Automated driving method and system

Abstract

To provide an automatic travel method and an automatic travel system capable of preventing reduction in work efficiency and reduction in work accuracy by a work vehicle capable of automatic travel.SOLUTION: A measurement processing unit 171 measures a position of a work vehicle 10 by a predetermined positioning method on the basis of a GNSS signal received from a satellite 40. A travel processing unit 111 causes the work vehicle 10 to perform automatic travel on the basis of position information of the work vehicle 10. A switching processing unit 172 sets the predetermined positioning method to either an RTK method or a DGPS method having positioning accuracy lower than that of the RTK method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic driving method and an automatic driving system for automatically driving a work vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A real-time kinematic system (RTK-GPS positioning system, hereafter referred to as "RTK system") is known that can measure the position of work vehicles such as tractors with high accuracy. The RTK system makes it possible for work vehicles to travel automatically with high accuracy.

[0003] Here, if there are obstacles such as windbreaks or buildings near the work vehicle, radio waves from satellites may not be received, or radio waves from a predetermined number of satellites may not be received due to radio wave interference, etc. When such a positioning failure occurs, the work vehicle stops autonomous driving, which causes a problem of reduced work efficiency.

[0004] Conventionally, a system has been proposed that prevents a work vehicle from stopping by automatically driving the work vehicle using inertial navigation when a positioning failure occurs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This system can prevent a decrease in work efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 147111 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional technology, when a positioning failure occurs, the work vehicle continues to travel automatically using inertial navigation, which causes a problem of reduced work accuracy along the route traveled automatically using inertial navigation. For example, in the case of work that requires high positioning accuracy of the work vehicle (such as sowing), a decrease in positioning accuracy also reduces work accuracy. On the other hand, if the work vehicle is stopped when a positioning failure occurs, a problem of reduced work efficiency occurs.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic driving method and an automatic driving system that can prevent a decrease in work efficiency and work accuracy caused by an automatically driven work vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The automatic driving method of the present invention is a method of performing the following steps: determining the position of a work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from a satellite; automatically driving the work vehicle based on position information indicating the determined position of the work vehicle; and setting the predetermined positioning method to either a first positioning method or a second positioning method having lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method.

[0009] The automated driving system according to the present invention comprises a positioning processing unit, a driving processing unit, and a positioning setting processing unit. The positioning processing unit determines the position of a work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from satellites. The driving processing unit causes the work vehicle to automatically drive based on position information indicating the position of the work vehicle determined by the positioning processing unit. The positioning setting processing unit sets the predetermined positioning method to either a first positioning method or a second positioning method that provides lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic driving method and an automatic driving system that can prevent a decrease in work efficiency and work accuracy caused by an automatically driven work vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automated driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a status screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the automatic driving process executed by the automatic driving system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following embodiment is an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] 1 and 2, an automated driving system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a work vehicle 10, an operation terminal 20, a base station 30, and a satellite 40. The work vehicle 10 and the operation terminal 20 can communicate with each other via a communication network N1. For example, the work vehicle 10 and the operation terminal 20 can communicate with each other via a mobile phone network, a packet network, or a wireless LAN.

[0014] In this embodiment, the work vehicle 10 will be described as a tractor. In other embodiments, the work vehicle 10 may be a rice transplanter, a combine harvester, construction machinery, a snowplow, or the like. The work vehicle 10 is a so-called robot tractor that is configured to be able to automatically (autonomously) travel along a predetermined travel route R (inner route R1 and outer route R2) within a field F (see FIG. 3). For example, the work vehicle 10 can automatically travel along a travel route R that has been generated in advance for the field F, based on position information of the current position of the work vehicle 10 measured by a positioning device 16.

[0015] For example, in the work area of ​​the field F shown in Fig. 3, the work vehicle 10 travels back and forth parallel to the inner peripheral route R1 from the work start position S, and travels inward in a spiral shape on the outer peripheral route R2 toward the work end position G. The travel route R is not limited to the route shown in Fig. 3, and is set appropriately depending on the work content.

[0016] The satellite 40 is a positioning satellite that constitutes a satellite positioning system such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and transmits a GNSS signal (satellite signal). The base station 30 is a reference point (reference station) that constitutes the satellite positioning system. The base station 30 transmits correction information to the work vehicle 10 for calculating the current position of the work vehicle 10.

[0017] The positioning device 16 executes positioning processing to calculate the current position (latitude and longitude) of the work vehicle 10 using GNSS signals transmitted from satellites 40. Specifically, the positioning device 16 positions the work vehicle 10 using a standalone positioning method that positions the work vehicle 10 based on positioning information (GNSS signals, etc.) received by one receiver (positioning antenna 164), or an RTK method or DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) method that positions the work vehicle 10 based on positioning information (GNSS signals, etc.) received by two receivers (positioning antenna 164 and base station 30) and correction information generated by base station 30. These positioning methods are well-known technologies, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0018] Generally, the positioning error of the RTK method is several centimeters, the positioning error of the DGPS method is several meters, and the positioning error of the point positioning method is approximately 10 meters. In other words, the DGPS method and the point positioning method are positioning methods with lower positioning accuracy than the RTK method. The RTK method is an example of a first positioning method of the present invention, and the DGPS method and the point positioning method are examples of a second positioning method of the present invention. In the following, the RTK method is given as an example of the first positioning method of the present invention, and the DGPS method is given as an example of the second positioning method of the present invention.

[0019] [Work vehicle 10] 1 and 2, the work vehicle 10 includes a vehicle control device 11, a memory unit 12, a traveling device 13, a work implement 14, a communication unit 15, a positioning device 16, etc. The vehicle control device 11 is electrically connected to the memory unit 12, the traveling device 13, the work implement 14, the positioning device 16, etc. Note that the vehicle control device 11 and the positioning device 16 may be capable of wireless communication.

[0020] The communication unit 15 is a communication interface that connects the work vehicle 10 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and performs data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol with external devices such as the operation terminal 20 via the communication network N1.

[0021] The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various types of information. The storage unit 12 stores control programs such as an automatic driving program for causing the vehicle control device 11 to execute the automatic driving process (see FIG. 8 ), which will be described later. For example, the automatic driving program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a predetermined reading device (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 12. The automatic driving program may be downloaded from a server (not shown) to the work vehicle 10 via the communication network N1 and stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 may also store data of a driving route R generated by the operation terminal 20.

