Abstract: A rotary composter includes a rotatable composting drum, a motor for rotating the drum, an aeration system for supplying air to the drum and an open-loop computerized controller for controlling one or both of the motor and the aeration system based on animal growth data. The rotary composter may also have a wireless nitrogen gas sensor for sensing an amount of nitrogen gas in the drum and a load cell for measuring a mass inside the drum to enable the controller to further control one or both of the motor and the aeration system based on signals from the nitrogen gas sensor and the load cell.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to obtain diagnostic information for a system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes vehicle interface circuitry to obtain information corresponding to a detected problem of a vehicle, cloud interface circuitry to obtain, via a network communication, an output of a machine learning model executed based on the information, the output to indicate (a) a component associated with the detected problem, and (b) a probability associated with the component, instruction generation circuitry to generate instructions for performing a test on the component, and user interface control circuitry to cause the instructions to be displayed on a mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to monitor engine starting systems. An example apparatus includes processor circuitry to execute instructions to measure engine starting system data from a machine; determine a total starting crank time and an ambient air temperature for the machine from the engine starting system data; compare the engine starting system data using a machine learning model; model a relationship between the ambient air temperature and the total starting crank time; generate a score of an engine starting system from the machine learning model; determine comparison result from the relationship between the ambient air temperature and the total starting crank time; and display an alert to a user based on at least one of the score of the engine starting system or the comparison result from the relationship between the ambient air temperature and the total starting crank time.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to manage correction requests in a positioning system. Example apparatus disclosed herein includes accuracy determination circuitry to determine accuracy of a current position based on location data. The example apparatus includes correction request circuitry to request location correction data from a reference location when the accuracy does not satisfy a threshold. The example apparatus includes correction determination circuitry to adjust the location data with location correction data.

Abstract: A map generator generates a replanting map designating a particular area in a field in which it is recommended to add additional seeds. A function of the agricultural machine is then controlled based at least in part on the replanting map so as to facilitate planting additional seeds in the designated particular area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control agricultural product application rates are disclosed. An example system to control agricultural product application rates includes a field area processor to determine an area of a field to be covered, and an application rate processor including an end product processor to determine an amount of product to be utilized during an application session, the amount of product to be utilized based on an amount of product on a vehicle and a final product amount, and an application rate calculator to determine a first application rate to be implemented by an applicator based on the amount of product to be utilized and the area of the field to be covered.

Abstract: A map generator generates a replanting map designating a particular area in a field in which it is recommended to add additional seeds. A function of the agricultural machine is then controlled based at least in part on the replanting map so as to facilitate planting additional seeds in the designated particular area.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system allowing for override of an automated steering mode, the system comprising: a vehicle steering mechanism; a movement module disposed on the vehicle steering mechanism, the sensor configured to detect movement of the vehicle steering mechanism of the vehicle steering system and generate a movement signal; a data transfer unit in wireless communication with the movement module and configured to receive and transmit the movement signal; and a steering control unit configured to allow for at least one of steering of the vehicle in a manual steering mode or an automated steering mode, the steering control unit in communication with the data transfer unit and configured to receive the movement signal and disable the automated vehicle steering mode upon receipt of the movement signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning a path of a vehicle are provided. One system comprises a location-determining receiver for determining location data representing a current vehicle location and a guidance module for identifying at least one geospatial region encompassing the current vehicle location based on geographical information retrieved from a guidance database. The guidance module is capable of generating a list of potential guidance lines based on the at least one geospatial region, each geospatial region being associated with at least one guidance line, each of the potential guidance lines on the list ranked based on one or more guidance criteria retrieved from the guidance database. The system further includes a user interface for displaying the guidance lines on the list to an operator of the vehicle for selection of a selected one of the potential guidance lines for controlling the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program. An encoder or sensor can sense a steering angle of a steering system. The steering angle is controlled in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a system is presented for collecting information about a crop to analyze the general health the crop relative to corresponding information from a previous information collection process. To ensure an optimal harvest, a field is typically treated with multiple material application steps. Starting with seed application, the system collects visual information and corresponding positioning data. With each subsequent application (e.g., fertilizer, pesticide, etc.), the information collection process is repeated. The new information is compared to corresponding information from a previous application step, such that the effectiveness of the prior application can be revealed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning a path of a vehicle are provided. One system comprises a location-determining receiver for determining location data representing a current vehicle location and a guidance module for identifying at least one geospatial region encompassing the current vehicle location based on geographical information retrieved from a guidance database. The guidance module is capable of generating a list of potential guidance lines based on the at least one geospatial region, each geospatial region being associated with at least one guidance line, each of the potential guidance lines on the list ranked based on one or more guidance criteria retrieved from the guidance database. The system further includes a user interface for displaying the guidance lines on the list to an operator of the vehicle for selection of a selected one of the potential guidance lines for controlling the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power system for a wind turbine includes at least one auxiliary load bus configured to transmit electric power to auxiliary equipment. The auxiliary load bus is further configured to receive electric power having a voltage within a first predetermined tolerance range. The system also includes at least one motor-generator set coupled to the auxiliary load bus. The motor-generator set is configured to receive electric power having a voltage within a second predetermined tolerance range and transmit electric power to the auxiliary load bus in the first predetermined tolerance range.

Abstract: A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for controlling an implement height in accordance with the entered guidance program. A height sensor can sense an observed height or elevation of an implement of the vehicle (e.g., relative to the absolute target height of the implement above the ground). The observed height is controlled in accordance with the guidance program (e.g., the target height) if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a system is presented for collecting information about a crop to analyze the general health the crop relative to corresponding information from a previous information collection process. To ensure an optimal harvest, a field is typically treated with multiple material application steps. Starting with seed application, the system collects visual information and corresponding positioning data. With each subsequent application (e.g., fertilizer, pesticide, etc.), the information collection process is repeated. The new information is compared to corresponding information from a previous application step, such that the effectiveness of the prior application can be revealed.

Abstract: An electric power system for a wind turbine includes at least one auxiliary load bus configured to transmit electric power to auxiliary equipment. The auxiliary load bus is further configured to receive electric power having a voltage within a first predetermined tolerance range. The system also includes at least one motor-generator set coupled to the auxiliary load bus. The motor-generator set is configured to receive electric power having a voltage within a second predetermined tolerance range and transmit electric power to the auxiliary load bus in the first predetermined tolerance range.

Abstract: A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for controlling an implement height in accordance with the entered guidance program. A height sensor can sense an observed height or elevation of an implement of the vehicle (e.g., relative to the absolute target height of the implement above the ground). The observed height is controlled in accordance with the guidance program (e.g., the target height) if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.

Abstract: A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program. An encoder or sensor can sense a steering angle of a steering system. The steering angle is controlled in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.

Abstract: A motor grader is disclosed having a tracking system indicating the location of the motor grader relative to a desired snow plowing path. The tracking system may also indicate the location of prerecorded obstacles along the desired snow plowing path.

Abstract: A method for tracking hand-harvested orchard crops includes associating with each tree of interest in an orchard a corresponding first wireless communication device; outfitting each worker that is working in the orchard with a corresponding second wireless communication device; associating with each produce bin that is actively used in the orchard a corresponding third wireless communication device; and generating tracking information for tracking a crop flow from a particular tree via a particular worker to a particular produce bin using information provided by the corresponding first wireless communication device, the corresponding second wireless communication device, and the corresponding third wireless communication device.