METHOD FOR ASSISTING A DEVICE OPERATOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assisting an implement operator in the cultivation of an agricultural area according to the preamble of patent claim 1, a system for assisting an implement operator in the cultivation of an agricultural area according to the preamble of patent claim 11 and an agricultural implement according to the preamble of patent claim 13.

[0002] The operation of agricultural implements is becoming increasingly complex, so that in order to achieve the intended processing results, support for the implement operator is often required before and / or during the processing of the agricultural land.

[0003] US 2006 178 825 A1, US 2006 175 541 A1, and US 2017 357 269 A1 relate to the guidance of agricultural vehicles along adjacent paths, with the path traveled being recorded. DE 10 2018 210 379 A1 describes a turning control system that can learn turning shapes based on manually performed turning maneuvers. EP 1 847 897 A2 describes the learning of headland work step sequences and their adaptation to a current headland track.

[0004] For example, EP 2 583 544 B1 discloses an agricultural machine that has a device for visualizing control sequences. To assist the operator of the agricultural implement, control sequences along the route to be covered are displayed in the visualization device via graphic images in the order in which they are to be executed. The control sequence to be executed must be programmed manually by the operator before the actual processing operation.

[0005] When cultivating agricultural land, it is already common practice to record control information for control measures in order to use the corresponding information in a subsequent cultivation process with a different agricultural implement. In this context, for example, the recording of a created tramline is known, which can be used at a later time when cultivating the agricultural land with a different agricultural implement.

[0006] With regard to recurring processing operations, which, for example, have to be repeated in a cycle of several months, a year or several years on an agricultural area with the same agricultural implement or with similar agricultural implements of the same type, there are currently no practical solutions to support the operator of the agricultural implement in the processing of the agricultural area.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve the support of an operator of an agricultural implement during recurring processing operations on an agricultural area with the same agricultural implement or with similar agricultural implements of the same type.

[0008] The problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0009] The invention utilizes the finding that control information recorded during initial processing of an agricultural area relating to control measures can be reused during subsequent processing to support the implement operator, provided that the subsequent processing is to correspond to the initial processing. The subsequent processing of the agricultural area is thus considerably simplified, since the recorded control information relating to the control measures executed during the initial processing can be used as the basis for the processing. The subsequent processing can, for example, also be a repeated execution of the initial processing during a work process in which the initial processing also takes place.

[0010] The electronic data processing device, via which the control information is recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural land, can be a component of the electronic display and control unit. Alternatively, the electronic data processing device and the electronic display and control unit can be designed separately from one another. The electronic display and control unit and / or the electronic data processing device can be components of the agricultural implement or be connected to the agricultural implement in a signal-conducting manner. The electronic display and control unit is preferably a terminal, in particular an ISOBUS terminal. Alternatively, the electronic display and control unit can also be a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer.The electronic display and control unit can also comprise both a terminal and a mobile device, in which case the mobile device is used, for example, as a display extension for the terminal. The recording of control information regarding control measures during initial processing of the agricultural land can be initiated automatically by the electronic data processing device and / or initiated by the device operator.

[0011] It is preferred that the agricultural implement that implements the control measures during the initial processing of the agricultural land be the same agricultural implement that also carries out the subsequent processing of the agricultural land. Alternatively, the agricultural implement that implements the control measures during the initial processing of the agricultural land and the agricultural implement that also carries out the subsequent processing of the agricultural land can belong to the same device type. In this case, both agricultural implements are, for example, a spreader, a sprayer, or a seed drill.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the control information recorded by the electronic data processing device during the initial processing of the agricultural land relates to control measures manually initiated by a device operator during the initial processing of the agricultural land. The electronic data processing device can thus be configured to record and store changes to the device settings manually made by a device operator during the initial processing of the agricultural land.Alternatively or additionally, the control information recorded by the electronic data processing device during the initial processing of the agricultural land relates to control measures automatically initiated by the agricultural implement during the initial processing of the agricultural land. Particularly during automated or semi-automated processing of agricultural land, control measures are automatically initiated several times during processing, thus reducing the number of necessary manual control interventions by a device operator. The electronic data processing device can therefore be configured to record and store the control measures initiated during automated or semi-automated processing of agricultural land.

[0013] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is advantageous in which recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land is visually displayed by the electronic display and operating unit during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land. The electronic display and operating unit preferably has a display, in particular a touchscreen, for the optical display of control information. The electronic display and operating unit is preferably configured to retrieve the recorded control information relating to control measures of the initial processing from a memory and to display it to the device operator so that the device operator can take the sequence of the initial processing of the agricultural land into account during the subsequent processing.

[0014] In the method according to the invention, georeferenced action positions of the agricultural implement are recorded by the electronic data processing device during the implementation of control measures during the initial processing of the agricultural land. During the initial processing, the control information relating to the control measures implemented by the agricultural implement during the initial processing of the agricultural land is georeferenced. For this purpose, the electronic data processing device has a position detection device or is connected to a position detection device in a signal-conducting manner. The position detection via the position detection device is preferably carried out using satellite support. The position detection is carried out for the purpose of georeferencing the action positions, whereby the georeferencing of the action positions can, for example, be carried out using satellite support.Recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land is visualized spatially by the electronic display and control unit at the respective georeferenced measure positions during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land, preferably on a displayed map. The map displayed by the electronic display and control unit can be a thematic map for visualizing georeferenced measure positions.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sequence of control measures implemented by the agricultural implement during the initial processing of the agricultural land is recorded. The sequence is preferably recorded by the electronic data processing device. The recorded measure positions for at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land are visually and spatially displayed in the recorded sequence by the electronic display and control unit during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land, preferably on a displayed map.Consequently, a georeferenced display of the recorded control information on the control measures implemented by the agricultural implement during the initial processing of the agricultural land is provided.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, based on control information relating to control measures recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural land, the implementation of at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land is initiated by the agricultural implement during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land. This can be initiated automatically by the electronic data processing device or by a manual selection by the implement operator.For example, during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land, the equipment operator is shown control information on at least some of the control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land, so that the equipment operator can initiate the implementation of the displayed control measures by the agricultural implement via a manual selection.

[0017] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is advantageous in which the recording of control information relating to control measures comprises storing the control information on an internal data memory of the electronic data processing device and / or an external data memory. To store the control measures on an external memory, the electronic data processing device can be connected to the external data memory via radio and / or an internet connection and / or a wired data line. The control information can be stored on or retrieved from the external memory via the radio and / or internet connection.Before the recorded control information is used for at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing during the subsequent processing, the electronic data processing device preferably retrieves the stored control information from the internal data memory of the electronic display and control unit and / or the external data memory. The control information recorded during the initial processing can be summarized in a data packet, so that all control information for the initial processing is available by retrieving the data packet. Furthermore, the data packets can also be transferred to other third-party devices, such as another terminal or a mobile device.

[0018] A method according to the invention is also advantageous in which the path of the agricultural implement is recorded by the electronic data processing device during the initial processing of the agricultural land. To record the path, the electronic data processing device preferably comprises a position detection device or is connected to a position detection device in a signal-conducting manner. The path recording can be carried out, for example, using satellite support. The path recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural land is preferably optically displayed by the electronic display and / or control unit during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land and / or used to generate optical navigation instructions.Alternatively or additionally, the route recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural land can also be used to generate steering commands, which can be transmitted to a carrier vehicle carrying the agricultural implement or a towing vehicle pulling the agricultural implement before or during the subsequent processing.

[0019] The method according to the invention is further developed by subsequently modifying recorded control information relating to at least individual control information items implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land. The modification of the recorded control information can be carried out using a touchscreen of the display and control unit and / or gesture-controlled. Within the scope of the method according to the invention, georeferenced measure positions recorded during the initial processing can also be subsequently modified. The subsequently modified control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land is used by the electronic display and control unit during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land with the agricultural implement.This also provides support to the device operator if the subsequent processing is to deviate from the initial processing. The control information regarding the control measures that are not to be implemented or are to be implemented in a different way during the subsequent processing must therefore be subsequently modified after the initial processing.

[0020] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the path of the agricultural implement recorded by the electronic data processing device during the initial processing of the agricultural land is subsequently modified. During the path modifications, waypoints can be added and / or deleted, for example. The recorded path can be modified using a touchscreen of the display and control unit and / or gesture-controlled.