[0022] The traveling device 13 is a drive unit that causes the work vehicle 10 to travel. As shown in Fig. 2, the traveling device 13 is equipped with an engine 131, front wheels 132, rear wheels 133, a transmission 134, a front axle 135, a rear axle 136, a handlebar 137, etc. The front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133 are provided on the left and right sides of the work vehicle 10, respectively. The traveling device 13 is not limited to a wheel type equipped with front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133, but may also be a crawler type equipped with crawlers provided on the left and right sides of the work vehicle 10.

[0023] The engine 131 is a drive source such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine that is driven by fuel supplied to a fuel tank (not shown). The traveling device 13 may be equipped with an electric motor as a drive source in addition to or instead of the engine 131. A generator (not shown) is connected to the engine 131, and power is supplied from the generator to electrical components such as the vehicle control device 11 and the battery provided on the work vehicle 10. The battery is charged with power supplied from the generator. The vehicle control device 11, positioning device 16, and other electrical components provided on the work vehicle 10 can be driven by power supplied from the battery even after the engine 131 is stopped.

[0024] The driving force of the engine 131 is transmitted to the front wheels 132 via the transmission 134 and the front axle 135, and to the rear wheels 133 via the transmission 134 and the rear axle 136. The driving force of the engine 131 is also transmitted to the work implement 14 via a PTO shaft (not shown). When the work vehicle 10 performs autonomous driving, the traveling device 13 performs traveling operations in accordance with commands from the vehicle control device 11.

[0025] The work implement 14 is, for example, a tiller, a seed sower, a brush cutter, a plow, or a fertilizer applicator, and is detachable from the work vehicle 10. This allows the work vehicle 10 to perform various types of work using each of the work implements 14. Figure 2 shows a case where the work implement 14 is a tiller.

[0026] The handle 137 is an operating unit that is operated by an operator or the vehicle control device 11. For example, in the traveling device 13, the angle of the front wheels 132 is changed by a hydraulic power steering mechanism (not shown) or the like in response to operation of the handle 137 by the vehicle control device 11, and the traveling direction of the work vehicle 10 is changed.

[0027] In addition to the handlebars 137, the traveling device 13 is also equipped with a shift lever, accelerator, brake, etc. (not shown) that are operated by the vehicle control device 11. In the traveling device 13, the gear of the transmission 134 is switched to a forward gear, a reverse gear, etc. in response to operation of the shift lever by the vehicle control device 11, and the traveling mode of the work vehicle 10 is switched to forward, reverse, etc. The vehicle control device 11 also operates the accelerator to control the rotation speed of the engine 131. The vehicle control device 11 also operates the brake to brake the rotation of the front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133 using an electromagnetic brake.

[0028] The positioning device 16 is a communication device including a positioning control unit 161, a memory unit 162, a communication unit 163, a positioning antenna 164, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the positioning device 16 is provided above the cabin 18 in which the operator sits. The installation location of the positioning device 16 is not limited to the cabin 18. The positioning control unit 161, the memory unit 162, the communication unit 163, and the positioning antenna 164 of the positioning device 16 may be disposed in different locations in the work vehicle 10. As described above, the battery is connected to the positioning device 16, and the positioning device 16 can operate even when the engine 131 is stopped. The positioning device 16 may be substituted with, for example, a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0029] The communication unit 163 is a communication interface that connects the positioning device 16 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and performs data communication with an external device such as a base station 30 via the communication network N1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0030] The positioning antenna 164 is an antenna that receives radio waves (GNSS signals) transmitted from satellites.

[0031] The positioning control unit 161 is a computer system including one or more processors and storage memories such as nonvolatile memory and RAM. The storage unit 162 is a nonvolatile memory that stores an automatic driving program for causing the positioning control unit 161 to execute positioning processing, and data such as positioning information and movement information. For example, the automatic driving program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a predetermined reading device (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 162. The automatic driving program may be downloaded to the positioning device 16 from a server (not shown) via a communication network N1 and stored in the storage unit 162.

[0032] The positioning control unit 161 includes various processing units such as a positioning processing unit 171 and a switching processing unit 172. The positioning control unit 161 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the autonomous driving program. In another embodiment, part or all of the positioning processing unit 171 and the switching processing unit 172 may be configured by electronic circuits.

[0033] The positioning processing unit 171 locates the position of the work vehicle 10 using a predetermined positioning method (RTK method, DGPS method, etc.) based on the GNSS signal (an example of a satellite signal of the present invention) received by the positioning antenna 164 from the satellite 40. Specifically, the positioning processing unit 171 locates the position of the work vehicle 10 using the RTK method when the positioning method is set to the RTK method, and locates the position of the work vehicle 10 using the DGPS method when the positioning method is set to the DGPS method. The positioning processing unit 171 is an example of a positioning processing unit of the present invention.

[0034] The switching processing unit 172 switches between the RTK method and the DGPS method. Specifically, the switching processing unit 172 switches between the RTK method and the DGPS method based on the work mode (described below) of the work vehicle 10 set by the setting processing unit 112 and the positioning status of the positioning processing unit 171. The switching processing unit 172 is an example of a switching processing unit of the present invention. The positioning status indicates the reception status of the GNSS signals transmitted from the satellites 40 in the positioning device 16. For example, the greater the number of satellites 40 from which GNSS signals can be received, the better the positioning status (high accuracy). For example, if the number of satellites 40 from which GNSS signals can be received decreases due to the presence of obstacles such as windbreaks or buildings near the field F, the positioning status will deteriorate. The positioning status is expressed, for example, by an evaluation value of the quality of the GNSS signals (GNSS Quality).

[0035] Here, the positioning method may be set to the RTK method in advance. That is, the positioning method may be set to the RTK method by default. In this case, when the engine 131 of the work vehicle 10 starts, the positioning processing unit 171 starts receiving GNSS signals transmitted from the satellites 40 and performs positioning processing until the positioning state becomes a high-precision state where RTK positioning is possible. For example, when the positioning state becomes a high-precision state, the positioning processing unit 171 transmits a notification of high-precision positioning completion to the vehicle control device 11 and the operation terminal 20. When the positioning state becomes a high-precision positioning completion state, the vehicle control device 11 permits automatic driving using the RTK method. That is, the driving processing unit 111 of the vehicle control device 11 starts automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 using the RTK method, on the condition that the positioning state is a high-precision state where RTK positioning is possible.

[0036] For example, when the operator starts the engine 131 of the work vehicle 10 and turns on the power of the operation terminal 20, a menu screen D1 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the operation terminal 20. The menu screen D1 displays various setting items such as field registration, work implement registration, work area registration, and route generation, as well as an icon K1 (an example of an image of the present invention) representing the positioning status. When the operator presses the icon K1, a status screen D2 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the operation terminal 20. The status screen D2 displays the currently captured satellites 40, the number of satellites 40, the positioning status, and the like. When the positioning status becomes a high-precision state where RTK positioning is possible, a message indicating that high-precision positioning is complete is displayed on the status screen D2. The status screen D2 also displays a work mode selection field K2 for selecting a work accuracy setting (an example of a work mode of the present invention), which will be described later.

