Patents by Inventor Wayne Anderson

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).

  • Publication number: 20110150348
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a method for identifying landmarks in an image. An image of a worksite is received. The image is analyzed to determine a suggested identity of a worksite feature in the image. The suggested identity of the worksite feature is sent over a communications unit. A confirmation of the suggested identity of the worksite feature is received to form a confirmed identity. The confirmed identity and a number of attributes associated with the confirmed identity is stored in a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 7957850
    Abstract: A mobile station for an unmanned vehicle comprises a vehicular storage area for storing a vehicle during transit or at rest. A first wireless transceiver communicates a status or command between the vehicle and the mobile station during at least one of vehicular deployment and rest. A station controller manages a management plan of the vehicle comprising at least one of retooling the vehicle, loading a payload on the vehicle, and recharging or refueling of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 7930085
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating agricultural parameters for growing crops is well suited for promoting efficient utilization of agricultural inputs (e.g., water consumption). Sensors collect data via one or more vehicles equipped with location-determining receivers. A transmitter transmits the collected environmental data to a data processing system. The data processing system applies the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for determining an agricultural management parameter. A prescription is made available for application of an agricultural input (e.g., water) to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Arnold Albert Taube
  • Patent number: 7916898
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying an edge of a crop facilitates guidance of an agricultural machine or other work vehicle along an edge of a crop at an interface between harvested and unharvested portions of a field. A transmitter emits a plurality of a transmitted radiation pattern of one or more generally linear beams spaced apart within a defined spatial zone. A receiver collects an image of the defined spatial zone. A detector detects a presence of crop edge between a harvested and unharvested portion of a field based on an observed illumination radiation pattern on the unharvested portion formed by at least one of the generally linear beams. A data processor identifies coordinate data, in the collected image, associated with the detected crop edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110046780
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus that includes a computer system, a number of structured light generators, and a number of mobile robotic devices. The computer system is configured to generate a path plan. The number of structured light generators is configured to project the path plan. The number of mobile robotic devices is configured to detect and follow the path plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110046836
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus that includes an autonomous vehicle, a modular navigation system, and a number of modular components. The modular navigation system is coupled to the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110046784
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus that includes an autonomous vehicle, a modular navigation system, and an asymmetric vision module. The modular navigation system is coupled to the autonomous vehicle. The asymmetric vision module is configured to interact with the modular navigation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 7888434
    Abstract: A polyamide resin composition which can improve heat resistance and water absorbency while suppressing the deterioration of processability is provided. Provided is a polyamide resin composition having an aromatic polyamide resin and an epoxy group-containing phenoxy resin having an epoxy group in the molecule of the phenoxy resin, wherein the content of the epoxy group-containing phenoxy resin is 30 to 50% by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignees: Nitto Shinko Corporation, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Dupont Teijin Advanced Papers (Japan)
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kihara, Yoshiki Takahashi, Hidenori Takayama, Masanori Imai, Yasunori Tanaka, Shinji Naruse, David Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 7826969
    Abstract: A position determining system for a vehicle comprises an imaging unit for collecting image data. A wireless device reads or interrogates a radio frequency identification tag. An identification module determines whether the collected image data contains a visual landmark. A confirmation module determines whether the identified visual landmark is associated with a corresponding radio frequency identification tag having a particular tag identifier. A range finder or distance estimator determines a position offset of the vehicle with respect to the identified visual landmark. A data processor determines a vehicular position of the vehicle based on the determined position offset and a stored reference position associated with at least one of the visual landmark and the radio frequency identification tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas Kent Hein, Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100268390
    Abstract: Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method and system for providing an application of a resource to plants. A plurality of per plant prescriptions for a plurality of plants are received and a source is selected to fulfill the plurality of per plant prescriptions to form a selected source. Movement of a mobile utility vehicle is controlled to the selected source, the resource is obtained, and movement of the mobile utility vehicle is controlled to each plant in the plurality of plants. The resource is applied from the mobile utility vehicle to each plant according to the per plant prescription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100268391
    Abstract: Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer program product comprising a computer recordable media having computer usable program code. Resource needs are determined for each plant in a plurality of plants to form individual resource needs. Conditions are identified in an environment in which the plurality of plants are located by receiving input from a sensor system to form current conditions. A plurality of per plant prescriptions are calculated for the plurality of plants using the individual resource needs and the current conditions. The application of the resource is controlled from a mobile utility vehicle to each plant in the plurality of plants using the plurality of per plant prescriptions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100263275
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a method and system for watering plants. A map of an area is received and a determination is made using a processing unit as to whether the area needs water. If the area needs water, current constraints are identified and a determination is made using the processing system as to whether the current constraints allow for watering. If the current constraints allow for watering, a watering solution application plan is generated using the processing system, and the watering solution application plan is executed using a mobile utility vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100268562
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100268679
    Abstract: Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for performing horticultural tasks. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus is comprised of a number of data storage devices, a planning process, and a processor unit. The number of data storage devices includes a knowledge base. The processor unit executes the planning process and accesses the knowledge base on the number of data storage devices to identify a horticultural need for a plurality of plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100223009
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating agricultural parameters for growing crops is well suited for promoting efficient utilization of agricultural inputs (e.g., water consumption). Sensors collect data via one or more vehicles equipped with location-determining receivers. A transmitter transmits the collected environmental data to a data processing system. The data processing system applies the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for determining an agricultural management parameter. A prescription is made available for application of an agricultural input (e.g., water) to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Arnold Albert Taube
  • Patent number: 7742862
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating agricultural parameters for growing crops is well suited for promoting efficient utilization of agricultural inputs (e.g., water consumption). Sensors collect data via one or more vehicles equipped with location-determining receivers. A transmitter transmits the collected environmental data to a data processing system. The data processing system applies the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for determining an agricultural management parameter. A prescription is made available for application of an agricultural input (e.g., water) to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Arnold Albert Taube
  • Publication number: 20100139007
    Abstract: A tool assembly primarily for illuminating a work space having a plurality of tools each of which having both a proximal and distal end for providing rotational movement of each of the tools for extension to at least one functional position and a distal end for use of the tool in the work space, and a stored position when not in use; in which one of said tools means is a flashlight means for illuminating at least the work space and at least one other said tools at the proximal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Wayne Anderson, Warren Anderson
  • Patent number: 7728720
    Abstract: A system or method for monitoring a status of a member of a vehicle comprises a member of a vehicle. A set of one or more magnets is secured to the member. A magnetic field sensor is mounted on a vehicle, spaced apart from the member. The magnetic field sensor produces a data signal. A data processor receives the data signal from the magnetic field sensor and detects at least one of a deformation or movement of the member with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 7722206
    Abstract: A tool assembly primarily for illuminating a work space having a plurality of tools each of which having both a proximal and distal end for providing rotational movement of each of the tools for extension to at least one functional position and a distal end for use of the tool in the work space, and a stored position when not in use; in which one of said tools means is a flashlight means for illuminating at least the work space and at least one other said tools at the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: Wayne Anderson, Warren Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100116974
    Abstract: A seed sensor system determines the position of the seed relative to the seed tube as the seed passes the sensor. The position of the seed as well as the speed of the planter and the position of the seed tube above the planting furrow are used to calculate trajectory of the seed into the furrow from which the seed spacing is predicated. By sensing the seed in both X and Y directions in the seed tube, the sensor is better able to determine multiple seeds as well providing more precision to the seed population.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: James Z. Liu, Nikolai R. Tevs, Noel Wayne Anderson