Patent Description:
Crop yields are affected by a variety of factors, such as seed placement, soil quality, weather, irrigation, and nutrient applications. Seeds are typically planted in trenches formed by discs or other mechanisms of a planter row unit.

Adding materials (such as fertilizers) adjacent to seed trenches during planting is a good way to deliver the materials to the soil for growing plants to access the material during a later growing stage. This eliminates a pass over the field to reduce compaction of the soil from separate planting and material application passes. Some of the fertilizer is placed adjacent to the seed trench, and when the plant grows and extends into the zone where the fertilizer was placed, the plant can then use the fertilizer.

There are various implements that deliver fertilizer to soil adjacent to the trench on a planter row unit. These implements generally have coulters or knives to open a space adjacent the trench and include a liquid delivery tube for delivering fertilizer. The amount of liquid is controlled to control the amount of fertilizer. Such implements are described in, for example, <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses a method including identifying a number of actuators used to release a material, the identified number of actuators being less than a total number of actuators. The method includes identifying a simulated speed of a vehicle based on the identified number of actuators and controlling an amount of material provided to the actuators based on the simulated speed of the vehicle.

<CIT> discloses a device for detachable connection to a socket coupling to a data bus system, with a housing, a plug connector formed on the housing and a simulation module in the housing set up to simulate the operating behavior of an agricultural implement when interacting with a use terminal connected to the data bus system, the simulation of the operating behavior including provision of parameter data for the working device and simulated operating data on the connector port.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a portable system for testing or demonstrating an agricultural implement, as defined by claim <NUM>.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for testing or demonstrating an agricultural implement, as defined by claim <NUM>.

The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any planter or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

As used herein, the term "testing" includes validating proper operation of a test device, calibrating a test device, and other quality control measures.

As used herein, the term "demonstrating" includes displaying features to actual or potential customers or other observers, training operators, and any other public or private display.

As used herein, the term "test device" means any device being tested or demonstrated.

<FIG> is a simplified perspective view of a portable system <NUM> for testing or demonstrating a portion of an agricultural implement, such as a sensors and actuators associated with seed planters and fertilizer applicators. <FIG> is a simplified perspective view of an underside of the portable system <NUM> with an outer portion hidden to show the inside of the portable system <NUM>. <FIG> is a simplified top view of the portable system <NUM>.

The portable system <NUM> may be used to test or demonstrate a planter, a row unit of a planter, any component of a row unit, or a control system. Typically, the portable system <NUM> may be electrically connected to a test device as discussed below.

The portable system <NUM> includes a control system <NUM> and other components contained within and secured to a case <NUM>. The case <NUM> may include a base <NUM> and a lid <NUM>, which may be closed to protect the control system <NUM> and other components when not in use and when being transported. The lid <NUM> may be opened to use the portable system <NUM>, and the portable system <NUM> may be used without removing the control system <NUM> or other components from the base <NUM> or the lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be connected to the base <NUM> by any known method, such as, without limitation, hinges or removable latches. Typically, a hinge or multiple hinges enable the lid <NUM> to remain in open configuration adjacent the base <NUM> without an external support, and enable a user to conveniently use components within the base <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. The case <NUM> may have a shape and dimensions similar to a suitcase or briefcase, and may typically be carried by one person.

The control system <NUM> may be coupled to a graphical user interface <NUM> and/or mechanical user interface <NUM>, through which a user may interact with the control system <NUM>. The graphical user interface <NUM> may be a touch screen or a non-touch display. The user may set operating parameters for a test device using the touch screen (if so equipped) and/or using the mechanical user interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the user may connect a portable multifunctional device to interact with the control system <NUM>, the graphical user interface <NUM>, and/or the mechanical user interface <NUM>. For example, the portable multifunctional device may be, without limitation, a mobile telephone, a portable computer, or a tablet computer. The portable system <NUM> may include a tablet computer holder <NUM> in which a user may place a tablet computer to interact with the control system <NUM>, such as to visualize data in a different way or to act as a demonstration of the test device or the control system <NUM>. The graphical user interface <NUM>, mechanical user interface <NUM>, and/or the tablet computer may together provide a similar display and user interface to what an operator would experience in the cab of a tractor. Thus, the portable system <NUM> may be used for demonstration purposes, in addition to testing.

The control system <NUM> may typically include processing circuitry electrically coupled to the graphical user interface <NUM>. The processing circuitry of the control system <NUM> is configured to monitor and display information pertaining to operation of the test devices, such as position, soil temperature, soil moisture, residue amounts, liquid fertilizer flow rate, seed population, down force, and any other monitored or controlled parameter.

The portable system <NUM> may include one or more distributed controllers <NUM> in electrical communication with the control system <NUM>, and which may provide data input to the control system <NUM>. The distributed controllers <NUM> may operate in the same way that a distributed controller of a row unit operates. That is, each distributed controller <NUM> may receive inputs from one or more sensors, and may provide outputs to one or more actuators to control operation of seed meters, fertilizer flow valves, down force on a disc, or other devices and parameters. The portable system <NUM> shown includes three distributed controllers <NUM>-two in <FIG> and <FIG>, and one in <FIG>. The distributed controllers <NUM> may be used to test individual components of a row unit.

The portable system <NUM> may also include external controller connectors <NUM> to connect distributed controllers on row units to the control system <NUM>. When so connected, the control system <NUM> may bypass the distributed controllers <NUM> of the portable system <NUM> to test or demonstrate a row unit as a whole (including to test the distributed controller of the row unit).

Test devices may be connected to the distributed controllers <NUM> via one or more electrical couplers <NUM> mounted in the case <NUM>. The electrical couplers <NUM> may be secured to the base <NUM> such that wiring is protected behind a panel <NUM> during normal operations. Brackets <NUM> may be used to secure the panel <NUM> or other components to the base <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may also protect a power supply <NUM>, a cooling fan <NUM>, and other components. An AC plug <NUM> may be mounted to the panel <NUM> such that electrical power may be connected to the power supply <NUM> via a power cord <NUM>. In some embodiments, a DC plug <NUM> may provide electrical power as an alternative to AC power (e.g., when power is provided by a tractor or another vehicle). The power supply <NUM> may convert and/or condition either source of power (AC or DC) to an appropriate voltage to power the control system <NUM>, the test devices, and other components. In some embodiments, the control system <NUM>, the test devices, and other components may use DC power from the DC plug <NUM> directly, bypassing the power supply <NUM>. In other embodiments, the power supply <NUM> and the AC plug <NUM> may be omitted, and the control system <NUM>, the test devices, and other components may operate using power from the DC plug <NUM>.

The portable system <NUM> also includes a simulator module, such as radar simulator <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The radar simulator <NUM> may be operable to simulate the speed of a tractor or implement, and use of the radar simulator <NUM> may enable certain features of the control system <NUM> that are designed to be used only when the implement is moving. That is, by sending a simulated signal from the radar simulator <NUM> to the control system <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may operate test devices as though they are traveling through a field. Thus, the test devices may be evaluated without moving them (for example and without limitation, in a maintenance shop or at a fixed location in a field). Typically, the radar simulator <NUM> may generate an electromagnetic signal having a selected frequency. In a real radar system, the frequency output typically corresponds to tractor speed. Thus, by adjusting the signal frequency of the radar simulator <NUM>, the radar simulator <NUM> may simulate different tractor speeds. The radar simulator <NUM> may include a user adjustment, such as a dial, to enable a user to change the simulated tractor speed.

The portable system <NUM> includes a simulator module <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, operable to send additional signals to the control system <NUM> that would otherwise be provided to a control system on a tractor, implement, or planter. The simulator module <NUM> provides simulated data to indicate GPS location, radar speed, implement height status (e.g., raised or lowered), and/or gyro turn rate. The simulator module <NUM> may be operable to change multiple parameters during a test, such as to simulate field conditions encountered in a prior planting operation.

<FIG> is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method <NUM> in which the portable system <NUM> may be used for testing or demonstrating an agricultural implement or a portion thereof.

In block <NUM>, a portable system is provided, such as the portable system <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In block <NUM>, at least one test device is connected to electrical couplers of the portable system. In block <NUM>, the test device is optionally connected to a liquid source.

In block <NUM>, field conditions are simulated of a field in which the test device is expected to operate. In some embodiments, simulated field conditions are conditions actually encountered in a field during a prior planting season or other prior operation. In block <NUM>, a control signal is sent to the test device. The control signal is based at least in part on data input from a distributed controller.

In block <NUM>, performance of the test device is monitored with the control system. The performance may be monitored without moving an implement carrying the test device. The test device may also be controlled with the control system. If block <NUM> is included, the method <NUM> may include monitoring and/or controlling flow of liquid from the liquid source through the test device. Data related to performance of the test device may be displayed on a portable multifunctional device, such as a mobile telephone, a portable computer, or a tablet computer.

The method <NUM> may be wholly performed without electrically connecting the test device directly or indirectly to a tow vehicle. That is, the method <NUM> may be performed in a shop, at a stationary location in a field, in a display, or in another location.

Claim 1:
A portable system (<NUM>) for testing or demonstrating an agricultural implement, the system (<NUM>) comprising a case (<NUM>), the case (<NUM>) carrying:
a power supply (<NUM>);
a plurality of electrical couplers (<NUM>) configured to receive wiring harnesses associated with test devices of the agricultural implement
a simulator module (<NUM>) configured to simulate at least one operating parameter of the agricultural implement on which test devices of the agricultural implement are carried; and
a control system (<NUM>) comprising:
a graphical user interface (<NUM>); and
processing circuitry operably electrically coupled to the graphical user interface (<NUM>) and to the wiring harnesses, the processing circuitry configured to monitor and display information pertaining to operation of the test devices of the agricultural implement,
characterized in that:
the simulator module (<NUM>) is configured to send simulated data to the control system (<NUM>) to indicate GPS location, radar speed, implement height status and/or gyro turn rate; and
the control system (<NUM>) is configured to operate the test devices of the agricultural implement as though they are travelling through a field and thereby evaluate the test devices of the agricultural implement without moving them.