[0037] The vehicle control device 11 has control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS that cause the CPU to execute various types of arithmetic processing are pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various types of information, and is used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing executed by the CPU. The vehicle control device 11 controls the work vehicle 10 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 12.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle control device 11 includes various processing units such as a driving processing unit 111 and a setting processing unit 112. The vehicle control device 11 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the automatic driving program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units may be configured with electronic circuits. The automatic driving program may be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units.

[0039] The driving processing unit 111 controls the driving of the work vehicle 10. Specifically, the driving processing unit 111 causes the work vehicle 10 to drive automatically based on position information indicating the position of the work vehicle 10 measured by the positioning processing unit 171. For example, when the positioning state becomes a high-precision state in which RTK positioning is possible (high-precision positioning completed) and the operator presses the start button on the operation screen D3 (see FIG. 6A) of the operation terminal 20, the operation terminal 20 outputs a work start instruction to the work vehicle 10. When the driving processing unit 111 receives the work start instruction from the operation terminal 20, it causes the work vehicle 10 to start automatic driving based on the position information indicating the position of the work vehicle 10 measured by the positioning processing unit 171. As a result, the work vehicle 10 starts automatic driving according to the driving route R and starts work by the work implement 14. The driving route R along which the work vehicle 10 drives is generated, for example, by the operation terminal 20. The work vehicle 10 acquires the driving route R from the operation terminal 20 and automatically drives within the field F according to the driving route R.

[0040] Furthermore, the driving processing unit 111 stops the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 when it receives a driving stop instruction from the operation terminal 20. For example, when the operator presses the stop button on the operation screen D4 (see FIG. 6B) of the operation terminal 20, the operation terminal 20 outputs a driving stop instruction to the work vehicle 10. When the driving processing unit 111 receives a driving stop instruction from the operation terminal 20, it stops the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10. As a result, the work vehicle 10 stops automatic driving and stops work by the work equipment 14. The driving processing unit 111 is an example of a driving processing unit of the present invention.

[0041] The setting processing unit 112 sets the work mode of the work vehicle 10. Specifically, the setting processing unit 112 sets the work mode of the work vehicle 10 to either a work accuracy priority mode (an example of a first work mode of the present invention) in which the automatic traveling of the work vehicle 10 is stopped when the positioning state in the positioning processing unit 171 deteriorates from a predetermined state, or a work continuity priority mode (an example of a second work mode of the present invention) in which the automatic traveling of the work vehicle 10 is continued when the positioning state in the positioning processing unit 171 deteriorates from the predetermined state. The predetermined state is, for example, a high-precision state in which RTK positioning is possible. The setting processing unit 112 is an example of a setting processing unit of the present invention.

[0042] For example, the setting processing unit 112 sets the work mode based on a selection operation (described later) by the operator (user) to select either the work accuracy priority or the work continuity priority. Specifically, when starting work using the work vehicle 10, the operator selects either the work accuracy priority or the work continuity priority in the work mode selection field K2 of "Work Accuracy Setting" displayed on the status screen D2 shown in FIG. 5. For example, the operator selects "Work Accuracy Priority" when he / she wants to temporarily suspend automatic traveling to prevent a decrease in work accuracy when the positioning status deteriorates (to prioritize work accuracy). Conversely, the operator selects "Work Continuity Priority" when he / she wants to continue automatic traveling to prevent a decrease in work efficiency when the positioning status deteriorates (to prioritize work efficiency). Note that the work mode may be set to "Work Accuracy Priority" by default. In this case, the operator displays the status screen D2 and switches the work mode when he / she wants to switch to "Work Continuity Priority."

[0043] The driving processing unit 111 causes the work vehicle 10 to automatically drive in accordance with the work mode. Specifically, when the work mode is set to prioritize work accuracy, the driving processing unit 111 causes the work vehicle 10 to automatically drive based on the position information obtained by the RTK system when the positioning state is in a high-precision state, and stops (temporarily stops) the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 when the positioning state deteriorates from the high-precision state. For example, when the positioning system is set to the RTK system and the work mode is set to prioritize work accuracy, if the positioning state deteriorates due to the influence of an obstacle while the work vehicle 10 is automatically driving, the positioning accuracy will decrease, and therefore the driving processing unit 111 temporarily stops the work vehicle 10. After the work vehicle 10 has temporarily stopped, when the positioning state recovers and becomes a high-precision state (high-precision positioning completed), the driving processing unit 111 resumes the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10. This prevents a decrease in the work accuracy of the work vehicle 10.

[0044] In contrast, when the work mode is set to the work continuity priority mode, the driving processing unit 111 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on the position information obtained by the RTK system when the positioning state is in a high-accuracy state, and automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on the position information obtained by the DGPS system when the positioning state deteriorates from the high-accuracy state. For example, when the positioning method is set to the RTK system and the work mode is set to the work continuity priority mode, if the positioning state deteriorates due to the influence of an obstacle while the work vehicle 10 is automatically driving, the switching processing unit 172 switches the positioning method from the RTK system to the DGPS system. In this way, the driving processing unit 111 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on positioning by the RTK system when the positioning state is in a high-accuracy state, and continues the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 based on positioning by the DGPS system when the positioning state deteriorates. This prevents a decrease in the work efficiency of the work vehicle 10.

[0045] When the positioning method is switched from the RTK method to the DGPS method, the driving processing unit 111 may perform automatic driving using the DGPS method for a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds). If the positioning state has recovered to a high accuracy state after the predetermined time has elapsed, the switching processing unit 172 may switch the positioning method from the DGPS method to the RTK method. This makes it possible to suppress areas where work accuracy decreases. The predetermined time may also be set according to the history of the positioning state. For example, if a location in the field F where the positioning state decreases can be identified from information on the driving history of past work, the predetermined time can be set by calculating the time required to pass through that location.

[0046] [Operation terminal 20] 1, the operation terminal 20 is an information processing device including an operation control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation display unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The operation terminal 20 may be configured as a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0047] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface that connects the operation terminal 20 to the communication network N1 via a wired or wireless connection and performs data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol with external devices such as one or more work vehicles 10 via the communication network N1.

[0048] The operation display unit 23 is a user interface equipped with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or organic EL display that displays various information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard that accepts operations. The operator can operate the operation unit to register various information (such as work vehicle information, field information, and work information, which will be described later) on the operation screen displayed on the display unit. The operator can also operate the operation unit to issue instructions to the work vehicle 10 to start work, stop traveling, and so on. Furthermore, from a location away from the work vehicle 10, the operator can grasp the traveling status of the work vehicle 10, which is automatically traveling within the field F according to the traveling route R, by looking at the traveling trajectory displayed on the operation terminal 20.

[0049] The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD or SSD that stores various types of information. The storage unit 22 stores control programs such as an automatic driving program for causing the operation control unit 21 to execute the automatic driving process (see FIG. 8 ), which will be described later. For example, the automatic driving program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a predetermined reading device (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 22. The automatic driving program may be downloaded to the operation terminal 20 from a server (not shown) via the communication network N1 and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0050] The operation control unit 21 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS that cause the CPU to execute various types of arithmetic processing are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various types of information and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing executed by the CPU. The operation control unit 21 controls the operation terminal 20 by having the CPU execute various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 22.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 1, the operation control unit 21 includes various processing units such as a vehicle setting processing unit 211, a field setting processing unit 212, a work setting processing unit 213, a route generation processing unit 214, an output processing unit 215, a display processing unit 216, and a reception processing unit 217. The operation control unit 21 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the control program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units may be configured with electronic circuits. The control program may be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units.

[0052] The vehicle setting processing unit 211 sets information relating to the work vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to as work vehicle information). The vehicle setting processing unit 211 sets information such as the model of the work vehicle 10, the position where the positioning antenna 164 is attached on the work vehicle 10, the type of work implement 14, the size and shape of the work implement 14, the position of the work implement 14 relative to the work vehicle 10, the vehicle speed and engine rotation speed of the work vehicle 10 while working, and the vehicle speed and engine rotation speed of the work vehicle 10 while turning, by having the operator perform an operation to register this information on the operation terminal 20.

[0053] For example, when the operator starts the engine 131 of the work vehicle 10 and turns on the power of the operation terminal 20, the display processing unit 216 causes the menu screen D1 shown in Fig. 4 to be displayed on the operation display unit 23. The operator selects "Work machine registration" to register work machine information.

[0054] The field setting processing unit 212 sets information about the field F (hereinafter referred to as field information). The field setting processing unit 212 sets information such as the position and shape of the field F, the work start position S where work begins and the work end position G where work ends (see FIG. 3), the work direction, etc., by performing a registration operation on the operation terminal 20. For example, the operator registers the field information by selecting "Field registration" on the menu screen D1.

[0055] The working direction refers to the direction in which the work vehicle 10 travels while working with the work implement 14 in the working area, which is the area of ​​the field F excluding non-working areas such as headland and non-cultivated land.

[0056] Information on the position and shape of the field F can be automatically obtained, for example, by having an operator get into the work vehicle 10 and drive it around the perimeter of the field F, recording the changes in position information of the positioning antenna 164 at that time. The position and shape of the field F can also be obtained based on a polygon obtained by the operator operating the operation terminal 20 to specify multiple points on a map while a map is displayed on the operation terminal 20. The area specified by the obtained position and shape of the field F is the area in which the work vehicle 10 can be driven (travel area).

[0057] The work setting processor 213 sets information relating to how work will be carried out specifically (hereinafter referred to as work information). The work setting processor 213 is configured to be able to set, as work information, whether or not cooperative work will occur between the work vehicle 10 (unmanned tractor) and the manned work vehicle 10, the number of skips which is the number of work routes the work vehicle 10 will skip when turning on the headland, the width of the headland, and the width of the non-cultivated land. For example, the operator registers work information by selecting "Work area registration" on the menu screen D1.

[0058] The route generation processing unit 214 generates a travel route R, which is a route along which the work vehicle 10 will automatically travel, based on the setting information. The travel route R is, for example, a work route from a work start position S to a work end position G (see FIG. 3). The travel route R shown in FIG. 3 includes an inner circumferential route R1 along which the work vehicle 10 travels back and forth in parallel in an inner region of the field F, and an outer circumferential route R2 along which the work vehicle 10 travels in a spiral shape toward the inside in an outer region of the field F. The route generation processing unit 214 can generate and store the travel route R for the work vehicle 10 based on the setting information set in the vehicle setting processing unit 211, the field setting processing unit 212, and the work setting processing unit 213. For example, the operator generates the travel route R by selecting "route generation" on the menu screen D1.

[0059] The route generation processing unit 214 generates a travel route R (see FIG. 3) based on the work start position S and the work end position G registered in the field setting. The travel route R is not limited to the route shown in FIG.

[0060] Data on the travel route R generated by the operation terminal 20 is transferred to the work vehicle 10 and stored in the memory unit 12. The work vehicle 10 automatically travels along the travel route R while determining the current position of the work vehicle 10 using the positioning device 16. The current position of the work vehicle 10 normally coincides with the position of the positioning antenna 164.

[0061] The work vehicle 10 according to this embodiment travels in a substantially rectangular field F as shown in Fig. 3. The work vehicle 10 is configured to be able to travel automatically when its current position is located within the field F, and is configured not to be able to travel automatically when its current position is located outside the field F (such as on a public road). Furthermore, the work vehicle 10 is configured to be able to travel automatically when, for example, its current position coincides with a work start position S.

[0062] When the current position of the work vehicle 10 coincides with the work start position S, and the operator presses the start button on the operation screen D3 (see FIG. 6A) to give an instruction to start work, the travel processing unit 111 starts automatic travel, and work (for example, plowing work) is started by the work implement 14 (see FIG. 2). In other words, the work vehicle 10 is permitted to travel automatically on the condition that the current position coincides with the work start position S. Note that the conditions for permitting automatic travel of the work vehicle 10 are not limited to the above conditions.

[0063] The output processing unit 215 outputs information about the travel route R generated by the route generation processing unit 214 to the work vehicle 10. The output processing unit 215 can also instruct the work vehicle 10 to start and stop autonomous travel, etc., by sending control signals to the work vehicle 10 via the communication unit 24. This makes it possible for the work vehicle 10 to travel autonomously.

[0064] For example, the driving processing unit 111 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 from the work start position S to the work end position G based on the driving route R acquired from the operation terminal 20. Furthermore, when the work vehicle 10 finishes work, the driving processing unit 111 may automatically drive the work vehicle 10 from the work end position G to the entrance of the field F. When the work vehicle 10 is driving automatically, the operation control unit 21 can receive the status of the work vehicle 10 (position, driving speed, etc.) from the work vehicle 10 and display it on the operation display unit 23 (see FIG. 6B).

[0065] The display processing unit 216 displays various types of information on the operation display unit 23. For example, the display processing unit 216 displays a menu screen D1 (see FIG. 4), a registration screen (not shown) for registering work vehicle information, field information, work information, etc., a status screen D2 (see FIG. 5) showing the positioning status, an operation screen D3 (see FIG. 6A) for starting automatic driving, an operation screen D4 (see FIG. 6B) showing the driving status of automatic driving, a notification screen D5 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) notifying that the positioning status has deteriorated, etc. on the operation display unit 23. The display processing unit 216 also displays a work mode selection field K2 for setting a work mode (prioritizing work accuracy) on the status screen D2.

[0066] Furthermore, the display processing unit 216 displays the positioning status on the operation display unit 23 while the work vehicle 10 is autonomously traveling. Specifically, the display processing unit 216 displays an icon K1 (an example of an image of the present invention) representing the positioning status on the operation screens D3 and D4. The display processing unit 216 then displays the icon K1 in a display mode corresponding to the positioning status. For example, if the positioning status is a high-accuracy state, the display processing unit 216 displays the icon K1 in green; if the positioning status has deteriorated, the display processing unit 216 displays the icon K1 in orange; and if the positioning status is a positioning-unavailable state (autonomous traveling is not possible), the display processing unit 216 displays the icon K1 in red. Note that if initialization (orientation recognition processing) after engine start is incomplete, the display processing unit 216 displays the icon K1 in yellow. The display mode is not limited to color and may be a lit or flashing light. The operation control unit 21 may also issue a sound corresponding to the positioning status. The display processing unit 216 is an example of the display processing unit of the present invention.

[0067] Here, the icon K1 also functions as a reception unit that receives an operation from the operator to display the status screen D2 (see FIG. 5). For example, when the operator presses the icon K1 on the operation screen D3 (see FIG. 6A), the display processing unit 216 displays the status screen D2. The operator can select the icon K1 when he / she wants to check the current positioning status or when he / she wants to switch the operation mode (operation accuracy setting).

[0068] The reception processing unit 217 receives various operations from the operator. Specifically, the reception processing unit 217 receives a work start instruction from the operator to cause the work vehicle 10 to start work. The reception processing unit 217 also receives a travel stop instruction from the operator to cause the work vehicle 10 to stop traveling while it is automatically traveling. When the reception processing unit 217 receives each of the instructions, the output processing unit 215 outputs each of the instructions to the work vehicle 10. The reception processing unit 217 is an example of a reception processing unit of the present invention.

[0069] When the driving processing unit 111 of the work vehicle 10 receives a work start instruction from the operation terminal 20, it starts driving and working of the work vehicle 10. Furthermore, when the driving processing unit 111 receives a driving stop instruction from the operation terminal 20, it stops driving and working of the work vehicle 10.

[0070] Furthermore, when work is started by the work vehicle 10, the reception processing unit 217 receives a selection operation to select the work mode ("work accuracy priority" or "work continuity priority") on the status screen D2. When the reception processing unit 217 receives the selection operation, the output processing unit 215 outputs work mode information indicating the selected work mode to the work vehicle 10. When the setting processing unit 112 of the work vehicle 10 acquires the work mode information, it sets the selected work mode ("work accuracy priority" or "work continuity priority").

[0071] Here, when the work mode is set to prioritize work accuracy, if the positioning state deteriorates from a high accuracy state while the work vehicle 10 is automatically traveling using RTK positioning, the traveling processing unit 111 stops (temporarily stops) the automatic traveling of the work vehicle 10. In this case, the display processing unit 216 displays, for example, a notification screen D5 shown in Fig. 7A on the operation display unit 23. For example, the display processing unit 216 displays a message M1 on the notification screen D5 shown in Fig. 7A indicating that the positioning accuracy has deteriorated and indicating that the system should wait until the positioning accuracy improves (recovers).

[0072] On the other hand, when the work mode is set to the work continuity priority mode, if the positioning state deteriorates from a high accuracy state while the work vehicle 10 is autonomously traveling using RTK positioning, the traveling processing unit 111 continues autonomous traveling using DGPS positioning. In this case, the display processing unit 216 displays, for example, a notification screen D5 shown in FIG. 7B on the operation display unit 23. For example, the display processing unit 216 displays a message M2 on the notification screen D5 shown in FIG. 7B, indicating that the positioning accuracy has deteriorated and that autonomous traveling will continue for 60 seconds. The display processing unit 216 displays the message M2 for a predetermined time (for example, one second), and then deletes the message M2 after the predetermined time has elapsed and re-displays the operation screen D4 (see FIG. 6B). In this way, by setting the display time of the message M2 to a short time, the operator can check the work status on the operation screen D4 even while autonomous traveling continues using DGPS positioning.

[0073] The operation terminal 20 may be able to access a website (agricultural support site) for an agricultural support service provided by a server (not shown) via the communication network N1. In this case, the operation terminal 20 can function as an operation terminal for the server by executing a browser program by the operation control unit 21. The server is provided with the above-mentioned processing units and executes each process.

[0074] In another embodiment, some of the functions of the vehicle control device 11 and positioning device 16 described above (e.g., setting processing unit 112, switching processing unit 172) may be included in the operation control unit 21 of the operation terminal 20. For example, the operation control unit 21 may acquire the positioning status and execute processing to switch the positioning method. Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 may set the work mode of the work vehicle 10 based on the work mode selection operation performed by the operator.

[0075] [Automatic driving processing] 8, an example of the automatic driving process executed by the vehicle control device 11, the positioning control unit 161, and the operation control unit 21 will be described below. For example, the automatic driving process is started by the vehicle control device 11, the positioning control unit 161, and the operation control unit 21 when the engine 131 of the work vehicle 10 starts and the power of the operation terminal 20 is turned on.

[0076] The present invention may be understood as an invention of an automatic driving method in which the vehicle control device 11, the positioning control unit 161, and the operation control unit 21 execute part or all of the automatic driving process, or as an invention of an automatic driving program for causing the vehicle control device 11, the positioning control unit 161, and the operation control unit 21 to execute part or all of the automatic driving method. Furthermore, one or more processors may execute the automatic driving process.

[0077] In step S1, the vehicle control device 11 starts the engine 131 of the work vehicle 10 in response to an engine start operation by the operator. When the engine 131 starts, the positioning control unit 161 executes a direction recognition process (initialization). Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 turns on the power of the operation terminal 20 in response to a power-on operation by the operator, and causes the menu screen D1 (see FIG. 4) to be displayed on the operation terminal 20.

[0078] Next, in step S2, the positioning control unit 161 determines whether the orientation recognition process (initialization) is completed. If the orientation recognition process is completed (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S3. If the orientation recognition process cannot be completed, the positioning control unit 161 waits until the orientation recognition process is completed (S2: No). In step S3, the positioning control unit 161 determines whether or not high-precision positioning has been completed. If high-precision positioning has been completed (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4. If high-precision positioning cannot be completed, the positioning control unit 161 waits until high-precision positioning is completed (S3: No). The operator can press icon K1 on the menu screen D1 to display a status screen D2 (see FIG. 5), and check the positioning status on the status screen D2.

[0079] In step S4, the operation control unit 21 accepts a selection operation to select the work mode. Specifically, the operation control unit 21 accepts a selection operation to select either "work accuracy priority" or "work continuity priority" in the work mode selection field K2 of the status screen D2 (see FIG. 5). For example, the operator selects "work accuracy priority" when prioritizing work accuracy, and selects "work continuity priority" when prioritizing work efficiency. The operation control unit 21 outputs work mode information indicating the selected work mode to the work vehicle 10. Upon acquiring the work mode information, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work mode to the selected "work accuracy priority" or "work continuity priority."

[0080] Next, in step S5, the operation control unit 21 registers various setting information. Specifically, the operation control unit 21 registers the work vehicle information, the field information, the work information, and the travel route information. The operation control unit 21 also outputs the travel route information of the generated travel route R to the work vehicle 10.

[0081] Next, in step S6, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not an operation to start automatic driving has been received from the operator. For example, when the current position of the work vehicle 10 matches the work start position S, the operation control unit 21 receives an operation to start automatic driving (pressing the start button) from the operator on the operation screen D3 (see FIG. 6A). When the operation to start automatic driving is received (S6: Yes), the operation control unit 21 outputs a work start instruction to the work vehicle 10. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when the operation to start automatic driving is not received, the operation control unit 21 waits until the operation to start automatic driving is received (S6: No).

[0082] In step S7, the vehicle control device 11 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 along the travel route R based on the position information measured by the RTK system.

[0083] Next, in step S8, the positioning control unit 161 determines whether the positioning state is a high-accuracy state. For example, the positioning control unit 161 determines that the positioning state is a high-accuracy state when the number of satellites 40 from which GNSS signals can be received is a predetermined number (e.g., 10) or more and the evaluation value of the quality of the GNSS signals is a predetermined value. On the other hand, the positioning control unit 161 determines that the positioning state has deteriorated when the number of satellites 40 from which GNSS signals can be received is less than a predetermined number (e.g., 10) and the evaluation value of the quality of the GNSS signals is not a predetermined value. The positioning state fluctuates due to the influence of obstacles (windbreaks, buildings, etc.) around the work vehicle 10. If the positioning state is determined to be a high-accuracy state (S8: Yes), the process proceeds to step S81. On the other hand, if the positioning state is determined not to be a high-accuracy state, i.e., if the positioning state is determined to have deteriorated (S8: No), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0084] Here, the operation control unit 21 displays the icon K1 on the operation screen D3 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) in a display mode according to the positioning state. For example, the operation control unit 21 displays the icon K1 in green when the positioning state is a high-accuracy state, and displays the icon K1 in orange when the positioning state has deteriorated from the high-accuracy state.

[0085] In step S81, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the work vehicle 10 has finished work. If the work vehicle 10 has finished work (S81: Yes), the automatic driving process ends. On the other hand, if the work vehicle 10 has not finished work (S81: No), the process returns to step S7. In this way, if the positioning state does not deteriorate, the vehicle control device 11 performs automatic driving using the RTK method until the specified work according to the driving route R is completed.

[0086] In step S9, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the work mode is set to prioritize work accuracy. If the work mode is set to prioritize work accuracy (S9: Yes), the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, if the work mode is set to prioritize work continuity (S9: No), the process proceeds to step S91.

[0087] In step S10, the vehicle control device 11 temporarily stops the work vehicle 10 during autonomous driving. Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 causes the operation terminal 20 to display a notification screen D5 shown in Fig. 7A, and causes the notification screen D5 to display a message M1 indicating that the positioning accuracy has decreased and indicating that the system should wait until the positioning accuracy improves (recovers). Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 causes the icon K1 on the notification screen D5 to be displayed in orange.

[0088] Next, in step S11, the positioning control unit 161 determines whether the positioning state is a high accuracy state. That is, the positioning control unit 161 determines whether the positioning state has recovered to a state where positioning by the RTK method is possible. If it is determined that the positioning state is a high accuracy state (S11: Yes), the processing proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the positioning state is not a high accuracy state, that is, if the positioning state has deteriorated and has not recovered, the processing waits until the positioning state recovers to a high accuracy state (S11: No). The work vehicle 10 waits in a temporarily stopped state until the positioning state recovers to a high accuracy state. Note that the positioning state may recover to a high accuracy state, for example, by the operator manually moving the work vehicle 10 to a predetermined location. When the positioning state recovers to a high accuracy state (S11: Yes) and the operation control unit 21 receives an operation to start automatic driving from the operator (S6: Yes), the vehicle control device 11 resumes automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 along the driving route R based on the position information measured using the RTK method (S7).

[0089] In response to this, in step S91, the positioning control unit 161 switches the positioning method from the RTK method to the DGPS method. When the positioning control unit 161 switches the positioning method from the RTK method to the DGPS method, it starts measuring time. Next, in step S92, the positioning control unit 161 determines whether the measured time has passed a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds). If the measured time has not passed 60 seconds (S92: No), the process proceeds to step S93. On the other hand, if the measured time has passed 60 seconds (S92: Yes), the process proceeds to step S10.

[0090] In step S93, the vehicle control device 11 continues the automatic travel of the work vehicle 10 along the travel route R based on the position information measured by the DGPS system. Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 causes the operation terminal 20 to display a notification screen D5 shown in Fig. 7B, and causes the notification screen D5 to display a message M2 indicating that the positioning accuracy has decreased and that automatic travel will continue for 60 seconds. Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 causes the icon K1 on the notification screen D5 to be displayed in orange.

[0091] Next, in step S94, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the work vehicle 10 has finished work. If the work vehicle 10 has finished work (S94: Yes), the automatic driving process ends. On the other hand, if the work vehicle 10 has not finished work (S94: No), the process returns to step S8. In this way, if the work mode is set to prioritize work continuity and the positioning state is not a high-accuracy state (S9: No), the vehicle control device 11 causes the work vehicle 10 to automatically drive using the DGPS method for 60 seconds. Furthermore, if the work vehicle 10 is continuing automatic driving using the DGPS method and the positioning state recovers to a high-accuracy state before work ends (S8: Yes), the vehicle control device 11 switches the positioning method to the RTK method and resumes automatic driving (S7).

[0092] On the other hand, when the measurement time has elapsed for 60 seconds (S92: Yes) and the process proceeds to step S10, the vehicle control device 11 temporarily stops the work vehicle 10 that is traveling automatically. The work vehicle 10 waits in a temporarily stopped state until the positioning state recovers to a high accuracy state (S11: No). Thereafter, when the positioning state recovers to a high accuracy state (S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. When the operation control unit 21 receives an operation to start automatic traveling from the operator in step S6 (S6: Yes), the vehicle control device 11 resumes automatic traveling of the work vehicle 10 along the travel route R based on the position information measured by the RTK method (S7).

[0093] The vehicle control device 11, the positioning control unit 161, and the operation control unit 21 repeatedly execute the processes of steps S1 to S11 until the work vehicle 10 finishes the work.

[0094] As described above, the automated driving system 1 according to this embodiment determines the position of the work vehicle 10 using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals (GNSS signals) received from satellites 40, and automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on the position information of the work vehicle 10. The automated driving system 1 can also switch between a first positioning method (e.g., RTK) and a second positioning method (e.g., DGPS or standalone positioning) that provides lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method. The automated driving system 1 sets the work mode of the work vehicle 10 to either a first work mode (work accuracy priority) that stops the automated driving of the work vehicle 10 when the positioning state deteriorates from a predetermined state (high accuracy state), or a second work mode (work continuity priority) that continues the automated driving of the work vehicle 10 when the positioning state deteriorates from the predetermined state. The automated driving system 1 then switches between the first positioning method and the second positioning method based on the work mode and the positioning state.

[0095] For example, when the work mode is set to prioritize work accuracy, the automatic driving system 1 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on the position information obtained by the RTK method if the positioning state is in a high-precision state, and stops the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 if the positioning state deteriorates from the high-precision state.

[0096] Furthermore, for example, when the work mode is set to prioritize work continuity and the positioning method is set to the RTK method, if the positioning state deteriorates from a high accuracy state, the automated driving system 1 switches the positioning method to the DGPS method. That is, when the work mode is set to prioritize work continuity and the positioning state is a high accuracy state, the automated driving system 1 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on the position information obtained by the RTK method, and when the positioning state deteriorates from a high accuracy state, the automated driving system 1 automatically drives the work vehicle 10 based on the position information obtained by the DGPS method.

[0097] According to the above-described configuration, for example, if the operator sets a work mode that prioritizes work accuracy ("work accuracy priority"), the work vehicle 10 is temporarily stopped if the positioning state deteriorates. This makes it possible to prevent a deterioration in work accuracy due to the work vehicle 10 continuing automatic traveling in a state of low position accuracy.

[0098] In contrast to this, for example, if the operator sets a work mode that prioritizes work efficiency ("work continuity priority"), the work vehicle 10 continues to travel automatically without being temporarily stopped when the positioning state deteriorates. This makes it possible to prevent work efficiency from decreasing due to the work vehicle 10 stopping its automatic travel.

[0099] [Other embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be embodied in the following manner.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the operator can set the work mode to work accuracy priority or work continuity priority for the entire work area (inner peripheral route R1 and outer peripheral route R2) of the field F. Here, high positional accuracy is required in the work area of ​​the outer peripheral route R2 of the field F because the boundary of the field F is close. For example, if the work vehicle 10 were to automatically travel on the outer peripheral route R2 using a positioning method with low positional accuracy, there is a risk that the work vehicle 10 would run outside of the field F.

[0101] Therefore, in another embodiment, the operation control unit 21 may be configured to permit acceptance of a selection operation that selects work continuity as a priority for an inner area (an example of a first area of ​​the present invention) within the field F, and prohibit acceptance of a selection operation that selects work continuity as a priority for an outer area (an example of a second area of ​​the present invention) within the field F. With this configuration, for example, a work vehicle 10 automatically traveling on the inner peripheral route R1 switches the positioning method to the DGPS method and continues automatic traveling when the positioning status deteriorates, whereas a work vehicle 10 automatically traveling on the outer peripheral route R2 temporarily stops without switching the positioning method when the positioning status deteriorates. This makes it possible to prevent the work vehicle 10 from straying outside the field F.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work mode based on the operator's selection of the work mode ("work accuracy priority" or "work continuity priority"). In another embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work mode for the current position information by referencing the memory unit 12, which stores the positioning status and the position information when the work vehicle 10 traveled in the past, in association with each other. For example, the memory unit 12 stores the positioning status within the field F during past work and the position information of the work vehicle 10, in association with each other. For example, while the work vehicle 10 is traveling autonomously, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work mode to work continuity priority by referencing the positioning status associated with the position information of the work vehicle 10's current position. For example, if the positioning status associated with the position information is close to a high accuracy state or if the position where the positioning status deteriorates is within a predetermined range, the vehicle control device 11 switches the work mode from work accuracy priority to work continuity priority.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, when starting automatic traveling, the vehicle control device 11 refers to the positioning status stored in the memory unit 12, and sets the work mode to prioritize work continuity if the field F includes a location where the positioning status deteriorates. This makes it possible to set the work mode without a selection operation by the operator. Note that the operation control unit 21 may receive an operation from the operator to select whether or not to allow the work mode set by the vehicle control device 11.

[0104] In another embodiment, the operation control unit 21 may accept an operation to select the work mode from the operator on the operation screen D4 (see FIG. 9) while the work vehicle 10 is traveling autonomously. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation control unit 21 displays a work mode selection field K2 for selecting the work mode on the operation screen D4, and accepts the operation to select the work mode. When the operation control unit 21 accepts the selection operation, it outputs the work mode information to the work vehicle 10. When the vehicle control device 11 acquires the work mode information, it sets the selected work mode ("priority on work accuracy" or "priority on work continuity"). This allows the operator to set the work mode even when the work vehicle 10 is traveling autonomously.

[0105] Here, for example, if the operator sets the work mode to work continuity priority on the status screen D2 when starting automatic driving, and then switches the work mode to work accuracy priority while the work vehicle 10 is automatically driving, the following problem may occur. For example, if the positioning state deteriorates during automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 and the operator switches the work mode to work accuracy priority while the work vehicle 10 is continuing automatic driving using the DGPS system, the positioning state at the time of switching is not in a high-accuracy state required for the RTK system, and the vehicle control device 11 will suddenly stop the work vehicle 10 when the mode is switched to work accuracy priority. This may lead to a malfunction of the work vehicle 10.

