System and method for automatically adjusting an illumination pattern for a harvesting implement

A method for automatically adjusting an illumination pattern for a header configured for coupling to and decoupling from an agricultural harvester, the method comprising:

• controlling, with a computing device coupled to the header, an operation of an illumination array including a plurality of lighting devices disposed on the header such that the plurality of lighting devices provide a first pre-set illumination pattern using at least one lighting device of the plurality of the lighting devices, the first pre-set illumination pattern associated with a first operating state of the header;
• receiving, from a harvester controller with the computer device, an input indicative of a change in an operating state of the header from the first operating state to a second operating state;
• and
• in response to receipt of the input, controlling, with the computing device, the operation of the illumination array such that the plurality of lighting devices provide a second pre-set illumination pattern using the at least one lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices based on the change in the operating state of the header,
• wherein the first operating state corresponds to a harvesting state and the second operating state corresponds to a transportation state, and
• wherein the first pre-set illumination pattern differs from the second pre-set illumination pattern.

A harvesting system, the harvesting system comprising:

• a harvester configured to move across a field;
• a harvester controller coupled to the harvester and configured to control an operation of the harvester;
• a header coupled to the agricultural harvester, the header configured being able to decouple from the agricultural harvester;
• an illumination system for the operation of the header;
• the illumination system comprising:
• an illumination array including a plurality of lighting devices, each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices disposed on the header and configured to illuminate at least one of an area of crop engagement or a path of the header;
• a controller coupled to the header, the controller communicatively coupled to the harvesting controller, the controller further communicatively coupled to each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, the controller configured to:
• control an operation of the illumination array such that the lighting devices provide a first pre-set illumination pattern using at least one lighting device of the plurality of the lighting devices based on a first operating state of the header;
• receive an input communicated from the harvester controller indicative of a change in an operating state of the header from the first operating state to a second operating state;
• and
• in response to receipt of the input, control the operation of the illumination array such that the lighting devices provide a second pre-set illumination pattern using the at least one lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices based on the change in the operating state of the header,
• wherein the first operating state corresponds to a harvesting state and the second operating state corresponds to a transportation state, and
• wherein the first pre-set illumination pattern differs from the second pre-set illumination pattern.