US6760654B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for determining the position of an agricultural vehicle
Assignee: Deere and Co
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Filing: 2002-05-20
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Granted: 2004-07-06
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Expires: 2022-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A system for locating an agricultural vehicle in a field using two position sensors. A first position sensor is a GPS sensor using satellite signals to locate the vehicle. The second position sensor is a crop edge sensor for locating the vehicle relative to a crop being harvested. A controller receives the first and second position signals and calculates the position of the vehicle based on these two position signals. Both position signals contain signal quality information that is evaluated by the controller and weights the position calculation accordingly. The system can be used in conjunction with a steering controller to automatically guide the vehicle through a field.
Inventors
- 👤 Folker Beck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B79/00; A01B79/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A system for determining the position of an agricultural vehicle comprising: a first position sensor generating a first position signal identifying a location for the vehicle; a second position sensor generating a second position signal identifying a location of the vehicle; a controller is in communication with the first position sensor for receiving the first position signal and the second position sensor for receiving the second position signal, the controller calculates the location of the vehicle based on the first position signal and the second position signal, wherein one of the first and second position signals includes signal quality information, the controller considers the signal quality information in calculating the location of the vehicle by weighting the first and second position signals in response to the signal quality information, the controller is provided with memory in which target path information is stored, the target path information contains information about the path that the vehicle should cover on a field, a steering controller is in communication with the controller and is provided with steering signals derived from the target path information and the position of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A system for determining the position of an agricultural vehicle comprising: a first position sensor generating a first position signal identifying a location for the vehicle; a second position sensor generating a second position signal identifying a location of the vehicle; a controller is in communication with the first position sensor for receiving the first position signal and the second position sensor for receiving the second position signal, the controller calculates the location of the vehicle based on the first position signal and the second position signal, wherein one of the first and second position signals includes signal quality information, the controller considers the signal quality information in calculating the location of the vehicle by weighting the first and second position signals in response to the signal quality information, the controller is provided with memory in which target path information is stored, the target path information contains information about the path that the vehicle should cover on a field, a steering controller is in communication with the controller and is provided with steering signals derived from the target path information and the position of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein both the first position signal include first signal quality information about the first position signal and the second position signal include second signal quality information about the second position signal, the controller evaluates the first and second signal quality information in calculating the location of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined by claim 2 wherein the first position signal is generated by a satellite signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined by claim 3 wherein the second position signal is a local position signal and the second position sensor is attached to the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined by claim 4 wherein the second position sensor detects the movement of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined by claim 5 wherein the second position sensor detects its position relative to a stationary object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined by claim 4 wherein the second position sensor detects its position relative to a stationary object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined by claim 4 wherein the second position sensor detects a crop edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined by claim 4 wherein the second position sensor detects a boundary of operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein the controller selects the target path information on the basis of the first and second signals quality information among several possible target path information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined by claim 10 wherein the controller selects the target path information from a map stored in the memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined by claim 11 wherein the controller selects the target path information from the position of utility vehicle relative to a stationary object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as defined by claim 12 wherein the stationary object is a crop edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined by claim 12 wherein the stationary object is a target path previously covered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined by claim 10 wherein the controller selects the target path information from the position of utility vehicle relative to a stationary object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein the first position signal is generated by a satellite signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined by claim 16 wherein the second position signal is a local position signal and the second position sensor is attached to the vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined by claim 17 wherein the second position sensor detects the movement of the vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
121 words
A harvesting machine for harvesting an agricultural crop, the harvesting machine comprising: a frame; ground engaging means for propelling the frame; a harvesting assembly mounted to the frame; a first position sensor for sensing the position of the harvesting machine and generating a first position signal having a first signal quality information; a second position sensor for sensing the position of the harvesting machine and generating a second position signal having a second signal quality information; a controller in communication with the first and second position sensor for receiving the first and second position signals, the controller using the first and second signal quality information to weight the first and second position signals and calculate the position of the harvesting machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
121 words
A harvesting machine for harvesting an agricultural crop, the harvesting machine comprising: a frame; ground engaging means for propelling the frame; a harvesting assembly mounted to the frame; a first position sensor for sensing the position of the harvesting machine and generating a first position signal having a first signal quality information; a second position sensor for sensing the position of the harvesting machine and generating a second position signal having a second signal quality information; a controller in communication with the first and second position sensor for receiving the first and second position signals, the controller using the first and second signal quality information to weight the first and second position signals and calculate the position of the harvesting machine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A harvesting machine as defined by claim 19 wherein the first position sensor is a Global Positioning Sensor and the first position signal is generated from satellite signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A harvesting machine as defined by claim 20 wherein the second position sensor senses a crop edge of a crop being harvested by the harvesting machine.
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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) | 2007-07-06 | 2008-01-05 | 2008-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-06 | 2012-01-05 | 2012-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-06 | 2016-01-05 | 2016-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |