US5566069A — Computer network for collecting and analyzing agr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 109 words

A computer network for gathering data related to the agricultural operation of a farm, said farm having at least one field and an operations base, said network being comprised of a first, mobile computer adapted for being carried in the field and having a graphic user interface to facilitate the entry of data therein, a second fixed platform computer adapted for location at said operations base and configured to emulate the graphic user interface of said first computer so that an operator may conveniently operate both said first and second computers with substantially the same commands, and a first data link for selectively connecting said first and second computers.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 109 words

A computer network for gathering data related to the agricultural operation of a farm, said farm having at least one field and an operations base, said network being comprised of a first, mobile computer adapted for being carried in the field and having a graphic user interface to facilitate the entry of data therein, a second fixed platform computer adapted for location at said operations base and configured to emulate the graphic user interface of said first computer so that an operator may conveniently operate both said first and second computers with substantially the same commands, and a first data link for selectively connecting said first and second computers.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 58 words

The computer network of Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of computer pairs, each of said pairs being comprised of a first computer, a second computer, and a first data link for selectively connecting said first and second computers; a third central computer; and a second data link between each of said pairs and said third central computer.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The computer network of claim 2 wherein said second data link comprises an offline, batching data link providing communication in both directions between said pairs and said third computer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The computer network of claim 3 wherein each of said first computers includes a memory for storing data relevant to the operation of said farm.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The computer network of claim 4 wherein said graphic user interface includes a screen, said first computer being configured for an operator to selectively display said relevant data in any one of a plurality of formats on said screen.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The computer network of claim 5 wherein said second computer is configured for manipulating the data stored in said first computer's memory through said first data link.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The computer network of claim 6 wherein said second computer includes a memory for storing at least said relevant data stored in said first computer, and is configured for synchronizing said relevant data as stored in said memories.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The computer network of claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of second computers is connected to said third central computer through said second data link.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 41 words

The computer network of claim 8 wherein said third central computer is configured for collating and processing the relevant data communicated to it by said plurality of second computers in response to inquiry from any of said plurality of second computers.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 40 words

The computer network of claim 9 Wherein said third central computer is also configured for creating a data base from said relevant data as received from all of said second computers, and for processing the data in said data base.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The computer network of claim 10 wherein said second data link comprises a messaging service.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 105 words

A portable, handheld computer for gathering and processing substantially all material data related to the agricultural operation of a farm through an entire growing season, said portable computer having a graphic user interface to facilitate the entry of, processing, and access to said data in said computer, a memory for storing said data, and a stored program to provide the interactive organized visual display of said data in a variety of formats upon operator command, processing of said data in response to operator inquiry including sorting of said data, and recording of operator comments relating to future desired actions to be implemented on said farm.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 105 words

A portable, handheld computer for gathering and processing substantially all material data related to the agricultural operation of a farm through an entire growing season, said portable computer having a graphic user interface to facilitate the entry of, processing, and access to said data in said computer, a memory for storing said data, and a stored program to provide the interactive organized visual display of said data in a variety of formats upon operator command, processing of said data in response to operator inquiry including sorting of said data, and recording of operator comments relating to future desired actions to be implemented on said farm.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 36 words

The portable computer of claim 12 wherein said stored program is configured for synchronizing the data stored in said portable computer with the data stored in a second computer with a small number of fixed commands.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 37 words

The portable computer of claim 13 wherein said stored program is configured for synchronizing the data stored in said portable computer with the data stored in a second computer upon connection therebetween with said electronic connection means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 60 words

The portable computer of claim 14 wherein said stored program is configured for displaying a plurality of nested shell displays on a screen, at least some of said displays including a plurality of data storage lines and a scrollable list from which an appropriate data entry may be selected for entry and display in one of said data storage lines.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

The portable computer of claim 12 wherein said stored program is configured for populating a plurality of scrollable lists solely with entries which are properly selectable in response to the data already stored in said portable computer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 43 words

The portable computer of claim 16 further comprising a connector for connecting said portable computer to a second data base, said second data base being adapted for storing a significantly greater amount of data than may be stored in said portable computer memory.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 49 words

The portable computer of claim 17 wherein said stored program is also configured for selectively accessing said second data base on operator command when said portable computer is connected to said second data base to thereby provide additional explanatory data related to any data contained in said stored program.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The portable computer of claim 18 wherein said second data base comprises a data card and said connector comprises a data card reader and slot for receiving said data card.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 44 words

The portable computer of claim 19 wherein a substantial portion of said data may be entered in said portable computer by physically touching said data entry as it is displayed on said graphic user interface to thereby provide simplified data entry for an operator.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The portable computer of claim 20 further comprising a touch screen sized to cover substantially the entirety of said portable computer's largest side.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 75 words

In a computer network including a plurality of field computers, each of said field computers being adapted for creating a data base reflecting the agricultural operation of a farm, and a single central computer for receiving and assembling data from said field computers into a master data base, the improvement comprising an offline, batching data link interface between said field computers and said central computer to facilitate the orderly transfer of data between said computers.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 75 words

In a computer network including a plurality of field computers, each of said field computers being adapted for creating a data base reflecting the agricultural operation of a farm, and a single central computer for receiving and assembling data from said field computers into a master data base, the improvement comprising an offline, batching data link interface between said field computers and said central computer to facilitate the orderly transfer of data between said computers.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

The computer network of claim 22 wherein said central computer is adapted for retrieving messages addressed to it and stored in said data link, and for depositing messages in said data link intended for any of said field computers.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 54 words

The computer network of claim 23 wherein each of said field computers is adapted for checking said data link for messages intended for it, and wherein said data link conditions the release of said messages upon the transmission by said field computer of its data to said data link addressed for said central computer.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 65 words

The computer network of claim 24 wherein said data link is configured for restricting access thereto by any field computer upon the transmission of a valid account number to which a charge is posted for said access, and each of said field computers translates an operator entered code into one of said valid account numbers to thereby restrict said operator's access to said data link.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 16 words

The computer network of claim 25 wherein said batching data link comprises a commercial messaging service.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 53 words

The computer network of claim 26 wherein each of said field computers comprises a portable computer, a base operations computer, and a second data link for selectively connecting and transmitting data between said portable and base operations computers, said base operations computer being connected to said central computer through said batching data link.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 49 words

The computer network of claim 27 wherein said central computer is configured for processing the data in said master data base in response to an inquiry to thereby allow an individual operator of a field computer to have access to provided data from more than just his field computer.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 29 words

The computer network of claim 28 wherein said central computer is configured for guaranteeing the anonymity of data in said master data base as accessed by any field computer.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 48 words

The portable computer of claim 12 wherein said stored program is display driven and includes a first set of displays for recording data on farming operations, a second set of displays for recording data on weather, and a third set of displays for recording data on land use.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

The portable computer of claim 30 wherein said stored program includes a fourth set of displays for recording data on farm machines.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 55 words

The portable computer of claim 31 wherein each of said sets of displays is further comprised of a plurality of displays which are nested with respect to each other and said graphic user interface is adapted for moving between the nested displays in a set by an operator touching a screen on said portable computer.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The portable computer of claim 32 wherein at least one of said displays has at least one button which, when touched, further displays said scrollable list.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 35 words

The portable computer of claim 33 wherein said stored program is configured for populating said scrollable list solely with entries which are properly selectable in response to the data already stored in said portable computer.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 98 words

A client-client-server computer network for collecting and analyzing data related to the agricultural operation of a plurality of farms comprising a plurality of client-client computer sub-networks linked to a central server computer, each of said sub-networks being comprised of a portable computer for use by an operator in a field environment, a base operations computer comprised of a fixed platform PC, and a client data link for interconnecting said portable computer with said PC, each of said sub-networks being associated with a farmer, and a server data link interconnecting each of said sub-networks to said central server computer.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 98 words

A client-client-server computer network for collecting and analyzing data related to the agricultural operation of a plurality of farms comprising a plurality of client-client computer sub-networks linked to a central server computer, each of said sub-networks being comprised of a portable computer for use by an operator in a field environment, a base operations computer comprised of a fixed platform PC, and a client data link for interconnecting said portable computer with said PC, each of said sub-networks being associated with a farmer, and a server data link interconnecting each of said sub-networks to said central server computer.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 44 words

The computer network of claim 35 wherein each of said portable computers has a graphic user interface and its associated PC is configured for emulating said graphic user interface to thereby provide a substantially similar interface to an operator on both of said computers.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 33 words

The computer network of claim 36 wherein said server data link comprises an offline, batch data link so that said central server computer may obtain data from said plurality of PCs in batches.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 51 words

The computer network of claim 37 wherein each of said sub-network computers includes a memory for storing said farm data and each of said PCs is configured for synchronizing data stored therein with data stored in its associated portable computer by storing the most recent data entry in any data pair.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 102 words

A portable, handheld computer for gathering substantially all material data related to the agricultural operation of a farm through an entire growing season, said portable computer having a non-command line interface to facilitate the entry of said data into said portable computer, a memory for storing said data, and a stored program to provide the organized visual display of said data, said stored program being display driven and including a first set of displays for recording data on farming operations, a second set of displays for recording data on weather, and a third set of displays for recording data on land use.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 102 words

A portable, handheld computer for gathering substantially all material data related to the agricultural operation of a farm through an entire growing season, said portable computer having a non-command line interface to facilitate the entry of said data into said portable computer, a memory for storing said data, and a stored program to provide the organized visual display of said data, said stored program being display driven and including a first set of displays for recording data on farming operations, a second set of displays for recording data on weather, and a third set of displays for recording data on land use.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 26 words

The portable computer of claim 39 further comprising a connector for connecting said portable computer to a second computer to facilitate the transmission of data therebetween.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 31 words

The portable computer of claim 40 wherein said stored program is configured for having the data stored in said portable computer synchronized with a data set stored in said second computer.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 78 words

A method for collecting and storing data relating to the agricultural operation of a plurality of farms, each of said farms having an associated portable computer and fixed platform computer, comprising the steps of: recording on each portable computer the data related to its associated farm; communicating the data from each of said portable computers to its associated computer; and transmitting the data from each of said computers over an offline, batched data link to a central computer.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 78 words

A method for collecting and storing data relating to the agricultural operation of a plurality of farms, each of said farms having an associated portable computer and fixed platform computer, comprising the steps of: recording on each portable computer the data related to its associated farm; communicating the data from each of said portable computers to its associated computer; and transmitting the data from each of said computers over an offline, batched data link to a central computer.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 42 further comprising the step of periodically synchronizing the data between each pair of associated portable and fixed platform computers.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 43 further comprising the steps of: assembling all of said data into a master data base in said central computer; and analyzing said master base to provide reports for particular farms based on multiple farm data.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 63 words

A computer readable memory for implementation in a field computer to create and maintain a data base of substantially all material data related to the agricultural operation of a farm, said memory being configured for displaying a plurality of sets of nested displays on a display screen of said field computer, and for moving between said sets of nested displays by operator command.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 63 words

A computer readable memory for implementation in a field computer to create and maintain a data base of substantially all material data related to the agricultural operation of a farm, said memory being configured for displaying a plurality of sets of nested displays on a display screen of said field computer, and for moving between said sets of nested displays by operator command.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 41 words

The computer readable memory of claim 45 wherein each of said sets of nested displays has an associated icon so that said operator can access one of said sets of nested displays by touching its associated icon on said display screen.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 45 words

The computer readable memory of claim 45 wherein at least one of said nested displays includes a data storage line and a data table from which an appropriate data entry can be selected by said operator for entry and display in said data storage line.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 32 words

The computer readable memory of claim 47 further configured for said data entry to be selected by said operator physically touching said data entry as it is displayed on said display screen.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 13 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 wherein said data table is scrollable.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 33 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 further configured for accessing another computer readable memory upon operator command to thereby obtain additional data entries for entry and display in said data storage line.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 31 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 further configured for populating said data table solely with data entries which are properly selectable in response to data already stored in said memory.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 28 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 further configured for synchronizing the data stored in said memory with data stored in the computer readable memory of another computer.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 29 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 further configured for manipulating data stored in the computer readable memory of another computer without copying said data from said another computer.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 48 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 further configured to display information on less than the full size of said display screen so that the utilized portion of said display screen is substantially the same size as the display screen of a computer associated with said field computer.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 21 words

The computer readable memory of claim 48 further configured for accessing a central computer with a small number of fixed commands.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-10-15	2000-04-15	2000-10-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-10-15	2004-04-15	2004-10-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-10-15	2008-04-15	2008-10-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Computer network for collecting and analyzing agronomic data

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