{
  "patent_number": "US 7747370",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Farm Tractors Automatically Turn at the End of a Row",
  "original_title": "Method for creating end of row turns for agricultural vehicles",
  "summary": "This patent describes a GPS-guided system for agricultural vehicles that automatically calculates and offers multiple turn options at the end of a crop row, allowing the operator to choose the best path.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent details a method for automatically guiding an agricultural vehicle, like a tractor with an attached implement, through a turn at the end of a crop row. It uses a 'swath generation apparatus' (SGA) which has a computer and memory, connected to a GPS receiver that knows the vehicle's exact location. The SGA calculates at least two different 'end of row turn paths' by repeatedly processing predetermined parameters, such as the vehicle's minimum turning radius and how fast it can change direction, along with the actual position of the vehicle (Claim 1, 2). These calculated paths are defined by many 'interpolated data points' that form a curved, non-linear route (Claim 6). The system then shows these paths to the operator and lets them choose which one to follow, or even manually guide the vehicle (Claim 1, 4). For example, a farmer approaching the end of a field could see two suggested turn paths on a screen, pick the tighter or wider one, and the tractor would steer itself along that path.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover systems that only calculate a single, fixed end-of-row turn path without offering the operator a choice between multiple options (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover turns that are not 'end of row turns' or those that do not connect 'predefined end points of equally spaced swath paths' (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover vehicle guidance systems that do not use an 'iterative process' to calculate the turn paths based on predetermined parameters and actual vehicle position (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover systems where the turn path is entirely straight or does not involve 'interpolating data points along a non-linear path that is at least partially curved' (Claim 6).",
    "Does not cover systems that lack an 'operator input device' for communicating parameters or selecting a turn path (Claim 1)."
  ],
  "filed": "2007-04-03",
  "granted": "2010-06-29",
  "expires": "2027-04-03",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "CNH Amercia",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/cnh-amercia",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Peter J. Dix",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/peter-j-dix"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 31,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "software",
    "telecommunications",
    "mechanical",
    "ai_ml"
  ],
  "abstract": "A GPS-based vehicle guidance system and a method for automatically guiding a vehicle through and end of a row turn. The present invention provides a method and system that automatically guides the vehicle through an end of row turn without manual control. An algorithm using the minimum turning radius of the vehicle and the rate of change of the vehicle creates a set of interpolated data points resulting in an end of row turn.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7747370/method-for-creating-end-of-row-turns-for-agricultural-vehicles",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7747370/method-for-creating-end-of-row-turns-for-agricultural-vehicles/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US7747370",
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}