US5771169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Site-specific harvest statistics analyzer
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
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Filing: 1996-08-29
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2016-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for analyzing statistical data for a region of a farming field defined by a boundary on a set of georeferenced agricultural maps of the field. Input data includes digital maps of the field which represent spatially-variable characteristics. The characteristics may represent soil properties, crop properties and farming inputs applied to the field. The characteristic data is georeferenced to specific field locations by longitude and latitude coordinates. An electronic display is used to display a visual map of the field together with a visual representation of a first characteristic of the field. An input device is used to draw a boundary around an area of the display, thereby defining a geographic area of the field. Analysis of a second characteristic of the field which correlates to the defined geographic area is then performed. Typically, a farmer draws a polygon on the display based upon similar characteristic values and calculates crop yield and moisture content within the geographic area defined by the polygon.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith W. Wendte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:42
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B79/00; A01B79/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of analyzing statistical data for at least one given region of a farming field, comprising the steps of: storing a first georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a first spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field in a digital memory; displaying a visual map of the farming field on an electronic display which includes a visual representation of the first characteristic data; generating a visually perceivable boundary around an area of the visual map on the electronic display; storing a second georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a second spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field in the digital memory; analyzing the data representative of the second characteristic of the farming field which is georeferenced to the area defined by the boundary; and displaying at least one result of the analysis on the electronic display, wherein the result is associated with the bounded area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of analyzing statistical data for at least one given region of a farming field, comprising the steps of: storing a first georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a first spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field in a digital memory; displaying a visual map of the farming field on an electronic display which includes a visual representation of the first characteristic data; generating a visually perceivable boundary around an area of the visual map on the electronic display; storing a second georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a second spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field in the digital memory; analyzing the data representative of the second characteristic of the farming field which is georeferenced to the area defined by the boundary; and displaying at least one result of the analysis on the electronic display, wherein the result is associated with the bounded area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second georeferenced digital maps include longitude and latitude coordinates associated with the respective first and second characteristic data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of storing the second georeferenced digital map includes harvesting crop from the farming field using a combine, sensing the flow of crop harvested at a plurality of positions, receiving position signals associated with the plurality of positions as the field is harvested, and storing data representative of the crop flow and the associated positions in the memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of storing the second georeferenced digital map includes harvesting crop from the farming field using a combine, sensing the moisture content of crop harvested at a plurality of positions, receiving position signals associated with the plurality of positions as the field is harvested, and storing data representative of the crop moisture content and the associated positions in the memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of detecting soil type in the field to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is soil type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a fertility analyzer to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is soil fertility.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a soil moisture analyzer to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is soil moisture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a soil compaction analyzer to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is soil compaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a pH analyzer to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is pH.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a variable-rate fertilizer spreader to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is fertilizer applied to the field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a variable-rate herbicide spreader to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is herbicide applied to the field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a variable-rate insecticide spreader to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is insecticide applied to the field.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal from a variable-rate seed planter to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is seed applied to the field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring the cultural practices applied to the field to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is cultural practices applied to the field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of detecting insect infestation in the field to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is insect infestation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of detecting weed infestation in the field to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is weed infestation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the first characteristic of the farming field is landmarks.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of monitoring a signal representative of altitude to generate the first characteristic data, wherein the first spatially-variable characteristic is altitude.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the visual representation of the first characteristic data includes a plurality of colors with different colors representing different magnitudes of the first characteristic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the visual representation of the first characteristic data includes a plurality of light intensity levels with different levels representing different magnitudes of the first characteristic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the boundary includes marking a plurality of points surrounding the boundary area and connecting consecutive points.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21, wherein, after a last point is marked, the last point marked is automatically connected to a first point marked, thereby closing the boundary.