Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing weeds from an aesthetic mulch garden using an autonomous battery-powered differential-wheeled robot is disclosed. The boundary of the domain of said aesthetic mulch garden is predefined by the user and said robot is confined to patrol within said domain. The robot searches for weeds using machine vision which seeks colorimetric contrast between weeds and mulch and undergoes a novel randomized reflective trajectory to patrol said domain. An independent collision avoidance system allows said robot to avoid interaction with non-weed objects. Said robot has a central processing unit (CPU) receiving input from said machine vision system which positions a device for weed extraction and controls said extraction. A built-in suction system and receptacle is incorporated in said robot to maintain the weed extraction device clean and ready for operation while storing extracted weeds for later disposal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital farming. In order to reduce residual amounts of a treatment device. There is provided a method for treatment management on an agricultural area applying a treatment product to the agricultural area via a treatment device, the method comprising the following steps: providing (40) a field identifier and optionally a treatment specifier; determining (42) a treatment map based on the field identifier and the optional treatment specifier; determining (44) a field path for applying the treatment product to the field via the treatment device based on the treatment map, wherein the field path comprises at least a first section and a second section; generating (46) a control file for the treatment device, wherein the control file includes a recording mode for the first section of the field path and a first application mode for the second section of the field path; and providing (48) the control file, which is usable for controlling the treatment device.

Abstract: Various apparatus and procedures for improved operation of a working vehicle are provided. One embodiment provides for vehicle-to-vehicle communications using cellular modems to provide information from one vehicle to another vehicle that has lost internet connectivity. Another embodiment provides a method for improving safety of a work area where an autonomous or remotely controlled vehicle is operating by scanning for unknown Bluetooth modules in the vicinity of a working vehicle. Another embodiment provides for intercepting and modifying signals from vehicle controls and passing the modified signals to a control unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A convertible multiple rank agricultural implement for being towed by an agricultural vehicle. The convertible multiple rank agricultural implement includes a towing assembly, a first rank coupled to the towing assembly, wherein the first rank includes a first plurality of row units longitudinally spaced along a longitudinally extending support structure. A second rank is coupled to the first rank, wherein the second rank includes a first section connected to a second plurality of row units, and a second section connected to a third plurality of row units. In a first configuration, the first section and second section are coupled together with a coupler located at adjacent ends of the first section and second section when the second rank is offset and spaced from the first rank. In a second configuration, the first section and second section are spaced apart and longitudinally aligned with the longitudinally extending support structure of the first rank.

Abstract: A system for a row unit of a planting implement includes a frame and a closing sensor assembly configured to capture data indicative of a position of a component of a closing assembly relative to the frame. A computing system is communicatively coupled to the closing sensor assembly. The computing system is configured to receive the data from the closing sensor assembly, determine a press wheel height relative to the frame, determine a height variance between the opening disk and the press wheel height, and generate a control action based on the variance.

Abstract: A push power tool includes a chassis. The chassis accommodates at least part of a mowing element. An adjustment mechanism is used for adjusting the mowing height. The chassis includes a first mounting portion for mounting a first gear plate, a second mounting portion for selectively mounting a second gear plate, and a third mounting portion for selectively mounting a connection mechanism for connecting a front wheel set to a rear wheel set. The chassis of the mower and the push power tool adopting the preceding solutions have good versatility.

Abstract: A mower capable of reducing noise generated by rotation of a cutter blade containing an upper cutter blade and a lower cutter blade inside a housing. The lower cutter blade has a wing portion and a wing chamfered portion. The wing portion overhangs upward from a second rear end portion of the lower cutter blade on an opposite side in a rotational direction, at both end portions in a longitudinal direction. The wing chamfered portion is chamfered so that a wing outer end portion of the wing portion is inclined from an upper surface to a lower surface.

