Systems and method for monitoring, controlling, and displaying field operations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9717178-B1
Application number	US-201514819363-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 5, 2015
Priority date	Aug 8, 2014
Publication date	Aug 1, 2017
Grant date	Aug 1, 2017

Abstract

Described herein are systems and method for monitoring and controlling field operations including planting and harvesting operations. In one embodiment, a data processing system of a machine includes a data transfer and processing module that communicates bi-directionally with different types of controllers and sensors mounted on the machine or an implement attached to the machine. The data transfer and processing module is configured to execute instructions to receive signals from these controllers and sensors, process these signals, and generate data for monitoring and controlling field operations of the machine. At least one display device is coupled to the data transfer and processing module. The at least one display device displays the data for monitoring and controlling field operations of the machine or implement to a user or operator.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for monitoring and controlling an agricultural implement, comprising:
a data transfer and processing module comprising,
a first connector configured to communicate with a plurality of implement sensors and to receive sensor data from the plurality of implement sensors;
a second connector configured to communicate bi-directionally with a plurality of implement controllers;
a first port configured to communicate bi-directionally with a first display device;
a second port configured to communicate with a second display device; and
a processing system coupled to the first connector, the second connector, the first port, and the second port, said processing system configured to process sensor data received from said plurality of implement sensors, said processing system configured to generate and transfer command signals to said plurality of implement controllers, said processing system configured to generate display data useable by said first display device and second display device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said data transfer and processing module does not include a graphical user interface.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first display device comprises a multi-function consumer tablet computing device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein said second display device comprises a dedicated implement monitoring device.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of implement sensors comprises a plurality of seed sensors.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of implement controllers comprises a plurality of seed meter drive motors.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said data transfer and processing module further comprises: an authentication device configured to authenticate and permit communication with at least one of said first display device and said second display device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first connector is configured to receive data from a first implement bus, and wherein said second connector is configured to receive data from a second, different implement bus.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said data transfer and processing module further comprises a third port configured to communicate with a third display device.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said data transfer and processing module further comprises a power over ethernet injector in communication with said first and second ports.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a cab control module in data communication with said data transfer and processing module, said cab control module having a user interface configured to receive implement controller commands from a user, said cab control module being configured to transmit command signals to said plurality of implement controllers.

12. A method of monitoring an agricultural implement, comprising:
receiving, with a data transfer and processing module of a system, a communication from a first display device in regards to initiation of a software application based on input from a user;
allowing access to the software application for performing field operations if authentication of at least one of the user and the first display device is successful;
monitoring, with the data transfer and processing module, signals received from different controllers and sensors of the agricultural implement;
analyzing, with the data transfer and processing module, the signals received from the sensors or controllers;
generating data for monitoring and controlling field operations based on said signals; and
sending the data to the first display device and a second display device with the data to be displayed for monitoring and controlling field operations.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
receiving, with an authentication device of the data transfer and processing module, said communication or information derived from said communication and initiating authentication of at least one of the user and the first display device.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the data indicates at least one of seed coverage showing which regions in a field have been planted by the agricultural implement, seed population for a region that has been planted by the agricultural implement, and seed spacing to determine how evenly seeds are spaced in a field.

15. A method for monitoring and controlling an agricultural implement, comprising:
establishing communications between a data transfer and processing module and a plurality of implement sensors and a plurality of implement controllers;
receiving, with the data transfer and processing module, sensor data from at least one of the plurality of implement sensors;
generating and transferring command signals to said plurality of implement controllers; and
generating and sending display data to a first display device and a second display device based at least partially on said sensor data.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said the data transfer and processing module does not include a graphical user interface.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein said first display device comprises a multi-function consumer tablet computing device, wherein said second display device comprises a dedicated implement monitoring device.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of implement sensors comprises a plurality of seed sensors.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of implement controllers comprises a plurality of seed meter drive motors.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
establishing communications between a cab control module and said data transfer and processing module, wherein said cab control module having a user interface is configured to receive implement controller commands from a user, said cab control module is configured to transmit command signals to said plurality of implement controllers.

Assignees

• Climate Corp

Inventors

• Sauder Doug
• Allgaier Ryan
• Baurer Phil D

Classifications

• A01C7/102 Primary

  Regulating or controlling the seed rate · CPC title

• A01B79/005

  Precision agriculture · CPC title

• A01D91/04

  Products growing above the soil (fruit, hops A01D46/00) · CPC title

• B60K35/22

  Display screens · CPC title

• B60K35/85

  Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data · CPC title