IP Library Granted Patent US 12,457,923
Granted Patent B2
US 12,457,923 · App. 17/976,372 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

System and method for estimating crop yield for an agricultural harvester using a machine-learned model

Inventors: Daenio Cleodolphi (Piracicaba, BR); João Augusto Marcolin Lucca (São Pedro, BR); Matheus Eduardo Dos Santos (Piracicaba, BR); Ricardo Breda Porcelli (Itapira, BR)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
A01D34/006A01D45/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,457,923
App. No.
17/976,372
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one aspect, a computing system for estimating crop yields for agricultural harvesters. The computing system includes one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that collectively store a machine-learned yield estimation model configured to receive data associated with one or more operation-related conditions for an agricultural harvester and process the data to determine a yield-related parameter indicative of a crop yield for the agricultural harvester. In addition, the computer-readable media stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising: obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions; inputting the data into the machine-learned yield estimation model; and receiving a value for the yield-related parameter as an output of the machine-learned yield estimation model.

Claims (65)

1 . A computing system for estimating crop yields for agricultural harvesters, the computing system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that collectively store:

a machine-learned yield estimation model configured to receive data associated with one or more operation-related conditions for an agricultural harvester and process the data to determine a yield-related parameter indicative of a crop yield for the agricultural harvester, wherein the yield-related parameter comprises a mass flow rate through a portion of the agricultural harvester; and

instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:

obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions;

inputting the data into the machine-learned yield estimation model; and

receiving a value for the yield-related parameter as an output of the machine-learned yield estimation model.

2 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein:

the computing system is physically located on the agricultural harvester; and

obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining data associated with the one or more operation-related conditions from a source physically located on the agricultural harvester.

3 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein:

the computing system is physically located on the agricultural harvester; and

obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining data associated with the one or more operation-related conditions from a source located remote from the agricultural harvester.

4 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise initiating a control action for the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the yield-related parameter.

5 . The computing system of claim 4 , wherein initiating the control action comprises at least one of:

causing data associated with the yield-related parameter to be presented to an operator via a user interface of the agricultural harvester;

generating a yield map based at least in part on the yield-related parameter; or automatically controlling an operation of a component of the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the yield-related parameter.

6 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the agricultural harvester is an elevator assembly of the agricultural harvester.

7 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors physically located on the agricultural harvester.

8 . The computing system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor data is indicative of at least one of:

a position or change in position of one or more components of the agricultural harvester;

a ground speed of the agricultural harvester;

an operational speed of one or more components of the agricultural harvester;

a fluid pressure of hydraulic fluid within the agricultural harvester; or

a load applied to one or more components of the agricultural harvester.

9 . A computer-implemented method for estimating crop yield, the computer-implemented method comprising:

obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, data associated with one or more operation-related conditions for an agricultural harvester;

inputting, by the computing system, the data into a machine-learned yield estimation model configured to receive and process the data to determine a yield-related parameter indicative of a crop yield for the agricultural harvester, wherein the yield-related parameter comprises a mass flow rate through a portion of the agricultural harvester;

receiving, by the computing system, a value for the yield-related parameter as an output of the machine-learned yield estimation model; and

initiating, by the computing system, a control action for the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the yield-related parameter.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein:

the computing system is physically located on the agricultural harvester; and

obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining data associated with the one or more operation-related conditions from a source physically located on the agricultural harvester.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein:

the computing system is physically located on the agricultural harvester; and

obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining data associated with the one or more operation-related conditions from a source located remote from the agricultural harvester.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein initiating the control action comprises causing data associated with the yield-related parameter to be presented to an operator via a user interface of the agricultural harvester.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein initiating the control action comprises generating a yield map based at least in part on the yield-related parameter.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein initiating the control action comprises automatically controlling an operation of a component of the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the yield-related parameter.

15 . The computer-implement method of claim 9 , wherein the portion of the agricultural harvester is an elevator assembly of the agricultural harvester.

16 . The computer-implement method of claim 9 , wherein obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors physically located on the agricultural harvester.

17 . The computer-implement method of claim 16 , wherein the sensor data is indicative of at least one of:

a position or change in position of one or more components of the agricultural harvester;

a ground speed of the agricultural harvester;

an operational speed of one or more components of the agricultural harvester;

a fluid pressure of hydraulic fluid within the agricultural harvester; or a load applied to one or more components of the agricultural harvester.

18 . An agricultural harvester, comprising:

a frame;

a material processing system supported relative to the frame and being configured to process a flow of harvested materials; and

a controller comprising one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that collectively store:

a machine-learned yield estimation model configured to receive data associated with one or more operation-related conditions for the agricultural harvester and process the data to determine a yield-related parameter, the yield-related parameter comprising a mass flow rate of the harvested materials through a portion of the agricultural harvester; and

instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the controller to perform operations, the operations comprising:

obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions;

inputting the data into the machine-learned yield estimation model; and

receiving a value for the yield-related parameter as an output of the machine-learned yield estimation model.

19 . The agricultural harvester of claim 18 , wherein the operations further comprise initiating a control action for the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the value for the yield-related parameter.

20 . The agricultural harvester of claim 18 , further comprising one or more sensors physically located on the agricultural harvester,

wherein obtaining the data associated with one or more operation-related conditions comprises obtaining sensor data from the one or more sensors; and

wherein the sensor data is indicative of at least one of:

a position or change in position of one or more components of the agricultural harvester;

a ground speed of the agricultural harvester;

an operational speed of one or more components of the agricultural harvester;

a fluid pressure of hydraulic fluid within the agricultural harvester; or

a load applied to one or more components of the agricultural harvester.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2026
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 075345/0217 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2025
From: CLEODOLPHI, DAENIO; LUCCA, JOÃO AUGUSTO MARCOLIN; DOS SANTOS, MATHEUS EDUARDO; PORCELLI, RICARDO BREDA
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL BRASIL LTDA.
Reel/Frame 072491/0764 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2025
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL BRASIL LTDA.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 072492/0089 →
Priority Claims (1)
BR 10 2021 021948 3 · Oct 31, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230139169A1 · May 4, 2023
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