Communication system for agricultural machinery and agricultural machinery equipped with a communication system for agricultural machinery

Abstract

The objective is to provide a communication device for agricultural machinery that can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously without increasing costs, by having multiple wireless communication modules that support the same standards and frequency bands. [Solution] A communication system for agricultural machinery that is connected to a control means provided by the agricultural machinery and capable of communicating with multiple devices, comprising a plurality of wireless communication modules, wherein at least two of the plurality of wireless communication modules are wireless communication modules corresponding to the same standard and the same frequency band, and an agricultural machinery equipped with the above-mentioned communication system for agricultural machinery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural work machine communication system connected to a control means of an agricultural work machine and capable of communicating with a plurality of devices, and an agricultural work machine including the agricultural work machine communication system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an agricultural work machine, for example, an agricultural work machine connected to the rear side of a traveling vehicle body such as a tractor, can be remotely operated by an operator riding on the traveling vehicle body from a riding position such as a driver's seat. For remote operation of an agricultural work machine, communication is performed between a remote controller (remote operation means) and a control means for controlling the agricultural work machine. The communication can be performed either wirelessly or wired, but wireless communication is generally used for convenience.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The agricultural work machine communication system described in Patent Document 1 is such that at least two of a plurality of wireless communication modules are a plurality of wireless communication modules corresponding to different communication standards in the same frequency band. Thereby, wireless communication is possible with a plurality of devices provided with wireless communication modules corresponding to different communication standards. Currently, there are various communication standards and frequency bands in wireless communication. Among them, many of the frequently used communication standards and frequency bands are specific several types, and many of the wireless communication-capable devices are provided with wireless communication modules corresponding to these specific several types of communication standards and frequency bands. Therefore, having multiple wireless communication modules that support different communication standards in the same frequency band was deemed unnecessary and would increase the cost of the communication system.

[0005] Control systems for agricultural machinery are increasingly required to be able to connect to and communicate simultaneously with multiple devices, such as remote controls for remote operation of the machinery, and mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops for monitoring the machinery's status. However, if the multiple devices to be connected only have wireless communication modules that support a specific (single) communication standard, even if the control system for agricultural machinery is equipped with multiple wireless communication modules that support different communication standards on the same frequency band, the number of devices that can be connected to and communicate simultaneously will be limited. In other words, there is a risk that communication may not be possible with the devices that are intended to be connected to and communicate with.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a communication system for agricultural machinery that reduces costs, a communication system for agricultural machinery that can connect to multiple devices simultaneously, and an agricultural machinery equipped with such a communication system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration. A communication system for agricultural machinery that is connected to the control means of the agricultural machinery and capable of communicating with multiple devices, Equipped with multiple wireless communication modules, A communication system for agricultural machinery, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of wireless communication modules are wireless communication modules that correspond to the same standard and the same frequency band. Furthermore, the present invention comprises the following configurations. A farm implement that is attached to the rear of a vehicle, Control means and The system includes a communication system for agricultural machinery that is connected to the control means and capable of communicating with multiple devices, The aforementioned communication system for agricultural machinery has multiple wireless communication modules, An agricultural machine characterized in that at least two of the aforementioned plurality of communication modules are wireless communication modules that correspond to the same standard and the same frequency band. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention provides a communication device for agricultural machinery that can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously without increasing costs, by having multiple wireless communication modules that conform to the same standards and frequency band. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of Halo 1 of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a rear view of the halo 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a remote control 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an image displayed by a smartphone 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an image displayed by a smartphone 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a circuit board for control means 2. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the circuit board for control means 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a harrow 1 will be used as an example to describe an embodiment of the agricultural machinery according to the present invention. In the following explanation, the same symbols in different figures indicate parts with the same function, and redundant explanations in each figure will be omitted as appropriate. For the sake of convenience in description, terms indicating directions such as up, down, front, rear, right, and left are used. However, the direction in which gravity acts is down, and the opposite is up. Also, the direction in which the traveling vehicle body moves forward is front, and the opposite is rear. Further, facing forward, the right side is right, and the left side is left.

[0011] [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the harrow 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the left front, and the upper frame shows a view with the cover covering the control box 113 removed. FIG. 2 is a view of the harrow 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the harrow 1 in the present embodiment is an agricultural working machine used for weeding work and the like, and includes a mounting portion 11, a power transmission portion 12, a working portion 13, and control means 2 (see FIG. 6) for controlling the operation of the harrow 1. The harrow 1 is connected to a traveling vehicle body (not shown), such as a tractor, by the mounting portion 11. The power transmission portion 12 and the working portion 13 are connected to the mounting portion 11. Thereby, the harrow 1 is towed as the traveling vehicle body travels, and weeding work and the like are performed by the working portion 13.

[0012] The harrow 1 of the present embodiment has a width (width in the left - right direction) wider than the width of the traveling vehicle body, and both the left and right sides of the harrow 1 protrude from the traveling vehicle body to the left and right sides. Therefore, when moving from the garage to the field or when moving between fields, in order to narrow the width, the working portions 13 on both the left and right sides are configured to be foldable (openable and closable) toward the central portion side. The working portion 13 is divided into a central working machine portion 13C, a left working machine portion 13L, and a right working machine portion 13R that is slightly wider than the interval between the rear tires of the traveling vehicle body. The left working machine portion 13L and the right working machine portion 13R are substantially left - right symmetric and have substantially the same configuration.

[0013] [Mounting Portion] The mounting portion 11 is connected to a three - point link mechanism (not shown) provided at the rear of the traveling vehicle body. The three - point link mechanism is usually composed of a top link, a lift rod, and a lower link. Since the three - point link mechanism is a known mechanism, a detailed description thereof is omitted. The mounting section 11 has a top mast 111 connected to the top link and a lower link connecting section 112 connected to the lower link. The halo 1 can be raised and lowered via a three-point linkage mechanism through the mounting section 11. Furthermore, the mounting section 11 is equipped with a control box 113 that houses control means 2 for controlling the various drive units of the work section 13.

[0014] [Power transmission section] The power transmission unit 12 includes a gearbox 121, a transmission frame 122, and a chain case 123. The gearbox 121 is located in the center of the central transmission frame 122C of the transmission frame 122, which will be described later. The gearbox 121 has an input shaft 1211, and power is transmitted from the PTO shaft (not shown) of the vehicle body via a universal joint (not shown).

[0015] The transmission frame 122 comprises a central transmission frame 122C, a left transmission frame 122L, and a right transmission frame 122R. The transmission frame 122 also serves as the main frame of the harrow 1, and is connected to and supported by the mounting section 11, as well as supporting the work section 13. The central transmission frame 122C is provided on the left and right sides of the gearbox 121, is connected and supported by the mounting section 11, and also supports the central work machine section 13C of the work section 13, which will be described later.

[0016] Furthermore, a central transmission shaft (not shown) is housed inside the central transmission frame 122C, and transmits power from the input shaft 1211, transmitted via the gearbox 121, to the transmission shafts (left transmission shaft, right transmission shaft: not shown) housed inside the left transmission frame 122L and the right transmission frame 122R, and to the central chain case 123C of the chain case 123, which will be described later. The left transmission frame 122L supports the left workpiece portion 13L of the work unit 13, which will be described later. Furthermore, a left transmission shaft (not shown) is housed inside the left transmission frame 122L, and the left transmission shaft transmits power received from the central transmission shaft housed inside the central transmission frame 122C to the left chain case 123L of the chain case 123, which will be described later. The right transmission frame 122R supports the right workpiece portion 13R of the work section 13, which will be described later. Furthermore, a right transmission shaft (not shown) is housed inside the right transmission frame 122R, and the right transmission shaft transmits power received from the central transmission shaft housed inside the central transmission frame 122C to the right chain case 123R of the chain case 123, which will be described later.

[0017] As described above, the work section 13 is configured such that the left work section 13L and the right work section 13R can be folded relative to the central work section 13C, and the transmission frame 122 is also configured such that the left transmission frame 122L supporting the left work section 13L and the right transmission frame 122R supporting the right work section 13R can be folded relative to the central transmission frame 122C supporting the central work section 13C. When the left transmission frame 122L and the right transmission frame 122R are folded, the power transmission between the left and right transmission shafts housed in them and the central transmission shaft housed in the central transmission frame 122C is released.

[0018] The chain case 123 has a central chain case 123C, a left chain case 123L, and a right chain case 123R, and transmits power from the transmission frame 122 to the rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the working section 13 are attached. The central chain case 123C is located at the left end of the central transmission frame 122C, which is provided on the left side of the gearbox 121, and houses a chain (not shown) that transmits power from the central transmission shaft, which is housed inside the central transmission frame 122C provided on the left side of the gearbox 121, to a rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the central work machine section 13C of the work section 13 (described later) are attached. The left chain case 123L is located at the left end of the left transmission frame 122L and houses a chain (not shown) that transmits power from the left transmission shaft housed inside the left transmission frame 122L to a rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the left workpiece section 13L of the work unit 13 (described later) are attached. The right chain case 123R is located at the right end of the right transmission frame 122R and houses a chain (not shown) that transmits power from the right transmission shaft housed inside the right transmission frame 122R to a rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the right workpiece section 13R of the workpiece section 13 (described later) are attached.

[0019] [Working Department] As described above, the work section 13 is divided into three parts: the central work section 13C, the left work section 13L, and the right work section 13R. The left work section 13L and the right work section 13R are configured to be able to be opened and closed relative to the central work section 13C, either folded upward (closed) or extended to the side (open).

[0020] The central workpiece section 13C includes a central shield cover 131C, a central apron 134C, a central leveler 136C, a central understopper 137C, an apron pressure adjustment device 135, a left workpiece section opening / closing hydraulic cylinder 133L, and a right workpiece section opening / closing hydraulic cylinder 133R. The central shield cover 131C is supported by the central transmission frame 122C and is positioned above the rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the central workpiece section 13C are attached. The central apron 134C is supported at the rear end of the central shield cover 131C so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The central leveler 136C is supported at the lower end of the central apron 134C so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The central understopper 137C has a central soil-raising motor section 1371C and is interposed (in two places) between the central shield cover 131C and the central leveler 136C. The central understopper 137C is configured to switch the state of the central leveler 136C (earth-pilling state and earth-pilling release state (puddling state)). The central earth-pilling motor unit 1371C drives the earth-pilling lock (not shown) to engage and disengage, switching the state of the central leveler 136C (earth-pilling state and earth-pilling release state (puddling state)). The earth-pilling state is the state of the working unit 13 when the harrow 1 is used for earth-pilling work to level the elevation difference of the field before puddling work.

[0021] The state of the central leveler 136C (earth-piled state, earth-piled state) can be switched using the remote control 4 (see Figures 3 and 6), which will be described later. The operation of the remote control 4 drives the central soil-raising motor unit 1371C, switching the state of the central leveler 136C (soil-raising state, soil-raising release state). In conjunction with the driving of the central soil-raising motor unit 1371C, the left soil-raising motor unit 1371L of the left workpiece unit 13L (described later) and the right soil-raising motor unit 1371R of the right workpiece unit 13R (described later) are also driven. Alternatively, the central soil-raising motor unit 1371C, the left soil-raising motor unit 1371L, and the right soil-raising motor unit 1371R may be driven independently. The apron pressure adjustment device 135 has a pressure motor unit 1351 and is interposed (in two places) between the central shield cover 131C and the central apron 134C. The apron pressure adjustment device 135 allows adjustment of the pressure level of the central apron 134C, and also allows the pressure of the central apron 134C to be turned on and off by engaging and disengaging a pressure hook (not shown) by driving the pressure motor unit 1351. The on / off operation of the pressure of the central apron 134C can be controlled by the remote control 4.

