Abstract: A method and system for guiding a-vehicle comprises a location module for collecting location data for the vehicle. A vision module collects vision data for the vehicle. A maximum allowable correction duration and a maximum allowable vision-derived displacement are established for correction of a position of a vehicle. A location quality estimator estimates location quality data for the corresponding collected location data during an evaluation time window. A vision module estimates vision quality data for the corresponding collected vision data during the evaluation time window. A selector selects the application of location data or vision data based on the quality data and at least one of the maximum allowable correction duration and the maximum allowable vision-derived displacement for the evaluation time window or for an application interval trailing the evaluation time window.

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.

Abstract: An agricultural utility vehicle includes a computer to execute the steps of storing data representing steering direction, position and speed of the agricultural vehicle; recognizing repeated drive events wherein each drive event comprises a plurality of serially performed functions including changing steering direction, changing speed and changing lift position of a hitch of the agricultural utility vehicle; displaying each function on a screen and enabling a user to skip functions and execute subsequent functions; executing the functions to automatically control the vehicle on private areas, which are determined in accordance with means for sensing position; blocking execution of the functions in public areas; deactivating control when obstacles are encountered, wherein the obstacles are recognized by way of signals received from cameras mounted on the agricultural vehicle; and periodically prompting a user for input.

Abstract: A spout control system controls and aims a spout and a spout cap of a crop harvesting vehicle with respect to a separate crop hauling vehicle moving with the harvesting vehicle. The control system includes a video camera which is mounted on the cap and which views a field of view which includes a portion of the hauling vehicle. An image signal generated by the camera is received by an image processing unit. The image processing unit processes a digitized form of the image signal and automatically generates spout and cap control signals as a function thereof. Actuators automatically aim the spout and the cap in response to the control signal.

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.

Abstract: An automatic vision guidance system for an agricultural vehicle is disclosed and described. The vision guidance system uses a K-means clustering algorithm in image processing to distinguish between crop and non-crop features. The vision guidance system utilizes moment algorithms to determine the location and orientation of crop rows, from which desired wheel angles are determined and steering is commanded. The vision guidance system may adjust the location and orientation of visually determined crop rows according to a predetermined distance between crop rows. Further, the vision guidance system may utilize a redundant number of regions of interest in determining crop row locations and orientations.

Abstract: Agricultural operations by applying flexible manufacturing software, robotics and sensing techniques to agriculture. In manufacturing operations utilizing flexible machining and flexible assembly robots, work pieces flow through a fixed set of workstations on an assembly line. At different stations are located machine vision systems, laser based raster devices, radar, touch, photocell, and other methods of sensing; flexible robot armatures and the like are used to operate on them. This flexible agricultural automation turns that concept inside out, moving software programmable workstations through farm fields on mobile robots that can sense their environment and respond to it flexibly. The agricultural automation will make it possible for large scale farming to take up labor intensive farming practices which are currently only practical for small scale farming, improving land utilization efficiency, while lowering manpower costs dramatically.

Abstract: An automatic vision guidance system for an agricultural vehicle is disclosed and described. The vision guidance system uses a K-means clustering algorithm in image processing to distinguish between crop and non-crop features. The vision guidance system utilizes moment algorithms to determine the location and orientation of crop rows, from which desired wheel angles are determined and steering is commanded. The vision guidance system may adjust the location and orientation of visually determined crop rows according to a predetermined distance between crop rows. Further, the vision guidance system may utilize a redundant number of regions of interest in determining crop row locations and orientations.

Abstract: A device for overloading products from a working machine having a driver's stand to a transporting vehicle has an overloading unit provided in the working machine, and a monitor assembly for monitoring overloading of the product from the working machine to the transporting vehicle, the monitor assembly including an analog monitoring camera associated with the overloading unit and filming an overloading process, an analog control monitor arranged in the driver's cabin of the working machine such that an indication of the monitoring camera is performed by the control monitor, a first microprocessor connected to the monitoring camera and digitalizing a video signal, a second microprocessor to which the video signal is transmitted, and a digitally operating graphic indicator to which the digitalized video signal is transmitted by the second microprocessor for indication.

Abstract: A precise automated work system and method is provided. One or more self-navigating robots can perform automated work operations with precision given six degrees of freedom in a undulating, sloping or irregular terrain, such as, a commercial truck garden. A self-propelled robot moves through the garden and performs gardening tasks following a specified course by dead-reckoning and periodically determining its position and orientation by a navigation fix. At least seven navigation beacons are positioned around a perimeter of a garden work area. Each beacon emits electromagnetic radiation across the garden for detection by the self-propelled robot. A panoramic image collector gathers and focuses electromagnetic radiation from each navigation beacon on an electronic camera to form at least seven beam spots.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an agricultural vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a video camera and an associated video monitor. The video monitor is located in a cab of the vehicle and the video camera is oriented facing the rear of the vehicle. When an agricultural implement is connected to the vehicle, the monitor may be used to view the implement without turning away from the direction of travel.

Abstract: Process for taking action on productive lands, in particular for spreading or removing substances or other objects onto or from patches of soil and/or for surveying patches of soil, in particular pertaining to agricultural productive areas, with a telecommunicating locating system, preferably operating with the aid of satellites, and a working vehicle with a data processing device in which, in communication with the locating system, positional data for the working vehicle are ascertained and stored in real time by the positional data of the working vehicle being processed further in the data processing device during the operational action, in real time in each case, to give the path of the working vehicle traversed within the productive land, and the path being continuously indicated visually by means of an output medium.