Harvesting system for a variety of grain crops.

Abstract

HARVESTING SYSTEM FOR A VARIETY OF GRAIN CROPS. The present disclosure relates to a harvesting system (400) for a variety of grain crops. The harvesting system (400) comprises a combine harvester control unit (75), a GLM grain loss monitoring ECU (85), a cloud communication interface ECU (90), a plurality of sensors, a controller area network (CAN) (80), a buzzer / alarm device (150), a display unit (300), a cloud (100) and a mobile application (200). The GLM-ECU (85) is configured to process signals from a sieve sensor (60) and a straw walker sensor (70). The combine harvester control unit (75) is configured to process signals received from a plurality of sensors and the cloud communication interface ECU (90) serves as an interface to exchange data between the combine harvester control unit (75) and the cloud (100).The harvesting system (400) results in increased productivity and trust among stakeholders due to the sharing of information in real time.

Description

1 / 16 “HARVESTING SYSTEM FOR A VARIETY OF GRAIN CROPS” FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a crop harvesting system that has the capability to harvest a variety of grain crops. In particular, it relates to a harvesting system for detecting and processing information in real time. DEFINITIONS

[0002] As used in the present disclosure, the following terms generally have the meaning set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.

[0003] HARVESTING SYSTEM: The term harvesting system hereinafter in this document refers to a versatile device or machine designed to harvest a variety of grain crops. The harvesting system is configured to harvest, thresh, gather and winnow in a single process.

[0004] ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU): The term electronic control unit refers to a device responsible for monitoring, processing, and altering the operation of a system in order to control and optimize the system's performance. It controls a series of actuators to perform an action to ensure better system operation.

[0005] CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN): The term controller area network refers to a communication system composed of different microcontrollers and ICs that communicate with each other and collect information in real time. CAN networks can be used as an onboard communication system for microcontrollers, as well as an open communication system for smart devices.

[0006] The definitions above are in addition to those expressed in the technique. BACKGROUND Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 11 / 34 2 / 16

[0007] The basic information below in this document refers to the present disclosure, but is not necessarily the prior art.

[0008] A combined harvester is a versatile machine that is generally used to harvest, thresh, and winnow different varieties of grain crops. Harvesting crops using these types of versatile machines involves different stakeholders such as farmers, drivers, owners, and brokers. These harvesters are mostly rental machines that are loaned by the owner to a broker, driver, or farmer when needed.

[0009] However, currently available harvesting machines involve many drawbacks, which create problems for users. The harvesting machine lacks the ability to provide real-time information on fuel consumption, work or route data, productivity, speed, and work efficiency. Furthermore, it also does not provide data related to the amount of grain loss, grains left in the grain tank, billing, fuel refueling status, driving parameters, and unloading status to stakeholders. Due to the aforementioned lack of real-time information, this creates many problems in financial transactions between different stakeholders and therefore results in a loss of trust.

[0010] There is therefore a perceived need for a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that mitigates the aforementioned inconveniences. OBJECTS

[0011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, at least one modality of which is satisfied in the present document, are set forth below:

[0012] one object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops.

[0013] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that detects and provides data Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 12 / 34 3 / 16 in real time.

[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that provides real-time position tracking of the system.

[0015] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that allows remote access and control of the system.

[0016] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that provides information on fuel usage and refueling status.

[0017] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that allows access to real-time data via a mobile-based application.

[0018] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that provides information relating to the amount of grain lost or the amount of grain left inside the tank.

[0019] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that provides real-time information related to drive parameters such as oil pressure, temperature and speed.

[0020] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that provides real-time information relating to the productivity and performance of the harvesting system.

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more evident from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present disclosure provides a harvesting system for a Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 13 / 34 4 / 16 variety of grain crops. The system comprises a plurality of sensors connected to a respective electronic control unit (ECU) via a control area network (CAN). The output data from the CAN network is routed to a cloud that is accessed remotely using a mobile or web-based application.

