Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Agricultural Header Control System Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856891_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Agricultural Header Control System Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856891_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856891_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. 11,856,891.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a control system for agricultural headers, which, although effective, had limitations in terms of sensor accuracy and real-time adaptability. The new invention addresses these limitations by incorporating advanced sensor fusion technology, enabling more precise and efficient crop harvesting.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the innovative concept of advanced sensor fusion, enabling the control system to adapt to changing crop conditions in real-time. This fusion of radar sensors, cameras, and other sensors provides a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the crop row, allowing for more efficient and precise harvesting.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include the use of other sensor types, such as lidar or ultrasonic sensors, or the integration of machine learning algorithms to improve the system's adaptability and accuracy. Variations could also include the application of this technology to other agricultural systems, such as autonomous tractors or planters.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced agricultural header control system has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in precision farming and autonomous harvesting. The technology can be integrated into existing agricultural systems, providing farmers with improved crop yields, reduced waste, and increased efficiency.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01D41/141
A A01 A01D41/1278

Field of Art

Agricultural machinery control systems, specifically header control technologies with sensor-based guidance and positioning systems. Requires expertise in mechanical engineering, sensor integration, agricultural robotics, and control system design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled engineer with a bachelor's or master's degree in agricultural engineering, mechanical engineering, or robotics, with practical experience in sensor integration, control system design, and agricultural machinery automation

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core sensor-based header control methodology. The fundamental concept of using one-dimensional distance sensors to guide agricultural headers is preserved, with the PTD introducing incremental improvements in sensor fusion, dimensionality, and adaptive control strategies. These variations represent logical technological progressions that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance agricultural header precision and adaptability.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
One-dimensional distance data collection using sensors mounted on an agricultural header
PTD Variation
Expanding to three-dimensional point cloud generation using multiple radar sensors
Obviousness Reasoning
Increasing sensor dimensionality is a predictable engineering solution for improving spatial understanding, representing a known technique for enhancing measurement precision
Source Patent Element
Controller configured to receive and process sensor data for header control
PTD Variation
Integrating machine learning algorithms to dynamically adjust header parameters based on crop conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying adaptive machine learning to sensor-based control systems is a standard approach for improving system responsiveness and performance
Source Patent Element
Radar sensors for distance measurement
PTD Variation
Combining radar sensors with cameras to generate comprehensive 3D point cloud representations
Obviousness Reasoning
Sensor fusion is a well-established technique for enhancing measurement accuracy and providing redundant data collection methods
Source Patent Element
Vertical and horizontal distance determination for header positioning
PTD Variation
Detecting crop row curvature, inclination, density, and moisture levels from sensor data
Obviousness Reasoning
Extracting additional contextual information from sensor data represents a logical extension of existing measurement techniques
Source Patent Element
Controller configured to control agricultural header steering
PTD Variation
Real-time obstacle detection and avoidance using integrated sensor data
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing dynamic obstacle avoidance is a predictable enhancement to existing steering control methodologies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856891 and the disclosed variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed agricultural header control system variations obvious and non-patentable. The incremental technological improvements represent predictable engineering solutions that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance sensor-based agricultural machinery control systems.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,891
TitleSystems and methods for controlling an agricultural header
Assignee(s)CNH Industrial America LLC