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US5870686A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Intelligent Mobile product application control system

Assignee: AG Chem Equipment Co Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-21
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Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2017-08-21
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Abstract

Abstract An intelligent mobile product application control system capable of controlling product application by calculating control values on a per position basis from data that has traditionally been used to generate digital land area maps. The system includes a vehicle having coupled thereto at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module having a geographic raw data processor. The intelligent control module is responsive to raw geographic information data for controlling at least one actuator device in a manner that results in at least one predetermined product being applied to a predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the raw geographic information data.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert J. Monson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C15/00; A01B; A01B79/00; A01B79/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim 209 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one distributed network coupled to the vehicle, the at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module wherein the at least one intelligent control module includes a geographic information raw data processor; an algorithmic software directing said geographic information raw data processor such that said geographic information raw data processor can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between valid discrete raw geographic information data as said valid discrete raw geographic information data is extracted from said predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses a predetermined geographic land area, each at least one intelligent control module being responsive to said application rate data for controlling spatial position dependent set points for at least one actuator device, such that at least one predetermined product is applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the spatial position dependent set points in real time as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area; at least one central processor coupled to the at least one distributed network; and at least one geographic information raw data input device coupled to the at least one distributed network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 209 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one distributed network coupled to the vehicle, the at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module wherein the at least one intelligent control module includes a geographic information raw data processor; an algorithmic software directing said geographic information raw data processor such that said geographic information raw data processor can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between valid discrete raw geographic information data as said valid discrete raw geographic information data is extracted from said predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses a predetermined geographic land area, each at least one intelligent control module being responsive to said application rate data for controlling spatial position dependent set points for at least one actuator device, such that at least one predetermined product is applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the spatial position dependent set points in real time as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area; at least one central processor coupled to the at least one distributed network; and at least one geographic information raw data input device coupled to the at least one distributed network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 49 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 1 further comprising a network server coupled between the at least one central processor and the at least one distributed network for controlling the exchange of information between the at least one central processor and the at least one distributed network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 59 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 2 further comprising an expert system coupled to the at least one distributed network, the expert system defining the relationships between the raw geographic information data, those relationships being utilized by the geographic information raw data processor to determine a target rate of application of the at least one predetermined product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is self-propelled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is equipped for towing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 46 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 1 wherein the raw data processor processes attribute data input from the data input device and wherein the at least one intelligent control module is responsive to the attribute data for controlling the at least one actuator device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 41 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 1 further comprising at least one data sensor coupled to the at least one distributed network for updating at least a portion of the geographic information raw data on a real time basis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 228 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one distributed network coupled to the vehicle, the at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module for controlling at least one actuator device; at least one central processor coupled to the at least one distributed network, the at least one central processor including a geographic information raw data processor; an algorithmic software directing said geographic information raw data processor such that said geographic information raw data processor can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between discrete raw geographic information data as said discrete raw geographic information data is being extracted from a predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area, said geographic information raw data processor being responsive to the input of valid discrete raw geographic information data for generating spatial position dependent set point control data which is communicated to the at least one intelligent control module, such that the at least one actuator device is controlled in a manner that causes at least one predetermined product to be applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the spatial position dependent set point control data; and at least one geographic information raw data input device coupled to the at least one central processor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 228 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one distributed network coupled to the vehicle, the at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module for controlling at least one actuator device; at least one central processor coupled to the at least one distributed network, the at least one central processor including a geographic information raw data processor; an algorithmic software directing said geographic information raw data processor such that said geographic information raw data processor can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between discrete raw geographic information data as said discrete raw geographic information data is being extracted from a predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area, said geographic information raw data processor being responsive to the input of valid discrete raw geographic information data for generating spatial position dependent set point control data which is communicated to the at least one intelligent control module, such that the at least one actuator device is controlled in a manner that causes at least one predetermined product to be applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the spatial position dependent set point control data; and at least one geographic information raw data input device coupled to the at least one central processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 49 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 8 further comprising a network server coupled between the at least one central processor and the at least one distributed network for controlling the exchange of information between the at least one central processor and the at least one distributed network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 59 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 9 further comprising an expert system coupled to the at least one distributed network, the expert system defining the relationships between the raw geographic information data, those relationships being utilized by the geographic information raw data processor to determine a target rate of application of the at least one predetermined product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 14 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 8 wherein the vehicle is self-propelled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 16 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 8 wherein the vehicle is equipped for towing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 46 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 8 wherein the raw data processor processes attribute data input from the data input device and wherein the at least one intelligent control module is responsive to the attribute data for controlling the at least one actuator device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 38 words
The control system of claim 8 further comprising at least one data sensor coupled to the at least one distributed network for updating at least a portion of the geographic information raw data on a real time basis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 244 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one distributed network coupled to said vehicle, the at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module for controlling at least one actuator device; at least one central processor coupled to the at least one distributed network; a geographic information raw data processor having a first portion which is contained within the intelligent control module and a second portion which is contained within the at least one central processor; an algorithmic software directing said geographic information raw data processor such that said geographic information raw data processor can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between valid discrete raw geographic information data as said valid discrete raw geographic information data is being extracted from a predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area, the geographic information raw data processor being responsive to the input of said valid discrete raw geographic information data to cause the intelligent control module to control spatial position dependent set points for the at least one actuator device in a manner such that at least one predetermined product is applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the controlled spatial position dependent set points; and at least one geographic information raw data input device coupled to said at least one central processor and at least one distributed network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 244 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one distributed network coupled to said vehicle, the at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module for controlling at least one actuator device; at least one central processor coupled to the at least one distributed network; a geographic information raw data processor having a first portion which is contained within the intelligent control module and a second portion which is contained within the at least one central processor; an algorithmic software directing said geographic information raw data processor such that said geographic information raw data processor can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between valid discrete raw geographic information data as said valid discrete raw geographic information data is being extracted from a predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area, the geographic information raw data processor being responsive to the input of said valid discrete raw geographic information data to cause the intelligent control module to control spatial position dependent set points for the at least one actuator device in a manner such that at least one predetermined product is applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the controlled spatial position dependent set points; and at least one geographic information raw data input device coupled to said at least one central processor and at least one distributed network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 49 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 15 further comprising a network server coupled between the at least one central processor and the at least one distributed network for controlling the exchange of information between the at least one central processor and the at least one distributed network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 59 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 16 further comprising an expert system coupled to the at least one distributed network, the expert system defining the relationships between the raw geographic information data, those relationships being utilized by the geographic information raw data processor to determine a target rate of application of the at least one predetermined product.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 14 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 15 wherein the vehicle is self-propelled.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 16 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 15 wherein the vehicle is equipped for towing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 46 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 15 wherein the raw data processor processes attribute data input from the data input device and wherein the at least one intelligent control module is responsive to the attribute data for controlling the at least one actuator device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 41 words
The control mobile product application system of claim 15 further comprising at least one data sensor coupled to the at least one distributed network for updating at least a portion of the geographic information raw data on a real time basis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 218 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one actuator device coupled to the vehicle; intelligent control means for controlling the at least one actuator device; a raw data processing means; an algorithmic software directing said raw data processing means such that said raw data processing can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between valid discrete raw geographic information data as said valid discrete raw geographic information data is extracted from a predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area, wherein said raw data processing means is responsive to said algorithmic software for causing the intelligent control means to control spatial position dependent set points for the at least one actuator device such that at least one product is applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the controlled spatial position dependent set points; at least one network means for distributing the control means on a distributed network; central processing means coupled to the distributed network for communicating configuration and coordination data to the distributed network; and geographic information raw data input means for providing said discrete geographic information raw data to the raw data processing means as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 218 words
A mobile product application control system comprising: a vehicle; at least one actuator device coupled to the vehicle; intelligent control means for controlling the at least one actuator device; a raw data processing means; an algorithmic software directing said raw data processing means such that said raw data processing can determine product application rate data in real time for selected products using algorithmically defined relationships between valid discrete raw geographic information data as said valid discrete raw geographic information data is extracted from a predetermined geographic land area, and as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area, wherein said raw data processing means is responsive to said algorithmic software for causing the intelligent control means to control spatial position dependent set points for the at least one actuator device such that at least one product is applied to said predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the controlled spatial position dependent set points; at least one network means for distributing the control means on a distributed network; central processing means coupled to the distributed network for communicating configuration and coordination data to the distributed network; and geographic information raw data input means for providing said discrete geographic information raw data to the raw data processing means as said vehicle traverses said predetermined geographic land area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 51 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 22 further comprising a network server coupled between the at least one central processing means and the at least one distributed network for controlling the exchange of information between the at least one central processing means and the at least one distributed network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 59 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 23 further comprising an expert system coupled to the at least one distributed network, the expert system defining the relationships between the raw geographic information data, those relationships being utilized by the geographic information raw data processor to determine a target rate of application of the at least one predetermined product.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 14 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 22 wherein the vehicle is self-propelled.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 16 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 22 wherein the vehicle is equipped for towing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 46 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 22 wherein the raw data processor processes attribute data input from the data input device and wherein the at least one intelligent control module is responsive to the attribute data for controlling the at least one actuator device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 40 words
The mobile product application control system of claim 22 further comprising at least one data sensor coupled to the raw data processing means for updating at least a portion of the geographic information raw data on a real time basis.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 166 words
A method of controlling application of a product to a predetermined geographic land area comprising: providing a vehicle having at least one geographic information raw data sensor and at least one actuator device operably connected thereto; causing the vehicle to travel over the surface of the geographic land area; sensing raw geographic information data at predetermined sites on the predetermined geographic land area as said vehicle travels over the surface of the predetermined geographic land area; processing the raw geographic information data relating to the predetermined geographic land area as said vehicle travels over the surface of the predetermined geographic land area; controlling a spatial position dependent set point for each said at least one actuator device for each said predetermined site on the predetermined geographic land area such that at least one predetermined product is applied to the predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the processed raw geographic information data in real time as the vehicle traverses the predetermined geographic land area.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 166 words
A method of controlling application of a product to a predetermined geographic land area comprising: providing a vehicle having at least one geographic information raw data sensor and at least one actuator device operably connected thereto; causing the vehicle to travel over the surface of the geographic land area; sensing raw geographic information data at predetermined sites on the predetermined geographic land area as said vehicle travels over the surface of the predetermined geographic land area; processing the raw geographic information data relating to the predetermined geographic land area as said vehicle travels over the surface of the predetermined geographic land area; controlling a spatial position dependent set point for each said at least one actuator device for each said predetermined site on the predetermined geographic land area such that at least one predetermined product is applied to the predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the processed raw geographic information data in real time as the vehicle traverses the predetermined geographic land area.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 2002-02-08 2002-08-10 2003-02-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-02-08 2006-08-10 2007-02-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-02-08 2010-08-10 2011-02-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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