CROP FEELER SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A system for automatically executing a navigational task based on a proximity of a vehicle to an obstacle, the system comprising:
- a hub attached to a vehicle, the hub including an oscillating circuit having an oscillating frequency;
a member coupled to the hub, the member including an inductive element adapted to alter the oscillating frequency commensurate with its proximity to the oscillating circuit; and
a navigation sensor adapted to;
determine the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit; and
identify a navigational task using the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, a crop feeler system automatically executes a navigational task based on a proximity of a vehicle to an obstacle. The crop feeler system includes a hub attached to the vehicle. Inside the hub are two oscillating circuits each having an oscillating frequency. A member is coupled to the hub. Two inductive elements are positioned within the member so that, when the obstacle comes into contact with the member, at least one of the inductive elements moves closer to at least one of the oscillating circuits and alters the oscillating frequency of that oscillating circuit. A navigation sensor measures the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, identifies a navigational task using the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, and executes the navigational task.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for automatically executing a navigational task based on a proximity of a vehicle to an obstacle, the system comprising:
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a hub attached to a vehicle, the hub including an oscillating circuit having an oscillating frequency; a member coupled to the hub, the member including an inductive element adapted to alter the oscillating frequency commensurate with its proximity to the oscillating circuit; and a navigation sensor adapted to; determine the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit; and identify a navigational task using the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for navigating a vehicle with respect to an obstacle, the method comprising:
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measuring a first oscillating frequency of a first oscillating circuit attached to a vehicle, the first oscillating frequency commensurate with a proximity of a first inductive element in a flexible member to the first oscillating circuit; measuring a second oscillating frequency of a second oscillating circuit attached to a vehicle, the second oscillating frequency commensurate with a proximity of a second inductive element in the flexible member to the second oscillating circuit; and determining a navigational task using the first oscillating frequency and the second oscillating frequency. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A navigation sensor comprising:
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a frequency module adapted to measure oscillating frequencies of an oscillating circuit; a frequency correlator adapted to determine a course adjustment for the vehicle using a set of calibration data and the oscillating frequencies of the oscillating circuit; and a directional adjuster adapted to automatically execute the course adjustment for the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification