US 11,882,799 B2
System and method for coordinating movement of agricultural machines and irrigation systems
Mark William Miller, Elkhorn, NE (US)
Filed by Lindsay Corporation, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/084,706.
Prior Publication US 2022/0132756 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. A01G 25/16 (2006.01); A01G 25/09 (2006.01); G08B 21/08 (2006.01); A01B 69/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 25/092 (2013.01) [A01G 25/162 (2013.01); G08B 21/08 (2013.01); A01B 69/004 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of coordinating movements of a mobile irrigation system and a mobile agricultural machine in an irrigated field to avoid interference between the mobile irrigation system and the mobile agricultural machine, the mobile irrigation system having a fixed central pivot and a main section that pivots about the fixed central pivot, the method comprising:
operating the mobile irrigation system in accordance with an irrigation schedule, the irrigation schedule determining a speed and pivot direction of the main section;
determining with a processing system in communication with a control system of the mobile irrigation system a location of the main section of the mobile irrigation system as it is being operated in accordance with the irrigation schedule;
receiving at the processing system a field entry request from the mobile agricultural machine, the field entry request including data identifying the mobile agricultural machine, data representative of an entry location of the mobile agricultural machine before the mobile agricultural machine has entered the field, and data representative of a planned route of the mobile agricultural machine in the irrigated field after the mobile agricultural system has entered the field;
determining with the processing system whether the entry location of the mobile agricultural machine or the planned route of the mobile agricultural machine interferes with operation of the mobile irrigation system in accordance with the irrigation schedule;
if the processing system determines the entry location of the mobile agricultural machine or the planned route of the mobile agricultural machine interferes with operation of the mobile irrigation system in accordance with the irrigation schedule, sending a denied entry message from the processing system to the mobile agricultural machine to deny entry of the mobile agricultural machine onto the irrigated field before the mobile agricultural machine has entered the field;
if the processing system determines the entry location of the mobile agricultural machine and the planned route of the mobile agricultural machine do not interfere with operation of the mobile irrigation system in accordance with the irrigation schedule, sending an authorized entry message from the processing system to the mobile agricultural machine to authorize entry of the mobile agricultural machine onto the irrigated field.