US 12,063,885 B2
Kernel-level grain monitoring systems for combine harvesters
Zachary A. Meyers, Milan, IL (US); Stephen R. Corban, Geneseo, IL (US); Jeremiah K. Johnson, Williamsburg, IA (US); and Alexander B. Lassers, Davenport, IA (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/088,042.
Prior Publication US 2022/0132736 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. A01D 41/127 (2006.01); A01F 12/44 (2006.01); G01F 1/76 (2006.01); G01G 19/08 (2006.01); G01N 33/02 (2006.01); G06T 7/62 (2017.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 41/1277 (2013.01) [A01D 41/1272 (2013.01); A01D 41/1273 (2013.01); A01D 41/1275 (2013.01); A01F 12/444 (2013.01); G01F 1/76 (2013.01); G01G 19/08 (2013.01); G01N 33/02 (2013.01); G06T 7/62 (2017.01); G06T 2207/30188 (2013.01); H04N 7/18 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A kernel-level grain monitoring system utilized onboard a combine harvester, the kernel-level grain monitoring system comprising:
a grain camera positioned to capture bulk grain sample images of a currently-harvested grain taken into and processed by the combine harvester;
a moisture sensor configured to generate moisture sensor data indicative of a moisture level of the currently-harvested grain;
a display device having a display screen on which one or more parameters pertaining to the currently-harvested grain are selectively presented; and
a controller architecture coupled to the grain camera, to the moisture sensor, and to the display device, the controller architecture configured to:
analyze the bulk grain sample images, as received from the grain camera, to determine an average per kernel (APK) volume representing an estimated volume of a single average kernel of the currently-harvested grain;
calculate one or more topline harvesting parameters based, at least in part, on the determined APK volume and the moisture sensor data; and
selectively present the topline harvesting parameters on the display device for viewing by an operator of the combine harvester;
wherein the topline harvesting parameters include a kernel weight parameter having a test weight specifying a weight of the currently-harvested grain when packed into a predetermined volume of space; and
wherein the controller architecture is further configured to calculate the test weight utilizing kernel packing data indicating a cumulative void space within the predetermined volume of space.