Decision logic provision depending on network coverage

Abstract

Computer implemented method and system for providing to an agricultural treatment device (107) a set of operation schedule data (321, 351) being indicative for an operation schedule (320, 350) comprising at least one task which includes instructions following a decision logic which is provided locally or via the cellular network (300) upon availability of a cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field and providing control data based thereon.

Description

[0001] DECISION LOGIC PROVISION DEPENDING ON NETWORK COVERAGE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, a system for controlling a device on an agricultural field, a computer program element, a use of network coverage data for controlling a device, and a use of control data for controlling a unit of a device on an agricultural field.

[0004] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] The general background of this disclosure is the controlling of a device on an agricultural field.

[0006] In common agricultural practice, devices, in particular agricultural devices for treating an agricultural field or for applying products onto an agricultural field, e.g. Smart Sprayer, receive normally very detailed instructions from a Field Manager. The Field Manager hereby collects multiple inputs, processes them in e.g. model, and sends tasks back to the device. The device normally receives these tasks at the field, when a mobile network connection is available. Agricultural fields have large spatially extends, such that the mobile network connection being available is not identical at all zones of the agricultural field and high differences in the mobile network connection in the zones of the agricultural field can appear. Therefore, in common agricultural practice, when the mobile network connection is not sufficient, devices stops the treating of the agricultural field or applying of products onto the agricultural field or treats the agricultural field in a wrong manner.

[0007] It has been found that a need exists for an alternative, efficient, reliable and smarter way of controlling a device on an agricultural field, which can deal far better with a loss of mobile network connection at the field and therefore treat the agricultural field or apply products onto the agricultural field in a right manner when losing the mobile network connection at the field.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, a system for controlling a device on an agricultural field, a computer program element, a use of network coverage data for controlling a device, and a use of control data for controlling a unit of a device on an agricultural field according to the independent claims, whereas further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for controlling a device on an agricultural field is presented. The method comprises the following steps:

[0010] - providing cellular network coverage usability data which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network usable by the device in a zone of the agricultural field;

[0011] - providing cellular network coverage requirement data which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field;

[0012] - determining an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field based on the provided cellular network coverage usability data;

[0013] - determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field; in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage:

[0014] - providing to the device a first set of operation schedule data, e.g., a set of simple operation schedule data, being indicative for a first operation schedule, e.g., a simple operation schedule, comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following a decision logic which is provided via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field; and in case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage:

[0015] - providing to the device a second set of operation schedule data, e.g., a set of complex operation schedule data, being indicative for a second operation schedule comprising a local decision logic, the second operation schedule further comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following the local decision logic when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field, wherein the second operation schedule may be, e.g., a complex operation schedule, which is more complex than the first / simple operation schedule, and,

[0016] - providing control data for the at least one task for controlling the device based on the respective one of the first set of operation schedule data and the second set of operation schedule data.

[0017] Thus, it can be decided that control data may be based on a decision logic, which is provided via a cellular network, in case the cellular network coverage, e.g., the bandwidth, is sufficient for providing a decision logic. In this case, it may be sufficient to provide a first operation schedule, which may be a simple operation schedule, as it only requires a referral to a decision logic, which is provided via the cellular network. This may include a decision logic, which provides locally adapted data and / or real time application data. As the transmitted decision logic does not need to transmit all algorithms leading to the decisions, this first operation schedule is more simple. In case the cellular network coverage, e.g., the bandwidth, is not sufficient for providing a decision logic via a cellular network, in particular a decision logic, which provides locally adapted data and / or real time application data, it can be decided that control data may be based on a decision logic which is provided, e.g., locally on an application device. In this case, it may be necessary to provide a second operation schedule, which may be a more complex operation schedule compared to the first operation schedule. In case no network coverage is available, no further data and instructions for an operation schedule can be requested from, e.g., a server. Therefore, the second operation schedule requires more details of a decision logic, which is provided locally, and algorithms on which the decision logic is based. Such complex second operation schedule may cover more details, like algorithms generating decisions, which may be executed on the device side, which upon missing network coverage cannot be provided via the cellular network. In other words, the second operation schedule being more complex than the first operation schedule may comprise that the second operation schedule comprises more details of the decision logic, in particular more algorithms generating decisions, than the first operation schedule. For example, the decision logic received via the cellular network may include only decisions as such, whereas the algorithms leading to the decisions are executed on a remote intelligence, e.g. a server. Those decisions may allow a higher treatment resolution, as the remote intelligence may have a higher computational capacity, and only the decisions as such are to be transmitted. For example, the decision logic provided, e.g., locally on the device may include also the algorithms leading to the decisions as such, where the algorithms are executed locally, e.g. on the device. In view of the limited computational capacities on the local device, those decisions may allow, e.g., only a lower treatment resolution, as the local device provides not only the decisions as such, but also the algorithms behind, which makes this local decision logic more complex.

[0018] The first, e.g., simple operation schedule referring to a decision logic which is provided via a cellular network, does not generally exclude that also an additional local operation schedule can be used, e.g., for other purposes, which do not require, e.g., real time data. The predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage may be determined to allow at least for providing a decision logic via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field.

[0019] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlling a device on an agricultural field is presented. The system comprises one or more computing nodes and one or more computer-readable media having thereon computer-executable instructions that are structured such that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the system to perform the following steps:

[0020] - providing cellular network coverage usability data which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network usable by the device in a zone of the agricultural field;

[0021] - providing cellular network coverage requirement data which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field;

[0022] - determining an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field based on the provided cellular network coverage usability data;

[0023] - determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field; in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage:

[0024] - providing to the device a first set of operation schedule data being indicative for a first operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following a decision logic which is provided via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field; and in case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage:

[0025] - providing to the device a second set of operation schedule data being indicative for a second operation schedule comprising a local decision logic, the second operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following the local decision logic when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field, wherein the second operation schedule may have a higher complexity than the first operation schedule, and

[0026] - providing control data for the at least one task for controlling the device based on the respective one of the first set of operation schedule data and the second set of operation schedule data.

[0027] Optionally, a system for controlling a device on an agricultural field is provided. The system comprises:

[0028] - a network coverage usability providing unit for providing network coverage usability data which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network usable by the device in a zone of the agricultural field;

[0029] - a network coverage requirement providing unit for cellular network coverage requirement data which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field;

[0030] - an actual network coverage determining unit for determining an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field based on the provided network coverage usability data;

[0031] - a sufficient network coverage determining unit for determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field;

[0032] - a remote-local operation providing unit which, in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, is adapted for providing to the device a first set of operation schedule data being indicative for a first operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following a decision logic which is provided via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field, and, in case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, provides to the device a second set of operation schedule data being indicative for a second operation schedule, which has a higher complexity than the first operation schedule, and comprising a local decision logic, the second operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following the local decision logic when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field, and

[0033] - a control data providing unit for providing control data for the at least one task for controlling the device based on the respective one of the first set of operation schedule data and the second set of operation schedule data.

[0034] In a further aspect, a computer element, in particular a computer program product or a computer readable medium, with instructions, which when executed on one or more computing node(s) is configured to carry out the steps of any of the method disclosed herein in a system disclosed herein is presented.

[0035] In a further aspect, a use of network, in particular cellular network coverage usability data, which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network usable by a device in a zone of an agricultural field, for controlling the device on the agricultural field in a method disclosed herein is presented.

[0036] In a further aspect, a use of control data disclosed herein, wherein the control data is any data configured to operate and control an agricultural device or parts thereof and wherein the device is equipped with one or more units, for controlling a unit of the device is presented.

[0037] Optionally, a device for treating an agricultural field controlled by control data being provided by the method disclosed herein is presented.

[0038] Any disclosure and embodiments described herein relate to the method, the system, the application device, the computer program element lined out above and vice versa. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any of the embodiments and examples equally apply to all other embodiments and examples and vice versa. As used herein ..determining" also includes ..initiating or causing to determine, estimating, calculating, modeling", and “providing” also includes “initiating or causing to determine, generate, select, measure, send or receive”.

[0039] The method, system, application device and computer element disclosed herein provide an efficient, alternative, reliable and smart way of controlling a device on an agricultural field. Based on this method, a device can deal far better with a loss of mobile network connection at the field and therefore treat the agricultural field or apply products onto the agricultural field in a right, i.e. intended, predetermined or necessary, manner when losing the mobile network connection at the field. In particular, the efficient alternative reliable and smart way is based on a decision routine that, in case the device has a sufficient mobile network connection, will execute a first operation schedule, and, in case the device has no sufficient mobile network connection, will execute a second operation schedule, which may have a higher complexity than the first operation schedule.

