A01B69/001

Automatic steering of an agricultural machine on an agricultural surface

A method for automatically steering an agricultural machine on an agricultural area that is to be worked. The method includes optically detecting a first region of the area that is to be worked lying in a direction of travel of the agricultural machine in a first recording via a first optical sensor in a first position with a first viewing direction. The method further includes optically detecting a second region of the area that is to be worked lying in the direction of travel of the agricultural machine in a second recording via a second optical sensor in a second position with a second viewing direction. The method additionally includes detecting a tramline in the first recording and detecting a tramline in the second recording, determining a first trajectory and a second trajectory, and determining a steering signal based on the first trajectory and/or the second trajectory.

Adaptive color transformation to aid computer vision

System and techniques for adaptive color transformation to aid computer vision are described herein. Colors from an image are mapped into a multi-dimensional space to create a distribution of colors in the image. A line can be fit to the distribution. Here, the line includes an angle relative to a coordinate system of the multi-dimensional space. A transformation to colors can then be applied to the image based on the angle of the line. The transformation producing a reduced image where a color complexity of the original image is reduced.

ADJUSTABLE MOUNT FOR IMPLEMENT CAMERA
20230132104 · 2023-04-27 ·

An adjustable camera system comprises a camera, a mounting assembly and a controller. The mounting assembly is coupled to the camera and adapted to raise and lower the camera. The controller is configured to use an image of an object from the camera to determine whether the camera is at an optimal position from the object. If the controller determines that the camera is not at the optimal position, the controller sends a signal to the mounting assembly to raise or lower the camera.

Hood and tractor equipped with hood

A hood of a tractor including a front grill, a light unit, and an upper cover is provided with a center pillar. The front grill is attached to the center pillar, the light unit is attached to the front grill, and the upper cover is supported by the center pillar. The hood is further provided with a side frame and a lower cover, where the side frame is attached to the center pillar, and the lower cover is attached to at least the upper cover and the side frame.

Agricultural work apparatus, agricultural work management system, and program
11632907 · 2023-04-25 · ·

An object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural work apparatus, an agricultural work management system, and a program capable of appropriately managing agricultural work information and smoothly implementing agricultural work and business in the future by making use of agricultural work information. An agricultural work apparatus may include: a first image-capturing device; an agricultural work determination unit that determines, on the basis of first image information obtained by capturing an image of a target of agricultural work through the first image-capturing device, whether or not to execute the agricultural work on the target; an agricultural work execution unit that executes the agricultural work; an agricultural work information generation unit that generates agricultural work information including a result of the agricultural work; a measurement unit that measures a position of the target; and an agricultural work information management unit that manages the agricultural work information and positional information.

Implement position control system and method for same

An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.

Work vehicle debris accumulation control systems
11598072 · 2023-03-07 · ·

A debris accumulation control system is provided for usage within a work vehicle including an operator station and a work vehicle compartment. In embodiments, the work vehicle debris accumulation control system includes a display device located in the operator station of the work vehicle, a three dimensional (3D) imaging device having a field of view (FOV) encompassing a debris-gathering region of the work vehicle compartment, and a controller operably coupled to the display device and to the 3D imaging device. The controller is configured to: (i) utilize 3D imaging data provided by the 3D imaging device to estimate a debris accumulation risk level within the work vehicle compartment; and (ii) generate a first visual alert on the display device when the debris accumulation risk level surpasses a first predetermined threshold.

AUTOMATED TURN PATTERNS IN AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTER

An agricultural system automatically detects a turn pattern and automatically identifies a next path that will be taken through the field. The agricultural system automatically controls the machine through the next turn that navigates the machine from a current path to the identified next path. This continues until a land size has been completed at which point the agricultural system identifies a next land in a field.

TRAILED IMPLEMENT WITH VISION GUIDANCE
20230114803 · 2023-04-13 ·

A method of navigating a vehicle through a field as it is being towed by a tractor. The method comprises obtaining an image of the field, segmenting the image to identify one or more crop rows, and steering the vehicle to avoid the one or more crop rows.

PRECISION CULTIVATOR WITH VISION GUIDANCE
20230115920 · 2023-04-13 ·

A method of navigating an agricultural implement through a field in an operative direction as it is being towed by a tractor. The method comprises providing the implement with a main mounting assembly, which is mountable to the tractor and has a stationary main beam, and a toolbar movably supported on the main beam in a lateral position so as to be shiftable laterally relative to the operative direction to align the toolbar relative to crop rows, the toolbar including row units configured to pass between crop rows; obtaining an image of the field with a camera; segmenting the image to identify a plurality of the crop rows extending in the operative direction within a field of vision of the camera; and adjusting the lateral position of the toolbar to maintain the row units between the plurality of crop rows while avoiding damage to the crops.