US 12,433,186 B2
Systems and methods for monitoring seed placement within the ground using artificial seeds
Michael Christopher Conboy, Chicago, IL (US); and Trevor Stanhope, Oak Lawn, IL (US)
Assigned to CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed by CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/697,413.
Prior Publication US 2023/0292649 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. A01C 7/10 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/105 (2013.01) [A01C 5/062 (2013.01); A01C 5/066 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for monitoring seed placement within the ground during the performance of a planting operation, the system comprising:
a row unit configured to deposit seeds within soil, the row unit including a furrow opening assembly configured to create a furrow in the soil for depositing seeds and a furrow closing assembly configured to close the furrow after the seeds have been deposited therein, the seeds deposited within the soil including both real seeds and artificial seeds;
a seed sensor supported relative to the row unit and being configured to generate data indicative of the artificial seeds as planted underneath a surface of the soil according to a dielectric property of the artificial seeds; and
a computing system communicatively coupled to the seed sensor, the computing system being configured to:
receive the data generated by the seed sensor; and
determine a seed-related parameter associated with the artificial seeds as planted underneath the surface of the soil based at least in part on the data generated by the seed sensor.