Calibration methods for multi-variety seed meters and related systems

A calibration method for a multi-variety seed meter, the method comprising:

• terminating a supply of seeds to a seed meter and subsequently operating the seed meter to discharge seeds therefrom during a first calibration cycle;
• upon terminating the supply of seeds to the seed meter, monitoring, by one or more computing devices, a parameter indicative of an amount of the seeds remaining within a seed pool of the seed meter based on data received from a first sensor as seeds are being discharged from the seed meter during the first calibration cycle;
• monitoring, by the one or more computing devices, an operation of the seed meter based on data received from a second sensor to identify the occurrence of a starvation event for the seed meter as the seeds are being discharged from the seed meter during the first calibration cycle;
• continuing to monitor, by the one or more computing devices, the operation of the seed meter based on the data received from the second sensor to identify the occurrence of a meter empty event for the seed meter as the seeds are being further discharged from the seed meter during the first calibration cycle, the meter empty event occurring after the occurrence of the starvation event;
• determining, by the one or more computing devices, a starvation buffer value for the seed meter based at least in part on at least one of an intermediate operating interval defined between the occurrence of the starvation event and the occurrence of the meter empty event or a sensing delay interval associated with the first and second sensors;
• and
• determining, by the one or more computing devices, a target value for the monitored parameter based at least in part on the starvation buffer value.

A calibration method for a multi-variety seed meter, the method comprising:

• terminating a supply of seeds to a seed meter and subsequently operating the seed meter to discharge seeds therefrom;
• upon terminating the supply of seeds to the seed meter, monitoring, by one or more computing devices, a parameter indicative of an amount of the seeds remaining within a seed pool of the seed meter based on data received from a first sensor as the seeds are being discharged from the seed meter;
• monitoring, by the one or more computing devices, an operating interval for the seed meter following the termination of the supply of seeds relative to an anticipated starvation interval for the seed meter;
• in the event that the operating interval is greater than or equal to the anticipated starvation interval prior to the detection of a starvation event for the seed meter, evaluating, by the one or more computing devices, the monitored parameter relative to a predetermined target value for the monitored parameter;
• and
• adjusting, by the one or more computing devices, the anticipated starvation interval when a variance between the monitored parameter and the predetermined target value falls outside a predetermined tolerance range defined relative to the predetermined target value.