GB2133556A - Planter population monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus for a multi-row seed planting machine (10), includes a programmed microprocessor (34). The microprocessor receives and stores data corresponding to the seed and distance sensed signals from all of the sensors 16, 18, 21 simultaneously. A user accessible control panel (46) delivers to the microprocessor data corresponding to the output signal characteristics of a given distance sensor in response to travel over a given distance increment. The microprocessor includes means for calculating the number of seeds dispensed per unit distance travelled in accordance with the characteristics of the given distance sensor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Planter population monitor Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to novel monitoring apparatus, and more specifically to a novel monitoring apparatus for monitoring a plurality of functions of a machine.

While the features of this invention are useful with different machines, the disclosure will be facilitated by addressing the specific problem of monitoring the planting of seeds by a multirow seed planting machine.

As is well known, a farmer engaged in mechanized planting of seeds generally utilizes a planting machine pulled behind a tractor. One form of planting machine commonly used includes a plurality of seed planting units carried on a single frame for simultaneously planting a plurality of rows of seeds. With such multi-row planting equipment, it is often difficult for the farmer to monitor operation of all the planting units with any degree of accuracy. In this regard, it is also important to ascertain that all planting units are operating to achieve a desired seed population per acre, at least within reasonable limits.In order to determine seed population planted by each planting unit, as well as by the planting machine as a whole, it is necessary to determine the number of seeds planted by each planting unit of the planting machine, the ground speed of the planting machine, the number of rows being planted, and the row width or spacing between rows.

A number of prior monitoring systems have been proposed for monitoring seed population planted by a multi-row planting machine.

Representative of these prior art systems are those described in the following U.S. Patents: Fathauer et al 3,855,953; Steffen 3,91 2,121; Knepler 3,927,400; Fathauer 3,928,751; and Steffen 4,085,862. While these prior art systems have proven particularly useful for the purposes and functions described therein, none is capable of simultaneously monitoring and storing information from all rows of a multi-row planting machine, while at the same time monitoring the distance travelled. It will be appreciated that such capability is particularly advantageous, in that the farmer can immediately ascertain the #popu#lation currently being planted in any row, or, by the machine as a whole.In contrast, in the prior art system, to ascertain seed population for a given row, it was necessary for the farmer to first select the row (i.e., planting unit), and then wait for the apparatus to accumulate a seed count over a given distance for that row. Consequently, for a large planter, e.g. one having 12 or 16 planting units, the farmer would have to wait a corresponding number of distance intervals to ascertain the seed population being planted in all rows and only thereafter could he determine the population being planted by the machine as a whole. Collaterally, should one or more rows be malfunctioning or failing to achieve the desired seed population, the farmer might not become aware of the situation until a considerable amount of ground had been covered by the planting machine.

The advent of advanced electronic components, including such elements as microprocessor components and including electronic memory elements, has made possible rapid gathering, storage and retrieval of relatively large quantities of data. The present invention advantageously provides a programmed, special purpose microprocessor for simultaneously monitoring a plurality of functions of a machine such as a multi-row seed planter, and storing data corresponding thereto.

As will be more further detailed herein below, the use of a programmed, special purpose microprocessor also makes possible the storage of a plurality of data samples or data points taken of the various functions to be monitored at predetermined intervals. Such a plurality of data samples or data points are manipulated by the programmed microprocessor, to provide heretofore unavailable information to the operator. For example, the average of a plurality of data points or samples of a function being monitored may be displayed upon comman. In a multi-row seed planting machine, such average values are obtained for a particular row, or for all the rows being planted by the machine.

According to the present invention there is provided a monitoring apparatus for a seed planting machine including seed sensor means for producing a seed signal in response to each seed planted and distance sensor means for producing a distance pulse signal for each predetermined increment of distance travelled by said seed planting machine, said monitoring apparatus comprising: a microprocessor operating in accordance with a predetermined program to receive and store said seed signals and said distance pulse signals, and operator accessible control means for delivering data to said microprocessor corresponding to the output signal characteristics of a given distance sensor means in response to travel over a predetermined increment of distance, said microprocessor including means for calculating the number of seeds dispensed per unit distance travelled by the seed planting machine in accordance with the output signal characteristics of said given distance sensor means associated with the seed planting machine.

For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a seed planting machine, partially in diagrammatic form, wherein the apparatus of this invention is advantageously incorporated; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the monitoring apparatus of the present invention in conjunction with a plurality of sensors associated with the seed planting machine of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a control and display console advantageously mountable for viewing by an operator of the seed planting machine of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the console of Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a diagram, in tubular form, illustrating one mode of operation of the monitoring apparatus, in accordance with advantageous features of the present invention;; Figure 6A and 6B, taken together, form a schematic circuit diagram of a portion of the monitoring apparatus of Fig. 2; and Figures 7A and 7B, taken together, form a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a further portion of monitoring apparatus of Fig. 2 in additional detail.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Referring to the drawings, the present invention will be described in conjunction with a multi-row planting machine. However, limitation is intended, the invention being useful in other applications as well.

Fig. 1 illustrates a mobile, multi-row seed planting machine, 10, transported by a tractor 12, over a field to be planted. The planting machine or planter 10 may be of various known constructions and need not be described in detail. It suffices to state that the planter 10 includes a plurality of seed planting units or chutes 14, through which seeds are delivered to be planted in the ground. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the seed planting units or chutes 14 are eight in number. It will be understood, however, that the monitoring apparatus of the invention may be readily adapted for association with planters having any desired number of planting units or chutes 14. The planting units 14 may be of various known constructions and need not be described in detail.

The seed planting units 14 each have associated therewith a seed sensor 16, which is adapted to provide an output signal in response to the passage of a seed through the associated seed planting unit or chute 14. The sensor 16 forms no part of the present invention and will not be described in further detail.

Suitable sensors for this purpose are described, for example, in U.S. Patents 3,723,989 and 3,928,751 to Fathauer, and 3,974,377 to Steffen, all owned by the present assignee.

The planter 10 also incorporates a distance or ground speed sensor 18, conveniently mounted adjacent to a wheel such as a press wheel 20 of the seed planter 10. This distance or ground speed sensor 18 also forms no part of the present invention and may comprise a tachometer or the like of known construction. The sensor 18 produces a given number of output pulses in response to a given number of rotations of, or to a given distance travelled by the wheel 20.

A suitable "lift" sensor 21 is also provided for sensing the condition of the planting machine 10. Briefly, conventional planting machines are provided with a mechanism (not shown) to lift the planting bar or planting units 14 when desired, for example, to turn the tractor and planting machine around at the end of a field, and to again lower the planting units 14 for operation when the turnaround is complete and it is desired to make another pass over the field for planting purposes. This lift sensor 21 provides a suitable signal to the components within housing 23, indicative of the relative condition of the planter apparatus 10 either in its "lifted" position for transport or in its "lowered" position for planting.

Suitable cables, designated generally 22, electrically join the seed sensors 16, ground speed or distance sensor 18 and the "lift" sensor 21 with a housing 23 mounted on the planter 10, which contains components of the monitoring apparatus of the invention. These components in the housing 23 in turn feed a control and display console 24 mounted on the tractor, via a cable 25. The console 24 is conveniently mounted on the tractor for viewing by the operator. This console 24 contains the remainder of the monitoring apparatus of the invention, and may be provided with suitable electrical operating power via a suitable cable or cables 26 from the tractor battery 28.

Reference is now invited to Fig. 2, wherein the major components forming the invention are illustrated in block diagrammatic form.

The seed sensors 16 and the ground speed or distance sensor 18 feed the monitoring components in the housing 23, which in turn feed the monitoring components of the console 24.

The components in the housing 23 and console 24 include a microprocessor, which will be described in detail hereinbelow.

Briefly, the microprocessor includes an input interface or input/output section 30 which receives the inputs from the sensors 16 and 18, and is joined by a bi-directional data transfer line or cable 32 with a main micro processor section 34. Miscellaneous additional functions of the seed planting machine 10 may also be monitored or controlled at additional output devices or sensors 36, joined by bi-directional data transfer line 38 with the main microprocessor section 34. The main microprocessor section 34 is bi-directionally joined by lines 40 and 42, which form the cable 25 of Fig.1, with elements of the console 24. These elements include dis play interfacing components 44 and an operator accessible display and control panel 46, bi-directionally joined by a line 47.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4 the console 24 is illustrated in front and rear elevations, respectively, revealing the display and control panels 46 and 47. Briefly, the display and control panel 46 is normally positioned to face the operator of the tractor 12, as illustrated in Fig. 1, during the planting operation.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the control and display panel 47, which may be viewed by the operator by "flipping over" the console 24, is used to "set up" or customize the novel monitoring apparatus of the invention for use with the planter 10. That is, the farmer may customize the apparatus of the invention to accommodate the particular features and operating characteristics of his planting machine. Referring to these control and display panels 46 and 47 of Figs. 3 and 4, together with the block diagram of Fig. 2 the operation of the invention will now be described. The structural details of the compo nents comprising the functional blocks of Fig.

2 will be described in detail later.

The main microprocessor 34 operates in accordance with a predetermined, stored pro gram to continuously monitor and store the signals from all of the seed sensors 16 and from the distance or ground speed sensor 18.

These signals are simultaneously received at the input interface 30 and fed to the main microprocessor 34, which calculates seed po pulations for each row therefrom. Advantage ously, the main microprocessor is capable of storing in memory components, which will be described later, a plurality of these seed popu latin calculations or seed counts from each sensor 16. These seed population calculations or seed counts are made, in accordance with the program, over successive, predetermined increments of distance travelled by the seed planter, as determined by the microprocessor from the input signals of the ground speed or distance sensor 18.The microprocessor is further responsive to operator input from the control panel 47, as will be described in detail later, for storing data or information corre sponding to the configuration of the particular seed planting machine 10 with which the monitoring apparatus is being utilized. Thus, the monitoring apparatus of the invention may be customized for use with a particular seed planting machine such as the seed planter 10 of Fig. 1. For example, the microprocessor 34 is programmed to receive information or data corresponding both to the number of rows, that is, the number of seed planting units or chutes 14 of the planter 10 and to the spacing therebetween. This data is used by the microprocessor in calculating the seed population planted.

Referring first to Fig. 3, the display and control panel 46 includes an upper display portion or window 48 and a lower display portion or window 50. Function selection push-button control switches 54, 56 and 58 are associated with the upper display window 48. Similar function selection push-button switches 60 and 62 are associated with the lower display window 50. An on/off (ON/OFF) push-button switch 64 is provided to the right of push-buttons 60 and 62. The display windows 48 and 50 each contain a plurality of words or symbols, designated generally by the respective reference numerals 66 and 68, which are selectively energized or made visible by operation of associated ones of the function select control switches 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62 to indicate selection of a particular function to be performed by the monitor.A four-digit display 70 in the upper display window 48 comprises four 7-segment liquid crystal display characters, and is utilized to provide a display of the value of the planting machine functions selected by controls 54, 56 and 58. A two-digit display 74, also in the upper window 48, comprises a pair of 7-segment liquid crystal display characters, which together with a word "ROW" adjacent thereto, are selectively energized to indicate the row number for which a read-out is being given in the display characters 70 of the display window 48. A similar four-digit display 78 is provided in the lower display windows 50 to indicate the values of the machine functions selected by controls 60 and 62.

Referring now also to Fig. 4, the rear dis play panel includes a substantially centrally located display portion or window 80, sub stantially similar to the display windows 48 and 50. This display window 80 includes a plurality of selectively energizable words or symbols designated generally by the reference numeral 82 and a four-digit display 84 made up of seven-segment display characters. Simi lar function control push-button switches 86, 88, 90, 92 are associated with the display window 80 and the words or symbols 82 and characters 84 therein. Additiional controls in clude a set-up/operate switch 96 and an English/Metric switch 98, each of which is a two-position switch of a conventional nature.

An alarm loudness control 99 is also provided for setting an audible alarm of the console, which will be discussed later, to a desired loudness level.

The operation of the monitor of the inven tion will now be explained in terms of oper ation of the controls of panels 46 and 47 both to achieve monitor "set-up" or customiz ing for use with a particular planting machine and during the actual planting process.

Upon depression of the onvoff push-button 64, the monitor, under control of the micro processor 34, proceeds through a self-testing function of the console itself, of the micro computer and associated circuits illustrated in Fig. 2, and of the sensors 16, 18 and 21.

The circuits and other components performing these functions will be more fully explained hereinbelow. This self-test will result, however, in suitable messages or symbols being energized in the display window 48. A fault or malfunction in the microcomputer and associated circuits will be indicated by a message MODULE PROBLEM, while a defect in a sensor or in the wiring harness connected therewith will be indicated by a message SENSOR PROBLEM, and accompanied by a sequential display of the numbers of all rows (i.e., planting units 14) in which such failure has been detected, in the display characters 74 in upper window 48.

If no such faults or malfunctions are detected, the monitor is ready for subsequent operations; however, if some faults are detected then one of the other control pushbuttons must be activated to leave the selftesting mode. If the monitor has not yet been customized for use with the planter, the lower panel 50 will display the message DATA. This message indicates that the operator should tilt or rotate the console 24 for access to the rear panel 47. The SET-UP/OPERATE switch 96 should then be actuated to SET-UP.

The operator then depresses a STEP control 88 as many times as necessary to energize a HI WARN message in the window 80. A numerical value may then be set in for the upper limit of desired population to be planted (e.g. in seeds per acre) by use of a SELECT control 92 and a "0-9" control 94. Briefly, each depression of the SELECT control energizes a cursor at one of the digits 84, moving from left to right, to allow individual setting of each digit until the number to be set into the monitor is displayed. Each depression of the 0-9 control 94 advances the selected digit by one unit or count. The next depression of the STEP control 88 lights the next function indication in the window 80, namely, the LO WARN symbol.The controls 92 and 94 may then be used in the same fashion as described above to set in the lower limit of the desired population to be planted, e.g., in terms of seeds per acre. The foregoing assumes that the english system of measurement is being utilized and accordingly, the control 98 is set in the ENGLISH position. If the metric system were being utilized, this control 98 would be set to the METRIC position. For example, when LO WARN is displayed, setting in a figure 22.5 indicates a low limit of seed population 22,500 seeds per acre. Similarly, setting in a figure 27.5 when the symbol HI WARN is displayed would indicate an upper limit of acceptable population of 27,500 seeds per acre.It will be noted that in the foregoing as well as in the following descriptions, reference to the STEP push-button control 88 includes, by extension, STEP pushbutton control 86, the two functioning essentially equivalently, to "step" either upwardly or downwardly through the symbols 82 of the window 80.

The microprocessor is provided with two memory compartments or register locations for accumulating a count of area planted by the seed planting machine. The operator may utilize these two "area counters or register locations in any convenient fashion. For example, one register might be utilized to keep a count of the field area planted by the machine on a single day, or in a single field to be planted, while the other is utilized to accumulate a count of the total area planted the seed planter over a planting season. In setting up" for these counters the STEP push-button control 88 is again depressed to energize either the symbol FIELD AREA" or the symbol "TOTAL AREA" in the display window 80, thereby selecting one of these registers.The cumulative count in the selected register will then be displayed, in terms of acres and tenths of acres, in the display digits 84, and the operator may use the SELECT and "0-9" controls 92, 94 to set these controls to any desired starting point, in acres.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the microprocessor is also programmed to selectively de-activate any of the seed sensors 16. For example, when planting end rows of a field, the farmer may wish to use less than all of the seed planting units 14 of the planter 10. Alternatively, should a particular planting unit 14 or its sensor 1 6 be non-operational, the farmer would wish to exclude that particular unit or seed sensor from the monitor. To do this, the STEP control 88 is depressed to energize a symbol "ROW ON OFF" in the display window 80. In this mode, the SELECT control 92 and "0-9" control 94 are used to sequentially advance the digits 84 from "one" up to the total number of rows or seed planting units 14 on the planter 10.As each number is displayed, the operator may then depress the SELECT control 90 to disable or deactivate the row whose number is currently showing in the display window 80.

The monitor may also be customized for the planter configuration by depressing STEP control 88 to energize a "ROW SPACING" symbol in the display window 80. The operator now utilizes the SELECT control 92 and the "0-9" control 94 in the same fashion as described above to set the display digits 84 to read, in inches, the spacing between rows of seed as planted by the seed planting units 14, which number is set into the microprocessor.

The next depression of the STEP push-button 88 will display a "NO. OF ROWS" symbol in the display window 80. The SELECT control 92 and the "0-9" control 94 are then depressed as before to advance the digits 84 until the number or rows or seed planting units 14 of the planter 10 is indicated.

In accordance with yet another feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the monitor is customized in accordance with the particular distance or ground speed sensor 18 being utilized with the planting machine 14.

This is done by further depression of the STEP control 88, to display symbols "DIST", "SET" and "CAL" in window 84. The operator then measures off a 400 foot course and drives the planting machine 10 over this measured course with the distance sensor 18 operating. At the starting point of the measured 400 feet, the operator depresses the SELECT control 90. At the end of the measured 400 foot course, the operator again depresses the SELECT control 90. The microprocessor 34 is programmed to customize the monitor for operation with that particular distance sensor 18 from the foregoing "sample run". This completes the cutomizing of the monitor for the particular seed planting apparatus 10 with which the monitor of the invention is being utilized.

The novel monitor of the invention also has predetermined limits within which it will accept this set-up or customizing information, for example, the "hi" and "leo" population warning limits must be set to something other than the zero. Typically, distance sensors 18 may comprise either a ground wheel 20 of the type shown in Fig. 1 or a radar unit mounted on the tractor 12 (not shown).

These two types of units both typically produce a given number of pulses per unit distance travelled. Hence, if the number of pulse signals produced during the 400 foot measured course fails to fall within predetermined limits, the distance calibration will be refused by the monitor. Additionally, row spacing must be between 15 and 200 inches and the monitor will not allow a disabling of all rows in the row on/off set-up procedure. If any of these conditions are not met, the front panel displays will all remain blank except for the DATA indication in the bottom display window 50. The rear display panel 47 will display the name or symbol of the item that is not within the proper limits. The monitor will not operate further until the difficulty is corrected.If the operator attempts to run the planter with the monitor on without correcting such conditions, the audible alarm will be caused to sound continuously.

The OPR/SET-UP control 96 may now be moved to its OPR (operate) position and the console may be rotated back to the "front" side 46 (see Fig. 3). The monitor is now ready to begin monitoring of the planting operation.

Depressing the function selection controls 54, 56, 58, 60 or 62, will cause display of the values of the selected functions being monitored, as indicated by the energization of corresponding ones of the symbols 66, 68 in the display windows 48, 50.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the control 54 is labeled SCAN-MIN/AVG/MAX. Similar designations are also included in the words or symbols 66 in the display window 48. An initial depression of the control 54 energizes the SCAN symbol in the window 48, whereupon the ROW symbol thereabove will also be displayed and the digits 74 will begin scanning through the rows (i.e., sensor 16) and displaying their numbers, beginning with row one. At the same time, the word POPULA TION will be displayed in the window 48 and the digits 70 will display the seed population currently being planted in each of the rows, simultaneously with the display of the number for that row by the digits 74. Each row will be displayed for approximately two seconds in this fashion, before moving on to the next row.These population readings are updated or recalculated by the monitor approximately every 1 /200th of an acre for each row.

Another depression of the control 54 causes the monitor to enter into the "MIN/AVG/ MAX" mode of operation. In this mode the display digits 70 will display the population readings, in order, for the lowest population row, for the average population of the planting machine as a whole, and for the highest population row currently being planted. The POPULATION symbol and the MIN, AVG and MAX symbols will be displayed accordingly during this display. Also, in conjunction with the display of the highest and lowest populations (and hence the designations MAX and MIN) the display digits 74 will display the number identifying the row in which the highest and lowest populations are being planted and the ROW symbol will be displayed.The push-button control 56 is labeled ROW SE LECT and each depression thereof causes the display digits 74 to advance one count, to indicate the number of a row or planting unit 14. The display digits 70 will then show the population reading for the row (i.e. sensor 16) selected in this fashion until the ROW SELECT control 56 is again depressed to select another row for readout. This population reading will be updated every 1 /200th of an acre in each row.

The push-button control 60 is labeled FIELD AREA-TOTAL AREA, and the control 62 is labeled SPEED-DISPLAY OFF. These two controls are utilized in conjunction with the bottom display window 50. Depression of the FIELD AREA-TOTAL AREA control 60 causes the character 68 for one of these two symbols to be displayed in the window 50. At the same time the value of accumulated area planted from the selected register is displayed by the digits 78, in acres and tenths of acres.

Similarly, depression of the speed control 62 causes the speed of the planter and/or tractor to be displayed by the digits 78 in miles per hour, together with the symbol SPEED. A further depression of the FIELD AREA-TOTAL AREA control 60 will display the accumulated total of other of these two area registers, each being updated or incremented every tenth of an acre covered by the planting machine.

The last push-button control 58 is labeled POP-SPACING, and initial depression thereof causes the population in seeds planted per acre to be displayed in the digit 70 of the window 48, together with the back-lighted legend or indicator POPULATION 66. A fur ther depression of the POP-SPACING push button control 58 causes the spacing, in inches per seed, between seeds planted to be displayed in the digits 70 of the display window 48, together with the legend or label AVG SPACING 66. In conjunction with both the population and the spacing read outs, the scanning feature, or the manual selection fea ture, chosen by actuation of the push-button controls 54 or 56 is also available, as de scribed above.In other words, the population or seed spacing may be displayed for each row either in a predetermined sequence of scanning through the individual rows, or for one row at a time as selected by the operator.

The POP-SPACING push-button control 58 is also utilized in conjunction with others of the controls of the front panel 46 as will be more fully explained hereinbelow.

The monitor is also capable, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, of providing a number of failure or warning indications in the upper display window 48.