Abstract: An electrical device may be configured to operate on supplied electric power. The electrical device may include a display configured to display a state related to the electrical device, a control device configured to control the electrical device, and a power supply configured to supply electric power to the electrical device. The display may include: a housing including a housing body, an opening, and a transmissive member, in which the opening is defined through the housing body and the transmissive member covers the opening; a light source device housed in the housing and configured to emit visible light; and a reflector housed in the housing and having a reflective surface configured to reflect the visible light emitted from the light source device toward the opening. The control device may be configured to control the light source device according to the state related to the electrical device.

Abstract: A crop stripper rotor includes a plurality of stripper teeth sections and backer plates secured to a central core by threaded fasteners. The stripper teeth sections have stripper teeth that project radially outwardly from a mounting base, and the backer plates have teeth that fit behind the stripper teeth. The stripper teeth sections and backer plates are sandwiched between opposing flanges of adjacent bent sheet metal sections of the central core. An alignment and mounting system includes a pair of alignment slots in each stripper teeth section and backer plate that open radially inwardly. A first pair of threaded fasteners mate with the alignment slots to set the depth and alignment of the stripper teeth sections and backer plates relative to the central core. A second pair of threaded fasteners are inserted through the aligned mounting bores of the stripper teeth sections and the backer plates to complete the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system and method for controlling operation of one or more operational parameters of an agricultural machine. Using a position of the agricultural machine within a mapped environment; a heading parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the agricultural machine within the mapped environment is determined. An associated operational profile is then employed controlling operation of one or more operable components of the agricultural machine in dependence on the direction of travel of the machine within the mapped environment such that configuration of those components is appropriate for the environmental conditions.

Abstract: A combine unloading management system comprising one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storage media comprising instructions that configure the one or more processors to: determine a grain flow rate of grain flowing into a combine tank of a combine harvesting along a current pass of a grain field; determine a combine tank level corresponding to a current amount of grain in the combine tank; and determine a starting point for unloading the combine tank on-the-go into a grain cart, the starting point based on the grain flow rate and the combine tank level.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting properties of a mixture including grain and contaminants in a cleaning device of a combine harvester. The sensor arrangement is equipped with a sensor element for providing an output signal in respect of a property, detected by the sensor element, of the mixture adjacent to the sensor element. The sensor element is configured to be brought operationally continuously in succession into different positions in relation to the mixture in order to sense different points of the mixture in the different positions of the sensor element.

Abstract: A combine includes a control device configured to function as a travel route creation unit which creates a travel route in an operation region of a field, and an automatic operation control unit which controls automatic traveling and automatic reaping along the travel route. The travel route creation unit, when creating the travel route in which automatic reaping traveling is performed by reciprocal movement over a plurality of courses along a row direction in the operation region having a plurality of rows of the agricultural field, performs: calculates a recommended number of divisions of the operation region based on the size of the operation region, reaping information per one course of a reaping unit, and turning information according to a state between courses; divides the operation region into multiple divided regions based on the recommended number of divisions; and creates the travel route over the multiple divided regions.

Abstract: In one aspect, method for automatically identifying sensors provided in association with agricultural equipment includes actuating, with the computing system, agricultural equipment such that an orientation of the agricultural equipment is varied in at least one direction, and receiving, with the computing system, data from a plurality of sensors that is associated with a parameter that changes as the orientation of the agricultural equipment is varied, the plurality of sensors being installed relative to the agricultural equipment at spaced apart locations along the at least one direction. The method also includes identifying, with the computing system, respective locations of the plurality of sensors relative to the agricultural equipment based at least in part on the data.

Abstract: A system for automatic topper control for an agricultural harvester includes a topper assembly having a cutting disk, and a rotational drive source configured to rotationally drive the cutting disk. The system also includes an actuator for adjusting a cutting height of the cutting disk. In addition, the system includes a controller configured to monitor a drive-related pressure parameter associated with an operation of the rotational drive source of the topper assembly. The controller is further configured to control an operation of the actuator to adjust the cutting height of the cutting disk based at least in part on the monitored drive-related parameter.

Abstract: A sugarcane harvester includes an improved discharge assembly that receives sugarcane billets and discharges the billets into a storage vehicle that travels alongside the harvester. The discharge assembly includes an elevator and a conveyor. The elevator lifts the billets vertically about an elevator axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the harvester. The conveyor receives the billets from the elevator and moves the billets horizontally along a conveyor axis that is substantially perpendicular to both the elevator axis and the longitudinal axis of the harvester. The discharge assembly also comprises height adjustment mechanism for vertically raising or lowering the conveyor and lateral adjustment mechanism for laterally adjusting positions of the conveyor. The height adjustment mechanism and the lateral adjustment mechanism can be manually or automatically operated to shift the conveyor between a number of use positions and a transport/storage position.

Abstract: A pressurized air delivery system for assisting grain crop harvesting. The system includes a left hand side manifold and a right hand side manifold adapted for being mounted to a harvester header. Each manifold is connected to a plurality of nozzles disposed along the respective manifold. Each manifold is adapted for receiving a pressurized air flow at a first end thereof and for providing the pressurized air flow to the nozzles. Each manifold is closed at a second opposite end thereof. The left hand side manifold and the right hand side manifold span approximately from a left hand side of the harvester header to a right hand side of the harvester header. An air flow source provides the pressurized air flow. An air conduit is connected to: the air flow source; the first end of the left hand side manifold; and the first end of the right hand side manifold.

Abstract: A robotic garden tool may include an object detection sensor. Object detection data from the object detection sensor may indicate a respective position of each of one or more objects with respect to the robotic garden tool. The robotic garden tool may be configured to execute a speed control algorithm that may include determining, based on the object detection data, whether any objects are present within a detection area of the object detection sensor. The speed control algorithm also may include adjusting a speed of the robotic garden tool and/or a travel direction of the robotic garden tool based on whether and where any objects are detected within the detection area.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to remove the husks of a corncob while preventing the corncob from being crushed. This is achieved in that the device is equipped with a working region (A) for arranging a corncob (2) along a longitudinal axis (X), said working region being divided into a first sub-region (A1) and a second sub-region (A1) along the longitudinal axis (X). Furthermore, a gripping unit (B1) is provided which is designed to carry out a gripping process in a first base position (G1), which is located in the first sub-region (A1), in order to grip a first part of the husks (20?) of the corncob (2).

Abstract: Baling apparatus and method including a baling chamber having one or more splitting knives for dividing crop material picked up from a field to discharge divided bales simultaneously from the baling chamber to be received by an ejection chute structure which ejects the divided bales in spaced relation to each other as the baling apparatus is moved along the field. The spaced relation can be longitudinal by ejecting the divided bales at staggered time and/or can be laterally spaced by turning the bales in the ejection chute structure.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes: a chassis; a pickup carried by the chassis and including a plurality of rotatable tines configured to pick up crop material; a baling chamber carried by the chassis and configured to form a bale from crop material; and a feeding assembly carried by the chassis and configured to receive picked up crop material from the pickup and supply crop material to the baling chamber. The feeding assembly includes: a rotatable rotor carrying a plurality of projections configured to feed crop material to the baling chamber as the rotor rotates; and a shear bar disposed between the pickup and the rotor and configured to cooperate with the projections carried by the rotor to condition crop material before the crop material is fed to the baling chamber by the projections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a round baler (1), comprising a feed channel (6) leading to a pressing chamber (55), a transfer device (20) with a transfer rotor (21), which can be driven about a transfer axis (B) in a chamber feed direction (K), in order to convey harvested material through the feed channel (6) towards the pressing chamber (55) in a pressing mode, as well as a storage device (30) with a storage space (32) for temporarily receiving harvested material, which storage space is connected to the feed channel (6) by means of at least one storage space opening (33).

Abstract: An aeration apparatus for a grain storage bin with a hopper bottom in which the apparatus includes (i) a primary duct extending diametrically across the bin in proximity to a top of the hopper bottom, (ii) two first secondary ducts in communication with the primary duct and extending circumferentially of the bin in two opposing directions from the first end of the primary duct towards respective discharge openings, and (iii) two second secondary ducts in communication with the primary duct and extending circumferentially of the bin in two opposing directions from the second end of the primary duct towards respective discharge openings. An inlet duct communicates the bin wall between an external aeration fan and the first end of the primary duct within the bin such that the fan is directed horizontally and coaxially with the primary duct.

Abstract: Shredder for shredding agricultural products, such as bales of straw, the shredder comprising: a shredding device (20) for shredding the loaded agricultural products and a blowing device (5) for blowing the shredded agricultural products from the shredding device (20) toward and through an outlet opening (3), wherein the blowing device (5) comprises at least two blowing elements (21a, 21b), wherein the two blowing elements (21a, 21b) are arranged rotatably about their respective blowing rotational axis, wherein rotating the blowing elements (21a, 21b) about their blowing rotational axis causes the shredded agricultural products to be blown from the shredding device (20) toward and through the outlet opening (3).

Abstract: Methods of propagating Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are described that do not require the addition of, or presence of, any detectable live host plant material or live plant root material. The method comprises addition of water and optionally exposure to sunlight. It was surprisingly found that soil devoid of any detectable live host plant material, including host plant roots, is capable of supporting AMF reproduction, though it is widely believed that AMF are obligate symbionts requiring live plant roots for colonization to reproduce. Described methods optionally include active removal of living host plant material from the soil prior to AMF inoculation. Optionally, phosphorous compounds are added to the soil prior to inoculation. It was found that addition of phosphorous compounds, such as phosphite, to the soil enhances the growth of AMF spores by as much as three-fold over controls having no added phosphorous compounds.

Abstract: A tree processing system may include a tree processing head and a controller. The tree processing head may include a header frame, a motor, a saw, an arm, and a sensor. The saw is used to cut a tree when the saw is driven by the motor. The saw engages with the tree from a first position and to a second position. The first position and the second position define a cutting zone therebetween. The sensor is used to detect a saw operation speed or current. The controller is coupled to the sensor and configured to determine whether the second position is reached based upon an increase of the saw operation speed or current detected by the sensor. When the second position is reached, the controller transmits a resting signal to the tree processing head to perform a resting operation.

Abstract: A device and method of watering plants using a programmable bucket is described. In one version, the programmable bucket uses a reservoir for water, a pump, at least one minimum pressure valve, a control enclosure, a water level switch, a flow meter, a watering hose, and a cover with an opening adapted to facilitate filling of the reservoir with a funnel and a removable plug. In use, power to the control enclosure is turned on and the reservoir is filled with water, setting the calibrated amount of water. The watering hose is removed from a recycling adaptor, the pump is activated through use of pushbuttons on the control enclosure, water fills the watering hose, once it reaches a minimum pressure valve water exits the hose under pressure, a signal from flow meter changes a volume of water in reservoir.

Abstract: A farming system, method and a growing tray system for propagating, growing and harvesting a crop, the growing tray system including an espalier frame defining a growing volume, being mounted to a base and configured to be movable with respect to the base between a substantially horizontal plane growing position and an open position.