[0106] Therefore, the operation control unit 21 may be configured not to accept an operation to switch the work mode when the work vehicle 10 is in autonomous driving. Furthermore, as another embodiment, the operation control unit 21 may be configured to permit only a switching operation from the work accuracy priority to the work continuity priority, and to prohibit a switching operation from the work continuity priority to the work accuracy priority, when the work vehicle 10 is in autonomous driving. In this case, the operation control unit 21 may hide or display in grayscale "work accuracy priority" on the operation screen D4 shown in FIG. 9, so that only "work continuity priority" is selectable.

[0107] In another embodiment, the operation control unit 21 may be configured to only allow the switching operation to work continuity priority when the work mode is set to work accuracy priority and the position of the work vehicle 10 is within a predetermined distance (for example, within 1 m) from the boundary of the field F when the work vehicle 10 is traveling automatically.

[0108] In another embodiment, the operation control unit 21 may be configured to permit the work mode switching operation when the work vehicle 10 is in an autonomous driving state, the positioning state is a high accuracy state, and the position of the work vehicle 10 is a predetermined distance (for example, within 1 m) from the boundary of the field F. With these configurations, the above-mentioned problem of the work vehicle 10 suddenly stopping can be prevented.

[0109] The operation control unit 21 may display (pop up) the work mode selection field K2 on the operation screen D4 (see FIG. 9) on the condition that the operation for switching the work mode is ready to be accepted.

[0110] In another embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work mode based on the type of work implement 14 attached to the work vehicle 10 or the work content of the work vehicle 10. For example, if the work content is tilling, high accuracy is not required, but if the work content is sowing, high accuracy is required. For this reason, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work mode to prioritize work continuity when the work implement 14 is a tiller or when the work content is tilling. On the other hand, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work mode to prioritize work accuracy when the work implement 14 is a sowing machine or when the work content is sowing.

[0111] The automatic driving method of the present invention is a method of executing the following steps: determining the position of a work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from satellites; automatically driving the work vehicle based on position information indicating the determined position of the work vehicle; switching between a first positioning method and a second positioning method having lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method; setting the work mode of the work vehicle to either a first work mode that stops the automatic driving of the work vehicle when the positioning state deteriorates from a predetermined state, or a second work mode that continues the automatic driving of the work vehicle when the positioning state deteriorates from the predetermined state; and switching between the first positioning method and the second positioning method based on the set work mode and the positioning state.

[0112] The automated driving system according to the present invention includes a positioning processor, a driving processor, a switching processor, and a setting processor. The positioning processor uses a predetermined positioning method to determine the position of a work vehicle based on satellite signals received from a satellite. The driving processor causes the work vehicle to automatically drive based on position information indicating the position of the work vehicle determined by the positioning processor. The switching processor is capable of switching between a first positioning method and a second positioning method that provides lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method. The setting processor sets the work mode of the work vehicle to either a first work mode that stops the automated driving of the work vehicle when the positioning state in the positioning processor deteriorates from a predetermined state, or a second work mode that continues the automated driving of the work vehicle when the positioning state in the positioning processor deteriorates from the predetermined state. The switching processor switches between the first positioning method and the second positioning method based on the work mode set by the setting processor and the positioning state in the positioning processor.

[0113] The automatic driving program of the present invention is a program that causes one or more processors to execute the following steps: determine the position of a work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from satellites; automatically drive the work vehicle based on position information indicating the determined position of the work vehicle; switch between a first positioning method and a second positioning method that has lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method; set the work mode of the work vehicle to either a first work mode that stops the automatic driving of the work vehicle when the positioning state deteriorates from a predetermined state, or a second work mode that continues the automatic driving of the work vehicle when the positioning state deteriorates from the predetermined state; and switch between the first positioning method and the second positioning method based on the set work mode and the positioning state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1:Automated driving system 10: Work vehicle 11: Vehicle control device 12: Storage section 13: Running gear 14: Work equipment 16: Positioning device 20: Operation terminal 21: Operation control section 23: Operation display section 30:Base station 40:Satellite 111: Driving processing unit 112: Setting processing section 161: Positioning control unit 171: Positioning processing unit 172: Switching processing unit 211: Vehicle setting processing unit 212: Field setting processing unit 213: Work setting processing section 214: Route generation processing unit 215: Output processing section 216: Display processing unit 217: Reception processing unit F: Field R1: Inner path (first region) R2: Peripheral route (second region) K1: Icon (image) K2: Operation mode selection field

Claims

1. determining the position of the work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from satellites; automatically driving the work vehicle based on position information indicating the measured position of the work vehicle; setting the predetermined positioning method to either a first positioning method or a second positioning method having lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method based on a positioning state of the work vehicle while the work vehicle is autonomously traveling; An automated driving method that performs the above.

2. determining whether the second positioning method can be set based on a predetermined condition; The automatic driving method according to claim 1 .

3. determining the position of the work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from satellites; automatically driving the work vehicle based on position information indicating the measured position of the work vehicle; setting the predetermined positioning method to either a first positioning method or a second positioning method having a lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method; determining whether the second positioning method can be set based on the type of work implement attached to the work vehicle or the work content of the work vehicle; An automated driving method that performs the above.

4. When the second positioning method can be set and the positioning state is lower than a predetermined state, the second positioning method is set and the work vehicle is caused to travel automatically; When the second positioning method cannot be set and the positioning state is lower than a predetermined state, the automatic traveling of the work vehicle is prohibited. The automatic driving method according to claim 3.

5. When the positioning state is a predetermined state, the first positioning method is selected, and when the positioning state is lower than the predetermined state, the second positioning method is selected. The automatic driving method according to claim 1 .

6. a positioning processing unit that determines the position of the work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from satellites; a driving processing unit that automatically drives the work vehicle based on position information indicating the position of the work vehicle measured by the positioning processing unit; a positioning setting processing unit that sets the predetermined positioning method to either a first positioning method or a second positioning method having lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method based on a positioning state of the work vehicle while the work vehicle is autonomously traveling; An autonomous driving system equipped with

7. A positioning processing unit that determines the position of the work vehicle using a predetermined positioning method based on satellite signals received from a satellite; a driving processing unit that automatically drives the work vehicle based on position information indicating the position of the work vehicle measured by the positioning processing unit; a positioning setting processing unit that sets the predetermined positioning method to either a first positioning method or a second positioning method having lower positioning accuracy than the first positioning method; Equipped with The positioning setting processing unit determines whether the second positioning method can be set based on the type of work implement attached to the work vehicle or the work content of the work vehicle.

Images