colour, distortion and/or correction transformations for generating an enhanced image for view by an operator of the machine and controlling a user interface associated with the agricultural machine to provide an indicator indicative of the enhanced image which is easily interpreted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including a first sensor with a sensing region defining a first sensing boundary corresponding to a first direction with respect to the agricultural machine, a second sensor with a sensing region defining a second sensing boundary corresponding to a second direction with respect to the agricultural machine, and using the sensing data from the first and second sensors to determine a distribution of residue material associated with the spreader tool. One or more systems of the agricultural machine are then controlled based on the determined distribution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including an imaging sensor coupled to an unloading auger of the agricultural machine used to image an area to the rear of the agricultural machine where the Image data is analysed to determine a distribution of residue material associated with the spreader tool and one or more operational parameters of the agricultural machine or components are controlled based on the determined distribution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including a sensor, preferably a LIDAR or other scanning transceiver-type sensor mounted or otherwise coupled to the machine and orientated with a sensing region pointing rearwards of the agricultural machine, where operational data indicative of an operational parameter of the spreader tool is obtained and used to control operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a crop processor, a grain tank, an unloading conveyor, and an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module positioned at or above a top of the grain tank for detecting a fill level of the grain tank and the location of a receiving vehicle relative to the combine harvester. One or more computing devices of the combine harvester are configured for receiving data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the data indicating the fill level of the grain tank and the location of the receiving vehicle relative to the combine harvester, and generating automated navigation data based on the data received from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the combine harvester and the receiving vehicle to align the unloading conveyor with the grain bin of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor, an unload conveyor and first and second a first electromagnetic detecting and ranging modules. One or more computing devices are configured to receive first data from the first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the first data indicating the location of a receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester, receive second data from the second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the second data indicating at least one of a fill level and a distribution of grain in the receiving vehicle, and generate automated navigation data based on the first data and the second data, the automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align the unloading conveyor with the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A harvester includes a first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting the location of a receiving vehicle and a second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting at least one of a fill level and a distribution of processed crop in a grain bin of the receiving vehicle. One or more computing devices are configured to receive first data from the first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, receive second data from the second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of an unload conveyor of the harvester and the grain bin and illustrating at least one of a fill level and a distribution of processed crop in the grain bin. An electronic device is configured to use the graphic data to present the graphical representation on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural harvester with an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices detect the presence of an object using data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, use image data from the camera to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle and, if the object is a receiving vehicle, generate automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align an unload conveyor of the agricultural harvester with a grain bin of the receiving vehicle.