Systems and methods for control, monitoring and mapping of agricultural applications

1. A method of monitoring a planting implement having a plurality of row units for planting seed in a field, the method comprising:

sending command signals based on a prescription to control said plurality of row units for said planting said seed in said field, wherein each row unit of the plurality of row units comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: a clutch, a drive, and a downforce valve;

monitoring a row unit location of each of the plurality of row units to obtain as-applied data indicating performance of the plurality of row units in response to the command signals for

one or more row unit performance criteria of each of the plurality of row units, wherein the one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a seed population planted by the row unit at said row unit location;

computing deviation values for the row unit performance criterion that is related to the seed population at a plurality of locations, the deviation values indicating a difference between the prescription and the as-applied data; and

generating and displaying a live spatial map that includes a plurality of map blocks that indicate respective ranges of said deviation values for the row unit performance criterion that is related to the seed population, wherein each map block of the plurality of map blocks corresponds to a respective row unit of the plurality of row units.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a seed spacing effected by the row unit at said row unit location.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a ride quality experienced by the row unit at said row unit location.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a downforce imposed by the row unit on a soil surface at said row unit location.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each map block of the plurality of map blocks having a color corresponding to a range of deviation values of said criterion that is related to the seed population.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein each map block of the plurality of map blocks has a map position corresponding to said row unit location at a time interval during which said one or more row unit performance criteria are measured.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a seed spacing effected by the row unit at said row unit location.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a ride quality experienced by the row unit at said row unit location.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein said one or more row unit performance criteria include a criterion that is related to a downforce imposed by the row unit on a soil surface at said row unit location.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein said live spatial map is superimposed over an aerial image, wherein each map block of the plurality of map blocks has a geo-referenced position, wherein each map block is superimposed over a portion of said aerial image corresponding to said geo-referenced position of said map block.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said live spatial map includes a graphical representation of the planting implement.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein a graphical location of said graphical representation corresponds to a geo-referenced position of the planting implement, and wherein said graphical location is adjusted as the planting implement traverses the field.

13. A method of monitoring an agricultural implement, comprising:

receiving as-applied data from an implement sensor in a field with a monitor device, said as-applied data corresponding to an implemented prescription;

processing said as-applied data with said monitor device to generate processed as-applied data;

comparing authentication data from said monitor device to a key stored in a memory of a communication module;

permitting communication of said as-applied data between said monitor device and a display device via said communication module if said authentication data corresponds to said key;

wherein said communication module includes an authentication chip, and wherein said authentication chip selectively permits transmission of said as-applied data between said display device and said monitor device;

modifying said implemented prescription on said display device;

after said modifying said implemented prescription:

transmitting said implemented prescription to said monitor device via said communication module;

controlling, in said field and based on said implemented prescription, an operating parameter of said agricultural implement.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said display device comprises a multi-function computing device.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said display device includes memory, wherein an Internet browser is stored in said memory.

16. The method of claim 13 , further including:

comparing said authentication data to a key stored in memory of said communication module; and

permitting communication of said as-applied data and said implemented prescription between said communication module and said display device if said authentication data corresponds to said key.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said display device comprises a multi-function computing device, and wherein said display device includes a camera, a GPS receiver, and a modem.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein said as-applied data comprises a seed sensor signal and wherein said agricultural implement comprises a seed meter drive.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising displaying, on said display device, a map that represents a spatial variation in population deviation.

20. The method of claim 13 , further comprising displaying, on said display device, a map that represents both spatial variation in ground contact and downforce.

21. The method of claim 13 , further including:

counting seed pulses in subsequent intervals;

calculating time between corresponding seed pulses in said subsequent intervals;

determining a row velocity in a first interval; and

calculating as-applied population within said first interval.

22. The method of claim 13 , further including:

recording times of seed pulses within subsequent intervals;

identifying and classifying errors within a first interval;

counting a number of errors of each type of error within a first interval;

determining a number of good blocks and a number of error blocks to place within a map unit; and

randomizing a spatial order of said good blocks and said error blocks within said map unit.

23. The method of claim 13 , further comprising displaying, on said display device, a map that represents a spatial variation in one of ride quality, downforce, singulation, spacing, and population deviation.