Vehicle navigation system and method for swathing applications
First Claim
1. A vehicle navigation system for swathing applications, which system comprises:
- a controller including memory adapted for storing positional data corresponding to an area of swath coverage by said vehicle;
a position detector for detecting a current position of said vehicle relative to said swath coverage area, said position detector outputting positional data as input to said controller;
said controller being adapted to compute and output signals corresponding to relative headings of said vehicle from its current position towards said swath area;
a display subsystem connected to said controller and receiving said heading output signals therefrom; and
said display subsystem including a heading display with an arcuate or linear directional representation adapted to display a relative heading of said vehicle with respect to said swath area.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.
72 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vehicle navigation system for swathing applications, which system comprises:
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a controller including memory adapted for storing positional data corresponding to an area of swath coverage by said vehicle;
a position detector for detecting a current position of said vehicle relative to said swath coverage area, said position detector outputting positional data as input to said controller;
said controller being adapted to compute and output signals corresponding to relative headings of said vehicle from its current position towards said swath area;
a display subsystem connected to said controller and receiving said heading output signals therefrom; and
said display subsystem including a heading display with an arcuate or linear directional representation adapted to display a relative heading of said vehicle with respect to said swath area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A navigation system for swathing applications defined by the swath edges of areas previously covered and performed by a vehicle with a user-entered swath width, which system comprises:
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a guidance controller including memory adapted for storing positional data corresponding to an area of swath coverage by said vehicle;
a position detector for detecting a current position of said vehicle relative to said swath coverage area, said position detector outputting positional data as input to said guidance controller;
said guidance controller scanning its memory of stored positional data and generating a subset thereof, said subset comprising positional data relatively close to the current vehicle position;
said guidance controller being adapted to compute positions for a pair of look-ahead points relative to swath edges based on said subset data;
said guidance controller providing output for placing the current vehicle swath coverage adjacent a previous swath coverage area;
an automatic steering assistance mechanism mounted on said vehicle and connected a steering system thereof, and said guidance controller being connected to said automatic steering mechanism and controlling same. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A vehicle navigation system for swathing applications, which system comprises:
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a controller including memory adapted for storing positional data corresponding to an area of swath coverage by said vehicle;
a position detector for detecting a current position of said vehicle relative to said swath coverage area, said position detector outputting positional data as input to said controller;
said controller being adapted to compute and output signals corresponding to relative headings of said vehicle from its current position towards said swath area;
a display subsystem connected to said controller and receiving said heading output signals therefrom;
said display subsystem including a heading display with an arcuate or linear directional representation adapted to display a relative heading of said vehicle with respect to said swath area;
an automatic steering assistance mechanism mounted on said vehicle and connected to a steering system thereof; and
said guidance controller being connected to said automatic steering mechanism and controlling same.
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Specification