Published Technical Disclosure Archive

AI-Enhanced Agricultural Harvester Turn Automation

Publication ID: 24-11856890_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “AI-Enhanced Agricultural Harvester Turn Automation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856890_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856890_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. 11,856,890.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Automated turn patterns in an agricultural harvester,' provided a foundation for automating turn patterns in agricultural harvesters. However, it had limitations in terms of crop density and yield data analysis, obstacle avoidance, and real-time weather integration. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing advanced sensor modules, optimized control algorithms, and real-time weather data integration to enhance the automated turn patterns in agricultural harvesters.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention's novelty lies in the integration of advanced sensor modules, real-time weather data, and optimized control algorithms to enhance the automated turn patterns in agricultural harvesters. The inventive step is the combination of these components to achieve increased efficiency, safety, and fuel savings, which is not obvious from the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include using machine learning algorithms to predict optimal turn patterns, integrating the system with other agricultural machines, or using different types of sensors to detect crop density and yield data. Variations of the invention could include implementing the system in different types of agricultural harvesters, such as cotton or forage harvesters.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced agricultural harvester system has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in the harvesting of crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. The system's ability to increase efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and minimize crop damage makes it an attractive solution for farmers and agricultural companies seeking to optimize their harvesting operations.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01D41/1278
G G05 G05D1/0212
G G05 G05D2201/0201

Field of Art

Agricultural machinery automation, specifically harvester navigation systems and control technologies involving GPS, sensor integration, and autonomous path planning

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in agricultural machinery design, control systems, GPS navigation, sensor integration, and machine learning techniques for autonomous agricultural equipment

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's automated turn pattern technology by integrating additional sensor data, optimization algorithms, and contextual awareness into existing harvester navigation systems. The disclosed improvements leverage standard engineering techniques of sensor fusion, machine learning, and dynamic path planning that are well-established in agricultural automation. These variations would be considered routine design modifications that enhance the core technological framework of automated agricultural harvesting.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Detecting turn patterns of an agricultural harvester using processor-based guidance systems
PTD Variation
Adding sensor modules to detect crop density and yield data for dynamically adjusting turn patterns
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating additional sensor data represents a known technique for enhancing automated navigation, with predictable results of improved harvesting efficiency
Source Patent Element
Operator-defined turn pattern inputs for agricultural harvesters
PTD Variation
Implementing machine learning algorithms to predict optimal turn patterns based on historical performance data
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to existing navigation systems is a standard approach for optimizing control algorithms, representing an obvious technological progression
Source Patent Element
Automated path identification and harvester control systems
PTD Variation
Incorporating real-time weather data to dynamically adjust turn patterns and minimize environmental impact
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating external environmental data into navigation systems is a predictable enhancement that a skilled practitioner would recognize as an obvious optimization strategy
Source Patent Element
GPS-based agricultural harvester navigation
PTD Variation
Adding inertial measurement units to provide more precise orientation and location tracking
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining complementary sensor technologies is a standard engineering approach for improving navigation accuracy, representing a routine design choice
Source Patent Element
Automated turn pattern control for agricultural harvesters
PTD Variation
Implementing fuel consumption monitoring to optimize turn patterns for energy efficiency
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying optimization techniques to reduce resource consumption is a predictable and obvious extension of existing control system technologies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856890 and the disclosed variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed agricultural harvester navigation improvements to be obvious variations that do not represent a non-obvious inventive step. The combination of known sensor technologies, machine learning algorithms, and contextual data integration represents routine engineering modifications that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner in agricultural automation technologies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,890
TitleAutomated turn patterns in an agricultural harvester
Assignee(s)Deer & Company