AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR AG BASED OPERATIONS
First Claim
1. An autonomous vehicle, comprising:
- a frame;
a power source positioned substantially at one end of the frame;
a self-propelled drive system operatively connected to the power source and configured to drive one or more tracks or wheels;
an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system and power source to aid in the self-propelling of the drive system; and
a cover for at least partially enclosing portions of the power source and drive system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An autonomous vehicle, comprising:
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a frame; a power source positioned substantially at one end of the frame; a self-propelled drive system operatively connected to the power source and configured to drive one or more tracks or wheels; an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system and power source to aid in the self-propelling of the drive system; and a cover for at least partially enclosing portions of the power source and drive system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An autonomous vehicle for performing agricultural based operations, the vehicle comprising:
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a frame; a plurality of wheels or tracks coupled to the frame; a power source coupled to a self-propelling drive source for driving the wheels or tracks without an operator; a plurality of modules operatively connected to an intelligent control for obtaining information related to the operation of the vehicle; an enclosure for covering at least a portion of the power source and drive source; and at least one attachment mechanism connected to at least one of the ends of the frame. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An agricultural vehicle, comprising:
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a frame; a power source positioned at an end of the frame and configured to drive a self-propelled drive system; a plurality of wheels or tracks coupled to the frame and driven by the drive system; a plurality of sensors operatively attached to the drive system to aid in diving the vehicle such that the vehicle will avoid obstructions and other selected areas; and at least one attachment mechanism positioned at either or both of the ends of the frame for connecting the vehicle to another apparatus.
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18. A method of operating an autonomous, agricultural vehicle, the method comprising:
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operating a vehicle comprising a self-propelled drive system and being substantially self-powered in a first path; obtaining information from a plurality of sensors, location determining devices, communication devices, or some combination thereof; using the information to determine if the vehicle should continue on the first path or if the vehicle needs to determine a different path; and continuously operating the vehicle with updated information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification