Method and apparatus for optimization of agricultural field operations using weather, product and environmental information
First Claim
1. An agricultural system, comprising:
- at least one agricultural implement having at least one application device for applying crop inputs, the at least one agricultural implement including at least one of an agricultural harvester and an agricultural planter;
a databus connected to the at least one agricultural implement;
at least one input device connected to the databus, the at least one input device receiving data during active application of crop inputs;
at least one data storage device connected to the databus;
an application controller connected to the at least one application device, said application controller is connected to at least one nozzle;
a processor connected to the databus and the application controller, the processor configured to apply inputs to the application controller to make real-time adjustments to an active application operation of the at least one nozzle to vary the application of the crop inputs in response to the data; and
an agricultural spreader for applying the crop inputs, the at least one input device includes a mobile weather station connected to said agricultural implement, wherein the mobile weather station provides at least a wind speed information and a wind direction information near the agricultural spreader, the wind speed information and the wind direction information being provided to the databus;
wherein the wind speed information and the wind direction information are used by the application controller to automatically adjust an application rate of the crop inputs, to move the agricultural spreader laterally relative to the agricultural implement in a generally horizontal direction generally normal to a direction of movement of the agricultural implement, and to control a height of the agricultural spreader above a soil surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An agricultural system which includes at least one agricultural implement with at least one application device for applying crop inputs, where the agricultural implement includes an agricultural harvester and/or an agricultural planter. A databus is connected to the at least one agricultural implement, and at least one input device is connected to the databus. At least one data storage device is connected to the databus, and an application controller is connected to the at least one application device. A processor is connected to the databus and the application controller, where the processor applies inputs to the application controller to adjust and/or optimize in real time a current operation of the application device(s) in order to efficiently and accurately apply the crop inputs.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An agricultural system, comprising:
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at least one agricultural implement having at least one application device for applying crop inputs, the at least one agricultural implement including at least one of an agricultural harvester and an agricultural planter; a databus connected to the at least one agricultural implement; at least one input device connected to the databus, the at least one input device receiving data during active application of crop inputs; at least one data storage device connected to the databus; an application controller connected to the at least one application device, said application controller is connected to at least one nozzle; a processor connected to the databus and the application controller, the processor configured to apply inputs to the application controller to make real-time adjustments to an active application operation of the at least one nozzle to vary the application of the crop inputs in response to the data; and an agricultural spreader for applying the crop inputs, the at least one input device includes a mobile weather station connected to said agricultural implement, wherein the mobile weather station provides at least a wind speed information and a wind direction information near the agricultural spreader, the wind speed information and the wind direction information being provided to the databus; wherein the wind speed information and the wind direction information are used by the application controller to automatically adjust an application rate of the crop inputs, to move the agricultural spreader laterally relative to the agricultural implement in a generally horizontal direction generally normal to a direction of movement of the agricultural implement, and to control a height of the agricultural spreader above a soil surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating an agricultural system, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one agricultural implement which includes an agricultural spreader for applying a crop input, a databus connected to the at least one agricultural implement, at least one input device connected to the databus, at least one data storage device connected to the databus, an application controller connected to the at least one application device, said application controller is connected to at least one nozzle; and
a processor connected to the databus and the application controller, the processor for applying inputs to the application controller;entering boundaries for a field and other sensitive areas based on one of an operator input and a stored database in the at least one data storage device; entering the spray crop input on one of an operator input and a stored database; obtaining current weather conditions from a mobile weather station; calculating a time required to apply the crop input to the field; determining whether the weather conditions allow for the application of the crop input within the time required to apply the crop input on the field; moving the agricultural spreader laterally relative to a support frame of the agricultural implement in a generally horizontal direction generally normal to a direction of movement of the agricultural implement dependent upon at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction obtained in said obtaining step; and applying the crop input using the agricultural spreader dependent upon the determining step. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification