Patents by Inventor Scott Eichhorn

Scott Eichhorn 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: 20240090379
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for use in agricultural, particularly for use in harvesting agricultural crop such as corn. Various implementations relate to methods and devices for measuring plant stalk cross-sectional area during harvest and providing additional methods of predicting and displaying yield on a row-by-row level in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20240044346
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a hydraulic control system, comprising, the control system having a control unit configured to be in operational communication with a plurality of gauge wheel assemblies, a plurality of cylinders in operational communication with the plurality of gauge wheel assemblies, and a plurality of position sensors in operational communication with the plurality of cylinders, wherein the control unit comprises a feedback position command loop configured to calculate cylinder position error and issue valve commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Alan F. Barry, Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20240032455
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various adjustable seed meter embodiments having a first seed disk having first openings defined therein and a second seed disk having second openings defined therein adjacent to the first openings such that the first and second openings are alignable to form adjustable seed cells. Various embodiments have a plate adjustment drive system to rotate the first and second seed disks in relation to each other. Other embodiments relate to methods of automatically adjusting a seed meter during operation of the overall planting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Brett Buehler, Alex Hartogh, Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20240023482
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to agricultural systems. The systems have stalk sensor assemblies and/or data visualization systems. The stalk sensor assemblies are configured for assessing the size and other characteristics about crops, such as corn and other grains entering an agricultural implement, such as a harvester. The stalk sensor assemblies may use an estimation of the stalk perimeter to establish stalk size and therefore further features about the crop. The visualization system utilizes data from the stalk sensor assemblies to calculate and display relevant information about the crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Logan Handsaker, Barry Anderson
  • Publication number: 20230388458
    Abstract: A planting system comprising a camera disposed at a distal end of a seed tube at or below ground level. The system may also include a processor in communication with the camera configured to processes images from the camera, and be configured to conduct image analysis to detect planting conditions including one or more of collapsed trench sidewalls, seed placement, crop residue within the trench, clods within the trench, a collapsed trench, “W” trench, trench size, seed depth, closing wheel operations, soil moisture, and seed bounce. The system may also include a command module in communication with the processor configured to automatically adjust one or more of planter row cleaners, supplemental row unit down force, supplemental closing wheel down force, closing wheel configuration, deployment of seed firmers, timing of application of liquid treatment, and seed meter ejection in response to detected planting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Brett Buehler, Alan F. Barry
  • Patent number: 11785881
    Abstract: Adjustable seed meters having a first seed disk having first openings defined therein and a second seed disk having second openings defined therein adjacent to the first openings such that the first and second openings are alignable to form adjustable seed cells. Various embodiments have a plate adjustment drive system to rotate the first and second seed disks in relation to each other. Other embodiments relate to methods of automatically adjusting a seed meter during operation of the overall planting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Brett Buehler, Alex Hartogh, Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20230292664
    Abstract: A method for determining cross track error, comprising calibrating a stalk sensor with two or more set points, detecting plant stalks by the stalk sensor, measuring a stalk angle for each plant stalk, and measuring presence and amount of cross track error based on the stalk angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 11758845
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to agricultural systems. The systems have stalk sensor assemblies and/or data visualization systems. The stalk sensor assemblies are configured for assessing the size and other characteristics about crops, such as corn and other grains entering an agricultural implement, such as a harvester. The stalk sensor assemblies may use an estimation of the stalk perimeter to establish stalk size and therefore further features about the crop. The visualization system utilizes data from the stalk sensor assemblies to calculate and display relevant information about the crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Logan Handsaker, Barry Anderson
  • Patent number: 11758848
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for use in agricultural, particularly for use in harvesting agricultural crop such as corn. Various implementations relate to methods and devices for measuring plant stalk cross-sectional area during harvest and providing additional methods of predicting and displaying yield on a row-by-row level in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventor: Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20230240185
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for reducing cross-track error in harvesting row crops such as corn. A cross track error system including a corn head, a row unit disposed on the corn head. The row unit including a set of stripper plates, a resilient member disposed proximal to the stripper plates, a sensor unit in communication with the resilient member, and a processor. The processor is constructed and arranged to process signals generated by the sensor unit in response to deflection of the resilient member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20230230202
    Abstract: A method for generating a 2D orthomosaic map including obtaining a series of images of a field from a camera located on a ground based vehicle, processing the series of images to mark pixels of the ground based vehicle and optionally an implement, identifying, marking, and removing pixels containing plants, stitching together the series of images into a single map, and reintroducing pixels containing plants into the single map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Bob Heston
  • Patent number: 11678607
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for reducing cross-track error in harvesting row crops such as corn. A cross track error system including a corn head, a row unit disposed on the corn head. The row unit including a set of stripper plates, a resilient member disposed proximal to the stripper plates, a sensor unit in communication with the resilient member, and a processor. The processor is constructed and arranged to process signals generated by the sensor unit in response to deflection of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20220225569
    Abstract: A crop header adjustment system including a plurality of row units, a plurality of dividers disposed between the row units, a plurality of pitch adjustment mechanisms operatively engaged with each of the plurality of dividers, and a controller in communication with the each of the plurality of pitch adjustment mechanisms. The controller configured to adjust the pitch of the plurality of the dividers on-the-go in response to changing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn, Alan F. Barry, Cody Sobotka, Jonathan Brand
  • Publication number: 20220174855
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for protecting open seed trenches form ingress of foreign material, such as plant residue. The preventing foreign material from entering the open seed trench during planting increases crop yield by minimizing delayed germination and late plant emergence. Various implementations of adjustable row cleaners may be used to prevent ingress of foreign material. Also, various shields may be disposed on the row units of a planter to prevent ingress of foreign material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Tony Woodcock, Scott Eichhorn, Brett Buehler, Bob Heston, Joe Holoubek, Jonathan Brand
  • Publication number: 20220142039
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for on-the-go monitoring and controlled feedback in a supplemental downforce application. Certain implementations provide real-time monitoring of furrow depth via contact and non-contact approaches, some of which are combined with gauge wheel feedback to calibrate and otherwise control the application of supplemental downforce to the row unit. A combination of sensor types are employed in collecting furrow depth measurements, which can be used to adjust the supplemental downforce through a control system module. A gauge wheel load sensor may be used to modify the application of supplemental downforce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Brett Buehler, Steven Brown, Roger Zielke, Bob Heston
  • Patent number: 11297768
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to agricultural devices, system, and methods, particularly for detecting and measuring plant stalks during harvest. The system may comprise a harvesting row unit, with a camera, a processing unit, and an in-cab display. The system may additionally include a stalk alignment guide, a leaf shield, an artificial light source, and/or a lens cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Rhett Schildroth, Roger Zielke, Barry Anderson, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Vahid Ellig
  • Publication number: 20220026226
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system including an agricultural vehicle, at least one sensor disposed on the vehicle, a GPS disposed on the vehicle, where the GPS in communication with the sensor, and a storage medium. The sensor is constructed and arranged to detect obstacles and in conjunction with the GPS locate and map the objects for storage of the obstacle's location in the storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventor: Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20220011444
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for a system for guiding a tractor and auger cart alongside a grain truck so the load can be transferred quickly with a high degree of position accuracy. This will avoid common issues with this process that result in collisions or spilled grain. The system will allow less qualified operators to perform at a higher level, eliminate errors that slow the process and/or result in down time, or slow the unloading process. Methods are disclosed that sense the position, orientation, and size of a receiving vehicle and create a guidance line for a tractor automated steering system to follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Alan F. Barry, Roger Zielke
  • Publication number: 20220000024
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for reducing cross-track error in harvesting row crops such as corn. A cross track error system including a corn head, a row unit disposed on the corn head. The row unit including a set of stripper plates, a resilient member disposed proximal to the stripper plates, a sensor unit in communication with the resilient member, and a processor. The processor is constructed and arranged to process signals generated by the sensor unit in response to deflection of the resilient member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20210329838
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a physical stalk sensing system comprising at least one resilient member. Sensors having the resilient member or members are able to estimate the size of the stalks of row crops as they pass through a field, such as a corn field. The sensors can be mounted on a corn head and the results can be analyzed and visualized. A system for predicting crop yields in real-time or near real-time. A system for adjusting a stripper plate gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Scott Eichhorn, Alan F. Barry, Tony Woodcock