Machine control system and method
US9945957B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01M9/0076
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.