Patent Description:
A harvester is an agricultural machine used to harvest and process crops. For example, a combine harvester may be used to harvest grain crops, such as wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, and flax or linseed. In general, the objective is to complete several processes, which traditionally were distinct, in one pass of the machine over a particular part of the field. In this regard, most harvesters are equipped with a harvesting implement, such as a header, which cuts and collects the crop from the field and feeds it to the base harvester for further processing. The harvester also includes a crop processing system, which performs various processing operations (e.g., threshing, separating, cleaning, etc.) of the harvested crop received from the harvesting implement.

During harvesting operations, the operator of an agricultural harvester must generally monitor various operating parameters of the harvester. For example, the European patent application published as <CIT> discloses an apparatus for indicating a grain tank fill level for a grain tank of an agricultural harvester with a display, a calculating means and an operator input device. The calculating means is configured to repetitively and automatically calculate the fill level of the grain tank and to repetitively and automatically indicate a scaled fill level that is scaled to a reference fill level.

Furthermore, European Patent application published as <CIT> discloses a harvester according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>, and a method according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>. However, such monitoring of operating parameters can direct the focus of the operator away from the harvesting operation, thereby leading to harvesting inefficiency, harvesting losses, and operator strain and fatigue. For example, the operator may have to take his or her eyes off the unloading operation to check whether the certain operating parameters of the harvester during harvesting operations. This may, in turn, distract the operator from the unloading operation.

Accordingly, an improved systems and methods for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester would be welcomed in the technology.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an agricultural harvester. The agricultural harvester includes a storage compartment comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a chamber. Moreover, the agricultural harvester includes an unloading tube configured to unload harvested crop from the storage compartment of the agricultural harvester. Furthermore, the agricultural harvester includes a fill level sensor configured to generate data indicative of a fill level of the storage compartment and an unloading rate sensor configured to generate data indicative of an unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Additionally, the agricultural harvester includes a light-emitting device positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Moreover, the agricultural harvester includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the fill level sensor. The computing system is configured to determine the fill level of the storage compartment based on the data generated by the fill level sensor and the unloading rate of the harvested crop material based on the data generated by the unloading rate sensor. The computing system is also configured to control an operation of the light-emitting device such that the light emitting device provides an indication of the determined fill level and that a color of light emitted by the light-emitting device is indicative of the unloading rate.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester. The system includes an unloading tube configured to unload harvested crop material from a storage compartment of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, the system includes a fill level sensor configured to generate data indicative of a fill level of the storage compartment and an unloading rate sensor configured to generate data indicative of an unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Moreover, the system includes a light-emitting device positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Furthermore, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the fill level sensor. The computing system is configured to determine the fill level of the storage compartment based on the data generated by the fill level sensor and the unloading rate of the harvested crop material based on the data generated by the unloading rate sensor. The computing system is also configured to control an operation of the light-emitting device such that the light emitting device provides an indication of the determined fill level and that a color of light emitted by the light-emitting device is indicative of the unloading rate.

In a further aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester. The method includes receiving, with a computing system, fill level sensor data indicative of a fill level of a storage compartment of an agricultural harvester and unloading rate sensor data indicative of an unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Additionally, the method includes, determining, with the computing system, the fill level of the storage compartment of the agricultural harvester based on the received fill level sensor data and the unloading rate of the harvested crop material based on the unloading rate sensor data. Furthermore, the method includes controlling, with the computing system, an operation of a light-emitting device positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by an unloading tube such that the light-emitting device provides an indication of the determined fill level and that a color of light emitted by the light-emitting device is indicative of the unloading rate.

For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to a system and a method for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester. As will be described below, the agricultural harvester includes a storage compartment having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the inner surface defining a chamber configured to store harvested crops. Furthermore, an unloading tube is configured to unload harvested crop material from the storage compartment of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, a fill level sensor is configured to generate data indicative of a fill level of the storage compartment.

In several embodiments, the agricultural harvester includes a light-emitting device that provides an indication of the fill level of the harvested crop within the storage compartment. Moreover, the light-emitting device is positioned within the field of view of the operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing unloading of harvested crop material via the unloading tube. For example, in one embodiment, the light-emitting device may be supported on an interior surface of a structural component of the cab of the agricultural harvester. In another embodiment, the light-emitting device may be supported on a railing of the operator's platform of the agricultural harvester. In a further embodiment, the light-emitting device may be supported on the unloading tube.

Additionally, in several embodiments, a computing system is communicatively coupled to the fill level sensor and configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device. More specifically, the computing system is configured to determine the fill level of the storage compartment based on the received fill level sensor data. Thereafter, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device such that the light-emitting device provides an indication of the determined fill level. For example, in some embodiments, the computing system may control the operation of the light-emitting device such that the individual light-emitting sections sequentially deactivate as the determined fill level decreases.

Controlling the operation of a light-emitting device to provide an indication of the fill level of the storage compartment within the field of view of the operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube improves the operation of the agricultural harvester. More specifically, as indicated above, the operator may have to take his or her eyes off of the unloading operation to monitor or otherwise check certain operating parameters of the harvester during a harvesting operation. However, in the disclosed system and method, the light-emitting device is positioned within the field of view of the operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing the unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Thus, with the disclosed system and method, the operator can receive visual notifications regarding the storage compartment loading status without having to take his or her eyes off the field. This, in turn, improves harvesting inefficiency and reduces harvesting losses and operator strain and fatigue.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> illustrates a partial sectional side view one embodiment of an agricultural harvester <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the harvester <NUM> is configured to travel across a field in a forward direction of travel (indicated by arrow <NUM>) to harvest a standing crop <NUM> present within the field. While traversing the field, the harvester <NUM> is configured to process the harvested material and store the grain, seed, or the like within a storage compartment <NUM> of the harvester <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the harvester <NUM> is configured as an axial-flow type combine in which the harvested crop material is threshed and separated while being advanced by and along a rotor <NUM> extending in an axial direction <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, the harvester <NUM> may have any other suitable harvester configuration, such as a traverse-flow type configuration in which the rotor extends in a lateral direction.

The harvester <NUM> may include a chassis or main frame <NUM> configured to support and/or couple to various components of the harvester <NUM>. For example, in several embodiments, the harvester <NUM> may include a pair of driven, front wheels <NUM> and a pair of steerable, rear wheels <NUM> coupled to the chassis <NUM>. As such, the wheels <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to support the harvester <NUM> relative to the ground and move the harvester <NUM> in the forward direction of travel <NUM>. Furthermore, the harvester <NUM> may include an operator's platform <NUM>, an operator's cab <NUM>, a crop processing system <NUM>, the storage compartment <NUM>, and an unloading tube <NUM> supported by the chassis <NUM>. The crop processing system <NUM> may be configured to perform various processing operations on the harvested material as the crop processing system <NUM> transfers the harvested material from a harvesting implement <NUM> (e.g., a header) of the harvester <NUM> and through the harvester <NUM>. Furthermore, as will be described below, the harvester <NUM> may be configured to perform unloading operations of the harvested material as the storage compartment <NUM> of the harvester <NUM> is filled with processed crop. Moreover, the harvester <NUM> may include an engine <NUM> and a transmission <NUM> mounted on the chassis <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> may be operably coupled to the engine <NUM> and may provide variably adjusted gear ratios for transferring engine power to the wheels <NUM> via a drive axle assembly (or via axles if multiple drive axles are employed).

After the crop processing system <NUM> performs processing operations on the harvested material, the harvested material is transferred to the storage compartment <NUM> of the harvester <NUM> in preparation for unloading operations of the harvested material. In several embodiments, the storage compartment <NUM> includes one or more inner surfaces <NUM> and one or more outer surfaces <NUM>. The inner surface(s) <NUM> defines a chamber <NUM> in which the harvested material is stored. As will be described below, the unloading tube <NUM> is configured to unload the harvested crop material stored within the chamber <NUM> of the storage compartment <NUM> into a cart <NUM> (<FIG>). However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the storage compartment <NUM> may have any other suitable configuration that permits storage of the processed crop material.

Additionally, the agricultural harvester <NUM> includes one or more fill level sensors <NUM> configured to generate data indicative of the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM>. As such, in several embodiments, the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> may be positioned within the storage compartment <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> may be coupled to the inner surface(s) <NUM> of the storage compartment <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> may be a contact sensor(s) configured to sense a weight of harvested material in contact with the contact sensor(s) and generate data indicative of the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> based on the sensed weight of the harvested material in contact with the contact sensor(s). However, the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> may be configured as any other type of sensor(s) capable of sensing the fill level of harvested material in the storage compartment <NUM>. Furthermore, the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> may be positioned at any other suitable location(s) that allows the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> to generate data indicative of the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an interior view of the operator's cab <NUM> of the agricultural harvester <NUM> shown in <FIG> during unloading operations in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In this respect, <FIG> illustrates the field of view of the of the operator of the agricultural harvester <NUM> when the operator is positioned within the cab <NUM> and viewing the unloading of crop material from the harvester <NUM>. More specifically, as indicated above, during unloading operations, the unloading tube <NUM> unloads harvested crop material from the chamber <NUM> (<FIG>) of the storage compartment <NUM> (<FIG>) into the cart <NUM> positioned adjacent to the harvester <NUM>. The cart <NUM>, in turn, is configured to be towed by a work vehicle <NUM>, such as the illustrated agricultural tractor. As such, the harvester <NUM> may be configured to perform unloading operations while the harvester <NUM> and the cart/work vehicle <NUM>/<NUM> travel across the field in the direction of travel <NUM>.

Furthermore, the operator's cab <NUM> may include various structural components that form an enclosure in which operator may sit when operating the harvester <NUM>. For example, the operator's cab <NUM> may include one more cabin pillars <NUM> extending between a floor <NUM> and a ceiling <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>. The cabin pillar(s) <NUM> may be coupled to the floor <NUM> and/or the ceiling <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>. Moreover, the operator's cab <NUM> may include one or more windshields or windows <NUM>, with each windshield <NUM> extending between two adjacent cabin pillars <NUM>. Additionally, each windshield <NUM> may define at least a portion of a side of the operator's cab <NUM>. As such, an operator may view agricultural operations exterior of the harvester <NUM> via the windshield(s) <NUM>. In this respect, the operator may view the unloading tube <NUM>, the cart <NUM>, and the work vehicle <NUM> during unloading operations through a first windshield <NUM> and a second windshield <NUM>. The first windshield <NUM> may, in turn, define at least a portion of a first side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM> through which the operator may view the unloading tube <NUM>, the cart <NUM>, and the work vehicle <NUM> during unloading operations. The second windshield <NUM> may, in turn, define at least a portion of a second side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM> perpendicular to the first side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>. The operator may also view at the unloading tube <NUM>, the cart <NUM>, and the work vehicle <NUM> through the second side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>. The first side <NUM> may be opposite of various monitoring systems (not shown) and/or control modules (not shown) located adjacent to an opposing side (not shown) such that the operator may be required to take his or her attention off the monitoring systems (not shown) and/or control modules (not shown) while the operator views unloading operations (e.g., the unloading tube <NUM>, the cart <NUM>, and/or the work vehicle <NUM>).

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the harvester <NUM> may include an operator's platform <NUM> supported by the chassis <NUM> (<FIG>). The operator's platform <NUM> may be located adjacent to the operator's cab <NUM> such that the operator can access the operator's cab <NUM> from the operator's platform <NUM>. For example, the operator's cab <NUM> may be located adjacent to the first side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM> such that the operator's platform <NUM>, or one or more components thereof, may be in the operator's field of view while the operator is viewing unloading operations. However, in alternative, the operator's platform <NUM> may be located in any other suitable location adjacent to the operator's cab <NUM> such that the operator can access the operator's cab <NUM>. Additionally, the operator's platform <NUM> may include one or more railings <NUM> to facilitate entry and exit of the operator from the operator's cab <NUM>. Thus, the railing(s) <NUM> may be in the operator's field of view while the operator is viewing unloading operations when the operator's platform <NUM> is located adjacent to the first side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>.

Moreover, the harvester <NUM> may include one or more light-emitting devices <NUM>. In general, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> provide an indication of the fill level of the harvested and processed crop material being stored within the storage compartment <NUM>. For example, in several embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may include one or more light-emitting sections <NUM> (e.g., five light-emitting sections). In this respect, differing numbers and/or arrangements of the light-emitting section(s) <NUM> may be illuminated to indicate the fill level of the storage compartment. For example, in some embodiments, when the storage compartment <NUM> is completely full of harvested material, all of the light-emitting sections <NUM> may be illuminated. Furthermore, in such embodiments, the light-emitting sections <NUM> may sequentially deactivate as the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> decreases (e.g., due to unloading of the crop material via the unloading tube <NUM>). For example, in one embodiment, the light-emitting section(s) <NUM> may be arranged in a single column. As such, as the unloading tube <NUM> unloads harvested material from the storage compartment <NUM>, each of the light-emitting sections <NUM> may de-illuminate in descending order from top to bottom to indicate the change in harvested material within the storage compartment <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may include any suitable number or configuration of light-emitting sections <NUM>.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may provide an indication of the unloading rate at which the harvested material is unloaded from the storage compartment <NUM> via the unloading tube <NUM>. Specifically, in such embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may emit different light colors indicative of various unloading rates. For example, the color of the light emitted by the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be a first light color (e.g., yellow) corresponding to a first unloading rate (e.g., slow unloading rate). The light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may also emit a second light color (e.g., green) corresponding to a second unloading rate (e.g., fast unloading rate). It should be appreciated that the light colors and unloading rates may correspond to any suitable number of light colors and unloading rates.

Furthermore, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be positioned within a field of view of the operator while the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM>. In some embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be supported on an interior surface <NUM> of one of the cabin pillars <NUM> (e.g., the A-pillar). For example, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be supported on the interior surface <NUM> of the cabin pillar <NUM> located on the first side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>. Additionally, in some other embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be supported on one of the railings <NUM> when the operator's platform <NUM> is located adjacent to the first side <NUM> of the operator's cab <NUM>. Moreover, in some other embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be supported on the unloading tube <NUM> during unloading operations adjacent to the first side <NUM>. As such, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> are positioned within a field of view of the operator while the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may be supported in any other suitable location within a field of view of the operator while the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM>.

Moreover, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may correspond to any suitable type and/or combination of devices configured to emit light. For example, the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> may correspond to a series of light-emitting diodes (LED), standard fluorescent bulbs, compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, halogen bulbs, incandescent bulbs, or the like. Additionally, the light-emitting section(s) <NUM> may correspond to any kind of light-emitting section. For example, each light-emitting section <NUM> may correspond to a light-emitting diode (LED), standard fluorescent bulb, compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb, halogen bulb, incandescent bulb, or the like.

It should be further be appreciated that the configuration of the agricultural harvester <NUM> described above and shown in <FIG> are provided only to place the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable to any manner of harvester configuration.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of one embodiment of a system <NUM> for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the system <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the agricultural harvester <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed system <NUM> may generally be utilized with agricultural harvesters having any other suitable harvester configuration.

As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes the light-emitting device(s) <NUM>, which is positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester <NUM> when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM> (<FIG>). Additionally, the system <NUM> may include the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> configured to generate data indicative of the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM>.

Furthermore, the system <NUM> may include one or more unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> configured to generate data indicative of an unloading rate at which the harvested material is unloaded from the storage compartment <NUM> via the unloading tube <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to sensor(s) that measure conveyor speed of the unloading tube <NUM>, quantity of harvested material remaining in the storage compartment <NUM>, and/or the like. In such embodiments, the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> may be positioned within the unloading tube <NUM>. However, the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> may be positioned in any other location suitable and/or have any other suitable configuration for generating data indicative of the unloading rate at which the harvested material is unloaded from the storage compartment <NUM> via the unloading tube <NUM>.

Moreover, the system <NUM> includes a computing system <NUM> communicatively coupled to one or more components of the agricultural harvester <NUM> and/or the system <NUM> to allow the operation of such components to be electronically or automatically controlled by the computing system <NUM>. For instance, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> and the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> via a communicative link <NUM>. As such, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to receive data from the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> that is indicative of the fill level of the storage compartment of the harvester <NUM>. Likewise, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to receive data from the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> indicative of the unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM>. Furthermore, the computing system <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. In this respect, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> such that the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> emit light in a manner that provides an indication(s) to the operator associated with the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> of the harvester <NUM> and/or the unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM> based on the data received from the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> and the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM>. In addition, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to any other suitable components of the agricultural harvester <NUM> and/or the system <NUM>.

In general, the computing system <NUM> may comprise one or more processor-based devices, such as a given controller or computing device or any suitable combination of controllers or computing devices. Thus, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may include one or more processor(s) <NUM> and associated memory device(s) <NUM> configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic circuit (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory device(s) <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, a computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory RAM)), a computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disk (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s) <NUM> may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the computing system <NUM> to perform various computer-implemented functions, such as one or more aspects of the methods and algorithms that will be described herein. In addition, the computing system <NUM> may also include various other suitable components, such as a communications circuit or module, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like.

The various functions of the computing system <NUM> may be performed by a single processor-based device or may be distributed across any number of processor-based devices, in which instance such devices may be considered to form part of the computing system <NUM>. For instance, the functions of the computing system <NUM> may be distributed across multiple application-specific controllers or computing devices, such as a navigation controller, an engine controller, a transmission controller, a row guidance controller, and/or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of one embodiment of example control logic <NUM> that may be executed by the computing system <NUM> (or any other suitable computing system) for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, the control logic <NUM> shown in <FIG> is representative of steps of one embodiment of an algorithm that can be executed to monitor unloading of an agricultural harvester in a manner that does not require the operator to take his or her eyes off of the field in front of the harvester. Thus, in several embodiments, the control logic <NUM> may be advantageously utilized in association with a system installed on or forming part of an agricultural harvester to allow for providing real-time monitoring during unloading operations of an agricultural harvester without requiring substantial computing resources and/or processing time. However, in other embodiments, the control logic <NUM> may be used in association with any other suitable system, application, and/or the like for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester.

As shown, at (<NUM>), the control logic <NUM> includes receiving fill level sensor data indicative of a fill level of a storage compartment of an agricultural harvester <NUM>. For example, as mentioned above, in some embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. In this respect, during operation of the agricultural harvester <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may receive data from the fill level sensor(s) <NUM>. Such data may, in turn, be indicative of the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> of an agricultural harvester <NUM>. The fill level data of the storage compartment <NUM> received by the computing system <NUM> from the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> may fluctuate as the storage compartment <NUM> is loaded with harvested material during harvesting operations or unloaded during unloading operations.

Additionally, at (<NUM>), the control logic <NUM> includes determining the fill level of the storage compartment of the agricultural harvester <NUM> based on the data generated by the fill level sensor at (<NUM>). Specifically, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> based on sensor data (e.g., weight data) received from the fill level sensor(s) <NUM> at (<NUM>).

Furthermore, at (<NUM>), the control logic <NUM> includes receiving an input indicative of an unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube. Such input may be sensor data and/or operator input. For example, as mentioned above, in some embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. In this respect, while the harvested material is unloaded from the storage compartment <NUM> into the cart <NUM> by the unloading tube <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may receive data from the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM>. Such data may, in turn, be indicative of an unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube <NUM>. For example, the data may be the speed of a conveyor carrying harvester material through the unloading tube. The unloading rate data of the harvested crop material received by the computing system <NUM> from the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> may fluctuate as the unloading rate of the harvested material from the storage compartment <NUM> increases or decreases during unloading operations. Such fluctuation of the unloading rate data may be caused by a manually controlled (e.g., operator controlled) or automatically controlled (e.g., computer controlled) change in the unloading rate of the harvested material. Alternatively, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to receive one or more operator inputs that are indicative of the rate at which the harvested material is unloaded. Such operator input(s) may be operational settings such as conveyor speed of the unloading tube <NUM>. However, operator inputs may be any suitable input to control the rate at which the harvested material is unloaded from the unloading tube <NUM>.

Moreover, at (<NUM>), the control logic <NUM> includes determining the unloading rate of the harvested crop material based on the data generated by the unloading rate sensor at (<NUM>). Specifically, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine the unloading rate based on data received from the unloading rate sensor(s) <NUM> and/or operator input of the harvested material as it is unloaded by the unloading tube <NUM> into the cart <NUM> as the harvester <NUM> and the cart <NUM> travel across a field in the direction of travel <NUM> or while the harvester <NUM> and the cart <NUM> are stationary.

Furthermore, at (<NUM>), the control logic <NUM> includes controlling an operation of a light-emitting device positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester <NUM> when the operator is viewing the unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube such that the light-emitting device provides an indication of the determined fill level and/or the unloading rate.

Specifically, at (<NUM>), in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> based on the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> determined at (<NUM>). More specifically, as mentioned above, the computing system <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. In this respect, when the when the storage compartment <NUM> contains agricultural material, the computing system <NUM> may transmit control signals to the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. Such control signals instruct the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> to emit light in an initial color (e.g., white light). The emitted light is, in turn, visible to the operator within the operator's cab <NUM> when the operator monitoring the harvesting operation. Thus, when the operator sees the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> emitting light in the initial color, he or she then knows that the storage compartment <NUM> contains agricultural material.

Additionally, at (<NUM>), in several embodiments, the light-emitting device(s) may include the light-emitting sections <NUM> such that differing numbers and/or arrangements of the light-emitting sections <NUM> may be illuminated to indicate the determined fill level of the storage compartment <NUM>. In some embodiments, at (<NUM>), the computing system <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> such that the individual light-emitting sections sequentially deactivate as the determined fill level decreases. For example, the determined fill level may decrease as a result of the harvested material being unloaded from the storage compartment <NUM> during unloading operations.

Moreover, at (<NUM>), in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> based on the unloading rate of the harvested material determined at (<NUM>). As such, the control logic <NUM> includes controlling the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> such that a color of light emitted by the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> is indicative of the unloading rate. For example, the computing system <NUM> may transmit control signals to the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. Such control signals instruct the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> to emit a color of light indicative of the unloading rate. In such embodiments, after the unloading rate of the harvested crop material is determined at (<NUM>), the computing system <NUM> may control the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> such that the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> emit light in a first color (e.g., yellow) corresponding to a first unloading rate (e.g., a slow unloading rate), or a second color (e.g., green) corresponding to a second unloading rate (e.g., a fast unloading rate). In such embodiments, the second color is different from the first color, and the second unloading rate is different from the first unloading rate. The emitted light is, in turn, visible to the operator within the operator's cab <NUM> when the operator monitoring the harvesting operation. Thus, when the operator sees the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> emitting light in the first color, he or she then knows that the unloading rate corresponds to the first unloading rate. Similarly, when the operator sees the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> emitting light in the second color, he or she then knows that the unloading rate corresponds to the second unloading rate.

Finally, at (<NUM>), the control logic <NUM> includes deactivating the light-emitting device when the storage compartment <NUM> is empty of harvested material. Specifically, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> is configured to deactivate the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> when the storage compartment <NUM> is empty of harvested material. For example, the computing system <NUM> may transmit control signals to the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> via the communicative link <NUM>. Such control signals instruct the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> to deactivate when the storage compartment <NUM> is empty of harvested material.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method <NUM> for monitoring unloading of an agricultural harvester is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the method <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the agricultural harvester <NUM> and the system <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed method <NUM> may generally be implemented with any agricultural harvester having any suitable harvester configuration and/or within any system having any suitable system configuration. In addition, although <FIG> depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes receiving, with a computing system, fill level sensor data indicative of a fill level of a storage compartment of an agricultural harvester. For instance, as described above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to receive data from the fill level sensor(s) <NUM>. Such data may, in turn, be indicative of a fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> of an agricultural harvester <NUM>.

Furthermore, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes determining, with the computing system, the fill level of the storage compartment of the agricultural harvester based on the data generated by the fill level sensor at (<NUM>). For instance, as described above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine the fill level of the storage compartment <NUM> based on received fill level sensor data.

Additionally, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes controlling, with the computing system, an operation of a light-emitting device positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by an unloading tube such that the light-emitting device provides an indication of the determined fill level. For instance, as described above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the light-emitting device(s) <NUM> such that the individual light-emitting sections sequentially deactivate as the determined fill level decreases. For example, the determined fill level may decrease as a result of the harvested material being unloaded from the storage compartment <NUM> during unloading operations.

Claim 1:
An agricultural harvester (<NUM>) comprising a system (<NUM>) for monitoring unloading of the agricultural harvester (<NUM>), the system (<NUM>) comprising an unloading tube (<NUM>) configured to unload harvested crop material from a storage compartment (<NUM>) of the agricultural harvester (<NUM>), the system (<NUM>) comprising:
a fill level sensor (<NUM>) configured to generate data indicative of a fill level of the storage compartment (<NUM>);
an unloading rate sensor (<NUM>) configured to generate data indicative of an unloading rate of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube (<NUM>);
a light-emitting device (<NUM>) positioned within a field of view of an operator of the agricultural harvester (<NUM>) when the operator is viewing an unloading of the harvested crop material by the unloading tube (<NUM>); and
a computing system (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the fill level sensor (<NUM>) and the unloading rate sensor (<NUM>), the computing system (<NUM>) configured to:
determine the fill level of the storage compartment (<NUM>) based on the data generated by the fill level sensor (<NUM>), to
determine the unloading rate of the harvested crop material based on the data generated by the unloading rate sensor (<NUM>); and to
control an operation of the light-emitting device (<NUM>) such that the light-emitting device (<NUM>) provides an indication of the determined fill level;
and further characterized in that a color of light emitted by the light-emitting device (<NUM>) is indicative of the unloading rate.