[0021] The recorded control information for at least some of the control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land can also be assigned a necessity status for subsequent processing. Based on the necessity status, control measures can be categorized as required or non-required. Required measures are used by the display and control unit during subsequent processing, for example, displayed. Non-required measures are not taken into account during subsequent processing, and therefore, for example, are not displayed. However, the control information recorded during the initial processing regarding the non-required control measures is not deleted, but is retained so that it can be reused for later, different subsequent processing.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the subsequent modification of recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land comprises changing, deleting, and / or adding control information. The subsequent modification of recorded georeferenced measure positions may comprise changing, deleting, and / or adding position information. The control information and / or georeferenced measure positions recorded during the initial processing can be edited and / or corrected by changing them.Subsequent modification of the control information recorded during initial processing and / or the georeferenced action positions recorded during initial processing can be performed during initial processing, before subsequent processing, or during subsequent processing. Modification of the recorded action positions can be performed using a touchscreen on the display and control unit and / or gesture-controlled.

[0023] The method according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the agricultural implement is a spreader, in particular a fertilizer spreader, and the cultivation of the agricultural land involves the application of spreading material. In this case, the control measures can relate to the activation or deactivation of a boundary, edge, or ditch spreading function of the spreader.

[0024] Alternatively, the agricultural implement is a sprayer, in particular a field sprayer, and the cultivation of the agricultural land involves the application of spray liquid. In this case, the control measures may involve activating or deactivating spray nozzles and / or changing their application characteristics, for example, to reduce drift.

[0025] Alternatively, the agricultural implement may be a seed drill and the cultivation of the agricultural land involves the sowing of seeds.

[0026] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a system of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the system according to the invention is configured according to the characterizing features of claim 11.

[0027] In particular, the electronic data processing device of the system according to the invention is configured to initiate a visual display of the recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land by the electronic display and control unit. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic data processing device is configured to initiate an implementation of at least individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land by the agricultural implement during the subsequent processing of the agricultural land. The implementation of the control measures is preferably initiated automatically or following a manual selection by the implement operator.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, it is configured to execute the method for assisting a device operator according to one of the embodiments described above. Regarding the advantages and modifications of this system, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention.

[0029] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by an agricultural implement of the type mentioned above, wherein the system of the agricultural implement according to the invention is designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the agricultural implement according to the invention, reference is therefore made to the advantages and modifications of the system according to the invention and the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention.

[0030] The agricultural implement can, for example, be a spreader, in particular a fertilizer spreader. Alternatively, the agricultural implement can be a sprayer, in particular a field sprayer. Furthermore, the agricultural implement can be a seed drill.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention in a schematic representation; Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the system according to the invention in a schematic representation; Fig. 3 shows a display of a display and operating unit during the execution of the method according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows the Fig. 3 shown display after selecting a measure position; and Fig. 5 a detailed view of the Fig. 4shown information overview of control measures that were recorded at a measure position during outbound processing.

[0032] The Fig. 1 shows a system 10 for assisting an operator of an agricultural implement 20 in the processing of an agricultural area 102.

[0033] The agricultural implement 20 shown is a spreading machine, specifically a fertilizer spreader. Alternatively, the agricultural implement 20 could also be a spraying device, such as a field sprayer, or a seed drill.

[0034] The agricultural implement 20 is connected to a display and control unit 12 via a signal-conducting connection 18. The signal-conducting connection 18 can be a direct connection between the agricultural implement 20 and the display and control unit 12. Alternatively, the signal-conducting connection 18 can also be an indirect connection, in which signals are transmitted between the agricultural implement 20 and the display and control unit 12 via a communication system of the carrier vehicle 100. For example, the display and control unit 12 can be a terminal, in particular an ISOBUS terminal, which is connected to a bus system of the carrier vehicle 100 in a signal-conducting manner. The connection 18 between the agricultural implement 20 and the electronic display and control unit 12 can be wireless and / or wired.

[0035] The display and control unit 12 has an electronic data processing device 16, via which control information on control measures implemented by the agricultural implement 20 during the processing of an agricultural area 102 can be recorded.

[0036] In the Fig. 1 In the system 10 shown, for example, a mobile device, such as a smartphone, can additionally be used as a display extension for the display and control unit 12.

[0037] The recorded control information can then be displayed via the display 14 of the display and operating unit 12, which is designed as a touchscreen, during subsequent processing of the agricultural area 102 with the agricultural implement 20, for example in the following year, in order to support the operator of the agricultural implement 20 during the subsequent processing of the agricultural area 102.

[0038] In the Fig. 2In the system 10 shown, the display and control unit 12 is designed as a mobile terminal, namely a smartphone. The electronic data processing device 16, which serves to record control information during the cultivation of the agricultural land 102, is, in this exemplary embodiment, a component of the agricultural implement 20. The electronic data processing device 16 and the display and control unit 12 are connected to one another via the signal-conducting connection 18. The agricultural implement 20 is again a spreading machine, namely a fertilizer spreader.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the data processing device 16 can also be a component of the display and operating unit 12 designed as a mobile terminal.

[0040] With the Fig. 1 and 2In the systems 10 shown, control information relating to control measures implemented by the agricultural implement 20 during initial processing of the agricultural land 102 can be recorded in the same way, with the control information relating to the control measures being recorded by the electronic data processing device 16. The control information relating to the control measures during initial processing of the agricultural land 102 can be recorded automatically by the electronic data processing device 16 and / or based on an instigation by the implement operator. In addition to the control information, the electronic data processing device 16 also records georeferenced measure positions 26a-26q (cf. Fig. 3) of the agricultural implement 20 is recorded, wherein the georeferenced measure positions 26a-26q can be assigned to control measures that are implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land 102. Furthermore, the sequence of the control measures that are implemented by the agricultural implement 20 during the initial processing of the agricultural land 102 is recorded by the electronic data processing device 16. Furthermore, the electronic data processing device 16 records the travel path 24 of the agricultural implement 20 during the initial processing of the agricultural land 102.

[0041] The control information, action positions, and the travel path 24 recorded by the electronic data processing device 16 are stored on a data storage device. The data storage device can be either an internal data storage device of the electronic data processing device 16 or an external data storage device. If an external data storage device is used, the electronic data processing device 16 is connected to the external data storage device, for example, via radio and / or an internet connection, for storing and / or retrieving data.

[0042] The stored information on the initial processing can be reused to support the device operator in subsequent processing of the agricultural area 102 with the agricultural implement 20.

[0043] The Fig. 3The display 14 of the display and control unit 12 shows a map 22 during subsequent processing of the agricultural land 102 with the agricultural implement 20. The display shows a map 22 in which the route 24 recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural land 102 is noted. The route 24 recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural land 102 is also used to generate visual navigation instructions 36, which are also shown to the implement operator during subsequent processing via the display 14. The map 22 also shows an area segment 28a in which the subsequent processing has already been carried out. Furthermore, the map 22 shows an area segment 28b in which the subsequent processing is still pending.

[0044] Several action positions 26a-26q are depicted along the visualized route 24. Control actions were implemented at the action positions 26a-26q during the initial processing. To display the control information assigned to the respective action positions 26a-26q, which was recorded during the initial processing of the agricultural area 102, to the device operator, the display 14, designed as a touchscreen, must be touched at the action position 26a-26q to be selected.

[0045] When the operator selects a measure position 26a-26q by touching the display, the Fig. 4 shown information overview 30, which in this case is assigned to measure item 26e.

[0046] The Fig. 5shows that the information overview 30 comprises several information icons 32a-32f. The information icons 32a-32c relate to the status of the border spreading function, the edge spreading function, and the ditch spreading function of the agricultural implement 20. The information elements 34a-34c, which are assigned to the information icons 32a-32c and which can be illuminated in color, display recorded control information for individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural area 102 to the implement operator. The information elements 34a-34c inform the implement operator whether a border spreading device, an edge spreading device, and / or a ditch spreading device of the agricultural implement 20 was activated or deactivated at the selected measure position 26e during the initial processing of the agricultural area 102.

[0047] If the subsequent processing is to deviate from the initial processing, the device operator has the option of subsequently modifying recorded control information for individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural area 102 using the information icons 32e, 32f. Using the information icon 32e, the user can edit or correct the control information for the control measures implemented during the initial processing and / or the measure position. Using the information icon 32f, the device operator can delete the measure position and all associated measures.

[0048] After the initial processing of the agricultural land 102, the device operator can assign a requirement status for subsequent processing to recorded control information relating to individual control measures implemented during the initial processing of the agricultural land 102. Control measures can thus be categorized as required or not required. Required control measures are used, i.e., displayed, by the display and control unit 12 during subsequent processing. Non-required measures are not considered during subsequent processing; however, the corresponding information is not deleted, so that it can be reused during subsequent processing, for example, in the following year. List of reference symbols

[0049] 10System 12Display and control unit 14Display 16Data processing device 18Connection 20Working device 22Map 24Route 26a-26qMeasurement positions 28a, 28bArea segments 30Information overview 32a-32fNote icons 34a-34cInformation elements 36Navigation note 100Carrier vehicle 102Usable area

Claims

1. Method for supporting an implement operator in working an agricultural area (102), comprising the steps of: - recording control information relating to control measures which are implemented by an agricultural implement (20) during initial working of the agricultural area (102), the control information relating to the control measures being recorded by an electronic data processing device (16); - recording, by the electronic data processing device (16), georeferenced measure positions (26a-26q) of the agricultural implement (20) when implementing control measures during the initial working of the agricultural area (102); and - using, by an electronic display and control unit (12), recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) in subsequent working of the agricultural area (102) using an agricultural implement (20); characterized in that recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) is visually and spatially displayed during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102) via an information overview (30) associated with the measure position (26a-26q) on a display, in the form of a touchscreen, of the electronic display and control unit (12), preferably on a displayed map (22), at its particular georeferenced measure position (26a-26q) when the implement operator selects a measure position (26a-26q) by touching the display at the measure position (26a-26q) to be selected.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the agricultural implement (20) which implements the control measures during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) is the same agricultural implement (20) by means of which the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102) is also carried out.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) is visually displayed by the electronic display and control unit (12) during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102).

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the step of: - recording the sequence of the control measures which are implemented by the agricultural implement (20) during the initial working of the agricultural area (102), the sequence being recorded by the electronic data processing device (16); the recorded measure positions (26a-26q) for at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) are visually and spatially displayed in the recorded sequence, preferably on a displayed map (22), by the electronic display and control unit (12) during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on the basis of control information relating to control measures which was recorded during the initial working of the agricultural area (102), implementation of at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) is initiated by the agricultural implement (20) during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102), in particular automatically or by a manual selection by the implement operator.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that recording control information relating to control measures comprises storing the control information on an internal data memory of the electronic data processing device (16) and / or an external data memory, the stored control information being retrieved from the internal data memory of the electronic display and control unit (12) and / or the external data memory by the electronic data processing device (16) before the recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working is used in the subsequent working.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the step of: - recording, by the electronic data processing device (16), the travel path (24) of the agricultural implement (20) during the initial working of the agricultural area (102); the travel path (24) recorded during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) being visually displayed and / or used to generate visual navigation instructions (36) by the electronic display and control unit (12) during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102).

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the step of: - subsequently modifying recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102); the subsequently modified control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) being used by the electronic display and control unit (12) in subsequent working of the agricultural area (102) using the agricultural implement (20).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that subsequently modifying recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) comprises changing, deleting and / or adding control information.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the agricultural implement (20) is a spreading machine, in particular a fertilizer spreader, and the working of the agricultural area (102) involves the application of spreading material; - the agricultural implement (20) is a sprayer, in particular a field sprayer, and the working of the agricultural area (102) involves the application of spray liquid; or - the agricultural implement (20) is a seed drill and the working of the agricultural area (102) involves the application of seed.

11. System (10) for supporting an implement operator in the working of an agricultural area (102), comprising - an electronic data processing device (16) which is designed to record control information relating to control measures which are implemented by an agricultural implement (20) during initial working of the agricultural area (102); and - a display and control unit (12) which is designed to use recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) in subsequent working of the agricultural area (102) using an agricultural implement (20); characterized in that the system (10) is designed to carry out the method for supporting an implement operator according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. System (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the electronic data processing device (16) is designed to - initiate visual display, by the electronic display and control unit (12), of the recorded control information relating to at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102); and / or - initiate implementation of at least individual control measures implemented during the initial working of the agricultural area (102) by the agricultural implement (20) during the subsequent working of the agricultural area (102), in particular automatically or according to a manual selection by the implement operator.

13. Agricultural implement (20), comprising - a system (10) which comprises an electronic data processing device (16) and an electronic display and control unit (12); characterized in that the system (10) is designed according to either claim 11 or claim 12.