[0022] The left workpiece section opening / closing hydraulic cylinder 133L is the drive source for opening and closing the left workpiece section 13L relative to the central workpiece section 13C. The right workpiece section opening / closing hydraulic cylinder 133R is a drive source that opens and closes the right workpiece section 13R relative to the central workpiece section 13C. The hydraulic cylinder 133L for opening and closing the left workpiece section and the hydraulic cylinder 133R for opening and closing the right workpiece section can be driven independently, allowing the left workpiece section 13L and the right workpiece section 13R to be opened and closed independently relative to the central workpiece section 13C. The opening and closing of the left workpiece section 13L and the right workpiece section 13R can be operated by the remote control 4.

[0023] The left workpiece section 13L includes a left shield cover 131L, a left apron 134L, a left leveler 136L, a left exhaust leveler 138L, a left exhaust leveler motor section 1381L, a left understopper 137L, and a left rotation support section 132L. The left shield cover 131L is supported by the left transmission frame 122L and is positioned above the rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the left workpiece section 13L are attached. The left apron 134L is supported at the rear end of the left shield cover 131L so as to be able to rotate vertically. The left apron 134L is configured to connect with the central apron 134C when the left work machine section 13L is open, and by adjusting the pressure of the central apron 134C and turning the pressure adjustment on and off, the left apron 134L can also be adjusted for pressure and turned on and off.

[0024] The left leveler 136L is supported at the lower end of the left apron 134L so as to be able to rotate vertically. The left leveler 136L is configured to connect with the central leveler 136C when the left workpiece section 13L is in the open position. The left EX leveler 138L is rotatably supported at the left end of the left leveler 136L and can be opened and closed outwards to the left. The left EX leveler 138L is used to pull soil and mud from the side of the work area 13 inwards and to level the soil on the side of the work area 13. The left EX leveler motor section 1381L is the drive source that rotates the left EX leveler 138L. The left EX Leveler 138L can be opened and closed using remote control 4.

[0025] The left understopper 137L has a left soil-raising motor section 1371L and is interposed between the left shield cover 131L and the left leveler 136L. The left understopper 137L is configured to switch the state of the left leveler 136L (soil-pilling state and soil-pilling release state (puddling state)). The left soil-pilling motor unit 1371L drives the soil-pilling lock (not shown) to engage and disengage, switching the state of the left leveler 136L (soil-pilling state and soil-pilling release state (puddling state)). The left rotation support section 132L is positioned on the left shield cover 131L and rotatably supports the central shield cover 131C of the central workpiece section 13C. In other words, the left rotation support section 132L rotatably supports the left workpiece section 13L relative to the central workpiece section 13C.

[0026] The right workpiece section 13R includes a right shield cover 131R, a right apron 134R, a right leveler 136R, a right exhaust leveler 138R, a right exhaust leveler motor section 1381R, a right understopper 137R, and a right rotation support section 132R. The right shield cover 131R is supported by the right transmission frame 122R and is positioned above the rotating shaft (not shown) to which the claws of the left workpiece section 13L are attached. The right apron 134R is supported at the rear end of the right shield cover 131R so as to be able to rotate vertically. The right apron 134R is configured to connect with the central apron 134C when the right workpiece section 13R is in the open position, and by adjusting the pressure of the central apron 134C and turning the pressure adjustment on and off, the right apron 134R can also be adjusted in pressure and turned on and off.

[0027] The right leveler 136R is supported at the lower end of the right apron 134R so as to be able to rotate vertically. The right EX leveler 138R is rotatably supported at the right end of the right leveler 136R and can be opened and closed outwards to the right. The right EX leveler 138R is used to pull soil and mud from the side of the work area 13 inwards and to level the soil on the side of the work area 13. The right EX leveler motor section 1381R is the drive source that rotates the right EX leveler 138R. The opening and closing of the right EX Leveler 138R can be controlled by remote control 4.

