SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING HARVESTER AND TRANSPORT VEHICLE UNLOADING OPERATIONS

• US 20110205084A1
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Morselli, Riccardo, Foster, Christopher A., Posselius, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,451,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/008 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/086 and means for collecting, gathering or loading mown material
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0293 Convoy travelling

Abstract

A system and method for positioning a transport vehicle relative to a harvester is disclosed. The system includes an imaging device mounted on the transport vehicle and a control system for analyzing image data and executing a computer program to provide commands to position the transport vehicle in an acceptable predetermined condition relative to the harvester for discharge operations.

Claims

1. A control system for positioning a transport vehicle relative to a harvester for discharge operations, comprising:

an imaging device for generating an image signal; and

a microprocessor for processing the image signal and generating position command data;

wherein the position command data comprises command instructions for the transport vehicle; and

wherein the microprocessor comprises a data base and a computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium, the microprocessor configured to execute the computer program product to generate the position command data.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the command instructions are provided to an operator of the transport vehicle.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the position command data includes corrective positioning commands to position the transport vehicle relative to the harvester.

5. The control system of claim 2, wherein the command instructions are provided to a means to automatically control speed and direction of the transport vehicle.

4. The control system of clam 1, wherein the microprocessor generates the position command data while the transport vehicle is in motion.

6. A transport vehicle for receiving a discharged crop from a harvester, comprising:

an imaging device for generating an image signal; and

a microprocessor for processing the image signal and generating position command data;

wherein the position command data comprises command instructions for the transport vehicle; and

wherein the microprocessor comprises a data base and a computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium, the microprocessor configured to execute the computer program product to generate the position command data.

7. The transport vehicle of claim 6, wherein the command instructions are provided to an operator of the transport vehicle.

8. The transport vehicle of claim 6, wherein the position command data includes corrective positioning commands to position the transport vehicle relative to the harvester.

9. The transport vehicle of claim 6, wherein the command instructions are provided to a means to automatically control speed and direction of the transport vehicle.

10. The transport vehicle of claim 8, wherein the database comprises a plurality of relative positions acceptable for discharge operations.

11. A method of positioning a transport vehicle and a harvester for unloading operations, comprising:

generating a database of acceptable relative positions between the transport vehicle and the harvester;

capturing video images of the relative position of the harvester;

comparing the captured video images to the data base of acceptable relative positions; and

generating position commands to position the transport vehicle in an acceptable relative position with the harvester for discharge operations.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the database of acceptable relative positions is generated at the initiation of a discharge operation.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the database of acceptable relative positions is generated prior to initiation of a discharge operation.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the video images are captured by a video camera mounted on the transport vehicle.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the position commands comprise position and speed correction commands.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the position commands are generated to relatively position the transport vehicle and harvester in a range of predetermined acceptable discharge position while the transport vehicle and harvester are in motion.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the position commands are generated to relatively position the transport vehicle and harvester in a range of predetermined acceptable discharge position while the harvester is stationary.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the position commands are provided to an operator of the transport vehicle.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a “

NO GO”

warning to a transport vehicle operator when the capturing video images of the relative position of the harvester are outside of the database of acceptable relative positions.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the position commands are provided to a means to automatically control speed and direction of the transport vehicle.