[0023] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the harvesting system comprises a grain level sensor to detect grain-based characteristics of the harvesting system; a grain loss monitoring electronic control unit (GLM-ECU) configured to process signals received from a sieve sensor and a straw walker sensor; a combine harvester control unit configured to process signals received from a plurality of sensors, including the grain level sensor, a fuel level sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a thresher switch sensor, and a discharge lever switch sensor. A cloud communication interface ECU is configured to facilitate communication between the combine harvester control unit and a cloud.A display unit is coupled in a communicative manner to the combine harvester control unit and is configured to display real-time parameters related to the grains and the harvesting system.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cloud communication interface ECU is an artificial intelligence (AI) based control unit that exchanges data via a controller area network (CAN) to said cloud.

[0025] In one embodiment, the outputs of the sieve sensor and the straw walker sensor are connected to the GLM-ECU, while the outputs of the grain level sensor, the fuel level sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the thresher switch sensor and the discharge lever switching sensor are connected to the combine control unit via the CAN network.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cloud communication interface ECU is configured to share functional parameters that include the Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 14 / 34 5 / 16 grain level in the grain tank, fuel level, fuel consumption, travel speed, grain loss monitor, thresher level engagement for productivity monitoring, and the number of discharge cycles of the harvesting system with a user via a screen and mobile app.

[0027] In one embodiment, wherein said cloud communication interface ECU is configured to send system alerts to a user via application, screens, indicators and alarms, said system alerts including information relating to engine speed, oil pressure, battery status and engine temperature.

[0028] In one embodiment, cloud data is accessed by a user via a data-driven mobile application or a web-based application. The application is configured to display real-time parameters related to the operation and productivity of the harvesting system, wherein the real-time parameters are used to remotely track / control the harvesting system.

[0029] In one embodiment, a display unit is provided within a user cab and is configured to display real-time information relating to productivity, area covered, fuel consumption, distance traveled, combine control unit alerts, fuel level within the fuel tank, thresher switch status, discharge switch status, discharge count, type of grain selected for harvesting, and percentage of grain loss.

[0030] In one embodiment, the display unit is selected from the group of devices consisting of a mobile phone, a tablet, an LCD screen and a smartwatch.

[0031] In one mode, the cloud is configured to store historical data for analysis and scheduling of maintenance activities.

[0032] A user is an individual belonging to the group formed by farmers, drivers, operators, combine owners and brokers. Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 15 / 34 6 / 16

[0033] In another embodiment, a mobile-based application is configured to provide system alerts to a user, where the alerts include information related to engine speed, oil / coolant pressure, battery status, and coolant temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] A harvesting system for a variety of grain crops of the present disclosure will now be described with the aid of figures, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a conventional harvesting machine;

[0036] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a harvesting system with a combine control unit connected to a plurality of sensors and processing data to a cloud according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a harvesting system with a grain loss monitoring control unit attached to a grain loss sieve sensor and a straw walker and cloud processing sensor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0038] Figure 4 shows a block diagram illustrating the processing of vehicle parameters to the cloud according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. List of reference numerals used in the detailed description and figures. 400 - Harvesting system 300 - Display unit 200 - Mobile or web application 150 - Doorbell / alarm device 100 - Cloud Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 16 / 34 7 / 16 Vehicle parameter Cloud-based communication interface ECU Grain Loss Monitoring ECU (GLM-ECU) Controller Area Network (CAN) Combine harvester control unit - Straw-walker sensor Grain loss sieve sensor - Thresher switch sensor - Flush lever switch sensor Vehicle speed sensor Fuel level sensor Grain level sensor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The modalities of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0040] The embodiments are provided so as to convey the full and complete scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Numerous details are presented, relating to specific components and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[0041] The terminology used in this disclosure is only for the purpose of explaining a particular modality and such terminology should not be considered to limit the scope of this disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, p. 17 / 34 8 / 16 The terms “comprises,” “that includes,” “that contains,” and “that has” are open-ended transitional expressions and therefore specify the presence of declared resources, steps, operations, elements, modules, units, and / or components, but do not prohibit the presence or addition of one or more other resources, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The particular order of the steps disclosed in the method and process of this disclosure should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0042] When an element is referred to as being “mounted”, “engaged”, “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be directly linked, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used in this document, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed associated elements.

[0043] The preceding description of embodiments is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment but are interchangeable. Such variations should not be considered a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] The conventional harvesting machine is shown in Figure 1.

[0045] The present disclosure relates to a harvesting system 400 for harvesting a variety of grain crops. The harvesting system 400 comprises three electronic control units (ECUs): a combine harvester control unit 75, a grain loss monitoring ECU 85, a cloud communication interface ECU 90, a plurality of sensors, a communication or transmission network, a buzzer / alarm device 150, a display unit 300, a cloud (for storage) 100, and a software application for accessing Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 18 / 34 9 / 16 information remotely.

[0046] The 400 harvesting system of the present disclosure is explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the harvesting system 400 comprises a combine harvester control unit 75 that processes signals received from a plurality of sensors. The combine harvester control unit 75 receives input signals from a fuel level sensor 20, a grain level sensor 10, a vehicle speed sensor 30, a thresher switch sensor 50, and a discharge lever switch sensor 40.

[0048] Grain level sensor 10 detects the grain level inside the grain tank, fuel level sensor 20 detects the remaining fuel inside the fuel tank. In addition, thresher switch sensor 50 detects the start and stop of harvesting operation and discharge lever switch sensor 40 allows the user to pre-estimate grain discharge. Combine control unit 75 automatically counts the number of discharges per day based on discharge lever sensor 40.

[0049] The input signal received from the plurality of sensors is processed by the combine control unit 75 and communicated to the cloud 100 via a cloud communication interface ECU 90. The cloud communication interface ECU 90 is an artificial intelligence (AI) based architecture that acts as an interface for exchanging data between the combine control unit 75 and the cloud 100.

[0050] In addition, communication between the combine harvester control unit 75 and the cloud communication interface ECU 90 occurs via a controller area network (CAN) 80. The data detected by the plurality of sensors is processed by the combine harvester control unit 75 and transmitted to the cloud 100 in real time. The data stored in the cloud 100 is accessed using a mobile application. Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 19 / 34 10 / 16 or web-based 200.

[0051] The 400 harvesting system includes the 300 display unit mounted inside the driver's or user's cab which is in communication with the combine harvester control unit 75. The 300 display unit of the 400 harvesting system is configured to display real-time information.

[0052] Real-time information from the 400 harvesting system includes productivity in hectares per hour and acres per hour, area covered, fuel consumption in liters per acre, distance traveled, alerts from the combine control unit 75, fuel level in the tank, thresher switch status, discharge switch status, discharge count, type of grain selected for harvesting, percentage of grain loss for the sieve sensor 60 and the straw walker sensor 70, which is displayed to the user on the display unit 300.

[0053] In addition, display unit 300 is selected from the group of devices consisting of a mobile phone, a tablet, a minicomputer, an LCD screen and a smartwatch that are configured to display information to a user.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the 400 harvesting system includes the grain loss monitoring ECU (GLMECU) 85. The GLM-ECU 85 receives input signals from the straw walker sensor 70 and the sieve sensor 60 which is configured to indicate grain loss occurring in the 400 harvesting system as shown in Figure 3.

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, the straw walker sensor 70 and the sieve sensors 60 are connected to the GLM-ECU 85, which processes the detected data from the respective sensor. The processed data from the GLM-ECU 85 is communicated to the combine control unit 75, which further processes the data for display on the display unit 300 and transmits the same data to the cloud 100 via CAN 80 for remote monitoring.

[0056] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 20 / 34 The 11 / 16 combine harvester control unit 75 is coupled to a hardware input, which is configured to indicate vehicle parameters 95, such as sudden increases or decreases in fuel level, battery charging or discharging, low fuel alert, high RPM alert, coolant temperature alert, and oil pressure alert, as shown in Figure 4. The data detected and processed by the combine harvester control unit 75 are transmitted to the cloud 100 via the cloud ECU communication interface 90.

[0057] In addition, the 400 harvesting system is also equipped with a 150 buzzer / alarm device that is configured to indicate any type of fault that may occur during the operation of the 400 harvesting system.

[0058] According to the modalities discussed above, the cloud communication interface ECU 90 is configured to share functional parameters including grain tank level, fuel level, fuel consumption, travel speed, grain loss monitor, thresher level engagement for productivity monitoring and the number of times the grain tank is discharged from the harvesting system 400 with the user via screen and / or mobile application.

[0059] The grain level sensor 10 detects the grain level in the tank at any given moment and indicates it to the user so that the discharge cycle and location can be pre-planned. The fuel level sensor 20 detects the fuel level and fuel consumption rate. The fuel level indicator also notifies the user of sudden increases or decreases in the fuel level.

[0060] The travel speed of the 400 harvesting system must be maintained at an ideal level for different crops, which is detected by the vehicle speed sensor 30. In addition, the number of times the grain tank is emptied is provided, which assists the user in measuring the amount of grain harvested. Furthermore, based on the crops harvested, Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 21 / 34 The 12 / 16 system also provides the user with monitoring of grain loss in the sieve and straw walker, as well as productivity calculations.

[0061] In addition, the user is a group of different stakeholders, such as farmer, driver, owner or broker.

[0062] The users of the harvesting system are farmers, owners and operators of combine harvesters and traders who are part of the agricultural ecosystem.

[0063] In one embodiment, the 90 cloud communication interface ECU is configured to send system alerts to the user via application, screens, indicators, and alarms. System alerts include information related to engine speed, oil pressure, battery status, and engine temperature.

[0064] Cloud data 100 is accessed by a user through a data-driven or web-based application 200. The mobile or web-based application 200 is configured to display real-time parameters related to the operation and productivity of the harvesting system, said real-time parameters are used to remotely track and control the harvesting system 400.

[0065] The user may be an individual belonging to the group consisting of farmers, drivers, operators, combine harvester owners and brokers.

[0066] Advantageously, the processed data stored in the cloud 100 is accessed via the mobile or web-based application 200 which allows the user to remotely control the operational parameters of the harvesting system 400. The mobile or web-based applications 200 are configured to display real-time parameters, productivity details and location separately.

[0067] In addition, the data stored in the cloud 100 has the capacity to store historical data that helps the user in optimizing the harvesting system process 400. Furthermore, if the user has multiple Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 22 / 34 13 / 16 harvesting systems, the same can also access the data by entering the respective VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the harvesting system. The 200 mobile or web-based application also provides search data based on location, registered mobile phone number of the owner, user-defined vehicle or system name, and also by date.

[0068] Advantageously, the data-driven mobile application allows the user to remotely control the operation of the harvesting system.

[0069] In one embodiment, the harvesting system comprises a sensor wherein the sensor is a grain level sensor, a fuel level sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a threshing switch sensor and a discharge lever switch sensor or a combination thereof.

[0070] Typically, ECUs are classified into three types: a grain loss monitoring ECU, a combine harvester control unit, and a cloud communication interface ECU. The grain loss monitoring ECU (GLM-ECU) is configured to process signals received from a sieve sensor and a straw sensor; the combine harvester control unit is configured to process signals received from multiple sensors; and the cloud communication interface ECU serves as an interface for exchanging data between the combine harvester control unit and the cloud.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the system consists of a display unit configured to indicate real-time parameters, productivity details, and location. Real-time information includes productivity in hectares per hour and acres per hour, fuel consumption, distance traveled, etc. In another embodiment, the cloud is configured to store historical data that aids in comparing historical data and optimizing system performance.

[0072] The preceding description of the embodiments was provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 23 / 34 14 / 16 individual components of a particular modality are generally not limited to that particular modality, but are interchangeable. Such variations should not be considered as a deviation from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

[0073] The present disclosure described above in this document has several technical advantages, including, without limitation, the realization of a harvesting system for a variety of grain crops that:

[0074] provides real-time system information related to the harvesting system;

[0075] provides monitoring of the grain level and the amount of grain left inside the tank;

[0076] provides fuel consumption and refueling status;

[0077] provides an indication related to system parameters, such as a sudden drop or increase in fuel level, battery charge indication, engine RPM, oil pressure;

[0078] provides remote access and control of the harvesting system via the mobile app;

[0079] provides real-time work status information;

[0080] monitors productivity on the road or on the work route of the harvesting system; and

[0081] is integrated with cloud-based storage so that stored data can be accessed remotely from anywhere via a mobile-based application.

[0082] The preceding description of the specific modalities reveals so completely the general nature of the modalities in the present document that others may, applying current knowledge, readily modify and / or adapt such specific modalities for various applications without departing from Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 24 / 34 15 / 16 generic concept and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be understood within the meaning and range of equivalents of the modalities disclosed. It should be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for descriptive purposes and not for limitation. Therefore, although the modalities herein have been described in terms of preferred modalities, those skilled in the art will recognize that the modalities herein may be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the modalities as described herein.

[0083] Throughout this descriptive report, the term “include”, or variations such as “includes” or “that includes”, will be understood as implying the inclusion of a stated element, step, or group of elements, steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, step, or group of elements, steps.

[0084] The use of the expression at least or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, since the use may be in the personification of the revelation to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

[0085] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or similar items included in this descriptive report is for the sole purpose of providing context for disclosure. It should not be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the basis of the prior art or were common knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure, as they existed anywhere prior to the priority date of this application.

[0086] Although considerable emphasis has been placed in this document on the components and component parts of the preferred modalities, it will be appreciated that many modalities can be realized and that many changes can be made to the preferred modalities without departing from the principles of revelation. These and other modality changes Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, p. 25 / 34 16 / 16 preferred, as well as other modalities of disclosure, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure in this document, whereby it should be understood distinctly that the preceding descriptive matter should be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. Petition 870220080396, dated 05 / 09 / 2022, page 26 / 34

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Harvesting system (400) for a variety of grain crops, comprising: a grain level sensor (10), wherein said grain level sensor (10) is configured to detect grain-based characteristics of said harvesting system (400); a combine harvester control unit (75), wherein said combine harvester control unit (75) is configured to process signals received from a plurality of sensors, including said grain level sensor (10), a fuel level sensor (20), a vehicle speed sensor (30), a thresher switch sensor (50) and a discharge lever switch sensor (40); and, wherein said harvesting system (400) is characterized by: a grain loss monitoring electronic control unit (GLM-ECU) (85),wherein said GLM-ECU (85) is configured to process signals received from a sieve sensor (60) and a straw walker sensor (70); a display unit (300) communicatively coupled to said combine control unit (75), wherein said display unit (300) is configured to display real-time parameters related to the grains and said harvesting system (400), and a cloud communication interface ECU (90) configured to transmit signals processed by said combine control unit (75) to a cloud (100) in real time, wherein said cloud communication interface ECU (90), being an artificial intelligence (AI) based control unit, is configured to transmit data from said combine control unit (75) to said cloud (100) via a controller area network (CAN) (80),and is additionally configured to share functional parameters that include the grain level in the grain tank, fuel level, fuel consumption, travel speed, grain loss monitor, engagement of the thresher level for productivity monitoring and the number of discharge cycles of said harvesting system (400) with a user in real time.

2. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that the outputs of the sieve sensor (60) and the straw sensor (70) are connected to said GLM-ECU (85), while the outputs of the grain level sensor (10), the fuel level sensor (20), the vehicle speed sensor (30), the thresher switch sensor (50) and the discharge lever switch sensor (40) are connected to said combine control unit (75) by means of said CAN network (80).

3. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that said cloud communication interface ECU (90) is configured to share functional parameters with the user via the display unit (300) and / or a mobile or web-based application (200).

4. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that the data from said cloud (100) is accessed by the user through the data-driven mobile or web-based application (200), wherein said application (200) is configured to display real-time parameters related to the operation and productivity of said harvesting system, wherein said real-time parameters are used to remotely track / control the harvesting system (400).

5. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that said display unit (300) is provided within the user cab and is configured to display real-time information relating to productivity, area covered, fuel consumption, distance traveled, alerts from said combine control unit (75), fuel level within the fuel tank, thresher switch status, discharge switch status, discharge count, type of grain selected for harvesting and percentage of grain loss.

6. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that said display unit (300) is selected from the group of devices consisting of a mobile phone, a tablet, an LCD screen and a smartwatch.

7. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that said cloud (100) is configured to store historical data for analysis and scheduling of maintenance activities.

8. Harvesting system (400), according to claim 1, characterized in that the user is an individual belonging to the group consisting of farmers, drivers, operators, combine harvester owners and brokers. Petition 870260065629, dated 03 / 07 / 2026, p. 15 / 18

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