[0028] The right understopper 137R has a right soil-raising motor section 1371R and is interposed between the right shield cover 131R and the right leveler 136R. The right understopper 137R is configured to switch the state of the right leveler 136R (earth-pilling state and earth-pilling release state (puddling state)). The right earth-pilling motor unit 1371R drives the earth-pilling lock (not shown) to engage and disengage, thereby switching the state of the right leveler 136R (earth-pilling state and earth-pilling release state (puddling state)). The right rotation support section 132R is positioned on the right shield cover 131R and rotatably supports the central shield cover 131C of the central workpiece section 13C. In other words, the right rotation support section 132R rotatably supports the right workpiece section 13R relative to the central workpiece section 13C.

[0029] [Control means] The control means 2 is housed in a control box 113 installed on the mounting part 11. The control means 2 includes a storage unit including a CPU, ROM, and RAM, an input / output unit for inputting and outputting various signals including signals from the agricultural machinery communication system 3 (wireless communication module 31A, wireless communication module 31B), signals from various sensors, signals to various actuators, and calculation results by the CPU, and a circuit board on which these are mounted. Various programs for controlling the harrow 1 are stored in the storage unit, and the control means 2 realizes various functions of the harrow 1 by having the CPU read the necessary programs from the storage unit as appropriate and execute them. For example, based on signals from the remote control 4, the control means 2 controls the opening and closing of the left workpiece section 13L and the right workpiece section 13R, the pressure adjustment and on / off switching of the central apron 134C, the switching between the soil-piling state and the soil-piling release state of the central leveler 136C, left leveler 136L, and right leveler 136R, and the opening and closing of the left EX leveler 138L and right EX leveler 138R. Furthermore, the control means 2 collects data from various detection sensors (not shown) installed in the work unit 13. Furthermore, the circuit board also has the wireless communication module 31A and wireless communication module 31B of the agricultural machinery communication system 3, which will be described later, mounted on it. The wireless communication module 31A and wireless communication module 31B are configured to be able to input and output various signals via the input / output section.

[0030] [Communication system for agricultural machinery] The agricultural machinery communication system 3 has two wireless communication modules 31A and 31B. Wireless communication modules 31A and 31B are housed in the control box 113 and are connected to the input / output section of the control means 2 (see Figure 6). As will be described in detail later, wireless communication modules 31A and 31B are wireless communication modules that support the same communication standard and the same frequency band. Note that even if communication is possible with different versions, such as Bluetooth 4.0 and Bluetooth 5.0, they are included in the same communication standard.

[0031] [Remote control] Figure 3 is a diagram of the remote control 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Remote control 4 is a remote control for remotely operating each movable part of the harrow 1, and as described above, it can remotely operate the opening and closing of the left workpiece section 13L and the right workpiece section 13R of the harrow 1, the on and off of pressurization of the central apron 134C, and the opening and closing of the left EX leveler 138L and the right EX leveler 138R. Furthermore, the remote control 4 can display the open state of the left implement section 13L, the open state of the right implement section 13R, the pressurized state of the central apron 134C, the open state of the left EX leveler 138L, the open state of the right EX leveler 138R, and the soil-piling state of the central leveler 136C using LED lamps on each button, and can also display the tilling depth level of the harrow 1. Furthermore, the LED lamp displays and the tilling depth display for Harrow 1 can be configured to be disabled.

[0032] [Mobile devices] Figures 4 and 5 show images displayed by a smartphone 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the harrow 1, the control means 2 transmits various data such as tillage depth, finish (after tillage work), operating status and operating time of the harrow 1 to a mobile terminal, a smartphone 5, via the agricultural machinery communication system 3, and displays the various data on the display screen of the smartphone 5. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the up-and-down state of the Hello 1 can be displayed on the screen of the smartphone 5, or as shown in Figure 5, the left-and-right tilt state of the Hello 1 can be displayed on the screen of the smartphone 5.

[0033] [Guide terminal] The guide terminal 6 is a portable terminal that guides the steering of the vehicle based on signals received by a GPS receiver mounted on the vehicle and map information. The guide terminal 6 displays guidelines on its screen that serve as targets for steering the vehicle, based on the input data such as the working width of the agricultural machinery, thereby enabling the operator to steer easily and accurately. The control means 2 transmits various data such as tillage depth, finish (after tillage work), operating status and operating time of the harrow 1 to the guide terminal 6 via the agricultural machinery communication system 3.

[0034] [Communication System] Figure 6 shows a communication system for sending and receiving various data between the control means 2 of the Hello 1, the remote control 4, the smartphone 5, and the guide terminal 6 on the vehicle body. The communication system comprises the wireless communication module 31A and wireless communication module 31B of the agricultural machinery communication system 3, and wireless communication modules 41, 51, and 61 provided in the remote control 4, smartphone 5, and guide terminal 6, respectively. The smartphone 5 and guide terminal 6 can connect to the internet (information and communication network) via mobile data communication or Wi-Fi connection. Wireless communication modules 31A, 31B, 41, 51, and 61 are all wireless communication modules that support the same communication standard and frequency band. For example, they are wireless communication modules that support Bluetooth 4.0 or later (Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 2.4GHz). (A communication function using two Bluetooth® devices, such as in agricultural machinery communication system 3, is sometimes called dual Bluetooth.)

[0035] Furthermore, the communication standards and frequency bands of the wireless communication modules 31A, 31B, 41, 51, and 61 are not limited to 2.4GHz (Bluetooth 4.0 or later), but can use any standard and frequency band from among multiple frequency bands of various communication standards such as other Bluetooth standards (e.g., Bluetooth 3.0 or earlier), other frequency bands, WiFi (registered trademark), and low-power radio. In addition, the agricultural machinery communication system 3, remote control 4, smartphone 5, and guide terminal 6 may each be equipped with wireless communication modules that support communication standards different from those supported by the wireless communication modules 31A, 31B, 41, 51, and 61, respectively. Furthermore, wireless communication modules 31A, 31B, 41, 51, and 61 are equipped with controllers and programs for communication.

[0036] In Bluetooth, when a wireless communication module is used as a master unit (central), the device using that module as a master unit can connect to devices using wireless communication modules with the same profile as the master unit's wireless communication module as slave units (peripherals). However, only one device can be connected based on a single profile, and it is not possible to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. While only one device can be connected based on a single profile, if a wireless module used as a master unit has multiple profiles, the device using the wireless module as a master unit can connect to devices using the wireless module as a slave unit for each profile. In other words, a device using a wireless module as a master unit can connect to multiple devices using the wireless module as a slave unit simultaneously, based on different profiles. However, while it is possible to connect to multiple devices simultaneously if the profiles are different, it is not possible to communicate with these multiple devices simultaneously.

[0037] Furthermore, with Bluetooth, when using a single wireless communication module as a slave, multipoint connectivity allows a device using a single wireless communication module as a slave to connect simultaneously with multiple devices using wireless communication modules as masters, based on a single profile. However, a single device using a wireless communication module as a slave cannot communicate simultaneously with multiple devices using wireless communication modules as masters. (Multipoint connectivity is a Bluetooth function that allows one slave device to connect simultaneously to two masters based on the same profile.) In any case, one wireless communication module cannot communicate with multiple wireless modules simultaneously.

[0038] The base unit has a function to control communication, and controls the connection and disconnection of devices. Since the connection (pairing) and disconnection of devices are publicly known technologies, an explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, the wireless communication module 31A is equipped with a controller and program for the wireless communication module 31A to function as a master unit, and the wireless communication module 31B is equipped with a controller and program for the wireless communication module 31B to function as a slave unit. In other words, the agricultural machine communication system 3 connected to the control means 2 has both the function of a master unit and the function of a slave unit. Furthermore, the wireless communication module 41 of the remote control 4 is equipped with a controller and program for the wireless communication module 41 to function as a slave unit. Furthermore, the wireless communication module 51 of the smartphone 5 is equipped with a controller and a program for the wireless communication module 51 to function as a master unit. Furthermore, the wireless communication module 61 of the guide terminal 6 is equipped with a controller and program for the wireless communication module 61 to function as a master unit.

[0039] In this embodiment, the control means 2 of the Hello 1 is simultaneously connected to the remote control 4, smartphone 5, and guide terminal 6. Note that the guide terminal 6 does not necessarily need to be connected. The control means 2 and the remote control 4 are connected with the wireless communication module 31A of the agricultural machinery communication system 3 as the master unit and the wireless communication module 41 of the remote control 4 as the slave unit. The control unit 2 and the smartphone 5, and the control unit 2 and the guide terminal 6 are connected via multipoint connection, with the wireless communication module 31B of the agricultural machinery communication system 3 acting as a slave unit, and the wireless communication module 51 of the smartphone 5 and the wireless communication module 61 of the guide terminal 6 acting as master units. As mentioned above, connections can be made simultaneously, but communication cannot be performed simultaneously between the control unit 2 and the smartphone 5, or between the control unit 2 and the guide terminal 6 (communication can only be performed between the control unit 2 and the smartphone 5, or between the control unit 2 and the guide terminal 6, but not both). In some cases, data may be continuously transmitted from the control means 2 to the smartphone 5. In this case, communication between the control means 2 and the guide terminal 6 is not possible.

[0040] It is also possible to connect the remote control 4 and the smartphone 5 with the wireless communication module 41 of the remote control 4 acting as the slave unit and the wireless communication module 51 of the smartphone 5 acting as the master unit. However, since communication between the remote control 4 and the smartphone 5 is not performed frequently, in this embodiment, the wireless communication module 41 and the wireless communication module 51 are connected each time as needed by the operator. However, the system is not limited to this configuration, and a multipoint connection may be established with the wireless communication module 41 of the remote control 4 acting as the slave unit and the wireless communication module 31A of the agricultural machinery communication system 3 and the wireless communication module 51 of the smartphone 5 acting as the master units.

[0041] Furthermore, conventionally, the control unit 2 and the remote control 4 did not have a configuration to connect to the Internet (information and communication network), and updating the program (firmware) of the control unit 2 and the remote control 4 required connecting a dedicated device to the control unit 2 and the remote control 4. In contrast, in the communication system of this embodiment, the control unit 2 is connected to two wireless communication modules, a wireless communication module 31A that functions as a master unit and a wireless communication module 31B that functions as a slave unit, the remote control 4 is equipped with a wireless communication module 41 that functions as a slave unit, and the smartphone 5 is equipped with a wireless communication module 51 that is used as a master unit. Therefore, by utilizing the smartphone 5's ability to connect to the Internet (information and communication network), it becomes possible to update the program (firmware) of the control unit 2 and the remote control 4 via the smartphone 5. When updating the program (firmware) of the control unit 2, the smartphone 5, which is connected to the internet, accesses the server and transmits the program (firmware) to be updated from the wireless communication module 51 of the smartphone 5 to the control unit 2 via the wireless communication module 31B. As a result, the control unit 2 can obtain the program to be updated and install the update program (firmware) on the control unit 2.

[0042] Furthermore, when updating the program (firmware) of the remote control 4, similar to updating the program (firmware) of the control means 2, the smartphone 5 connected to the internet accesses the server, and the program (firmware) to be updated is transmitted from the wireless communication module 51 of the smartphone 5 to the remote control 4 via the wireless communication module 41. This allows the remote control 4 to obtain the program to be updated and install the update program (firmware) on the remote control 4. The method for updating the program (firmware) of the remote control 4 is not limited to the method described above. First, the program to be updated is sent from the wireless communication module 51 to the control means 2 via the wireless communication module 31B, similar to how the program of the control means 2 is updated. Next, the program to be updated that was sent to the control means 2 may be sent from the wireless communication module 31A to the wireless communication module 41 of the remote control 4. This allows the remote control 4 to obtain the program to be updated and install the update program (firmware) into the remote control.

[0043] Figure 7 is a top view showing an example of the circuit board of the control means 2, and Figure 8 is a top view and a side view showing another example of the circuit board of the control means 2. The wireless communication module 31A and the wireless communication module 31B are mounted on the circuit board 32 of the control means 2. Traditionally, the placement of multiple wireless communication modules on a circuit board was done considering the placement of other electronic devices mounted on the circuit board, and interference and jamming of communication radio waves from multiple wireless communication modules were not given much consideration. As a result, multiple wireless communication modules were sometimes placed in close proximity on the circuit board. In this embodiment, since both wireless communication modules 31A and 31B are wireless communication modules that support the same communication standard and the same frequency band, it is necessary to consider interference and other issues related to communication radio waves. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the two wireless communication modules 31A and 31B are arranged spaced apart. Furthermore, it is preferable that the antenna portions of wireless communication modules 31A and 31B be positioned on the end side (outside) of the circuit board 32A.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 8, two circuit boards, circuit board 32A and circuit board 32B, are stacked on top of each other. Circuit board 32A is equipped with the main electronic devices of the control means 2, such as the CPU, while circuit board 32B has terminals for wiring that connects various sensors and actuators provided on the halo 1. In this example, by separating the circuit board 32A (main board) equipped with the main electronic devices of the control means 2 and the circuit board 32B (motor control board) equipped with terminals that connect the control means 2 to various sensors and actuators, it is possible to combine a circuit board 32A that is common to multiple models and a circuit board 32B that corresponds to different sensors and actuators depending on the model, thus simplifying the design of the circuit boards and reducing costs.

[0045] In this embodiment, the agricultural machinery communication system 3 is equipped with two wireless communication modules 31A and 31B that correspond to the same communication standard and the same frequency band, but it may be equipped with three or more wireless communication modules that correspond to the same communication standard and the same frequency band. In addition to multiple wireless communication modules that support the same communication standard and the same frequency band, these multiple wireless communication modules may also include wireless communication modules that support the same communication standard and different frequency bands, and wireless communication modules that support different communication standards and different frequencies.

[0046] In this embodiment, the control means 2 is connected to the wireless communication module 31A and wireless communication module 31B of the agricultural machinery communication system, and the remote control 4, smartphone 5, and guide terminal 6 are connected to the control means 2 via the wireless communication module 31A and wireless communication module 31B. In addition, other portable terminals such as tablet terminals and notebook PCs may be connected. Furthermore, while the harrow 1 was given as an example of an agricultural implement equipped with the agricultural implement communication system 3, it is not limited to the harrow 1; any agricultural implement such as a tiller, mower, or levee builder may be used.

[0047] As described above, the wireless communication modules 31A, 31B, 41, 51, and 61 of the present invention and the Halo 1 equipped with these wireless communication modules have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1 Hello 11 Mounting part 113 Control Box 12 Power transmission section 13 Work Section 2. Control means 3. Communication system for agricultural machinery 31A, 31B Wireless Communication Modules 32, 32A, 32B Circuit Boards 4 Remote control 41 Wireless communication module 5. Smartphone 51 Wireless communication module 6 Guide terminal 61 Wireless communication module

Claims

1. A communication system for agricultural machinery that is connected to the control means of the agricultural machinery and capable of communicating with multiple devices, Equipped with multiple wireless communication modules, A communication system for agricultural machinery, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of wireless communication modules are wireless communication modules that correspond to the same standard and the same frequency band.

2. At least one of the aforementioned plurality of devices is a communication device that can be connected to an information and communication network. A communication system for agricultural machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of communication modules is used as a slave unit of the communication device, and at least one of the plurality of communication modules that is not used as a slave unit is used as the master unit of at least one of the plurality of devices.

3. A farm implement that is attached to the rear of a vehicle, Control means and The system includes a communication system for agricultural machinery that is connected to the control means and capable of communicating with multiple devices, The aforementioned communication system for agricultural machinery has multiple wireless communication modules, An agricultural machine characterized in that at least two of the aforementioned plurality of communication modules are wireless communication modules corresponding to the same standard and the same frequency band.

4. The agricultural implement according to claim 3, which is one of the aforementioned plurality of devices and is equipped with a remote control device for remotely operating the agricultural implement.

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