[0040] It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient, alternative, reliable and smart way of controlling a device on an agricultural field. These and other objects, which become apparent upon reading the following description, are solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0041] The term agricultural field as used herein refers to an agricultural field to be treated. The agricultural field may be any plant or crop cultivation area, such as a farming field, a greenhouse, or the like. A plant may be a crop, a weed, a volunteer plant, a crop from a previous growing season, a beneficial plant or any other plant present on the agricultural field. The agricultural field may be identified through its geographical location or georeferenced location data. A reference coordinate, a size and / or a shape may be used to further specify the agricultural field. The agricultural field may be separated in areas respectively zones, which have to be treated, so called target areas, and areas which have not to be treated, so called non-target areas. Crop plants being planted in the agricultural field are only arranged within the target areas of the agricultural field. The agricultural field may be separated in at least two zones, such that the zone represents a sub-area of the whole agricultural field. The device is to be understood broadly in the present case and comprises any device, in particular any agricultural device being configured to apply an agricultural application product onto the soil of an agricultural field and / or onto the plants on the agricultural field, to treat the soil of an agricultural field and / or the plants on the agricultural field, and / or to monitor the soil of an agricultural field and / or the plants on the agricultural field. The device may be configured to traverse the agricultural field. The application device may be a ground or an air vehicle, e.g. a tractor-mounted vehicle, a self-propelled sprayer, a rail vehicle, a robot, an aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone, or the like. The application device may be equipped with one or more unit(s). The unit may be a tool for treating the soil, an elastic arm, a robotic arm, in particular a single- or multi-articulated robot arm, or a stiff arm at which at least one outlet, respectively nozzle, of the crop protection product is arranged, but is not limited thereto. A monitoring device may be scouting drone.

[0042] The term cellular network coverage usability data is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any data indicating existence or quality of a signal, the signal properties and / or signal characteristics of a cellular network, in particular a cellular network signal being in general usable by the device. For instance, the cellular network coverage usability data may be data indicating or including information with respect to the type and / or the strength and / or the bandwidth etc. of a cellular network signal and / or the network coverage, but is not limited thereto. The cellular network coverage usability data may relate to a physical layer and / or to a network layer of a communication architecture. The cellular network coverage usability data may indicate whether a signal strength and / or quality and / or bandwidth etc. exceeds a predefined threshold. The threshold may be selected in such a way that a communication may be possible and that the signal strength and / or quality and / or bandwidth etc. is sufficient for transmitting the decision logic in the desired quality, which may be reflected by a temporal resolution and / or local resolution and / or treatment complexity, e.g., the number of different treatments. The cellular network coverage usability data may also comprise an indicator that shows whether a predefined network layer is available and up, i.e. whether the network layer is prepared to communicate. The network coverage represents the network signal strength, quality and bandwidth or the like, respectively, in particular the signal strength, quality and bandwidth etc. of the network, with respect to a spatial area, e.g., a zone of an agricultural field. In other words, the network coverage presents a spatial availability of a network. A cellular network may be a long-range mobile communications network having the type 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G or 6G, but is not limited thereto. The long-range mobile communications network may have a range of at least 1 km. The strength, quality and bandwidth of a cellular network signal is presented in the unit dBm, but is not limited thereto. In this context, the term usable represents that the cellular network signal(s), having a specific type and / or a specific strength, quality and bandwidth etc., can be received and processed by the device. The determination whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field can be conducted based on data on the receiver side, which may detect and evaluate the strength, quality and bandwidth of a cellular network signal, or may be conducted on the sender side, which may have available data concerning a general network strength, quality and bandwidth of a cellular network signal on the relevant area.

[0043] The term cellular network coverage requirement data is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any data indicating a minimum cellular network coverage, i.e., the type and / or the minimum strength and / or quality and / or the bandwidth etc. of a cellular network signal, which is needed respectively required for providing a one way or two way communication between a transmitter and a receiver. The predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage may be determined to allow at least for providing a decision logic via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field. The receiver may be the device, but is not limited thereto. The transmitter may be an antenna being electrically connected to a system including a Field Manager or a connection to a Field Manager. The Field Manager may be a remote Field Manager being arranged at a spatially spaced service provider, i.e. not in the immediate environment of the agricultural field. The remote intelligence may be provided by a facility close to the agricultural field or far from the agricultural field, e.g., a server or cloud computing system. The transmission from the remote intelligence may be established directly or via hubs. The required minimum cellular network coverage may be predetermined or preset ensuring a signal transmission and / or a data transmission between the transmitter and the receiver. For instance, the cellular network coverage requirement data may be a threshold, but is not limited thereto. The threshold may be identical or different for different operation schedules, depending on, e.g., the required bandwidth for data transmission. The term actual cellular network coverage, respectively actual cellular network coverage data, is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any data indicating the actual, i.e. currently available cellular network coverage, i.e., the existence, the type and / or the strength of at least one cellular network signal being existent in the agricultural field, in particular the environment of the agricultural field and / or in at least one zone of the agricultural field and being usable by the device. In other words, the actual cellular network coverage data are data indicating which type of cellular network signal(s) having which signal strength is / are currently existent respectively currently available in the agricultural field, in particular at least one zone of the agricultural field, and is receivable and processable by the device. Alternatively or additionally, the term actual may also comprise a cellular network coverage respectively cellular network coverage data which was made available a short time ago, e.g., in a time range of 1 day to 1 second.

[0044] The term first set of operation schedule data with respect to simple operation schedule is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any data indicating or providing information with respect to a simple operation schedule. Simple operation schedule here means that the schedule as such does not have a large complexity, as it, e.g., only refers to a decision logic received via a cellular network instead of executing a number of algorithms to arrive at a decision logic. The simple operation schedule may be a program or plan including at least one task, in particular a plurality of different tasks. For instance, the at least one task may be the treating of a specific weed or crop or the application of a specific herbicide on a specific weed or crop, but is not limited thereto. The at least one task includes at least one instruction, in particular a plurality of instructions. The at least one instruction may be a control command to use or activate an agricultural tool or to open or close a nozzle for accomplishing the task. The at least one instruction follows a decision logic. A simple operation schedule may be a schedule that is based on a decision schedule which is prepared and / or calculated remotely, e.g., in a computer cloud, on a server and or a field managing device like a filed Manager. The simple operation schedule may be received via a connection to an antenna. A complex operation schedule may, compared to a simple operation schedule, include algorithms, which may form the base for a decision logic. As outlined above, the simple operation schedule may allow treatment with a higher local or temporal resolution, as the simple operation schedule for the purpose of this invention refers to a decision logic provided via a network. The decision logic provided via a network, in particular cellular network may allow a higher resolution, as the computation is rather conducted in a remote system having larger computational capacities, whereas the complex operation schedule - compared to the simple operation schedule - covers a larger amount of computation, but in view of limited capacities on site, may allow only a lower spatial or temporal resolution.

[0045] The decision logic may be any program or plan or a decision tree having an influence on the instructions. For instance, the decision logic may be program or plan or condition, e.g., threshold of weed distribution in the zone of the agricultural field, being provided via the cellular network by, e.g., a remote Field Manager. The remote Field Manager may be arranged at a remote service provider, i.e., not in the immediate environment of the agricultural field. In the simple operation schedule, the decision logic is provided respectively received via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field. Via an available cellular network, more and fresher information can be provided. Therefore, the simple operation schedule is, e.g., a program or plan, which is solely executed or only executable when the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, i.e., when a providing of the decision logic via the cellular network is possible. Since, the simple operation schedule solely receives the decision logic via the cellular network, less computing storage space in the device is needed for controlling the device on an agricultural field. A simple operation schedule may also include parts of a complex operation schedule as described in the following. For instructions where a decision logic is available via a cellular network, the decision logic may be provided via the cellular network, but for instructions where a decision logic is not available over a cellular network, e.g., as a Filed Manager does not provide this data, the decision logic is provided as a local decision logic, as described in the following.

[0046] Preparing simple operation data and / or a decision logic remotely may not occupy local processing power on the agricultural device. Remote information may also be up-to date information substantially based on the latest information such as weather data.

