Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Smart Harvesting Camera Control System Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856889_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Harvesting Camera Control System Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856889_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856889_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,889.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent described an automated camera system control for harvesting machine unloading, which had limitations in adjusting the camera view based on the receiving vehicle's position and crop height. This invention addresses these limitations by introducing dynamic camera view adjustment, real-time monitoring, and automated spout and flap control.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new invention introduces the concept of dynamic camera view adjustment based on the receiving vehicle's position and crop height, which is not present in the original patent. This novel feature, combined with real-time monitoring and automated spout and flap control, provides a significant improvement over the existing technology.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include using different types of sensors to detect crop height and distribution, or integrating the system with other harvesting machine components to further optimize the unloading operation. Variations of the invention could also be applied to different types of agricultural vehicles or receiving vehicles.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced automated camera control system has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in the harvesting and unloading of crops. The invention could be marketed as an upgrade or add-on to existing harvesting machines, or integrated into new machines as a standard feature. The target market includes farmers, agricultural companies, and manufacturers of harvesting machines.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01D41/127
A A01 A01D90/02
B B65 B65G67/22
H H04 H04N23/69
B B65 B65G2814/0302

Field of Art

Agricultural machinery automation, specifically harvesting machine camera control systems and unloading operations, involving precision sensor technologies and machine vision

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in agricultural machinery design, computer vision systems, sensor integration, and automated control technologies, typically holding a BS/MS in mechanical or electrical engineering with 3-5 years experience in precision agricultural equipment

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that dynamically adjusting camera views during harvesting machine unloading is a natural extension of the source patent's automated camera control system. The proposed variations represent predictable combinations of known sensor technologies and control logic already disclosed in the original patent. The incremental improvements in crop height detection and real-time view adjustment would be considered routine engineering optimization within the existing technological framework.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Camera system with variable focal length and digital zoom logic
PTD Variation
Dynamic camera view adjustment based on receiving vehicle position and crop height
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending digital zoom capabilities to incorporate additional sensor inputs represents a predictable design variation using known control system techniques
Source Patent Element
Spout configuration for side and rear unloading
PTD Variation
Real-time monitoring and automated spout and flap control integrated with camera view adjustment
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining camera positioning with spout control is a logical system integration approach that a PHOSITA would find obvious for improving unloading precision
Source Patent Element
Positioning system receiving vehicle location signals
PTD Variation
Enhanced sensor module detecting crop height and distribution within receiving vehicle
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding crop height detection represents an incremental improvement using standard sensor technologies to refine existing positioning and monitoring capabilities
Source Patent Element
Automated control system for harvesting machine camera views
PTD Variation
Method for reducing operator intervention through automated camera view optimization
Obviousness Reasoning
Minimizing human interaction through advanced automation is a standard design goal in precision agricultural technologies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856889, the disclosed technical variations represent obvious extensions of existing automated harvesting machine camera control technologies. A person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed innovations to be predictable combinations of known sensor integration, control logic, and machine vision techniques, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,889
TitleAutomated camera system control for harvesting machine unloading
Assignee(s)Deer & Company