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of performing an analysis includes calculating an average yield for the defined boundary area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of performing an analysis includes calculating an average moisture content for the defined boundary area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display of the result on the electronic display includes alpha-numeric characters.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for analyzing statistical data for at least one given region of a farming field, comprising: means for providing a first georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a first spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field; means for displaying a visual map of the farming field on an electronic display which includes a visual representation of the first characteristic data; means for defining a boundary of a geographic area of the farming field and displaying the boundary on the electronic display; means for providing a second georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a second spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field; means for analyzing the data representative of the second characteristic of the farming field which is georeferenced to the geographic area defined by the boundary; and means for displaying at least one result of the analysis on the electronic display wherein the result is associated with the defined geographic area.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for analyzing statistical data for at least one given region of a farming field, comprising: means for providing a first georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a first spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field; means for displaying a visual map of the farming field on an electronic display which includes a visual representation of the first characteristic data; means for defining a boundary of a geographic area of the farming field and displaying the boundary on the electronic display; means for providing a second georeferenced digital map of the farming field including data representative of a second spatially-variable characteristic of the farming field; means for analyzing the data representative of the second characteristic of the farming field which is georeferenced to the geographic area defined by the boundary; and means for displaying at least one result of the analysis on the electronic display wherein the result is associated with the defined geographic area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first and second georeferenced digital maps include longitude and latitude coordinates associated with the respective first and second characteristic data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the data representative of the second characteristic of the farming field includes yield data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the data representative of the second characteristic of the farming field includes moisture content data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first characteristic of the farming field is a soil property selected from the group consisting of soil type, soil fertility, soil moisture content, soil compaction and pH.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first characteristic of the farming field is a farming input applied to the field selected from the group consisting of fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide, seed and cultural practices.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the visual representation of the first characteristic data includes a plurality of colors with different colors representing different magnitudes of the first characteristic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for defining a boundary of a geographic area includes an input device actuatable to mark a plurality of points surrounding the area on the electronic display corresponding to the geographic area, wherein consecutive marked points are connected.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein, after a last point is marked, the last point marked is automatically connected to a first point marked.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for analyzing includes means for calculating an average yield for the defined geographic area.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for analyzing includes means for calculating an average moisture content for the defined geographic area.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the display of the result on the electronic display includes alpha-numeric characters.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for analyzing relationships between at least one spatially-variable characteristic of a farming field other than yield with a yield map of the farming field, the apparatus comprising: a digital data memory which stores georeferenced digital maps of the farming field including data representative of the characteristic of the farming field and of yield; an electronic display; a control circuit coupled to the memory and the electronic display, the control circuit configured to read the digital maps from the memory and to generate a display signal therefrom which, when applied to the electronic display, generates visible indicia of the farming field and the characteristic data at corresponding locations of the farming field; and an input device coupled to the control circuit to apply a display location signal to the control circuit, wherein the display location signal causes the control circuit to generate the display signal to draw a polygon around an area of the display, thereby defining a geographic area of the farming field; wherein the control circuit is configured to analyze the yield data which is georeferenced to the defined geographic area, and to generate the display signal to cause at least one result of the analysis to be displayed in association with the defined geographic area.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for analyzing relationships between at least one spatially-variable characteristic of a farming field other than yield with a yield map of the farming field, the apparatus comprising: a digital data memory which stores georeferenced digital maps of the farming field including data representative of the characteristic of the farming field and of yield; an electronic display; a control circuit coupled to the memory and the electronic display, the control circuit configured to read the digital maps from the memory and to generate a display signal therefrom which, when applied to the electronic display, generates visible indicia of the farming field and the characteristic data at corresponding locations of the farming field; and an input device coupled to the control circuit to apply a display location signal to the control circuit, wherein the display location signal causes the control circuit to generate the display signal to draw a polygon around an area of the display, thereby defining a geographic area of the farming field; wherein the control circuit is configured to analyze the yield data which is georeferenced to the defined geographic area, and to generate the display signal to cause at least one result of the analysis to be displayed in association with the defined geographic area.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the digital maps include longitude and latitude data associated with the characteristic data and the yield data.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the memory circuit includes a removable memory device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the control circuit is configured to calculate average yield for the defined geographic area, and the result of the analysis which is displayed includes average yield.
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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) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |