Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a method for processing biological material. Biological material is monitored for in a field. The biological material is retrieved from the field to form retrieved biological material in response to detecting the biological material in the field. A conversion system converts the retrieved biological material into energy. A portion of the energy is directed to a remote location. The conversion system moves in the field during at least one of the monitoring, the retrieving, and the converting.

Abstract: A method and system that facilitates operation of autonomous equipment by providing a mission planner to maintain line-of-sight contact between a plurality of coordinated machines, including a method for maintaining line-of-sight (LoS) communication between a plurality of machines that creates a mission plan for a work site that includes a path plan for each of the plurality of machines that maintains the line-of-sight communication between the plurality of machines by taking into account a topography for the work site; and loads the path plan for each respective one of the plurality of machines into each respective one of the plurality of machines, wherein the path plan specifies a machine travel path for each respective one of the plurality of machines.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for managing a plurality of items. A housing has an opening and is configured to receive a plurality of items through the opening of the housing. A first bag has a first end that is sealed and an opening. The opening of the first bag is associated with the opening of the housing. A sensor system configured to detect a selected condition for the first bag. A sealing system configured to seal a second end for the first bag in response to the sensor system detecting the selected condition. An ejection system is configured to transfer the first bag to a desired location in response to the sealing system sealing the second end for the first bag.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for managing drip tape. A vehicle is configured to move across a field. A drip tape collection system is associated with the vehicle configured to raise a portion of the drip tape from the ground in a field. A chopper is configured to separate the portion of the drip tape received from the drip tape collection system into a plurality of pieces and enable the plurality of pieces to decompose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing undesired material in an area. A sensor system monitors the area for the undesired material. A number of operations is performed on the area using a vehicle system. The vehicle system comprises a vehicle and a structure connected to the vehicle. A computer system receives data for the area from the sensor system. The computer system identifies a presence of the undesired material along a number of paths in the area using the data to form an identification. The computer system initiates removal of the undesired material based on the identification.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a speed of a mobile machine is provided. Image data of a location is collected where currently generated sensor data and previously generated sensor data indicate a discontinuity in sensor data. The image data is analyzed to determine if a non-motion blur score for the image data is above a threshold value. Then, a speed of the mobile machine is adjusted based on a determination that the non-motion blur score is above the threshold value.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for recharging a mobile robot as a power source. In one embodiment the system comprises a power transmission link having a first end positioned at a selectively located charging station and a second end connected to the battery carried by the robot, the transmission link being configured to transmit power from its first end to its second end to charge the battery. The system further comprises a first wireless power transmitter coupled to receive power from a specified power source, and a first wireless power receiver, connected to the first end of the transmission link and located at a prespecified distance from the first wireless power transmitter. The first wireless power receiver is configured to receive power transmitted across the prespecified distance from the first wireless power transmitter, and to provide power to the first end of the transmission link, for transmission to charge the battery.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a chemical dispersion system comprising a number of chemical dispersion nodes, a chemical dispersion manager, and a processor unit. The processor unit executes the chemical dispersion manager to identify a pest problem and generate a chemical dispersion plan for execution by the number of chemical dispersion nodes.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for performing horticultural tasks comprising a number of data storage devices, a diagnostic system, and a processor unit. The number of data storage devices includes a horticultural knowledge base, a logistics database, and a home site database. The processor unit executes the diagnostic system and accesses the horticultural knowledge base, the logistics database, and the home site database on the number of data storage devices to identify a horticultural need for a plurality of plants.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for performing horticultural tasks comprising a processor unit, a first number of communication links from the processor unit to a plurality of databases stored on a number of data storage devices, and a second number of communication links from the processor unit to a diagnostic system. The processor unit is configured to execute the diagnostic system and access the plurality of databases on the number of data storage devices to identify a pest problem and generate a treatment plan to address the pest problem.

Abstract: A method for initiating movement of a mobile machine is provided. In response to determining that the mobile machine needs to move to a new location based on environmental parameters corresponding to a current position of the mobile machine, a safe location for the mobile machine is determined based on the environmental parameters. An estimated time of travel is calculated from the current position of the mobile machine to the safe location based on a selected travel route for the mobile machine. Then, movement of the mobile machine is initiated prior to a first estimated time when the selected travel route will be impassable due to the environmental parameters based on the estimated time of travel using the selected travel route from the current position of the mobile machine to the safe location.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method for processing sensor data and controlling the movement of a vehicle. In one illustrative embodiment, a vehicle having a plurality of sensors attempts to receive sensor data. In response to an inability of the vehicle to obtain needed sensor data, collected sensor data is requested from a plurality of other vehicles to form alternate sensor data. The alternate sensor data is received and the vehicle is controlled using the alternate sensor data. In another illustrative embodiment, a request is received at a first vehicle for sensor data from a different vehicle. Sensor data is collected from a plurality of sensors at the first vehicle. The sensor data is then sent to the different vehicle.

Abstract: The invention that addresses the problem of authentication of the transport packet stream (which constitutes a flow within a session), which has been admitted into a managed packet network. Authentication and the subsequent policing of the flows supporting an identified client's authorized service prevent a large class of denial of service attacks described below. Specifically, the invention addresses two different matters: 1) key distribution and management 2) various forms of using a shared key for the authentication of transport packets on the user-to-network-interface (UNI).

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention delivers water to plants of a specified type which reside in a quantity of soil. A condensing unit is operated at optimum intervals to condense water vapor in the air into water in liquid form. The condensed water is stored in a reservoir connected to an irrigation system, which can deliver water from the reservoir to each of the plants. A database is established that contains horticultural information, wherein the horticultural information comprises a set of values representing the water needed by plants of the specified type at different stages of growth. Estimates of soil moisture content are generated during a specified time period. Optimum watering intervals are computed during the specified time period, at least in part, as a function of the set of values contained in the horticultural database, and also as a function of the estimates of moisture content. The irrigation system is operated to deliver water to each plant during respective optimum watering intervals.

Abstract: Retractable line guidance for a self-propelled machine, such as a self-propelled lawn mower, is provided by an operator moving a string or line to control the speed and direction of movement of the machine. A retractable and extendable line is mounted on the machine and is under tension in a retraction direction when the line is extended. A length of extension of the line is monitored, and a speed of movement of the machine is controlled in response to the length of extension of the line to maintain the length of extension of the line at a selected length. An angle of the line with respect to the machine is monitored, and a direction of movement of the machine is controlled in response to the angle of the line to maintain the angle of the line at a selected angle.

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.

Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a system for autonomous machine management comprising a number of autonomous machines, a number of nodes, a performance estimation module, and a navigation system. The number of autonomous machines is configured to perform area coverage tasks in a worksite. The number of nodes is configured to define a number of worksite areas for the worksite. The performance estimation module is executed by a processor unit and configured to calculate a percentage of work completed in the number of worksite areas. The navigation system is configured to operate an autonomous machine to perform the area coverage tasks and move between the number of worksite areas.

Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a system for selective consultation comprising a number of autonomous machines and a selective consultation system. The number of autonomous machines is configured to perform area coverage tasks in a worksite. The selective consultation system is configured to resolve issues encountered during operation of the number of autonomous machines in the worksite.

Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a system for autonomous machine management comprising a number of autonomous machines, a number of boundaries, a conditional behavior module, and a navigation system. The number of autonomous machines is configured to perform area coverage tasks in a worksite. The number of nodes is configured to define a number of worksite areas for the worksite. The conditional behavior module is executed by a processor unit and configured to determine whether a number of conditions is met for the number of worksite areas. The navigation system is configured to operate an autonomous machine to perform the area coverage tasks and move between the number of worksite areas when the number of conditions is met.