Patent Grant
9410840
This patent application is related to US patent application entitled “REMOTE MOISTURE SENSOR AND METHODS FOR THE SAME”; filed on an even date herewith, and incorporated herein by reference.
This patent application is also related to US patent application entitled “IN-FLOW WEIGHT SENSOR AND METHODS FOR THE SAME”; filed on an even date herewith, and incorporated herein by reference.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright Raven Industries, Inc.; Sioux Falls, S. Dak. All Rights Reserved.
This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods of determining crop yields.
Yield monitor systems are used to measure crop yields during harvesting. Yield characteristics, such as weight or volume, are used to assess the quality and quantity of a crop and accordingly determine its purchase price. In one example a yield equation that assesses the quality and quantity of a crop is based on four distinct variables and a fifth related variable. In one example, the four variables include volume, temperature, moisture and test weight (density) of the harvested crop. The fifth related variable is the weight of the harvested crop, and with at least some yield monitors the weight is determined according to the volume and test weight.
One example of a type of yield monitor is a volume based yield monitor. With volume based yield monitors a volume sensor is provided in a harvester elevator that measures the volume of a harvested crop within the elevator. The operator of the harvester inputs a test weight (density) assumption for the harvested crop in a field based on the observed field conditions, the crop being harvested, as well as the experience of the operator. The weight is derived from the volume measured and the assumed test weight.
Another example of a type of yield monitor is a weight based yield monitor that uses a weight sensor to measure the weight of a harvested crop. With weight based yield monitors the four variables include weight, temperature, moisture and the test weight of the harvested crop. In contrast to the volume based yield monitor, the weight based yield monitor determines the volume of the harvested crop according to the test weight and the weight. Similar to the volume based yield monitor, an operator of the weight based yield monitor assumes a test weight for a field and inputs the assumed test weight. As discussed above, the assumed test weight and the measured weight are used to determine the volume of the harvested crop.
The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include the minimizing of error introduced by assumptions into yield values. In an example, the present subject matter can provide a solution to this problem, such as by a system or method that determines yield values based on measured harvested crop characteristics. Stated another way, operator assumptions of characteristics, such as a test weight value are entirely avoided.
In one example, the systems or methods described herein measure both volume and weight and the test weight for a harvested crop is determined based on these measured characteristics. Accordingly, the generation of one or more harvested crop yield values is based on measured (as opposed to one or more assumed) characteristic values including the test weight (determined by the measured characteristic values). Further still, each of the measured characteristics and the corresponding yield values vary dynamically according to the measurements of the instruments associated with a harvester elevator.
The present inventors have further recognized, that a problem to be solved can include increasing the resolution of harvested crop yield values within a field. As discussed above, in at least some yield monitors a test weight value is assumed for a particular field and input to the yield monitor for use in yield calculations. The corresponding yield calculations are thereby accordingly consistently based on the same assumed test weight value within the field even though in practice the test weight will vary within the field, sometimes widely.
In another example, the systems or methods described herein address this problem by dynamically measuring each of the one or more harvested crop characteristics including, but not limited to, harvested crop volume and weight. As discussed above, the test weight is determined from these measurements. Accordingly, the test weight dynamically varies according to actual measured characteristics for a harvested crop as it is harvested from various locations of the field. Because the test weight dynamically changes along with the measured harvested crop characteristics, the corresponding harvested crop yield values dynamically change according to the location of the harvester within the field. Yield maps generated with these dynamically changing values (measured characteristics and determined test weight) accordingly provide enhanced resolution relative to previous yield maps that use a consistent assumed test weight for the field. High resolution yield maps based on dynamic changes as opposed to consistent static assumptions decrease error in yield calculations, for instance to one percent or less. Further, high resolution yield maps are valuable to an operator as accurate yield values are indexed to specific locations in the field, thereby facilitating improved husbandry and planting in future seasons (e.g., varied hybrid planting within portions of the field, varied agricultural product application, watering and the like).
This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
As previously described, the harvester 100 includes a harvester elevator 106 configured to deliver grain from processing into a grain tank 108. As will be described herein, the harvester elevator 106 includes one or more instruments (e.g., a suite of instruments) as well as a receiver and processing node configured to measure one or more characteristics, such as harvested crop characteristics of a crop delivered through the harvest elevator 106 to the grain tank 108. As will be further described herein, the dynamic yield monitor system provided herein is configured to use each of four representative harvested crop characteristics used in standard yield equations to determine one or more variable yield values of the crop at it is harvested from a field. The dynamic yield monitor system is configured to determine each of these crop characteristics in a dynamic fashion, for instance as the harvester 100 is harvesting the crop within a field. Accordingly, assumptions of particular crop characteristics, such as test weight (density) and one or more related characteristics, such as weight or volume are avoided. Stated another way, the dynamic yield monitor system described herein is able to dynamically determine each of the harvested crop characteristics and accurately determine one or more variable yield values without user inputted assumptions, for instance regarding test weight or the like.
Although the systems and methods described herein are shown in the context of an exemplary harvester 100, the disclosure is not limited to harvesters 100. Instead, the systems and methods are applicable to any system (whether static or moving) that would benefit from accurate crop characteristic measurements of an in-flow crop. For instance, the systems and methods described herein are used with, but not limited to, stationary harvesters, elevators, crop picking systems (e.g., fruit and apple picking systems) and the like.
Referring now to
As further shown in
As further shown in the dynamic yield monitor system 203 example, the system further includes a moisture and temperature instrument 219 positioned for instance within a portion of the trough segment 208. The moisture and temperature instrument 219 is configured to measure the moisture content as well as the temperature of the harvested grain as it enters the harvester elevator 106 for instance immediately before and during engagement and lifting by one or more of the paddles 202. In still another example, the dynamic yield monitor system 203 includes a header orientation instrument 220. The header orientation instrument 220 is coupled with the header, such as the header 104 shown in
As further shown in
As further shown in
In another example the dynamic yield monitor system 203 includes a graphical user interface (GUI) 222 configured to allow user input from an operator.
For instance the operator is able to initiate one or more of calibration, diagnostics and review the instrument measurements and variable yield values communicated to and delivered from the receiver and processing node 218, for instance while the harvester 100 is in a harvesting operation within a field.
Referring again to
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring now to
As the quantity of harvested crop 216 is elevated through the ascending segment 204 the paddle 202 and the crop thereon will accordingly travel by the volume instrument 212. As the upper end of the quantity of harvested crop 216 passes by the volume instrument 212 (corresponding to the measurement initiating locus 300) the volume instrument 212 begins its measurement, is accordingly able to “see” the quantity of harvested crop 216 (e.g., notes darkening within the ascending segment 204) and communicates with the receiver and processing node 218 or an integrated microcontroller to begin measuring a time period corresponding to the passage of the quantity of the harvested crop 216 and the paddle 202 past the volume instrument 212. As the measurement terminating locus 302 passes by the volume instrument 212 the instrument correspondingly notes the termination of the measurement (e.g., notes lightening within the ascending segment). Based on the measured period of time between the initiating locus 300 and the terminating locus 302 the receiver and processing node 218 is able, through statistical analysis corresponding to empirically determined characteristics of the harvester elevator 106 and the crop, the volume of the quantity of harvested crop 216.
Measurements are delivered from the volume instrument 212 to the receiver and processing node 218, for instance by one or more of a wired connection, wireless connection or the like. In one example the receiver and processing node 218 takes the input volume information (e.g., dark and light detection) and accordingly determines a volume crop characteristic for instance by way of a statistical model based on, as previously described, the characteristics of the crop being harvested as well as the empirically determined characteristics of the harvester elevator 106 (e.g., the area of the paddle 202, the dimensions of the elevator passage, the speed of the elevator paddle 202 and the like).
