Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Agricultural Header Control for Extreme Environments

Publication ID: 24-11856891_0004_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Agricultural Header Control for Extreme Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856891_0004_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856891_0004_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 did not address the specific challenges and requirements of specialized environments. The present invention addresses these limitations by providing novel adaptations of the control system for use in high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, precision farming, and wildfire-prone environments.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The invention's novelty lies in its adaptation of the control system for use in specialized environments, providing a unique combination of features and functionalities that are not obvious in light of the original patent. The inventive step is in recognizing the need for and developing these adaptations to address the specific challenges and requirements of these environments.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention may include additional sensors, such as cameras or lidar, to enhance the control system's performance in specialized environments. Variations of the invention may include different types of agricultural headers, such as those used for planting or spraying, or different types of sensors and communication systems.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in specialized environments such as high-security facilities, disaster relief areas, and regions prone to extreme weather or wildfires. The invention may be marketed as a premium product or service, offering enhanced performance, safety, and efficiency to agricultural operators and organizations.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01D41/141
A A01 A01D41/1278

Field of Art

Agricultural machinery control systems, specifically header control technologies for harvesting and crop management equipment, requiring expertise in sensor integration, precision agriculture, and embedded control systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical or electrical engineer with 3-5 years experience in agricultural automation, familiar with sensor technologies, GPS integration, and embedded control system design for agricultural machinery

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core agricultural header control system, applying known techniques of sensor integration, environmental adaptation, and specialized communication protocols to enhance the base technology's functionality and applicability across different operational contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Controller receiving 1D distance data from sensors mounted on agricultural header
PTD Variation
Adding high-resolution GPS integration for precise header positioning
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating GPS with existing sensor systems is a known technique in precision agriculture, representing a predictable improvement to spatial awareness and control accuracy
Source Patent Element
Radar sensors for distance measurement and header control
PTD Variation
Incorporating additional sensor types like cameras or lidar for enhanced environmental perception
Obviousness Reasoning
Expanding sensor modalities is an obvious design choice for improving sensing capabilities, using well-established multi-sensor fusion techniques
Source Patent Element
Basic communication and control system for agricultural header
PTD Variation
Implementing secure encrypted communication links for high-security environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying standard cybersecurity protocols to industrial control systems represents a straightforward and predictable technological adaptation
Source Patent Element
Basic header control system with sensor-based distance measurement
PTD Variation
Developing weather-resistant housing for extreme environmental conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Ruggedizing electronic systems for harsh environments is a standard engineering practice with well-understood design principles
Source Patent Element
Agricultural header control system with sensor integration
PTD Variation
Adding emergency shutdown capabilities like fire detection systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing safety systems using existing sensor and control infrastructure represents a predictable safety enhancement in agricultural machinery design
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856891, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed herein to be obvious extensions of the prior art, representing predictable technological adaptations that do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thereby establishing this disclosure as anticipatory prior art against potential future patent claims in agricultural header control technologies.

Original Patent Information

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