Published Technical Disclosure Archive

AI-Powered Agricultural Header Control System

Publication ID: 24-11856891_0003_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “AI-Powered Agricultural Header Control System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856891_0003_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856891_0003_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 systems and methods for controlling an agricultural header, but it had limitations in terms of real-time data analysis, equipment failure prediction, and crop origin tracking. The new invention addresses these limitations by integrating distinct technologies to create a more powerful and efficient system.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new invention is novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent because it integrates multiple distinct technologies to create a more powerful and efficient system. The use of machine learning, IoT, blockchain, and autonomous farming technologies in combination with agricultural header control systems is a new and innovative approach that provides significant improvements over existing systems.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include the use of different types of sensors, such as camera or acoustic sensors, or the integration of additional technologies, such as artificial intelligence or robotics. The invention could also be adapted for use in other industries, such as construction or mining, where efficient equipment operation and real-time data analysis are critical.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, where it could be used to optimize crop harvesting, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. The invention could also be marketed to other industries where efficient equipment operation and real-time data analysis are critical. The target market could include farmers, agricultural equipment manufacturers, and companies that provide data analytics and IoT services.

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 positioning and guidance systems for harvesting equipment

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in agricultural machinery design, sensor integration, control systems, and precision agriculture technologies, typically holding a degree in agricultural engineering or mechanical engineering with 3-5 years of industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's proposed variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core sensor-based header control technology by integrating emerging digital technologies like machine learning, IoT, and blockchain to enhance existing agricultural sensing and control methodologies. The fundamental sensor-based header positioning concept remains consistent, with the PTD merely applying known computational and networking technologies to improve data processing and system intelligence. These technological integrations represent incremental improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize agricultural equipment performance.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Controller receiving 1D distance data from sensors mounted on agricultural header
PTD Variation
Integrating machine learning algorithms to process sensor data and predict optimal header settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to sensor data represents a known technique for enhancing predictive capabilities in control systems, with predictable results of improved performance and precision
Source Patent Element
Radar and sensor-based distance measurement for header positioning
PTD Variation
Adding IoT communication module for real-time data transmission and cloud-based monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending sensor data collection to networked platforms is a standard design choice for improving system intelligence and remote monitoring capabilities
Source Patent Element
Agricultural header control system with multiple sensor inputs
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based ledger for tracking crop origin and quality integrated with header sensor data
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining sensor data tracking with blockchain represents an obvious method of enhancing data verification and traceability using known technological integration techniques
Source Patent Element
One-dimensional distance measurement for header positioning
PTD Variation
Multi-sensor fusion using radar and lidar for enhanced predictive header settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining multiple sensor types to improve measurement accuracy is a predictable engineering solution for increasing system reliability and precision
Source Patent Element
Agricultural header control system with sensor-based positioning
PTD Variation
Integration with autonomous farming systems using machine learning for route and header optimization
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending header control systems to autonomous farming platforms represents a logical technological progression with predictable performance improvements
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, as they represent predictable technological extensions of the foundational teachings in US Patent 11856891, combining known sensor control techniques with emerging digital technologies through standard engineering design choices that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner in 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