Systems and methods for control, monitoring and mapping of agricultural applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016183450-A2
Application number	US-201314420863-A
Country	US
Kind code	A2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2013
Priority date	Aug 10, 2012
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring an agricultural implement. The system includes a monitor device, a communication module and a display device. The monitor device is in electrical communication with a plurality of sensors monitoring the operation of agricultural implement. The implement sensors generate “as-applied” data. The as-applied data is processed and transmitted to a display device via a communication module. The display device renders maps representing the as-applied data. The generated maps may be accessed and displayed as map overlays on a display device with a common view characteristic.

First claim

1 . A method of monitoring an agricultural implement, comprising:
receiving as-applied data from an implement sensor with a monitor device; processing said as-applied data with said monitor device to generate processed as-applied data; authenticating authentication data transmitted from said monitor device; if said authentication data is authenticated, transmitting said processed as-applied data from said monitor device to a display device via a communication module; rendering a map representing said processed as-applied data; and displaying said map on said display device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further including:
modifying prescription data on said display device; transmitting said prescription data to said monitor device via said communication module; generating a command signal with said monitor device, said command signal being based on said prescription data; and transmitting said command signal to an implement actuator.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further including:
comparing said authentication data to a key stored in a memory of said communication module; and permitting communication of said as-applied data between said monitor device and said display device via said communication module if said authentication data corresponds to said key.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said display device comprises a multi-function computing device.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said display device includes memory, wherein an Internet browser is stored in said memory.

6 . The method of claim 2 , further including:
comparing said authentication data to a key stored in memory of said communication module; and permitting communication of said as-applied data and said prescription data between said communication module and said display device if said authentication data corresponds to said key.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said display device comprises a multi-function computing device, and wherein said display device includes a camera, a GPS receiver, and a modem.

8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said communication module includes an authentication chip, and wherein said authentication chip selectively permits transmission of said as-applied data between said display device and said monitor device.

9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said as-applied data comprises a seed sensor signal and wherein said implement actuator comprises a seed meter drive.

10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said as-applied data comprises a seed sensor signal and wherein said implement actuator comprises a seed meter drive.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said map represents a spatial variation in population deviation.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said map represents both spatial variation in ground contact and downforce.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further including:
counting seed pulses in subsequent intervals; calculating time between corresponding seed pulses in said subsequent intervals; determining a row velocity in a first interval; and calculating as-applied population within said first interval.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further including:
recording times of seed pulses within subsequent intervals; identifying and classifying errors within a first interval; counting a number of errors of each type of error within a first interval; determining a number of good blocks and a number of error blocks to place within a map unit; and randomizing a spatial order of said good blocks and said error blocks within said map unit.

15 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said map represents a spatial variation in one of ride quality, downforce, singulation, spacing, and population deviation.

16 . A method of monitoring an agricultural implement, comprising:
accessing a first spatial agricultural data set associated with a first agricultural operation; accessing a second spatial agricultural data set associated with a second agricultural operation; generating a first map overlay based on said first spatial agricultural data set; generating a second map overlay based on said second spatial agricultural data set; displaying a first map comprising said first map overlay; and displaying a second map comprising said second map overlay on a common screen with said first map, wherein said second map is at least partly disjoined from said first map, and wherein said first and second maps both redundantly include a common geo-referenced location, and wherein said second map has a common view characteristic with said first map.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further including:
displaying a first annotation at a first location on said first map, said first annotation superimposed over said first map overlay; and displaying a second annotation at a second location on said second map, said second annotation superimposed over said second map overlay, wherein said second location corresponds to said first location.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further including:
receiving and implementing a user command to apply a first modification to a view characteristic of said first map; implementing a second modification to a view characteristic of said second map, said second modification corresponding to said first modification such that a visible area and zoom level of said first map corresponds to a visible area and zoom level of said second map; receiving and implementing a user command to apply a third modification to a view characteristic of said second map; and implementing a fourth modification to a view characteristic of said first map, said fourth modification corresponding to said third modification such that a visible area and zoom level of said second map corresponds to a visible area and zoom level of said first map.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further including:
receiving and implementing a user command to apply a first modification to a view characteristic of said first map; maintaining a position of said first annotation relative to said first map when said first modification is implemented; implementing a second modification to a view characteristic of said second map, said second modification corresponding to said first modification such that a visible area and zoom level of said first map corresponds to a visible area and zoom level of said second map; and maintaining a position of said second annotation relative to said second map when said second modification is implemented.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said first spatial agricultural data set comprises planting data collected during a planting operation, and wherein said second spatial agricultural data set comprises yield data collected during a harvesting operation.

21 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said first spatial agricultural data set comprises planting data collected during a planting operation, and wherein said second spatial agricultural data set comprises yield data collected during a harvesting operation.

22 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said first spatial agricultural data set comprises planting data collected during a planting operation, and wherein said second spatial agricultural data set comprises yield data collected during a harvesting operation.

23 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said second agricultural data set represents a spatial variation in population deviation.

24 . The method of claim 16 , further including displaying a map representing both spati

Assignees

• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Koch Justin
• Sauder Doug
• Sauder Tim
• Stuber Jakob

Classifications

• G07C5/085

  using electronic data carriers · CPC title

• A01C21/005 Primary

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

• A01B79/005

  Precision agriculture · CPC title

• G01C15/00

  Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00 · CPC title

• G09B29/007

  using computer methods · CPC title