Referring now to
The weight instrument 214 shown in
As further shown in
As previously described, the receiver and processing node 218 is in communication with the suite of instruments previously described and shown in
In a similar manner, the volume instrument 212 is in communication with a volume flow module 512 of the receiver and processing node 218. The volume flow module 512 includes a statistical model configured to interpret the signal provided by the volume instrument 212 and accordingly determine a volume crop characteristic (e.g., cubic inches per second) corresponding to the variable volume of the harvested crop measured as it flows through the harvester elevator 106.
In another example, the receiver and processing node 218 is in communication with other instruments of the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 shown in
Accordingly, as shown in
Referring again to
Measured bushels and test weight are determined according to the measured characteristics (e.g., volume, weight, moisture content and temperature). As described herein, each of these characteristics are dynamically measured on an on-going continuous based, and are not based on assumptions (e.g., assumptions of test weight). By measuring and determining each of the relevant inputs for yield equations (e.g., volume, weight and optionally moisture content and temperature) accurate and varying yield values 504 are also correspondingly determined on an on-going dynamic basis.
The blending filter 502 is in one example configured to generate one or more variable yield values 504 including but not limited to weight per second, volume per second, density per second (e.g., test weight) and bushels per second of the harvested crop. In a similar manner to the harvested crop characteristics 500 each of the variable yield values 504 as they are generated are optionally indexed for instance by way of the indexing module 506 with a corresponding location of the harvester 100 within the field. Accordingly, the variable yield values 504, like the harvested crop characteristics 500, are readily associated with the particular area or zone of the field that provided the harvested crop related to the harvested crop characteristics 500 and the related variable yield values 504.
The variable yield values 504 (in the same manner as the harvested crop characteristics 500) are accordingly dynamically determined on an on-going basis as the harvester 100 moves through a field. Each of the harvested crop characteristics 500 in one example are fed through the blending filter 502 to accordingly determine the variable yield values 504. As the harvested crop characteristics 500 change (e.g., as the harvested crop from varying zones of the field) the corresponding variable yield values 504 also change. The dynamic yield monitor system 203 (or 205) as shown in
As previously described and further shown in
Referring again to
In another example, the addition of the moisture and temperature instrument 219 provides further information to more accurately determine the test weight variable yield value 504 for use in the determination of other variable yield values (e.g., bushels, weight and volume based yield values and the like). For instance, the harvested crop characteristics 500 including the harvested crop weight, harvested crop volume and the harvested crop moisture content and temperature are fed on an on-going basis to the blending filter 502 and accordingly generate corresponding test weight values that accurately represent the test weight of the harvested crop, for instance the inflow harvested crop as it moves through the harvester elevator 106, without requiring any static assumption of a test weight made for instance prior to harvesting of the harvester 100 within a field. Stated another way, the test weight yield value (one of the variable yield values 504 shown in
Accordingly, the previous need to assume a test weight is removed and a more accurate determination of yield values provided according to the measurements of harvested crop characteristics of an in-flow crop within the harvester elevator 106.
At 602, the method 600 includes measuring a plurality of harvested crop characteristics 500 with a suite of yield instruments within a harvester elevator 106. In one example, the suite of instruments (e.g., one or more instruments) includes a volume instrument 212 and a weight instrument 214. Optionally, a moisture and temperature instrument 219 and a header orientation instrument 220 are also provided. At 604, measuring the plurality of harvested crop characteristics includes measuring a harvested crop volume with the volume instrument 212 of a moving flow of the harvested crop (e.g., a quantity of the harvested crop 216) within the harvester elevator 106. At 606, measuring of the harvested crop characteristics further includes measuring a harvested crop weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop within the harvester elevator 106.
At 608, the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics 500 are communicated (e.g., wirelessly) to a receiver and processing node 218. At 610, the receiver and processing node 218 determines a variable harvested crop test weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight. That is to say, with the harvested crop characteristics 500, for instance the dynamically changing harvested crop volume and weight (variable as the harvester 100 continues to harvest within a field), the receiver and processing node 218 is configured to use each of these harvested crop characteristics to accurately and dynamically determine a variable yield value 504, such as the harvested crop test weight. As described herein, the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are accordingly configured to determine one or more variables (e.g., the harvested crop characteristics) of yield equations. Optionally, the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are configured to determine all of the variables of yield equations (e.g., weight, volume, moisture content and temperature, the test weight related to these variables). Stated another way, the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are configured to accurately monitor each of the harvested crop characteristics without reliance on assumed values for one or more of the variables. Further, the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are configured to measure each of the harvested crop characteristics dynamically (e.g, as they vary during harvesting) to accordingly accurately represent the characteristic measurements throughout a harvesting operation.
At 612 the method 600 further includes generating one or more variable yield values, such as the variable yield values 504 shown in
Several options for the method follow. In one example measuring the plurality of harvested crop characteristics 500 includes measuring a harvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow of the harvested crop (e.g., in-flow) within the harvester elevator 106, for instance with a moisture and temperature instrument 219 as shown in
In another example, determining the variable harvested crop test weight includes determining the variable harvested crop test weight based on the measured harvested crop volume, weight, the harvested crop temperature and harvested crop moisture content as each of the plurality of harvested crop characteristics change within a field. As previously stated, as the harvester 100 moves through a field the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 (
In another example, generating the one or more variable yield values includes communicating the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics to the receiver and processing node 218 and generating the one or more variable yield values includes generating one or more variable yield values including, but not limited to, a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value (e.g., density). The variable volume value, variable weight value and the variable test weight value correspond, for instance, to a volume per unit of time, a weight per unit of time and a variable test weight per unit of time (density per unit time) or their instantaneous equivalents at a particular time or times.
In still another example, the method 600 further includes associating one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality of corresponding locations of an agricultural field for instance by way of the indexing module 506 previously shown in
As further shown, for instance in
Referring again to
Accordingly, as shown in
Referring now to
As further previously stated herein, the test weight is dynamically determined according to volume and weight measurements and accordingly is not provided according to one or more assumptions. The test weight instead varies with differing measurements of the volume and weight of the harvested crop for instance as the harvester 100 operates within the field for instance the field shown in the yield map 700. As shown in
With either of the yield map 700 of
In one example, the modules such as the indexing module 506 and the yield map module 508 in communication with the blending filter 502 shown in
At 902, the method 900 includes measuring a plurality of harvested crop characteristics (e.g., the characteristics 500 shown for instance in
At 908 a variable test weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop is determined. As previously described herein, the variable test weight varies according to changes in one or more of the plurality of measured harvested crop characteristics including for instance the measurements of the harvested crop volume and the measurements of the harvested crop weight. Accordingly, assumptions regarding the test weight are thereby avoided. Instead, the harvested crop volume and the harvested crop weight (and optionally the harvested crop moisture content and temperature) are used to dynamically determine the test weight throughout a harvesting operation (e.g., in an on-going fashion that varies based on dynamic measurements of at least the crop volume and weight).
At 910, the method 900 further includes determining a location of the harvester 100 within a field for instance the field shown in the representative yield map 700 of
At 912, the method 900 further includes generating one or more variable yield values 504 based on the measurements of the harvested crop characteristics 500 and the variable test weight previously determined herein. As shown for instance in
At 914, a yield map is generated for the field such as the field shown in
Several options for the method 900 follow. In one example determining the variable test weight includes determining the variable test weight based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight as the plurality of harvested crop characteristics vary in a field, for instance as the harvester 100 moves through the field during a harvesting operation and accordingly harvests crops in differing locations (e.g., differing zones 702). In one example, measuring the harvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volume corresponding to a first field location (such as the first zone 704 shown in
Optionally, generating the one or more variable yield values 504 includes generating one or more of a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value (density), for instance including a measured crop weight or determined dry harvested crop weight as described herein. In one example these values include, but are not limited to, weight per unit time, volume per unit time and density per unit time as well as their instantaneous equivalents. In still another example the method 900 includes sensing a header orientation for instance with the header orientation instrument 220 shown in
In still another example the method 900 includes measuring the harvested crop weight while moving the quantity for instance a quantity of the harvested crop 216 along an ascending segment 204 of a harvester elevator 106. The quantity of the harvested crop 216 is carried by one or more paddles 202 and the quantity is static relative to a weight instrument such as the weight instrument 214 associated with the paddle 202. In another example, determining the variable test weight as described herein includes determining the variable test weight based on the measured harvested crop volume, weight and a harvested crop temperature and a harvested crop moisture content, for instance determined with the moisture and temperature instrument 219 shown in
Example 1 can include subject matter such as dynamic yield monitor system comprising: a suite of yield instruments for measuring a plurality of harvested crop characteristics while a harvested crop is in-flow within a harvester elevator, including: a volume instrument configured for coupling with the harvester elevator, the volume instrument measures a harvested crop volume from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and a weight instrument configured for coupling with the harvester elevator, the weight instrument measures a harvested crop weight from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator; and a receiver and processing node in communication with the suite of yield instruments, the receiver and processing node configured to determine: a variable harvested crop test weight based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and measured harvested crop weight of the in-flow harvested crop, and a variable yield of the harvested crop based on the measured harvested crop volume, the measured harvested crop weight, and the variable harvested crop test weight.
Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Example 1, to optionally include wherein the volume instrument includes an optical volume instrument configured for coupling along an ascending segment of the harvester elevator.
Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1 or 2 to optionally include wherein the weight instrument includes a paddle mounted weight instrument configured for coupling with one or more paddles of the harvester elevator.
Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1 through 3 to optionally include wherein the paddle mounted weight instrument is configured to measure the harvested crop weight along an ascending segment of the harvester elevator, and a quantity of the harvest crop weighed on a paddle is static relative to the weight instrument and moving relative to the remainder of an elevator loop of the harvester elevator.
Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4 to optionally include wherein the weight instrument includes a force impact plate configured for positioning within a crop chute of the harvester elevator.
Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-5 to optionally include a moisture and temperature instrument, the moisture and temperature instrument measures a harvested crop moisture and temperature from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and the plurality of harvested crop characteristics include the harvested crop moisture and temperature.
Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-6 to optionally include wherein the receiver and processing node includes a blending filter configured to determine the variable harvested crop test weight based on the measured harvested crop volume, weight, temperature and moisture as each of the plurality of harvested crop characteristics vary within a field.
Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-7 to optionally include wherein the receiver and processing note incudes a blending filter configured to: receive the measurements of the harvested crop characteristics including the measured harvest crop volume, weight, and a harvested crop temperature and a harvested crop moisture content, and generate one or more variable yield values based on the measurements of the harvested crop characteristics, the one or more variable yield values including one or more of a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value.
Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-8 to optionally include wherein the receiver and processing node includes an indexing module in communication with a location sensor, and the receiver and processing node is configured to associate one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality of corresponding locations of an agricultural field.
Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-9 to optionally include wherein the receiver and processing node includes a yield map module in communication with the indexing module, and the yield map module is configured to generate a yield map including one or more of the variable yield values associated with the plurality of corresponding locations of the agricultural field.
Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-10 to optionally include a method for dynamically measuring yield comprising: measuring a plurality of harvested crop characteristics with a suite of yield instruments within a harvester elevator, measuring including: measuring a harvested crop volume of a moving flow of the harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and measuring a harvested crop weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop within the harvester elevator; and communicating the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics to a receiver and processing node; determining a variable harvested crop test weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight; and generating one or more variable yield values based on the measurements of the harvested crop characteristics including at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight and the determined variable harvested crop test weight.
Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-11 to optionally include wherein measuring the harvested crop weight includes: measuring the weight of a quantity of the harvested crop while moving the quantity along an ascending segment of the harvester elevator, the quantity of the harvested crop carried by one or more paddles, and the quantity of the harvested crop is static relative to a weight instrument configured to measure the weight of the quantity.
Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-12 to optionally include wherein communicating the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics includes wirelessly transmitting and receiving one or more of the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics.
Example 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-13 to optionally include wherein determining the variable harvested crop test weight includes determining the variable harvested crop test weight based on the measured harvested crop volume, weight, a harvested crop temperature and a harvested crop moisture as each of the plurality of harvested crop characteristics change within a field.
Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-14 to optionally include wherein: measuring the harvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volume corresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvested crop volume corresponding to a second field location, measuring the harvested crop weight includes measuring a first harvested crop weight corresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvested crop weight corresponding to a second field location, and determining the variable harvested crop test weight includes determining a first harvested crop test weight based on the first harvested crop volume and crop weight and determining a second harvested crop test weight based on the second harvested crop volume and crop weight.
Example 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-15 to optionally include wherein generating the one or more variable yield values includes: communicating the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics to the receiver and processing node, and generating the one or more variable yield values includes generating the one or more variable yield values including a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value.
Example 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-16 to optionally include associating one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality of corresponding locations of an agricultural field.
Example 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-17 to optionally include generating a yield map including one or more of the variable yield values associated with the plurality of corresponding locations of the agricultural field.
Example 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-18 to optionally include wherein measuring the plurality of harvested crop characteristics includes measuring a harvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow of the harvested crop within the harvester elevator.
Example 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-19 to optionally include a method of generating a variable crop measurement based yield map comprising: measuring a plurality of harvested crop characteristics with a suite of yield instruments, measuring including: measuring a harvested crop volume of a moving flow of the harvested crop, and measuring a harvested crop weight of a moving flow of the harvested crop; and determining a variable test weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop based on the plurality of measured harvested crop characteristics, the variable test weight varying according to changes in one or more of the plurality of measured harvested crop characteristics; determining a location of the harvester within a field; generating one or more variable yield values based on the measurements of the harvested crop characteristics and the variable test weight determined from the measured harvested crop characteristics; and generating a yield map for the field, generating the yield map including associating one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality of corresponding locations of the field.
Example 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-20 to optionally include wherein measuring the plurality of harvested crop characteristics includes measuring a harvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow of the harvested crop.
Example 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-21 to optionally include wherein determining the variable test weight includes determining the variable test weight based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight as the plurality of harvested crop characteristics vary in a field.
Example 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-22 to optionally include wherein: measuring the harvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volume corresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvested crop volume corresponding to a second field location, measuring the harvested crop weight includes measuring a first harvested crop weight corresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvested crop weight corresponding to a second field location, and determining the variable test weight includes determining a first variable test weight based on the first harvested crop volume and crop weight and determining a second variable test weight based on the second harvested crop volume and crop weight.
Example 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-23 to optionally include wherein generating the one or more variable yield values includes generating one or more of a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value.
Example 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-24 to optionally include sensing a header orientation of a harvester, and associating one or more of a sensed up header orientation or a sensed down header orientation with one or more of the corresponding locations of the field or the one or more variable yield values.
Example 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-25 to optionally include wherein measuring the harvested crop weight includes: measuring the weight of a quantity of the harvested crop while moving the quantity along an ascending segment of a harvester elevator, the quantity of the harvested crop carried by one or more paddles, and the quantity of the harvested crop is static relative to a weight instrument associated with the paddle and configured to measure the weight of the quantity.
Example 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-26 to optionally include wherein determining the variable test weight includes determining the variable test weight based on the measured harvested crop volume, weight, and a harvested crop temperature and a harvested crop moisture.
Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of the other examples.
The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced.
These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implemented at least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device to perform methods as described in the above examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Such code can include computer readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form portions of computer program products. Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
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