I have removed them when yellow and put them in a paper bag to dry. Worked great.

So no difference then... I just do not want the semi-dried seeds exposed to too much of the weather and creatures...

I tend to pick my beans when their little caps have withered and dried, and the top of the bean right under the cap is starting to wrinkle and leather up. I don't pick them when full on dry or while still in the "fresh ripe" state of yellowness.

I wait for them to dry on the plant before collecting, weather permitting.

Rodney