These failure or warning signals will be dis played whenever the corresponding condition is detected in the seed planter 10, without regard for the function which has been se lected for display in the display windows 48 and 50. Specifically, for every 1 /200th of an acre travelled, any row filing to plant within the preset high a low population limits will have its row number displayed by the digits 74 of the window 48, together with an appro priate symbol "HI" or "LO", to indicate whether the detected population is above or below the preset limits. If more than one row fails to plant within the preset population limits, the number of each such row will be shown for a predetermined time, consecu tively followed by each other such row. At the same time, a symbol "WARNING" will also be energized in the display window 48.If any row or rows fall below a predetermined rate, which in the illustrated embodiment is two seeds per second, that row's number will be displayed by the digits 74, together with a symbol "FAILED" in the display window 48.

An audible alarm will also be sounded for this condition. In the same fashion as for the high and low limit warnings, if more than one row has failed in this latter fashion, the display will sequence through to show each failed row by number in the digits 74. This latter type of failure indication "overrides" display of the former, "out of limits" warning. Similarly, should the monitor fail to receive the expected input signal-from the distance or ground speed sensor 18, a symbol "PROBLEM" will be energized in the lower display window 50.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, when the planter 10 is "lifted" at the end of a pass over the field, for example, when turning around at the end of the field, the row falure ("FAILED") indication will be given for all of the rows or planting units 14 of the planter 10. If the tractor is stopped, depression of the ROW SELECT push-button 56 will cause a display, in sequence, of the last population reading taken in each row immediately before the lifting of the planter.

The average seed spacing for each row just planted may also be displayed in either the "scan'' mode or the "one row at a time" mode by depression of the SCAN control 54 or the ROW SELECT control 56, together with depression of the POP-SPACING push-button control 58. Depression of the SCAN (MIN AVG MAX) control 54 alone will also cause a display of the minimum, average and maximum population figures for the rows just planted. Thus, the operator may use this opportunity to recheck or record the population data at his leisure, while the planter is stopped.

Additionally, should any row fail to plant at the minimum rate, as discussed above, the identifying number of this failed row is retained in memory. Thus, if more than one row is failed in this fahion, all may be displayed.

Moreover, the failed rows will continue to be displayed after the planter has stopped, so long as the planter is not lifted or alternatively, when the row failure display given upon lifting of the planter is overriden by depression of one of the functions select push-buttons.

The monitor is also capable of continuing to monitor for row failure (i.e. less than two seeds per second) even if the distance or speed input sensor 18 fails to function. If all of the rows (seed planting units 14) are planting at a rate greater than two seeds per second and no input is being received from the distance sensor 18, the bottom display window 50 will flash the message PROBLEM and SPEED, with a zero being shown for speed by the digits 78. The population dis play will remain inoperative. If one or more rows fall below the two seeds per second rate, however, the row number or numbers will be sequentially displayed in the digits 74 of the top display window 48 and the failure signal and alarm will be given in normal fashion.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the monitor is responsive to lifting and lowering of the planter 10 in accordance with signals from the lift sensor 21, for effec tively cutting off all of the other sensors and for cutting the sensors back into operation when the planter is lifted and lowered, respec tively. Specifically, all of the registers or mem ory devices (described hereinbelow) accumulating seed counts from the sensor 16 and distance counts from the sensor 18 are reset to zero approximately five seconds after the lift switch sensor 21 indicates that the planter, having been lifted, has again been lowered into the planting position. By this time, the tractor 12 and planter 10 will be "up to speed" with respect to both the rate of planting of seeds and the desired ground speed of the planter 10.Accordingly, new calculations are delayed for this period to avoid any possible error in calculation caused by readings taken before the planter has come "up to speed".

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the microprocessor 34 is programmed to provide an averaging or smoothing function for the population data calculated for each row of the seed planting machine 10.

This operation is illustrated in tabular form in Fig. 4. In accordance with the program, the microprocessor operates to "update" or calculate a new seed population figure for each row, for each 1/200 of an acre per row travelled by the planting machine 10, as determined from the distance or ground speed sensor 18 input. Referring to the horizontal lines of boxes of Fig. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the memory or storage capacity of the microprocessor 34 includes storage capacity for four such successive population readings or calculations. In the table, the column headed "NO. 1/200 ACRES" gives the sequential number designation of the successive reading; the column headed "NEXT 1/200 ACRE CALC", gives an exemplary population calculation for the acreage increment indicated in the first column.The four storage positions or registers are shown in the columns headed "BEFORE TRANSFER" with their contents before the "NEXT 1 /200 ACRE" calculation is entered, and in the columns headed "AFTER TRANSFER" after the "NEXT 1/204 ACRE" calculation has been entered. Finally, the column headed "DIS PLAY" shows the value which the microprocessor displays in the digits 70 on the display panel 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the first horizontal line of Fig. 4 shows the first population calculation being taken, at initial start-up of the planter 10. The table of Fig. 4 illustrates the process for a single planting row or planting unit 14, it being recognized that the process is the same for each of the other planting units 14 of the planting machine 10.

Referring now to the first horizontal row of Fig. 4, in the first 1/200 of an acre the microprocessor has calculated a population figure of 25.0. In the illustrated embodiment, the population figures are calculated and displayed in thousands, whereby 25.0 corresponds to a population of 25,000 seeds per acre. Accordingly, the "BEFORE TRANSFER" column in the first horizontal row shows all zeros (0) in the storage positions, or registers ("REG. 1," "REG. 2," etc.). Referring to the "AFTER TRANSFER" column, the microprocessor has entered the value 25.0 in the first storage position or register ("REG. 1"), and, in accordance with the program, the population figure displayed is 25.0, corresponding to the first calculated population measurement.

For purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that in this example the high and low limits preset into the microprocessor, as described above, are 22.5 and 27.5 respectively. These figures correspond to 22,500 and 27,500 seeds per acre population.

Referring to the second horizontal row, the microprocessor has calculated the population planted in the second 1/200 of an acre as 18.2 (18,200 seeds per acre). As indicated by the arrows, each number currently in the storage positions or registers is shifted over to the next storage position or register to the right, whereby the registers now contain, as shown in the 'AFTER TRANSFER" column, 18.2, 25.0, 0 and 0, reading from left to right. In this case, the display digits 70 will show a population reading of 18.2, the microprocessor being programmed to display any calculation made which is outside of the preset high and low limits. It will be remembered that the right hand display window 50 will also be activated at this time to show the number of this row, and to display symbols indicating that the row is below the preset limit.

Referring now to the third horizontal row of Fig. 4, the third 1/200 of an acre calculation is 24.6. In similar fashion, as indicated by the arrows in the "BEFORE TRANSFER" column, the numbers in the storage positions or registers are all shifted one position to the right, whereby the zero in the right hand column is descarded, resulting as shown in the "AFTER TRANSFER" column, in stored figures of 24.6, 18.2, 25.0 and 0. In accordance with its stored program, the microprocessor will now display, in the digits 70, the average of all readings thus far taken which are within the high and low preset limits, resulting in an average reading of 24.8, as indicated in the "DISPLAY" column.

Referring now to the fourth horizontal row, headed by the numeral 4 in the "NO. 1/200 ACRES" column, the next 1/200 of an acre calculation is 25.4 and is entered into the storage positions or registers in similar fashion. Accordingly, the "AFTER TRANSFER" column now shows that all four of the storage positions, or registers, are filled, and the "DISPLAY" column shows the average figure 25.0, which is displayed on the digital characters 70 of the central display window 52. It will be remembered that this figure 25.0 is the average of all of the figures in the storage register which are within the high and low preset limits. Consequently, the figure 18.2, which is below the preset low limit (22.5) is disregarded for purposes of this average calculation.

Referring now to the next horizontal column, headed by the numeral 5, in the "NO.

1/200 ACRES" column, the next 1/200 of an acre calculation is 28.4. This figure is entered into the storage positions or registers, and the other figures move forward as previously described. It will be noted that the first taken calculation of 25.0 is now discarded from the last or right-hand most storage position, since the four storage positions, or registers, were filled on the previous reading.

Since the population figure just calculated, 28.4, is above the preset high limit (27.5) this figure will now be displayed in the digits 70 of the central display window 52, together with the row number and symbol indicating a row exceeding the preset high limit, in the right-hand display window 50.

Referring finally to the last horizontal row, preceded by the numeral 6 in the "NO.

1/200 ACRES" column, the next 1/200 of an acre population calculation is 24.7. This figure is transferred to the first storage register, the other storage figures moving to the right by one position, and the oldest or rightmost figure 18.2 being discarded, in the same fashion as described above. Accordingly, the "AFTER TRANSFER COLUMN" shows the contents of the four registers or storage positions as being 24.7, 28.4, 25.4 and 24.6. Accordingly, the average 24.9 is displayed in the digit 70. It will be remembered that this figure 24.9 is the average of the three figures currently stored which are within the preset high and low limits. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the population displayed will be the average of those figures in the storage positions or registers which are within the high and low preset limits.However, in the case where a new 1/200 of an acre population figure is calculated which is outside of the preset high and low limits, that figure will be displayed for so long as it remains in the first storage position or register.

It will be appreciated that the calculation, storage and averaging process carried out with reference to Fig. 4 is simultaneously carried out for all of the planting units 14 of the multi-row seed planting machine 10. Ac cordingly, the display figures for all rows are available upon command from the operator control panel 46, selecting a particular row to be displayed, or calling for the microprocessor 34 to automatically scan through the rows as described above.

Referring now to Figs. 6A and 6B, the circuits designated generally by the reference numeral 23 in Fig. 2 are illustrated in detail.

The lines 22 from the seed sensors 16 each feed one input terminal of a microcomputer device 100, and a similar microcomputers device 110. These microcomputers, in the illustrated embodiment, are of the type generally designated 3870 and known as F8-type single chip microcomputers.

In the illustrated embodiment, sufficient capacity is provided by microcomputers 100 and 110 for receiving 32 such seed sensor input lines 22. Each of these lines 22 is also provided with a suitable pull-up resistor designated generally 102, a suitable current limiting series connected resistor, designated generally 104, and a suitable buffer designated generally 106.

The lines 38 from the apparatus 36, (which may be, for example, a feedback-type control for varying the planting rate of the planting units 14) as well as inputs 1 8a and 21a from the distance sensor device 18 and lift sensor 21, each feed one terminal of a further similar microcomputer device 120. In the illustrated embodiment the microcomputer 120 is also of the type designated 3870. Each of the lines 38 and lines 22 from distance sensor 18 and lift sensor 21 is provided with a suitable pullup resistor designated generally 112 and a series-connected resistor 1 14. Each of the series-connected resistors 114 feeds one input of one of three two-input NOR gates 116, 11 9 and 118 whose outputs in turn feed a first port 121 of the microcomputer 120.Two inputs, 1 8a and 1 8b, are provided for the two possible types of distance sensors discussed briefly above, i.e. input 1 8a is for a "ground wheel" type of sensor 20 illustrated in Fig. 1 and input 1 8b is for a "radar" type of sensor.

The input line from the resistor 114 associated with the lift sensor 21 feeds one input of a two-input NOR gate 122 whose output feeds one input of a further two-input NOR gate 124. This NOR gate 124 feeds one terminal of a port 131 of a further microcomputer element 130, which in the illustrated embodiment is a central processing unit (CPU) of the type generally designated 3850. The resistor 114 from inputs 1 8a and 1 8b also feeds one input of a two-input NOR gate 126 whose opposite input is fed from the output of the NOR gate 122 and whose output feeds one input of a further two-input NOR gate 128, whose output feeds a remaining terminal in the port 121 of microcomputer 120. The remaining inputs of NOR gates 116, 11-8, 119, 122, 124 and 128 are all fed in common from the output of a NOR gate 132, both of whose inputs are fed from a further terminal in the port 131 of CPU 130. This same terminal also feeds one input of a twopoint NOR gate 134 whose output feeds a control terminal on each of the NOR gates 116, 118, 119, 122,124and and 126. The remaining input of NOR gate 134 is fed from a terminal in the port 107 of the microcomputer 100.

The microprocessors 100 and 120 each have four, similar eight-bit input/output (I/O) ports, labeled respectively, 101, 103, 105 and 107, and 121, 123, 125 and 127. The respective terminals of the ports 105 and 125 and of ports 107 and 127 are directly interconnected. Similarly, the terminals of port 123 are directly interconnected with similar terminals of an eight bit I/O port 133 of the CPU 130. In similar fashion, a further microcomputer element 140 is provided having four eight-bit ports 141, 143, 145 and 147.

In the illustrated embodiment this microcomputer 140 is also a single-chip microcomputer element of the type generally designated 3870. The port 145 has its terminals directly interconnected with the terminals of the port 115 of microcomputer 110, and similarly, the port 147 has its terminals directly interconnected with the similar terminals in the port 11 7 of microcomputer 110. The port 143 has its terminals directly interconnected with like terminals of the port 133 of CPU 130, as indicated by the bracket "to 1 33".

Suitable external control elements and signals, including suitable timing elements are provided for the microprocessor or microcomputer components 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 in accordance with conventional practice and need not be described in detail herein, but are illustrated in Fig. 6A. The microcomputer control terminals are similarly labeled with their conventional designations, as is known in the art, and as are readily ascertainable from reference to publications regarding the above-identified microcomputer elements.

Briefly, a main timing control is provided by an oscillator circuit including a four megahertz crystal element 150. A suitable counter 151 is interposed between this oscillator and timing control input of the CPU 130. The oscillator also feeds the suitable control terminals of the other microcomputer devices 100, 110, 120 and 140, by way of suitable buffer elements. Suitable biasing and control voltages are also provided to other control terminals of these microprocessor elements.

The CPU 130 also includes an eight-bit data bus (DB) for bi-directional transfer of data between the CPU 130 and remaining components of Fig. 6B. Other control terminals of the CPU 130 are designated in Fig. 6A by their customary symbols as are well known in the art. All of these data bus (DB) terminals and other control terminals of the CPU 130 are joined with like-designated terminals of a pair of input/output devices 160 and 170, seen in Fig. 6B. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 160 is a peripheral input/ output (Pl/O) of the type generally designated 3871 of the F8 family of microprocessor devices, while the device 170 is a static memory interface (SMI) of the type generally designated 3853 and also of the F8 microprocessor family of devices.Both of these devices 1 60 and 170 are well known in the art and require no further explanation as to their structure or mode of operation. These devices 160 and 170 act as interfaces between the CPU 130 and external control lines and memory storage devices, respectively.

The- Pl/O has a pair of input/output (I/O) ports 161 and 162. The port 162 interfaces with a constant memory storage which takes the form of an electrically alterable read only memory (EAROM) 172. This EAROM 172, in the illustrated embodiment, is of the type generally designated MC7033 and is a 21 word by 16 bit electrically alterable nonvolatile memory, of a type generally known in the art. A suitable power supply therefor is designated generally by the reference numeral 174 and is fed from a suitable source of positive voltage, and a further control terminal fed from the I/O port 161, in conventional fashion, whereby these components need not be described in detail, but are fully illustrated in Fig. 6B.

Advantageously, provision of the EAROM 172, as described, for storing the constants allows the customizing of programming operation described above to remain effective over a considerable period of time, even when the monitor and associated planting machine are not in use and not provided with any source of power. Briefly, the constants referred to are those described above with respect to the customizing or "set-up" operation of the present invention. These constants, for example, include the "high" and "10" warning settings, the field area, total area and distance sensor calibrations, the number or rows and row spacing settings.This EAROM 172 is advantageously capable of storing or maintaining these constants without power for a considerable period of time, thereby maintaining the customizing of the monitor of the invention for later use, for example, the following season, with the same planter 10, without the necessity of the operator repeating the set-up procedure described above.

The I/O port 162 also receives suitable input signals indicating the depression or actuation of any of the control switches shown on the control panels of Figs. 3 and 4. These inputs are received in serial fashion to port 162 of the Pl/0 160 from inputs 200, 202, 204 and 206, which are fed from like numbered lines in Fig. 7A, as described below.

Suitable biasing potentials are applied to port 162 from a four-by-four grid or matrix designated generally 176. The Pl/O 160 and the CPU 130 are programmed to recognize the serial data at port 162 as corresponding to actuation of a particular one or ones of these control switches.

Lines 200, 202, 204 and 206 also emanate from this matrix 176 and feed the necessary data for driving the displays shown in Figs. 3 and 4, by way of the display interface and driving circuit to be discussed with refer ence to Figs. 7A and 7B.

Conventional power supplies for providing various positive and negative regulated voltages for the circuits of the invention are designated generally by the reference numerals 178 and 180, and, as they are fully conventional in nature and fully illustrated in Fig. 6B need not be described in detail.

Suitable memory capacity for storing both a suitable program for operating the microcomputer elements of Fig. 6A, as well for storing the readings from the various sensors associated with the monitor of the invention as described above, are addressed by the SMI 1 70. These memory devices include a random access memory (RAM) 182, and three programmable read only memories (PROM) 184, 186 and 188. The memories 182, 184, 186 and 188 are all addressed from the SMI 170 by way of conventional address lines, designated generally 173. while the chip select lines of each memory element are addressed from the SMI 170 by way of a suitable decoder/demulitplexer 190, which in the il lustrated embodiment is an integrated circuit component of the type generally designated 74LS1 39.

Reference is next invited to Fig. 7A and 7B which illustrates the display and control panel driving and interface circuits 44 of Fig. 2. The main components of these display driver circuits comprise five similar integrated circuit liquid crystal display driver components designated by the reference numerals 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218. In the illustrated embodiment, these liquid crystal display (LCD) drivers are serial input drivers of the type generally designated HLCD 0438, available for example from Engineering Services Company, of St.

Louis, Missouri. Briefly, these drivers are especially adapted to drive LCD display elements under control of a microprocessor, each acting as a "smart" peripheral capable of driving up to 32 LCD segments. Due to the serial input construction of these components, only three control lines are required from the microcomputer, namely: a data input line, a clock control line and a load control line.

The data input line is received from the terminal 202 of Fig. 6B, while the clock and load control lines are received from the respective terminals 200 and 204 thereof. An additional read control line runs between the circuits of Figs. 7A and 7B and joins the terminal 206 in each circuit.

The display driver element 214 drives the segments of the four digits and decimal point designated generally 70 in the display window of Fig. 3, together with the FAILED, HI and LO symbols in that window. Hence, the terminals of drive 214 are designated by the like names and by the reference numerals 70 DO, 70 DP, etc. In similar fashion, the display driver component 216 drives the segments of digits 74, at terminals designated 74 D1 and 74 D2, and the segments of the first two of the digits 78, at terminals designated 78 D1 78 D2, and the decimal point of the digits 78, designated 78 DP. The display driver 216 also drives the symbols WARNING, ROW, AUX POS, in the display window 48.In similar fashion, the display characters and symbols energized by the various output lines of the LCD display drivers 210, 212 and 218 are indicated in Figs. 7A and 7B.

The push-button control switches of the display and control panels 46 and 47 of Figs.

3 and 4 are connected with the respective inputs of a pair of eight-stage static shift registers 220 and 222, which in the illustrated embodiment are integrated circuit com ponents of the type generally designated CD4021. The corresponding number of each of these control buttons is repeated adjacent the terminals it controls in Fig. 7A. Each of these push-button switches is provided with a suitable pull-up resistor, as designated gener ally by reference numerals 221 and 223. The outputs of these shift registers 220 and 222 feed serial data corresponding to control push button switch closures through the line 206 to the like-numbered serial data input line 206 on Fig. 6B.

The remaining circuits of Figs. 7A and 7B provide suitable power supply and logic control for the display driving circuits 210-218 inclusive, and are conventional in their oper ation. The alarm volume potentiometer 99 and alarm A, which is an audible alarm in the illustrated embodiment, are shown in the up per right-hand portion of Fig. 7B. The remain ing circuits are of a conventional nature known to those skilled in the art and require no further explanation here.

In the illustrated embodiment, it will be noted that the windows or display panels 48, 50 and 80 comprise back-lighted liquid crystal display panels whereby energization of the various symbols and digital segments thereon causes a dark display against a light back ground. A suitable inverter power supply 224 is provided for energizing electro-luminescent panels (not shown) for the purpose of back lighting the display panels 48, 50 and 80.

For a fuller understanding of the specific embodiment of the invention, reference is made to pages 32 to 125 of U.K Patent Application No. 8030485 which include an exemplary program for the microprocessor of this invention and these pages are hereby incorporated in this specification.

While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, the invention includes such changes, alternatives and modifications as may become apparent to those skilled in the art, insofar as such changes, alternatives and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference is hereby made in accordance with Rule 24(2) to our co-pending Application No. 8030485 and to simultaneously filed Divisional Applications (8325978 8325979 and 8325980) which describe and claim some of the subject matter set out above.

Claims (3)

1. A monitoring apparatus for a seed planting machine including seed sensor means for producing a seed signal in response to each seed planted and distance sensor means for producing a distance pulse signal for each predetermined increment of distance travelled by said seed planting machine, said monitoring apparatus comprising: a microprocessor operating in accordance with a predetermined program to receive and store said seed signals and said distance pulse signals, and operator accessible control means for delivering data to said microprocessor corresponding to the output signal characteristics of a given distance sensor means in response to travel over a predetermined increment of distance, said microprocessor including means for calculating the number of seeds dispensed per unit distance travelled by the seed planting machine in accordance with the output signal characteristics of said given distance sensor means associated with the seed planting machine.

2. A monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said operator accessible control means includes a selectively actuable control means, said microprocessor means including means responsive to a first actuation of said selectively actuable control means for counting the number of output pulses produced by said distance sensor means starting from zero and further responsive to a subsequent actuation of said selectively actuable control means for ceasing said counting of said output pulses and storing the theretofore accumulated count of said output pulses and for calculating therefrom the number of distance pulses produced by the distance sensor per predetermined increment distance travelled, whereby, when the operator actuates said selectively actuable control means at the beginning and end of travel, respectively, of said seed planting machine over said predetermined increment of distance, the microprocessor is programmed to operate with the output signal characteristics of the given distance sensor means associated with the seed planting maching.

3. A monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and either as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 of our co-pending Application No.

8030485 or as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6 of our co-pending Application No. (Divisional of 8030485 < ase 57A(4) or as claimed in claim 1 or 2 of our co-pending Application No. (Divisional of 8030485~Case 57A (9) or as claimed in claim 1 or 2 of our co-pending Application No. (Divisional of 8030485~Case 57A (10).