Application control and monitoring apparatus, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10390478-B2
Application number	US-201414888231-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2014
Priority date	Apr 30, 2013
Publication date	Aug 27, 2019
Grant date	Aug 27, 2019

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining corrected population based on a meter drive signal. Systems, methods, and apparatus are additionally provided for determining a stability metric based on a meter drive signal. A method for monitoring a seed application rate of a seed planter includes measuring a rotation of a seed disc of a seed meter, measuring a performance value corresponding to the seed meter, and calculating the population value based on the rotation and the meter performance value.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for monitoring a seed application rate of a seed planter planting seeds from a seed meter, comprising:
measuring a rotation of a seed disc of the seed meter;
calculating a nominal time between seeds based on the measured rotation of the seed disc;
calculating a nominal population value based on the nominal time between seeds;
generating a signal with a seed sensor, the signal corresponding to deposition of seeds;
calculating a time between seeds deposited by the seed meter based on the signal from the seed sensor; and
calculating a population value based on the nominal population value and the time between seeds.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating a time between seeds comprises calculating an average time between seeds over a period in which the seed meter deposits at least three seeds.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the period is greater than a time required for the seed disc to make a full rotation.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein calculating a population value comprises calculating a population value based on a number of metering errors during the period.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating a population value comprises calculating a population value based on an expected time between seeds deposited and the time between seeds deposited.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said calculating a population value comprises calculating a population value based on a ratio between an expected time between seeds deposited by the seed meter and the time between seeds deposited by the seed meter.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising correcting the nominal population value based on the measured time between seeds deposited by the seed meter.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
spatially mapping the population value to create a population map; and
displaying population map.

9. A method for monitoring a seed application rate of a seed planter planting seeds from a seed meter, comprising:
measuring a rotation of a seed disc of the seed meter;
generating signals with a seed sensor, the signals each corresponding to deposition of a seed;
measuring a time between sequential signals;
determining a meter performance value based on the measured time between sequential signals; and
calculating a population value based on the measured rotation of the seed disc and the meter performance value.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising calculating a nominal population based on the measured rotation.

11. The method of said claim 10 , wherein calculating the population value comprises correcting the nominal population based on the measured time between sequential signals.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
spatially mapping the population value to create a population map; and
displaying the population map.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising displaying the population value.

Assignees

• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Sauder Derek
• Baurer Phil
• Allgaier Ryan

Classifications

• A01B79/005

  Precision agriculture · CPC title

• A01C7/12 Primary

  Seeders with feeding wheels · CPC title

• G01D5/14

  influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage · CPC title

• A01C21/005 Primary

  Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern · CPC title

• A01C7/102

  Regulating or controlling the seed rate · CPC title