US 12,102,034 B1
Method of generating a three-dimensional map of a lawn and its use to improve mowing efficiency
David H. Dunten, Whitestown, IN (US); and Alyn G. Brown, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed by Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, Sullivan, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/308,214.
Application 18/308,214 is a continuation of application No. 17/086,940, filed on Nov. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,659,784.
Application 17/086,940 is a continuation of application No. 16/229,230, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, granted, now 10,820,494, issued on Nov. 3, 2020.
Application 16/229,230 is a continuation of application No. 14/918,455, filed on Oct. 20, 2015, granted, now 10,188,029, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/066,211, filed on Oct. 20, 2014.
Int. Cl. A01D 34/00 (2006.01); G01C 21/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 34/008 (2013.01) [A01D 34/006 (2013.01); G01C 21/005 (2013.01); G05D 1/0027 (2013.01); G05D 1/0088 (2013.01); G05D 1/027 (2013.01); G05D 1/0274 (2013.01); G05D 1/0278 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for mapping a plot of land, the system comprising:
a utility vehicle comprising:
a GPS unit configured to collect location data of the utility vehicle during operation on the plot of land;
an accelerometer configured to collect roll data and pitch data of the utility vehicle during operation on the plot of land;
one or more additional sensors configured to collect performance data of the utility vehicle during operation on the plot of land; and
a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit the location data, the roll data, the pitch data, and the performance data; and
a remote computer configured to:
wirelessly receive the location data, the roll data, and the pitch data; and
generate a three-dimensional contour map of the plot of land based on the location data, the roll data, and the pitch data; and
determine a new path to increase an operational efficiency for traversing the plot of land based on the three-dimensional contour map and a portion of the performance data associated with a previous path.