Automatic start/stop controls for agricultural load and transfer equipment

{
  "publication_number": "US11272667B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Automatic start/stop controls for agricultural load and transfer equipment",
  "abstract": "A scale controller system and method of using the system is disclosed. The scale controller is adapted for use with a grain cart or similar implement that includes a discharge opening and conveyor. The system includes a scale and a plurality of sensors that work together to automate numerous functions that are typically performed manually. For example, the present invention discloses a system that automatically records the amount of material loaded or unloaded by continuously monitoring the load on a scale and the RPMs of a power take-off shaft that drives a conveyor.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of automatically recording a weight of material unloaded from a storage carrier comprising: monitoring the weight of a storage carrier; automatically recording a total weight unloaded from the storage carrier in response to: 1) determining that the weight of the storage carrier starts changing; and 2) determining that the weight of the storage carrier stops changing.",
    "2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording a date of unloading from the storage carrier in response to the: 1) determining that the weight of the storage carrier starts changing; and 2) determining that the weight of the storage carrier stops changing.",
    "3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording a time of unloading from the storage carrier in response to the: 1) determining that the weight of the storage carrier starts changing; and 2) determining that the weight of the storage carrier stops changing.",
    "4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording a location of unloading from the storage carrier in response to the: 1) determining that the weight of the storage carrier starts changing; and 2) determining that the weight of the storage carrier stops changing.",
    "5. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitoring comprises continuously monitoring the weight of the storage carrier for weight changes.",
    "6. The method of claim 1, wherein the weight is monitored by a scale controller in communication with a load cell.",
    "7. The method of claim 6, wherein the load cell is located remote from the scale controller.",
    "8. A method for recording a total weight of material unloaded from an agricultural machine comprising: monitoring a changing weight of a load of an agricultural machine; determining that the weight of the load has stopped changing; and automatically recording a total weight unloaded in response to the determining.",
    "9. The method of claim 8 further comprising: determining that the weight of the load has started changing.",
    "10. The method of claim 8 further comprising: recording a date of unloading in response to the determining.",
    "11. The method of claim 8 further comprising: recording a time of unloading in response to the determining.",
    "12. The method of claim 8 further comprising: recording a location of unloading in response to the determining.",
    "13. The method of claim 8, wherein the weight is monitored by a scale controller in communication with a load cell.",
    "14. The method of claim 13, wherein the load cell is located remote from the scale controller.",
    "15. An apparatus comprising: a control panel; and a scale controller configured to monitor a changing weight sensed by a load cell and automatically record a total weight unloaded from an agricultural machine in response to determining that the weight stops changing.",
    "16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a date of unloading is recorded in response to determining that the weight stops changing.",
    "17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a time of unloading is recorded in response to determining that the weight stops changing.",
    "18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a location of unloading is recorded in response to determining that the weight stops changing.",
    "19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the load cell is in communication with the scale controller.",
    "20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the load cell is located remote from the scale controller."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/657,825, filed Jul. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/743,020, filed Jun. 18, 2015 and issued on Sep. 19, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,763,389, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/272,378, filed Oct. 13, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/405,279 filed on Oct. 21, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\n\nThe present invention relates generally to the field of scale indicators and load cells for agricultural equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a scale system that includes start/stop controls.\n\nIn the field of agricultural scale indicators and load cells, there is a need to mix, blend, apply, or transport a variety of forage products (such as hay, corn, wheat, cotton seed, etc.). In certain applications, it is important to know the weight of certain materials, and it is also important to know the amount of materials that have been loaded onto or off of a scale. Scales are used as data management tools as well as material management tools to help the operator load or unload the correct amount of material and provide data to managers for record keeping.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01D 90/10",
    "A01K 5/02",
    "B60P 1/36",
    "B60P 1/42",
    "B65G 65/40",
    "B65G 65/42",
    "B65G 65/46",
    "B65G 69/00",
    "G01G 11/003",
    "G01G 13/06",
    "G01G 13/16",
    "G01G 19/08",
    "G01G 19/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01D 90/10",
    "A01K 5/02",
    "B60P 1/36",
    "B60P 1/42",
    "B65G 65/40",
    "B65G 65/42",
    "B65G 65/46",
    "B65G 69/00",
    "G01G 11/00",
    "G01G 13/06",
    "G01G 13/16",
    "G01G 19/08",
    "G01G 19/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Digi Star LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jerome Bump",
    "Steven L. Johansen",
    "Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN",
    "Michael D. Van Mill",
    "Shawn W. GERDEMAN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-10-18",
  "publication_date": "2022-03-15",
  "grant_date": "2022-03-15",
  "priority_date": "2010-10-21",
  "application_number": "US-201916656878-A",
  "family_id": "45973158",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US4465211A",
    "US4236240A",
    "US4274790A",
    "US4231439A",
    "US4345628A",
    "US4522275A",
    "US5650930A",
    "US4911256A",
    "US4635739A",
    "US5016197A",
    "US5001648A",
    "US5585604A",
    "US5285020A",
    "US5764522A",
    "US5880407A",
    "US6066809A",
    "US6384349B1",
    "US20010038018A1",
    "US6556948B1",
    "US6621014B1",
    "US7104425B2",
    "US20050284381A1",
    "US7507917B2",
    "US20060180100A1",
    "US7686720B2",
    "US20080127711A1",
    "US7735365B2",
    "US7633021B2",
    "US7858888B2",
    "US20090205877A1",
    "US7629542B1",
    "US8097820B2",
    "US20150204713A1",
    "JP2011167110A",
    "US20130276709A1",
    "US20120099948A1"
  ]
}