Farm Vehicle Patents (Class 348/120)
  • Patent number: 11615543
    Abstract: A device to determine a height disparity between features of an image includes a memory including instructions and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured by the instructions to obtain an image including a first repetitive feature and a second repetitive feature. The processing circuitry is further configured by the instructions to determine a distribution of pixels in a first area of the image, where the first area includes an occurrence of the repetitive features, and to determine a distribution of pixels in a second area of the image, where the second area includes another occurrence of the repetitive features. The processing circuitry is further configured by the instructions to evaluate the distribution of pixels in the first area and the distribution of pixels in the second area to determine a height difference between the first repetitive feature and the second repetitive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim
  • Patent number: 11514601
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a traveling body including a coupler to which a working device is connected, a marker provided to the working device, a marker detector provided to the traveling body to detect the marker, and a status calculator to calculate a status of the working device based on a detection data detected by the marker detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11372408
    Abstract: A robot has a component that is oriented relative to a chassis of the robot. For example, a display screen is mounted to the robot using a pan and tilt arrangement. During operation, trajectory data indicative of a trajectory is determined that specifies where the robot is intended to travel as it moves through an environment. This trajectory data is used to dynamically orient the component. For example, as the robot moves through the environment, the display screen would be oriented such that it appears to be “facing” a point in space that is associated with a point on the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Webster, Amin Hani Atrash
  • Patent number: 11366245
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for utility locating with tracking of movement over the ground or other surfaces using a dodecahedral antenna array and a stereo-optical ground tracker having two or more spaced apart cameras and an associated processing element to detect ground features in images from the cameras and determine tracking parameters based on the position of the detected ground features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Scott A. Powell, Ryan B. Levin
  • Patent number: 11179847
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a system configured to plan actions to be performed by a robotic agent interacting with an environment to accomplish an objective by determining an optimized trajectory of state—action pairs for accomplishing the objective. The system maintains a current optimized trajectory and a current trust region radius, and optimizes a localized objective within the current trust region radius of the current optimized trajectory to determine a candidate updated optimized trajectory. The system determines whether the candidate updated optimized trajectory improves over the current optimized trajectory. In response to determining that the candidate updated optimized trajectory improves over the current optimized trajectory, the system updates the current optimized trajectory to the candidate updated optimized trajectory and updates the current trust region radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mrinal Kalakrishnan, Vikas Sindhwani
  • Patent number: 11062146
    Abstract: A playing surface monitoring system, comprising a playing surface; an image capture unit arranged for capturing images of at least part of the playing surface and persons or objects thereon; processing means for detecting said persons or objects and their relative location on the playing surface; means for discriminating between persons using the pitch and objects used for maintenance of the playing surface, and means for using the determined information for determining density of use and/or maintenance of the playing surface or one more parts thereof over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT PLAY LIMITED
    Inventors: Derek Halliday, Gordon Halliday, Alexander Talton
  • Patent number: 11029698
    Abstract: A method for tracking movement and turning angle of a mobile robotic device using two optoelectronic sensors positioned on the underside thereof. Digital image correlation is used to analyze images captured by the optoelectronic sensors and determine the amount of offset, and thereby amount of movement of the device. Trigonometric analysis of a triangle formed by lines between the positions of the optoelectronic sensors at different intervals may be used to determine turning angle of the mobile robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventor: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi
  • Patent number: 10961666
    Abstract: A system for distributing a material over a surface includes a sensor configured to transmit a sonic signal from a position on the system to a surface of a quantity of the material. The system also includes a device to project an image onto the surface of the quantity of the material. The device is adjustable in relation to the sensor to cause the image to have a specified shape when the sonic signal impacts the surface of the quantity of the material at a specified angle, and a different shape when the sonic signal impacts the surface of the quantity of the material at different angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Patent number: 10795372
    Abstract: An automatic turning control system for a work vehicle having a ground engaging traction device directed by a manual steering device. The automatic turning control system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a traction device angle sensor configured to generate an angle signal representative of an angle of the traction device with respect to an axis of the work vehicle, and a vehicle guidance system. The ECU is configured to generate a manual path signal representing an actual path of the work vehicle based on the angle signal. The ECU is operatively connected to a vehicle guidance system and determines a learned path signal based on the manual path signal. The vehicle guidance system automatically directs the work vehicle along the learned path signal when the vehicle moves from a working area, to a non-working area, and back to the working area of a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Runde, Qiang R. Liu, Shufeng Han
  • Patent number: 10715861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving signal quality in a relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device are described including accepting a channel selection, establishing communication with all ATSC 3.0 devices in a premises, polling each portable ATSC 3.0 device to obtain signal quality information, selecting one or more of the portable ATSC 3.0 devices to receive a signal, receiving IP packetized data related to a program on the selected channel from the one or more selected portable ATSC 3.0 devices to improve signal quality at the relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device and combining the received IP packetized data received from the one or more selected portable ATSC 3.0 devices with a signal of the relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device to form a combined signal for rendering a program on the selected channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HOLDINGS, SAS
    Inventor: John Sidney Stewart
  • Patent number: 10649457
    Abstract: A system includes a processor. The processor is configured to derive one or more partitions of a field based on a vehicle system data via a learning system. The processor is further configured to derive one or more turn features representative of vehicle turns in the field based on the vehicle system via the learning system. The processor is also configured to derive an autonomous vehicle plan based on the partitions of the field and the turn features via a planning system, wherein the autonomous vehicle plan comprises a planned route of the autonomous vehicle in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Bret Todd Turpin, Daniel John Morwood, Nathan Eric Bunderson
  • Patent number: 10602211
    Abstract: A method includes displaying content on a television, detecting a personal display device in proximity of the television, detecting a selection of content displayed on the television, detecting an instruction associated with the selection, displaying, based on the instruction, information associated with the selection on the personal display device and displaying on the television an alert indicating that the information associated with the selection is on the personal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Garner, Tomoko Shintani
  • Patent number: 10434402
    Abstract: An input from an input device including a first input section and a second input section is received. A direction of movement of a player object is set based on the input from the first input section, and a direction relating to an action of the player object other than the movement is set based on the input from the second input section. Further, an image taken by a first virtual camera is displayed on a first display area, based on the direction of movement of the player object, and an image taken by a second virtual camera is displayed on a second display area, based on the direction relating to the action of the player object other than the movement. The first virtual camera and the second virtual camera are present in the same virtual space, and take images from different positions and/or different directions in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10321625
    Abstract: The invention regards an autonomous working machine comprising drive means, current position estimation means, control means including a driving control unit and a camera. With aid of the current position estimation means the current position of the autonomous working machine is estimated. Furthermore, the driving control unit generates driving commands for the driving means on the basis of an intended movement of the autonomous working machine and the estimated current position. The camera is configured to capture images of the environment of the working machine. For estimating the current position, the current position estimation means is formed by the control means, which is configured to apply visual odometry on the captured images for estimating the current position of the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Mathias Franzius, Jörg Deigmöller
  • Patent number: 10315586
    Abstract: A device and method for the display of images on a screen is described. The device includes a frame assembly configured to hold a screen. The frame assembly includes a hitch for attachment to a receiver hitch of a vehicle. The screen can be adjusted to face either a forward or rearward direction. The device further includes a stand. The stand may be configured to rest on the vehicle for projection onto the screen or rest on the ground. The stand supports a displaying device and is configured to adjust the elevation of the displaying device to affect the displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph Andrew Livingston
  • Patent number: 10298981
    Abstract: A mobile device including a content module, an imaging module, and an interface. The content module is configured to attempt to access content including transmitting a content request signal from the mobile device to a user receiving device. The imaging module is configured to acquire an image of at least a portion of a screen shown on a display connected to the user receiving device. The interface is configured to transmit the image or information pertaining to the image to the user receiving device, a head end or a content provider to cause the user receiving device or the mobile device to receive an authorization signal for access to the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Yang, Woei-Shyang Yee, Wesley Huie, Gerard V. Talatinian, Johnny Shum
  • Patent number: 10291952
    Abstract: In aspects of multiple-device media swap, a mobile device in a video content viewing system displays first video content on an integrated display of the device, and receives second video content without displaying the second video content. The mobile device continues to receive the second video content, without displaying the second video content, while the first video content is received and presented. The mobile device can initiate an instruction to swap from displaying the first video content to displaying the second video content on the integrated display of the mobile device. The instruction also initiates another device of the video content viewing system that is receiving both the first and second video content to swap from displaying the second video content to displaying the first video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lau, Joon-Hee Jeon
  • Patent number: 10223588
    Abstract: System and techniques for an image filter based on row identification are described herein. A crop row center represented in an image of a crop row can be calculated. A filter corresponding to a set of expected crop characteristics of the crop row can be obtained. Elements in the image can then be categorized based on applying the filter to the image when the filter anchored on the crop row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr., David Anthony Fowler
  • Patent number: 10219024
    Abstract: [Object] To cause presentation layout control of a content to be performed with ease. [Solving Means] A metafile is received by a reception section. The metafile includes acquisition information used for a client terminal to acquire a predetermined number of data streams of a content that can be delivered by a delivery server via a network. The metafile also includes reference information for referencing a file including presentation control information for performing presentation control of the content or the presentation control information for performing presentation control of the content. A processing section carries out processing based on the received metafile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SATURN LICENSING LLC
    Inventor: Yasuaki Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 10190288
    Abstract: An excavation measurement system includes a sensor to be mounted on excavation equipment to establish a light curtain in an excavation area, the light curtain to measure a parameter of the excavation area, and an interface to communicate the measure of the parameter of the excavation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ace/Avant Concrete Construction Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Malachi D. Matson, Jonathan L. Matson, Jones Ahoi, William G. Arpin
  • Patent number: 10188036
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a diagnostic module configured to determine an average image of a set or a sequence of collected images, to obtain a last image of the set or the sequence of collected images, and to determine a difference between the average image and the last image to yield a differenced image. Background image data or background pixels are eliminated from the differenced image to produce an initial image mask of unchanged content in the last image. A diagnostic module or data processor determines a mask area of the initial image mask or a revised image mask derived from the initial image mask. A diagnostic module or data processor generates an alert data message to inspect or clean the imaging system if the mask area exceeds a threshold area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Tarik Loukili, John M. Hageman, Zach Abraham Pazzementi
  • Patent number: 10143140
    Abstract: Crop transfer device (4) for transferring crop to a receptacle, the device comprising a conveyor (8) for transferring the crop and the conveyor defining a conveyor plane (CP). The conveyor has a conveyor outlet (10) defining an outlet direction (OD) which is the direction of the crop falling from the conveyor at the conveyor outlet. The crop transfer device (4) comprises a scanning device (12) adapted to scan the surface of crop situated below the conveyor outlet and the crop transfer device (4) comprises a mounting device (14) by which the scanning device is mounted to the conveyor (8) with a translational mobility of the scanning device with respect to the conveyor along a path (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventor: Daniel Hirthammer
  • Patent number: 9762949
    Abstract: A method of displaying an electronic programming guide, comprising: outputting a video signal from a receiver to a display device, the video signal including program service content for display on the display device; receiving a signal at the receiver, the signal including a command to display an electronic programming guide; in response to receiving the signal, determining if there is at least one viewer of the display device that does not want to view the electronic programming guide; and in response to determining that there is at least one viewer that does not want to view the electronic programming guide, projecting the electronic programming guide from the receiver to a projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michiel Beemster, David Bonfrer, Marcel Westenbroek
  • Patent number: 9762847
    Abstract: Embodiments include a modular video recording system. The system includes a first module for supporting a primary input to be recorded, such as from a first camera. A second, third, or other combination of modules may also be used to support or add additional inputs to be recorded. Any of the modules may support control features, switcher features, and other electronics and components to fully integrate the modules as additional modules are added to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CVISUALEVIDENCE, LLC
    Inventor: James Curio
  • Patent number: 9745060
    Abstract: A method and system utilizing one or more agricultural drones in combination with agricultural equipment, e.g., an agricultural boom sprayer, to evaluate the crops being farmed, and to improve the real-time delivery and dispensing of liquid from the sprayer including monitoring and verifying that the liquid is being dispensed correctly and/or in accordance with a desired distribution pattern or level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond M. O'Connor, Ivan Giovanni Di Federico
  • Patent number: 9576215
    Abstract: System and techniques for an image filter based on row identification are described herein. A crop row center represented in an image of a crop row can be calculated. A filter corresponding to a set of expected crop characteristics of the crop row can be obtained. Elements in the image can then be categorized based on applying the filter to the image when the filter anchored on the crop row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr., David Anthony Fowler
  • Patent number: 9564970
    Abstract: An information communication method is provided for obtaining information from a subject. The method includes receiving an ID list that includes a plurality of sets of identification information, and setting an exposure time of an image sensor so that a bright line corresponding to an exposure line included in the image sensor appears according to a change in luminance of the subject. The method also includes obtaining a bright line image including the bright line by the image sensor capturing the subject, and obtaining the information by demodulating data specified by a pattern of the bright line included in the obtained bright line image. The method further includes searching for a channel used to broadcast the content displayed by the subject, by searching the ID list for the obtained information, and obtaining related information associated with the channel from a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Oshima, Koji Nakanishi, Hideki Aoyama, Ikuo Fuchigami, Tsutomu Mukai, Hidehiko Shin, Yosuke Matsushita, Shigehiro Iida, Kazunori Yamada, Toshiyuki Maeda, Akihiro Ueki, Takashi Suzuki, Akira Shiokawa, Koji Aoto
  • Patent number: 9446791
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for refined row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. A steering variable calculation can be performed by executing a cascaded Hough transform on the ERF. An intermediate value used in calculating the steering variable can be selected. A refined intermediate value can be identified from the intermediate value by measuring a difference between the intermediate value and an anchor value. The steering variable calculation can be adjusted using the refined intermediate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr., Edwin Ernest Wilson
  • Patent number: 9345194
    Abstract: A farm vehicle includes a crop gathering mechanism to convey harvested crop material to a crop flow path passing internally through at least part of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle data bus and a plurality of control modules operatively connected to the vehicle data bus and configured to monitor information on the vehicle data bus and to act according to such information. An electronic operator module is configured to monitor the states of operator controls and to broadcast information on the vehicle data bus specifying such states. Additionally, video cameras positioned within the vehicle face the crop flow path and are operably connected to a graphic display. A graphic display control module includes a processor configured to control the display of images on the graphic display for selective display of images from the video cameras based upon information from the vehicle data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jay David Schroeder, Daniel Lynn Renaud, John Michael King, Kevin Douglas McKee
  • Patent number: 9041807
    Abstract: An image processing device configured to be installed in a vehicle includes an image acquirer, an image selector, a first luminance adjuster, a synthetic image generator, and an image provider. The image acquirer acquires camera images captured by cameras provided on the vehicle. The image selector selects one of the camera images as a representative image based on luminances of the camera images. The first luminance adjuster adjusts a luminance of at least one of the other camera images based on a luminance of the representative image. The synthetic image generator generates a synthetic image showing a periphery of the vehicle, based on the representative image and the other camera images the luminance of at least one of which has been adjusted by the first adjuster. The image provider outputs, to a display device installed in the vehicle, information corresponding to the synthetic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiko Murakami, Nobunori Asayama
  • Patent number: 8977407
    Abstract: A method is provided for semi-automatic operation of a portable control device for a remote-controlled, unmanned vehicle. The method includes the steps of monitoring parameters of an operational environment of the portable control device, switching from a manual operation mode to a semi-automatic operation mode in response to occurrence of predetermined criteria within the operational environment, and presenting a semi-automatic operation graphical user interface to a user of the portable control device. The semi-automatic operation graphical user interface includes a reduced set of user interfaces for the semi-automatic operation mode presented by the portable control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Christian Dorneich, Stephen Whitlow, William Rogers, Karen Feigh, Robert E. De Mers
  • Patent number: 8594890
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a lane departure warning device capable of generating almost no false warning if a driver performs an avoiding operation of a lane departure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Imai, Takashi Okada, Masao Sakata
  • Patent number: 8564658
    Abstract: An anhydrous ammonia distribution system includes a portable nurse tank 12 powered by an operator cab 13. One or more distributors 22 receive anhydrous ammonia from the nurse tank, and a plurality of knife hoses 30 deliver anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a selected number of knives 31 for delivery to the field. Pressure gauge 32, 34 is provided for monitoring pressure at one or more distributors, and a camera 42 positioned within enclosure 40 transmits a reading from the pressure gauge to the operator cab, thereby alerting the operator to a malfunction in the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Spencer M. Nimberger
  • Patent number: 8466959
    Abstract: A vehicle video control system is provided comprising a video camera unit having a wide angle (preferably a fisheye) lens mounted atop a column, wherein the column is attached to a manned or robotic vehicle, and an operator control unit in communication with the video camera unit. A continuous video image produced by the video camera unit is transmitted to the operator control unit. Such vehicle video control system provides a vehicle operator with an approximately hemispherical view from above the vehicle, providing the human operator with a continuous view of most of the area surrounding the vehicle. This video control system eliminates the burden of video camera control during simultaneous operation of the vehicle using the present system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Edward Kaplan, Edward M. Ulicki, Nicholas C. Korinis, II
  • Patent number: 8466806
    Abstract: An alert system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera having a field of view that encompasses the road ahead of and traveled on by the equipped vehicle, and may include a radar detector having a field of view to the side of and rearward of the equipped vehicle as it travels along the road and/or an image-based detector having a field of view to the side of and rearward of the equipped vehicle as it travels along the road. The alert system determines a lane change into a side lane by the equipped vehicle and detects a vehicle in that side lane, and an alert is generated to the driver of the equipped vehicle. The alert may be generated irrespective of the status of a turn signal of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8223204
    Abstract: When maneuvering a vehicle, due to the seated position of the driver, the problem arises that a large portion of the space to the rear of the vehicle to be observed is hidden by the vehicle body itself. Therefore, the vehicle driver is presented with a display of a camera image of the space to the rear of the vehicle with a perspective overlay of the driving path and/or the towing path of the vehicle (1). Said driver support system is configured such that it is also suitable for guiding a vehicle or vehicle combination (1) in which the trailer comprises a plurality of vehicle elements (2, 3) that are bendable relative to one another. In order to detect the steering angle (7) of at least one steerable axis (6) of the vehicle (1), and in order to determine the bending angle (5) between at least two vehicle elements (2, 3) bendable relative to one another, sensors are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Stefan Hahn
  • Patent number: 8086378
    Abstract: A method for estimating a portion of undesired particles in crop material includes taking a photograph of the crop material; identifying images of at least one type of undesired particle in the photograph that was taken; measuring the surface area covered by the image of every particle shown in the photograph; and determining the portion of undesired particles as a proportion of the surface area of the images, and may be used, in particular, in a harvesting machine on the crop material picked up in an on-going harvesting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Willi Behnke
  • Patent number: 8020512
    Abstract: A pattern formation device includes a conveyance table, a pair of guide rails, a carriage, a plurality of droplet discharge heads, an inspection camera, a camera base, a linear motor, a motor housing case, a moving cable, and a cable housing case. The motor housing case is disposed along the guide rails to accommodate the linear motor and has a guide opening configured and arranged to guide the camera base. The cable housing case is disposed along the motor housing case to accommodate the moving cable and has a window section through which a distal end of the moving cable follows a reciprocal operation of the inspection camera. The cable housing case or one of the guide rails has an exhaust vent to discharge air around the carriage by suction through the window section of the cable housing case or the guide opening of the motor housing case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eijiro Fujimori
  • Patent number: 8019513
    Abstract: A system and method of identifying a position of a crop row in a field, where an image of two or more crop rows is transmitted to a vision data processor. A preferential scan line profile in a search space about a candidate scan line profile is determined, and the candidate scan line profile is identified as a preferential scan line profile for estimating a position (e.g., peak variation) of one or more crop rows if a variation in the intensity level of the candidate scan line profile exceeds a threshold variation value. Alternatively, a position datum associated with a highest intensity value within the array of vector quantities can be selected as being indicative of a candidate position of a crop row. The candidate position is then identified as a preliminary row position if a variation in intensity level of the candidate scan line profile exceeds a threshold variation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Perception Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Jochem, Parag Batavia, Mark Ollis
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7904218
    Abstract: A system and method of identifying a position of a crop row in a field, where an image of two or more crop rows is transmitted to a vision data processor. The vision data processor defines a candidate scan line profile for a corresponding heading and pitch of associated with a directional movement of a vehicle, for example, traversing the two or more crop rows. The candidate scan line profile comprises an array of vector quantities, where each vector quantity comprises an intensity value and a corresponding position datum. A preferential scan line profile in a search space about the candidate scan line profile is determined, and the candidate scan line profile is identified as a preferential scan line profile for estimating a position (e.g., peak variation) of one or more crop rows if a variation in the intensity level of the candidate scan line profile exceeds a threshold variation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Perception, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Jochem, Parag Batavia, Mark Ollis
  • Publication number: 20100063681
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method by which image data from the terrain lying in front of a vehicle (1) in the direction of travel are detected, and from which data steering commands to influence the direction and/or the speed of travel are generated. The invention relates further to an arrangement for steering an agricultural vehicle (1) according to this method. According to the invention, the problem is solved in that prominent objects (3) are selected by means of the image data, the distance between the vehicle (1) and the prominent objects (3) is determined, and the steering commands are generated from the image data which correspond to the objects and from the changes of distance between the vehicle (1) and the objects (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMBH
    Inventors: Nico Correns, Enrico Geissler, Michael Rode, Christoph Nieten, Tobias Neumann, Ruediger Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 7551103
    Abstract: An alert system for a vehicle includes a lane departure warning system for detecting lane markers on a road being traveled by the equipped vehicle and a side object detection system for detecting the presence of another vehicle in a side lane adjacent to the lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle. When the lane departure warning system detects the equipped vehicle making a lane change into a side lane and when the side object detection system detects a vehicle in that side lane, the alert system may generate an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle. The alert system may detect a stoplight or stop sign in the forward field of view of a forward facing camera and may generate an alert if the system determines that the equipped vehicle is not going to stop at the stoplight or stop sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 7509199
    Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) based navigation and steering control system for ground vehicles, in particular, agricultural ground vehicles such as tractors, combines, sprayers, seeders, or the like, calculates instantaneous placement corrections to achieve desired towed implement placement on curved paths, and a method for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Andrew Karl Wilhelm Rekow
  • Patent number: 7436430
    Abstract: A plurality of cameras respectively input an image from different camera positions. The plurality of cameras is on a moving object. An image memory stores a plurality of images input by the plurality of cameras. An image transformation unit transforms one image input by a first camera using each of a plurality of transformation parameters each representing a geometrical relationship among a predetermined plane, the first camera, and a second camera, and generates a plurality of transformed images from a view position of the second camera. A matching processing unit compares each of the plurality of transformed images with another image input by the second camera for each area consisting of pixels, and calculates a coincidence degree of each area between each transformed image and another image. An obstacle detection unit detects an obstacle area consisting of areas each having a coincidence degree below a threshold from another image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takeda, Hiroshi Hattori, Kazunori Onoguchi
  • Patent number: 7411486
    Abstract: A driver assistance device for warning a driver of a motor vehicle of a risk of departure from the lane or from the lane is described, having at least one image-transmitting sensor, an evaluation device, connected to the image-transmitting sensor, for detecting edge-of-lane and/or lane markings and/or edges of lanes in the area sensed by the image-transmitting sensor, and a warning device which is connected to the evaluation device, in which driver assistance device in addition at least one distance-transmitting sensor is connected to the evaluation device, with which sensor the distance from objects which are elevated with respect to the surface of the lane can be determined in the region of the edge of the lane, in particular of a structural boundary of the edge of the lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Axel Gern, Alfred Lotter, Rainer Moebus, Volker Oltmann, Bernd Woltermann, Zoltan Zomotor
  • Patent number: 7369924
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing guidance towards a far-point position for a vehicle implementing a satellite-based guidance system. The method includes capturing an image. The method further includes providing the image in a digital format to an algorithm. The method further includes isolating far-point pixelized data of the provided image. The method further includes generating data for causing a steering control system of the vehicle implementing the satellite-based guidance system to maintain the vehicle on a straight-line path towards the far-point position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Shufeng Han, Frederick W. Nelson, Terence D. Pickett, John F. Reid
  • Patent number: 7355524
    Abstract: A vehicle lane change aid system includes a detector that is operative to detect the presence of an other vehicle adjacent the vehicle, an indicator for providing an indication that a lane change maneuver of the vehicle may affect the other vehicle and a control receiving movement information of the vehicle. The control develops a position history of the vehicle at least as a function of the movement information. The control compares the detected presence of the other vehicle with the position history and provides an indication when a lane change maneuver may affect the other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 7317474
    Abstract: A plurality of cameras respectively input an image from different camera positions. The plurality of cameras is on a moving object. An image memory stores a plurality of images input by the plurality of cameras. An image transformation unit transforms one image input by a first camera using each of a plurality of transformation parameters each representing a geometrical relationship among a predetermined plane, the first camera, and a second camera, and generates a plurality of transformed images from a view position of the second camera. A matching processing unit compares each of the plurality of transformed images with another image input by the second camera for each area consisting of pixels, and calculates a coincidence degree of each area between each transformed image and another image. An obstacle detection unit detects an obstacle area consisting of areas each having a coincidence degree below a threshold from another image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takeda, Hiroshi Hattori, Kazunori Onoguchi
  • Patent number: 7263210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for volume-specific treatment of ground and plants as required. The aim of the invention is to improve a method and system as above, such that the distribution of plants is scanned with complete spatial coverage and the treatment of the ground or plant condition is efficiently controlled, by simultaneously taking account of morphological, plant physiological, equipment performance and specific local properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Knut Kümmel