CONTROL UNITS, NODES, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND COMMUNICATING DATA

• US 20180116102A1
• Filed: 11/01/2017
• Published: 05/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: TAYLOR, MAX, LEGGE, RYAN, WILHELMI, MATTHEW J., HAHN, DUSTAN, SHULTS, JAMIE, TAYLOR, RYAN, SCHOON, JASON, MINTON, KELLY, MCMAHAN, RYAN, MOELLER, MATTHEW, WHITEMAN, WILL
• Granted Patent: US 10,952,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/00 Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements A01B63/00 takes precedence; vehicle connections in general B60D; draught assemblies for animal drawn vehicles, in general B62C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/004 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/005 Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/105 Seed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/00 Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 ; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16

Abstract

Agricultural electronics include many components. The components can be connected via an electronic link that connects the various components to components of an agricultural implement. This can include the use of a component type identifier and a master module. The identifier and the module can communicate data, including identification data and instructional data, to easily acknowledge and operate various electrical components of the agricultural implement. Additional sensors can be included to provide even additional data that is communicated between the module and the components of the agricultural implement to aid in providing instructions for operation and to provide additional data information.

Claims

1. A method for connecting an electronic component with an agricultural implement configured to perform an agricultural operation, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the electronic component having a component type identifier;

providing a planter having a plurality of row unit slots and a master module, and an electronic link configured to connect to the electronic component to the agricultural implement;

automatically detecting an electronic connection from the electronic component via the electronic link;

transmitting the component type identifier to the master module to identify the connected electronic component; and

providing operating instructions to the electronic component based, as least in part, on the component type identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connected electronic component comprises one of a seed meter assembly and a row unit assembly.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the connected electronic component is the row unit assembly, and the method further comprising the steps of:

determining one of the plurality of row unit slots associated with the row unit assembly;

configuring the row unit assembly to perform a portion of the agricultural operation associated with the one of the plurality of row unit slots.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic link comprises one of a wired connection or a wireless connection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the master module is associated with an electronic user interface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the component type identifier is stored as data on the electronic component.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of determining the operating instructions for the row unit assembly based, at least in part, on a preset map.

8. A system for connecting an electronic component to an agricultural implement, the system comprising:

an electronic link configured to electronically connect the electronic component and the agricultural implement;

a component type identifier stored as data associated with the electronic component; and

a master module configured to;

(a) detect the presence of the electronic component connected to the agricultural implement;

(b) identify one or more characteristics of the electronic component based, at least in part, on the component type identifier;

(c) determining operating instructions associated with the electronic component based, at least in part, on the one or more characteristics of the electronic component; and

(d) provide the operating instructions to the electronic component via the electronic link.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more characteristics comprise a type of the electronic component or a location of the electronic component on the agricultural implement.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic component is a row unit assembly on a planter implement.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the planter implement includes a plurality of row units each having unique planting parameters;

wherein the row unit assembly is operably connected to one of the plurality of row units;

wherein the master module, upon detection of the row unit assembly, automatically configures the row unit assembly to perform the unique planting parameters associated with one of the plurality of row units.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the operating instructions include seed placement data associated with a prescriptive planting map.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic link comprises one of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

measurement sensors associated with the planter and each of the plurality of row units;

wherein the measurement sensors are configured to synchronize time and location with one another.

15. An agricultural planter with a plurality of electronic components, said agricultural planter comprising:

a routing member comprising a memory including data associated with the agricultural planter and a plurality of connectors;

a plurality of nodes electrically coupled to the routing member, each of the plurality of nodes associated with at least one of the electronic components of the agricultural planter;

wherein the plurality of nodes electronically communicates with the routing member to associate, in real time, the electronic component with the agricultural planter to perform a function based, at least in part, on the data associated with the agricultural planter and stored in the member of the routing member.

16. The agricultural planter of claim 15, wherein the routing member and the plurality of nodes are hardwired connected.

17. The agricultural planter of claim 15, wherein the routing member and the plurality of nodes are wirelessly connected.

18. The agricultural planter of claim 15, further comprising at least one display electronically connected to the routing member, said display configured to display information related to the plurality of nodes and associated electronic components.

19. The agricultural planter of claim 15, further comprising at least one position sensor electronically connected to at least one of the plurality of nodes, wherein said at least one position sensor provides positional data associated with the agricultural planter.

20. The agricultural planter of claim 19, wherein the at least one position sensor comprises a processor and a 9-axis inertial measurement sensor.