Patent US6454781B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4333096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Seed planter monitor
Assignee: Dickey John Corp
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Filing: 1979-07-27
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Granted: 1982-06-01
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Expires: 1999-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A seed planter monitor is used with a traveling seed planter operable to periodically dispense seeds in each of a plurality of rows. The monitor, preferably a microcomputer device, comprises individual row counters for counting the seeds planted in each row. The monitor determines the row having the highest deviation from the average number of seeds planted per row. Whenever the maximum deviation exceeds a predetermined limit, an alarm signals an error condition to the planter operator. The monitor also senses and warns the operator of any stoppage occurring in any of the rows within a relatively short stoppage distance. Planting data is displayed to the operator during planting.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Jenkins
- 👤 Stephen W. Rector
- 👤 John J. McCarty
- 👤 William Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:09
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C7/00; A01C7/08; A01C7/10; A01C7/102; A01C7/105; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S111/00; Y10S111/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A monitor for a traveling seed planter operable to periodically dispense seeds in each of a plurality of rows, comprising: seed sensing means for sensing the seeds planted in each row; row counting means responsive to the seed sensing means and being operable to obtain a separate count of the seeds planted in each row; means for determining the average number of seeds planted per row from the counts obtained by the row counting means; means for determining the deviations between the counts obtained by the row counting means and the average number of seeds planted per row; means for determining the maximum of said deviations; error checking means for testing for an error condition occuring whenever said maximum deviation exceeds a predetermined limit; and alarm means responsive to said error checking means for signalling an error condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A monitor for a traveling seed planter operable to periodically dispense seeds in each of a plurality of rows, comprising: seed sensing means for sensing the seeds planted in each row; row counting means responsive to the seed sensing means and being operable to obtain a separate count of the seeds planted in each row; means for determining the average number of seeds planted per row from the counts obtained by the row counting means; means for determining the deviations between the counts obtained by the row counting means and the average number of seeds planted per row; means for determining the maximum of said deviations; error checking means for testing for an error condition occuring whenever said maximum deviation exceeds a predetermined limit; and alarm means responsive to said error checking means for signalling an error condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitor of claim 1 and display means for displaying said maximum deviation and means for identifying the row having said maximum deviation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The monitor of claim 1 and stoppage distance means for sensing a predetermined stoppage distance traveled by said planter; means responsive to said seed sensing means for detecting a stoppage of any of the rows while the planter travels said stoppage distance; and means for signalling a said stoppage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The monitor of claim 3 and means for displaying the row having a stoppage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The monitor of claim 1 and distance counting means for counting a predetermined linear distance traveled by said planter; seed counting means for counting the total number of seeds planted in all of the rows while the planter travels said predetermined distance; means for computing the ratio of said total number of seeds to said predetermined distance; and display means for displaying said seeds per distance ratio.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitor of claim 5 and means for automatically establishing said limit in accordance with said seeds per distance ratio.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
For use with a traveling seed planter operable to periodically dispense seeds in each of a plurality of rows, a monitor comprising: seed sensing means for sensing the seeds planted in each row; row counting means responsive to the seed sensing means and being operable to obtain a separate count of the seeds planted in each row; means for determining the average number of seeds planted per row from the counts obtained by the row counting means; means for determining the deviations between the counts obtained by the row counting means and the average number of seeds planted per row; means for determining the maximum of said deviations; and display means for displaying said maximum deviation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
For use with a traveling seed planter operable to periodically dispense seeds in each of a plurality of rows, a monitor comprising: seed sensing means for sensing the seeds planted in each row; row counting means responsive to the seed sensing means and being operable to obtain a separate count of the seeds planted in each row; means for determining the average number of seeds planted per row from the counts obtained by the row counting means; means for determining the deviations between the counts obtained by the row counting means and the average number of seeds planted per row; means for determining the maximum of said deviations; and display means for displaying said maximum deviation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The monitor of claim 7 and means for identifying the row having said maximum deviation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The monitor of claim 7 and stoppage distance means for sensing a predetermined stoppage distance traveled by said planter; means responsive to said seed sensing means for detecting a stoppage of any of the rows while the planter travels said stoppage distance; and means for signalling a said stoppage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The monitor of claim 9 and means for displaying the row having a stoppage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The monitor of claim 7 and area counting means for counting a predetermined area planted by the planter; seed counting means for counting the total number of seeds planted in all of the rows while the planter plants said predetermined area; means for computing the ratio of said total number of seeds to said predetermined area; and display means for displaying said seeds per area ratio.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The monitor of claim 11 and means for storing in a register the count of the area planted; selectively operable display means for displaying said area count; and selectively operable means for resetting said register.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-31 | 1985-11-30 | 1986-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-31 | 1989-11-30 | 1990-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-31 | 1993-11-30 | 1994-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |