Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130211658 | METHOD AND STEREO VISION SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE UNLOADING OF AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL FROM A VEHICLE - A mode controller determines whether to use an automated control mode of the spout or operator-directed manual control mode of the spout, based on a first operational status of a first location determining receiver associated with the propelling vehicle, a second operational status of a second location determining receiver associated with the harvesting vehicle, a third operational status of the imaging device or devices. In the automated control mode, an image processing module is adapted to facilitate the determination of the relative position of the spout and the storage portion and to generate command data place the storage portion and spout in relative cooperative alignment for transferring of material into the storage portion. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211675 | METHOD AND STEREO VISION SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE UNLOADING OF AN AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL FROM A VEHICLE - A stereo imaging device on a propelled portion of the receiving vehicle collects image data. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of a storage portion in the collected image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the harvesting vehicle in the collected image data. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or target zone of the container perimeter. A steering controller is associated with a steering system of the propelled portion for steering the receiving vehicle in accordance with the cooperative alignment. | 08-15-2013 |
20130213518 | METHOD AND STEREO VISION SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE UNLOADING OF AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL FROM A VEHICLE - A spout is operably connected to a transferring material for transferring the agricultural material to the receiving vehicle. An imaging device faces towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle and collects image data. A container module is adapted to determine a container position of the storage portion, or its container perimeter. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data, or to determine a spout position. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container position based on the collected image data and to generate command data or user interface data to facilitate placement of the spout and storage container in relative cooperative alignment for transferring of material from the transferring vehicle to the receiving vehicle. | 08-22-2013 |
20140083556 | ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR DETECTING AND FILLING VOID AREAS OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY CONTAINERS - A system and method for transferring agricultural material from a transferring vehicle to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle, and detecting and filling void areas of the agricultural material is disclosed. A transferring vehicle having a spout transfers agricultural material to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle. An imaging device associated with the transferring vehicle and facing towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle collects imaging data. An image processing module is operable to, based on the imaging data, estimate fill levels of agricultural material within the storage portion; identify an area of the storage portion as targeted to fill; and identify a first void within the targeted area. A controller in communication with the image processing module is configured to command the spout to a position to direct agricultural material to the first void. | 03-27-2014 |
20140290199 | CONTROL ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A POSITION OF A TRANSFER DEVICE OF A HARVESTING MACHINE - Present invention is an adjustable transfer device for unloading processed crop onto a container of a transport vehicle including a control arrangement with an electronic control unit, among other integrated components. Electronic control unit calculates position of expected point of incidence of crop flow on the container within field of view of optical image capture device, displays image of container together with symbol representing calculated expected point of incidence of crop flow on container on display, receives adjustment inputs from user interface for adjusting position of actuator and thus of adjustable transfer device, updates position of symbol in image on display, receives confirmation input from user interface once symbol in image on display is in appropriate position, derives at least one feature in image representing container, and tracks container within output signal of image processing system based on retrieved image feature and controls actuator accordingly to fill container with crop. | 10-02-2014 |
20140311113 | METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE ROBUSTNESS OF AN AUTOMATED UNLOADING SYSTEM - System utilizes stereo cameras to sense the position of a tractor-drawn grain cart relative to a combine during the unloading (on-the-go) process. The sensing system also detects the fill level of grain in the cart and adjusts the relative position of the tractor to the combine to achieve an even fill to the desired fill level. | 10-23-2014 |
20140350801 | System And Method Of Material Handling Using One Imaging Device On The Receiving Vehicle To Control The Material Distribution Into The Storage Portion Of The Receiving Vehicle - A single imaging device collects image data of a storage portion. A container module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected image data. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An arbiter determines whether to use the image data based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central or target zone of the container perimeter. | 11-27-2014 |
20150023775 | System And Method Of Material Handling Using One Or More Imaging Devices On The Transferring Vehicle To Control The Material Distribution Into The Storage Portion Of The Receiving Vehicle - First imaging device collects first image data, whereas second imaging device collects second image data of a storage portion. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected first image data and the collected second image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An image data evaluator determines whether to use the first image data, the second image data, or both based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or a target zone of the container perimeter. | 01-22-2015 |
20150109410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MATERIAL HANDLING USING ONE OR MORE IMAGING DEVICES ON THE TRANSFERRING VEHICLE TO CONTROL THE MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION INTO THE STORAGE PORTION OF THE RECEIVING VEHICLE - First imaging device collects first image data, whereas second imaging device collects second image data of a storage portion. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected first image data and the collected second image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An image data evaluator determines whether to use the first image data, the second image data, or both based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or a target zone of the container perimeter. | 04-23-2015 |
20150356722 | System And Method Of Material Handling Using One Imaging Device On The Receiving Vehicle To Control The Material Distribution Into The Storage Portion Of The Receiving Vehicle - A single imaging device collects image data of a storage portion. A container module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected image data. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An arbiter determines whether to use the image data based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central or target zone of the container perimeter. | 12-10-2015 |