Field Computer With Integrated Hidden Lightbar For Vehicle Guidance

• US 20170322656A1
• Filed: 05/09/2016
• Published: 11/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ag Leader Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ag Leader Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Demiter, Roger, Campbell, Travis, Johnson, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 10,314,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/00 Steering of agricultural machines or implements; Guiding agricultural machines or implements on a desired track
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/02 Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining

Abstract

A field computer for use in an agricultural vehicle is provided. The field computer includes a housing, a processor disposed within the housing, a touchscreen display operatively connected to the housing and the processor and forming an outer surface of the field computer, and a light bar comprising a plurality of lighting elements arranged in a line on the field computer. The lighting elements of the light bar are positioned such that the lighting elements remain hidden when not in use. The field computer is configured to provide feedback associated with operation of the agricultural vehicle by lighting one or more of the lighting elements in the light bar.

Claims

1. A field computer for use in an agricultural vehicle, the field computer comprising:

a housing;

a processor disposed within the housing;

a touchscreen display operatively connected to the housing and the processor and forming an outer surface of the field computer;

a light bar comprising a plurality of lighting elements arranged in a line on the field computer;

wherein the lighting elements of the light bar are positioned such that the lighting elements remain hidden when not in use;

wherein the field computer is configured to provide feedback associated with operation of the agricultural vehicle by lighting one or more of the lighting elements in the light bar.

2. The field computer of claim 1 wherein the line is horizontal row.

3. The field computer of claim 1 wherein the feedback comprises variance from a desired parameter.

4. The field computer of claim 3 wherein the desired parameter is a desired path.

5. The field computer of claim 3 wherein the desired parameter is a desired depth.

6. The field computer of claim 3 wherein the desired parameter is a desired grade.

7. The field computer of claim 1 further comprising masking associated with the lighting elements to mask presence of the lighting elements unless the lighting elements are illuminated.

8. The field computer of claim 1 wherein the touchscreen display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a layer of glass extending beyond the LCD panel to provide an extended glass area.

9. The field computer of claim 8 further comprising opaque paint applied to the extended glass area with semi-transparent masks at locations for the lighting elements to allow for light to be emitted from the lighting elements through the semi-transparent masks.

10. The field computer of claim 9 further comprising diffusion film applied at the locations for the lighting elements to diffuse and spread light emitted.

11. A field computer for use in an agricultural vehicle, the field computer comprising:

a housing;

a processor disposed within the housing;

a touchscreen display operatively connected to the housing and the processor and forming a front of the field computer;

a light bar comprising a plurality of lighting elements arranged in a line on the field computer;

a layer of glass forming a surface of the touchscreen display and extending beyond the touchscreen display over the plurality of lighting elements of the light bar to thereby provide a dead front;

wherein the field computer is configured to provide feedback associated with operation of the agricultural vehicle by lighting one or more of the lighting elements in the light bar.

12. The field computer of claim 11 further comprising masking associated with the lighting elements to mask presence of the lighting elements unless the lighting elements are illuminated.

13. The field computer of claim 11 wherein the tout screen display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a layer of glass extending beyond the LCD panel to provide an extended glass area.

14. The field computer of claim 13 further comprising opaque paint applied to the extended glass area with semi-transparent masks at locations for the lighting elements to allow for light to be emitted from the lighting elements through the semi-transparent masks.

15. The field computer of claim 14 further comprising diffusion film applied at the locations for the lighting elements to diffuse and spread light emitted.

16. The field computer of claim 11 wherein the line is a horizontal row or a vertical row.

17. The field computer of claim 11 wherein the feedback comprises variance from a desired parameter.

18. The field computer of claim 17 wherein the desired parameter is a desired path.

19. The field computer of claim 17 wherein the desired parameter is a desired depth.

20. The field computer of claim 17 wherein the desired parameter is a desired grade.