FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to autonomous systems, methods, and apparatuses for use with agricultural based operations. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the use of autonomous, self-propelled and self-controlled machines for use with agricultural implements, autonomous implements, and the control thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The increasing size of farms has created new situations for farmers. With limited lengths of seasons for agricultural operations, e.g., tilling, planting, harvesting, baling, and the like, it has become difficult for some farmers to complete certain tasks within the limited timeframe. For example, an ideal planting window for certain crops may only last a couple weeks. Many issues can affect whether a farmer is able to get all of the seed in the ground within the timeframe.

Some implements are becoming larger, such as the introduction of planters with a large number of row units. The more row units allow for fewer passages through a field. The costs associated with such equipment can be high, limiting the number of planters that a farmer can afford. In addition, if one or more of the planters breaks down or otherwise has issues, the delay in fixing the planter may cost the farmer planting time, in addition to the cost of repair. Even when farmers are able to afford multiple implements, including tractors and other equipment, there may be a problem of being able to hire enough workers to operate everything. Furthermore, as weather conditions tend to change and be otherwise unpredictable, this creates an additional hurdle. Operators can be limited to performing certain operations in limited weather conditions, such that the weather can create multiple delays in the completion of an operation.

Other operations may include additional issues. For example, harvesting crop includes many of the same issues as planting, with the additional issue that combines and other equipment associated with harvesting can be more expensive. Furthermore, with planting, spraying, harvesting, and other operations, the time for completing each operation can be increased by the constant need to replenish materials, empty materials, replenish fuel, replace individual components, and any other task that may involve the stopping of the operation, for even a limited time.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method, system, and/or apparatus that can aid farmers and others in completing various operations. The method, system, and/or apparatus can be used to reduce the time for completing operations, reduce the amount of manpower needed, increase the conditions in which an operation can be completed, or otherwise reduce the number of issues associated with farming and other operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is a principle object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to overcome deficiencies in the art.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a system including an autonomous vehicle for performing agricultural operations.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide an autonomous vehicle that is self-propelled and capable of attaching to various agricultural equipment.

It is still another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a system that includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles for performing agricultural operations in a field at the same time.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide an autonomous vehicle that can self-attach to one of a plurality of equipment or implements.

It is yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a system that reduces the amount of time needed to perform one or more agricultural operations.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a vehicle that includes permanent or modular outputs for providing a supply to tools, equipment, or other machines.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage.

Accordingly, the invention includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing autonomous agricultural operations. According to some aspects, the invention includes the use of one or more autonomous vehicles, which vehicles may be known as a tug unit. The tug unit is a self-propelled vehicle that includes a power source, drive system, wheels or tracks, and attachment mechanisms or surfaces. The autonomous vehicle can be programmed to perform operations in a pre-programmed manner, or in an on-the-fly manner, where a master module continually updates the vehicle with new instructions. The on-the-fly operation can also be continuously updated by the use of modules placed on and around the tug unit. The modules can include various sensors, radar, LIDAR, cameras, radio, antennas, GPS, and the like to provide updated information that will aid in operating the tug unit. The tug unit may also include an intelligent control, including a communication system. The communication system may include wire or wireless communication methods, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sensors, or the like. Furthermore, while some embodiments include the use of tracks, it is also contemplated that the tug unit may include wheels in the place of tracks.

The tug unit is configured, according to some aspects of the invention, to connect or be equipped with an implement or equipment. For example, the implement or equipment may be agricultural based equipment such as, but not limited to, planting equipment, harvesting equipment, spraying equipment, tilling equipment, bailing equipment, mowing equipment, grain storage equipment, or the like. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to strictly agriculture based operations, and the methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein may also be used in other industries, such as mining, construction, or other domestic operations.

To connect to the various implements and/or equipment, the tug unit may include attachment mechanisms, such as quick attached mechanisms. Examples of quick attached mechanisms include, but are not limited to, arms, three point hitches, power take-off connections, jacks on lifts, cable lifts/roll boxes, or the like. In addition, the invention contemplates that the tug units may include automatically connecting components, such as but not limited to electrical connections, hydraulic connections, pneumatic connections, power take off connections, sensors, and the like. In such situations, it is contemplated that when the unit and implement are close enough to connect to one another, the self-connecting mechanisms will automatically connect between the unit and the implement such that the tug unit can provide the necessary output to the unit in order to power and/or operate the implement.

According to other aspects of the invention, it is contemplated that one or more of the tub units may be connected to one another in order to provide additional power to larger implement or equipment. In addition, the tub units may be connected to one another in order to move the one or more units from one location to the next. In such situations, the tug units can be connected via cables, wireless, GPS, or the like, in order to move the units in a train like manner from one location to the next without the need for an operator to be operating each individual unit. However, the invention also contemplates that at least one of the tug units may be equipped with a pop-up or add on cab such that an operator, i.e. farmer, can manually operate the one or more tug units. In such situations, the additional tug units attach to the manually operated tug unit may mimic or otherwise be controlled by said master or master tug unit.

Other aspects of the invention include that the tug unit may include module components. For example, the power system of the one or more tug units may include modular components such as outlets that may be moved to different locations on the tug unit to provide power for additional equipment and/or implements. The module components may include electrical outputs for powering a generator. Other examples may include modular motors that can be removed from the tug unit and positioned on the implement or equipment in order to operate different aspects of the implement. Additionally, the tug unit may include repair components. For example, a tug unit may include additional row units for use in planting in which a repair tug unit can quickly and easily replace and remove a damaged row unit with a new, modular row unit from the tug unit in order continue planting without delay.

It will be appreciated from the description that many other variations, options, and alternatives may be included as part of the invention. The invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment enclosed herein.

