Seed meter monitoring system
First Claim
1. In an adjustable seed meter system having moving seed cells for picking up seeds and distributing the seeds towards the ground at a seed population per area of ground, a seed meter monitor comprising:
- a detector supported adjacent the seed cells and providing seed presence signals indicative of the presence or absence of seeds in the cells as the cells move adjacent the detector; and
a processor receiving the seed presence signals and providing an indication of presence or absence of seeds in the seed cells to facilitate adjustments to the adjustable seed meter system to maintain a seed count per seed cell at the given seed population.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A detector is supported adjacent the seed cells within a seed meter housing and provides an indication of the presence or absence of seeds in the cells. A processor receives the seed presence indications and provides an operator readout to facilitate adjustments to the seed meter system to maintain a single seed per seed cell at the given seed population. In one embodiment, the detector is a video camera and the readout includes a slow motion rendering of the seed cells downstream of a seed singulator. In another embodiment, a light source is located on one side of the seed cells, and a light detector is located on the opposite side of the seed cell to determine presence or absence of material in the cell.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. In an adjustable seed meter system having moving seed cells for picking up seeds and distributing the seeds towards the ground at a seed population per area of ground, a seed meter monitor comprising:
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a detector supported adjacent the seed cells and providing seed presence signals indicative of the presence or absence of seeds in the cells as the cells move adjacent the detector; and a processor receiving the seed presence signals and providing an indication of presence or absence of seeds in the seed cells to facilitate adjustments to the adjustable seed meter system to maintain a seed count per seed cell at the given seed population. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In an adjustable seed meter system having moving seed cells within a seed meter housing for picking up seeds and distributing the seeds towards the ground at predetermined spacings and at a given seed population per area of ground, a seed meter monitor comprising:
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a source of light located within the housing for illuminating the seed cells; a detector supported within the housing adjacent the seed cells and providing seed presence signals indicative of the presence or absence of seeds in the cells as the cells move adjacent the detector; a seed counter for providing a seed count indication; a processor responsive to the seed presence signals and the seed count indication for detecting multiple seeds the seed cells and missing seeds in the seed cells; and an adjustable seed retention control device adjustable in response to the seed presence signal and seed count indication for control of the number of seeds in the moving seed cells. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In an adjustable seed meter system having moving seed cells within a seed meter housing for picking up seeds and distributing the seeds to the ground at a seed population per area of ground, a seed meter monitor comprising:
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means for detecting the presence or absence of material in the cells; means for providing a seed population per area of ground; and means responsive to the presence or absence of material in the cells and the seed population per area of ground indication for providing an indication of; two or more seeds in the seed cells; empty seed cells;
orplugged seed cells. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for determining adjustments for an adjustable seed meter system having moving seed cells within a seed meter housing for picking up seeds and releasing the seeds, and an outlet for distributing the released seeds towards the ground, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a signal processor; supporting a detector adjacent the seed cells for detecting the picked up seeds prior to distribution through the outlet and providing seed cell signals to the processor indicative of the presence or absence of material in the cells; providing population signals to the processor indicative of the number of seeds distributed towards the ground; processing the seed cell signals and population signals in the processor and providing an indication to the operator indicative of one or more of the following conditions; two or more seeds in the seed cells; erratic seed movement towards the outlet empty seed cells;
orplugged seed cells. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification