John C Mcclure

US Patent:

6539303, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/733641

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ 85260
Dennis M. Collins - Gilbert AZ 85296
Richard W. Heiniger - Hiawatha KS 66434

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

701213, 701202, 701 36, 180204

Abstract:

A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.

US Patent:

6711501, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Mar 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/396788

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ
Dennis M. Collins - Gilbert AZ
Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO

Assignee:

Satloc, LLC - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701213, 701200, 701 50, 340588, 340990, 73178 R

Abstract:

A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.

US Patent:

6865465, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

May 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/431119

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US

Assignee:

CSI Wireless, Inc. - Alberta

International Classification:

G06G007/76

US Classification:

701 50, 701213, 701214

Abstract:

A guidance system for directing a towed implement comprising: a first DGPS system, comprising an antenna located on a towing vehicle in operable communication with a receiver; a second DGPS system comprising another antenna located on a towed implement in operable communication with another receiver; a receiver configured to receive differential correctors from a reference GPS system; a controller in operable communication with the first DGPS system, the second DGPS system, and the receiver, the controller generating a first steering command; and a steering mechanism in operable communication with the controller and configured to direct a towed implement based on the first steering command provided thereto.

US Patent:

7142956, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Jun 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/875776

Inventors:

Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Dennis M. Collins - Fountain Hills AZ, US
John T. E. Timm - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Hiawatha KS

International Classification:

B62D 13/00
G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701 23, 180 91, 318587

Abstract:

An automatic steering system and method are provided for a vehicle including an hydraulic primary steering system. The automatic steering system includes a guidance module with a GPS receiver and a microprocessor adapted to process and store GPS data defining travel paths, which can be associated with a cultivated field in an agricultural vehicle application. An automatic steering module is connected to the guidance module and to a steering valve control block, which provides pressurized hydraulic fluid in parallel with the vehicle's primary hydrostatic steering system. The automatic steering system utilizes a constant factor, such as steering rate, for predictability and simplicity in the operation of the automatic steering system. A feedback loop from the vehicle hydrostatic steering system uses the vehicle's actual turning rate for comparison with a desired turning rate. The system is adapted for original equipment installation and retrofitting on vehicles, such as farm tractors, with various primary hydrostatic steering system configurations.

US Patent:

7162348, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733960

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
John T. E. Timm - Tempe AZ, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
Richard B. Wong - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Hiawatha KS

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 50, 701 41, 2804561

Abstract:

An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-induced course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the motive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

US Patent:

7373231, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Jan 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/650784

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
John T. E. Timm - Tempe AZ, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
Richard B. Wong - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Calgary, Alberta

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 50, 701 41, 2804561

Abstract:

An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-inducted course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the movive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

US Patent:

7400294, Jul 15, 2008

Filed:

Oct 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/250762

Inventors:

Michael L. Whitehead - Scottsdale AZ, US
John McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS Inc. - Calgary

International Classification:

G01S 5/14

US Classification:

34235703

Abstract:

A method and system for local computation of information to improve accuracy in a differential Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The method comprising: determining a current location of a reference receiver; comparing the current location with at least one stored location; if a resultant of the comparing is less than a selected threshold, identifying as a reference location the at least one stored location, which is closest to the current location; otherwise establishing the current location as the reference location and storing the current location. The method also includes computing the information from signals from one or more GNSS satellites the based on the reference location; and transmitting the information for reception by one or more remote receivers.

US Patent:

7400956, Jul 15, 2008

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804758

Inventors:

Walter Feller - Airdrie, CA
Michael L. Whitehead - Scottsdale AZ, US
John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS Inc. - Calgary

International Classification:

G01C 21/28
G01C 21/00
G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 41, 701213, 701215, 701205, 34235711

Abstract:

A sensor system for vehicle steering control comprising: a plurality of global navigation satellite sensor systems (GNSS) including receivers and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase corrected real time kinematic (RTK) position differences. The roll angle facilitates correction of the lateral motion induced position errors resultant from motion of the antennae as the vehicle moves based on an offset to ground and the roll angle. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system.