Abstract: A gardening appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber, a grow tower rotatably mounted within the liner and defining a root chamber, a primary water supply system for selectively providing freshwater into the root chamber, and an auxiliary water supply system comprising a wastewater tank for storing wastewater and selectively providing the wastewater into the root chamber. A controller is configured to determine that a hydration cycle needs to be performed to hydrate the one or more plant pods, determine that a freshwater supply limitation exists (e.g., an empty water supply tank or a full wastewater tank), and operate the auxiliary water supply system to provide the wastewater from the wastewater tank into the root chamber in response to determining that the freshwater supply limitation exists when the hydration cycle is needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining phenotypic genomic estimated breeding values (pGEBVs), wherein the method comprises the steps of obtaining genetic, phenotypic, and environmental data for a population of organism genotypes; dividing the data into a reference population and a validation population; and analysing the data obtained. The present invention also relates to a method for selecting a genotype for producing an improved organism in a given environment, as well as a method for producing an improved organism.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for modifying FASCIATED EAR2 (FEA2) genes in plants, optionally to modify meristem size. The invention further relates to plants having increased kernel row number produced using the methods and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel endophytes of plants of the Cannabaceae family, particularly bioprotective Pseudomonas sp. endophytes, and also to plants and parts thereof infected therewith, and related methods, including methods for conferring bioprotection to plants and for selecting a bioprotectant endophyte of a plant of the Cannabaceae family.

Abstract: A rice cultivar designated CLL18 is disclosed herein. The present invention provides seeds, plants, and plant parts derived from rice cultivar CLL18. Further, it provides methods for producing a rice plant by crossing CLL18 with itself or another rice variety. The invention also encompasses any rice seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by the methods disclosed herein, including those in which additional traits have been transferred into CLL18 through the introduction of a transgene or by breeding CLL18 with another rice cultivar.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 93352428 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 93352428, to the plants of soybean cultivar 93352428, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 93352428, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 93352428. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 93352428. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 93352428, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 93352428 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 14R913B2XF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 14R913B2XF. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 14R913B2XF and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 14R913B2XF with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: A lightweight teatcup for use with a milking machine is described herein. The teatcup includes a teatcup shell having two ridges circumferentially spaced apart on the exterior of the body portion of the teatcup shell. The ridges extend along less than the length of the milking teatcup shell. Excluding the ridges, the outside diameter of the teatcup shell of the teatcup is significantly narrower than a diameter of comparable existing milking teatcup shells, hence this milking inflation and shell has a positive impact on the ergonomic factors.

Abstract: A pet litter box and a control method of a pet litter box are provided. The pet litter box includes: a base and a box body, where the base is provided with a chamber; a top side of the base is provided with a base opening; the box body is provided in the chamber; and the base includes a shell bottom opposite to the base opening and a shell wall provided in a peripheral direction of the shell bottom.

Abstract: A milking stall has a lift rail; an actuator for rotating the lift rail between neutral and maximum positions; a divider mounted on and extending rearward of the lift rail; and, an exit gate mounted on and depending downwardly from the lift rail. The exit gate has a head rail rotatably mounted on the lift rail and a shoulder bar connected to and depending downwardly from the head rail. The exit gate pivots with the lift rail, and the shoulder bar points more rearward in the maximum position than in the neutral position. The head rail is rotatably mounted on the lift rail through a torsion spring. The torsion spring biases rotation of the head rail relative to the lift rail and is pre-loaded on the lift rail to provide a rotational bias to the head rail so that the shoulder bar is urged rearward by the rotational bias.

Abstract: A system for sanitary handling of animal excrement is provided comprising a mixing device that combines substances comprising an active ingredient, a water repellent, and a solvent to create a solution that when applied to animal fur binds to the fur and prevents animal feces from adhering to the fur. The solution is applied as a spray. The solution is of low viscosity that promotes the application as a spray The solution is non-toxic, is silicone-based, and is chemically stable. The active ingredient is an amine-based silicone that is hydrophilic.

Abstract: An information handling and alarm system is provided to help pet owners care for and find lost pets.

Abstract: A wall-mounted scratching structure assembly for cats includes a mounting frame affixed to a vertical surface, the mounting frame including a wall-facing surface mounted against the vertical surface, a post-facing surface facing away from the vertical surface, and an attachment mechanism affixing the mounting frame to the vertical surface. The attachment mechanism may further allow a plurality of assemblies to be connected so as to create a stable, continuous climbing path for a cat.

Abstract: An animal restraint for dogs that maintains four points of contact to safely, securely, and humanely restrain the dog. The system includes a platform and four poles that can support the animal. The forward poles support a cross shoulder bar which prevents the dog's forward from rising. A belly strap or bar may be used under the belly of the animal to prevent the rear or bending of hind legs. An optional over strap may be used to loop around the animal's rear. The animal's leash may be mounted to the device, preferably at the top and center of the shoulder bar. The device may be adjustable in height and rotation of the poles. The system may be collapsible to allow for storage.

Abstract: A pet diaper extends in a lateral direction along a waist of a pet and in a longitudinal direction from a ventral side to a dorsal side of the pet, the lateral direction being orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the pet diaper includes: a main body including: an absorbent core; and a tail hole having a longitudinally elongated shape with a largest opening width in the longitudinal direction that is larger than a largest opening width in the lateral direction; a pair of fastening tabs, disposed closer to the ventral side than is the tail hole, that extend outward from a lateral side edge of the main body; and a target portion, disposed closer to the dorsal side than is the tail hole, that engages with the pair of fastening tabs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring pets. More particularly, the system being configured such that, in order to remotely monitor behavior or condition of a pet, a wearable device is worn around a body portion of the pet, a signal detected by the wearable device is registered to a pet monitoring server via a repeater, and a user can access the pet monitoring server with a user terminal to remotely monitor the behavior or condition of the pet.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for livestock monitoring. Animal monitoring devices, mounted on animals, collect accelerometer data of parts of the animals. The devices classify the accelerometer data into one of multiple animal behaviours, to create behaviour classification data. Gateway devices receive the behaviour classification data from the animal monitoring devices, responsive to the one or more of the multiple animal monitoring devices being within a communication range of the gateway device. The gateway devices also obtain sensor data in relation to the animals that is measured independent from the animal behaviours. A rules engine, located remotely from the animals, determines compliance of the animal behaviours with predetermined rules, wherein the behaviours and sensor data are used as variable values in determining the compliance.

Abstract: A predictive control system and regulatory method for a temperature of a livestock house are provided. The predictive control system includes a temperature and humidity sensor, a breeding environment temperature dynamic requirement module, an environmental controller and an environmental regulation implementation mechanism, where the environmental controller is connected to the breeding environment temperature dynamic requirement module and the temperature and humidity sensor; the environmental regulation implementation mechanism is connected to the environmental controller and is configured to perform corresponding environmental regulation according to a command from the environmental controller. The regulatory method controls a temperature of a breeding environment based on a livestock breeding environment temperature dynamic setting model, a livestock breeding environment temperature prediction system based on a GM (1,1) model, and a grey predictive fuzzy system based on the GM (1,1) model.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for automated beehive control and management. Information related to a content of a beehive is acquired by at least one sensor. The information from the at least one sensor is received and analyzed to determine at least one attribute of at least one substance monitored in the content. Based on the at least one attribute, at least one actuator of the beehive is instructed to maneuver at least one mechanical component affecting at least a portion of an internal environment of the beehive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling one or more arrays of bee passage gates in an automated bee habitat, comprising one or more gate arrays comprising a plurality of gates to one or more chambers of an automated bee habitat, each of the gates is individually moveable, independently of all other gates, to set a size of a respective one of a plurality of openings configured for bees passage to the one or more chambers, one or more mechanisms adapted to control each of the plurality of gates independently of the other gates, and a controller adapted to operate the one or more mechanisms to control one or more of the plurality of gates to set the size of the respective openings.

Abstract: A filtration system structure with a front face such as an operating face, including elements of the user interface of the filtration system is provided. A major part of the front face is concave so that the front face is retracted and thereby protected from being damaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a somatic chimera by using a pluripotent cell genetically engineered not to differentiate into a predetermined type of cell. The present invention particularly provides a method for preventing a pluripotent cell from contributing to the brain and gonad in a somatic chimera animal.