[0047] The term second set of operation schedule data relating to a second operation schedule is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any data indicating or providing information with respect to a second operation schedule. In particular, the second operation schedule may be a complex operation schedule. Complex operation schedule here means that the schedule as such has a large complexity, as it, e.g., not only refers to a decision logic received via a cellular network but also may execute a number of algorithms to arrive at a decision logic. The complex operation schedule may be a program or plan including at least one task, in particular a plurality of different tasks, and a local decision logic. The tasks of the simple operation schedule and the complex operation schedule may serve for the same purpose or may serve for different purposes. For instance, the at least one task may be the task of treating of a specific weed or crop or the application of a specific herbicide on a specific weed or crop but is not limited thereto. The at least one task includes at least one instruction, in particular a plurality of instructions. The at least one instruction may follow the respective decision logic leading to a control command to use or activate an agricultural tool or to open or close, e.g., a nozzle for accomplishing the task. In case it is determined that the actual cellular network coverage allows transmission of a decision logic which was computed remotely, the local system needs only to apply the received decision logic, which may be for example to open or close a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location. For this purpose, the treatment device receives a first set of operation schedule data being indicative for a first operation schedule. This first schedule comprises, e.g., the task of treatment of a particular weed. This task includes instructions, which follow a decision logic, which is provided via the cellular network, so that at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field, the decision logic may, e.g., lead to the instruction to open a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location for a particular grade. The procedure may also include involving a parameter, which is provided locally by, e.g., measurement by a treatment device mounted sensor. This may be, e.g., to open or close a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location, only if a local sensor has detected presence of a plantation. The decision logic as basis for the instruction to open a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location may also include providing local data, e.g., from a device mounted camera, via the cellular network to a remote intelligence, where e.g., a camera image may be recognized and a weed identified, based on which the decision logic received via the cellular network serves as a basis for the instruction to open the nozzle. The complexity of the operation schedule at the device is low, as the computation is done remotely. However, the remote intelligence due to the higher computational capacity may provide a higher level of treatment quality. In case it is determined that the actual cellular network coverage does not allow transmission of a decision logic via a cellular network, it is required that the local system takes over provision of a decision logic. In other words, the local procedure is more complex as it requires local computational capacities, but this computation may have a lower performance compared to that of a remote intelligence. As a result the device applies a local decision logic, which may be a look up table or an algorithm set, which upon determination of a treatment instruction may also consider local sensors. Finally, the device may also be instructed to open or close a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location. For this purpose, the treatment device accesses to a second set of operation schedule data being indicative for a second operation schedule. This second schedule comprises, e.g., the task of treatment of a particular weed. This task includes instructions, which follow a, e.g., reduced local decision logic, which is provided from a local storage. Thus, at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field, the decision logic may, e.g., lead to the instruction to open a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location for a particular grade. As the computational capacities may be lower than that of a remote intelligence, such a decision logic may have no access to an image recognition and weed identification based thereon, but may rely on a reduced decision basis, which may decide, e.g., only based on a color scale, and does not require image recognition. In case the primary focus is to process the image on the device, e.g., in order to avoid large image data transfer, the model carrying out the analysis on that device may be updated via the network once before starting to drive across the field, based on field-specific parameters or sample images. Also this procedure may include involving a parameter, which is provided locally by, e.g., measurement by a treatment device mounted sensor. This may be, e.g., to open or close a nozzle at a particular time at a particular location, only if a local sensor has detected presence of a plantation, e.g. detected a green color. The complexity of the operation schedule at the device is high, as the computation is done on the device site.

[0048] Local data are inputs being not provided via a cellular network. For instance, local data may be provided by a user respectively farmer via a user device having a display / keyboard or may be provided from sensor measurements, wherein sensor measurements are gained from at least one local sensor. The local sensor, i.e., a sensor being arranged, respectively mounted on the device, may be at least one of a weather sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a moisture sensor, a wind sensor, a sunshine sensor, a soil sensor, a pH sensor, and a camera, but is not limited thereto. The local data may include data from at least one of weather data, environment data, field data, and data associated with the existence of harmful or beneficial organisms, but is not limited thereto. The term local as used herein is to be understood broadly and represents that the local decision logic, and the local data are determined, arranged and / or provided, respectively, onto the device. However, the local inputs may also be inputs, which are received by, e.g., a computer via remote communication proceedings being no cellular network, e.g., Bluetooth. For instance, the computer may be arranged in the immediate environment of the agricultural field. In the complex operation schedule, the decision logic is provided locally on the device at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field. Therefore, the complex operation schedule may be considered as a program or plan, which is solely executed or only executable when the actual cellular network coverage does not exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, i.e., when providing of a decision logic via the cellular network is not possible. Alternatively, the local decision logic can be loaded onto a storage medium of the device as a backup.

[0049] The second operation schedule being more complex than the first operation schedule (i.e., the second operation schedule having a higher complexity than the first operation schedule) may comprise that the second operation schedule is computationally more demanding than the first operation schedule. In this context, computationally more demanding may mean that, for a given task, e.g., controlling the device for a given time period, or controlling the device for a given area of the agricultural field, the computation has a higher power consumption and / or the computation has more calculation steps (e.g., given in terms of number of processed algorithms or number of floating point operations). Alternatively, or additionally, the second operation schedule being more complex than the first operation schedule may comprise that the second operation schedule comprises additional computational tasks compared to the first operation schedule. Said additional computational tasks may be, e.g., the execution of a decision tree, the execution of a fixed model, the generation of a decision logic, the calculation of one or more models, the execution of a task generation, and / or the execution of a decision-generating algorithm. As an example, the first operation schedule may be a simple task, e.g., forwarding the instructions provided via the cellular network. In this case, any second operation schedule that comprises the execution of a decision tree, the execution of a fixed model, the generation of a decision logic, the calculation of one or more models, the execution of a task generation and / or the execution of a decision-generating algorithm is considered to be more complex than the first operation schedule.

[0050] The decision logic of the simple operation schedule and the local decision logic of the complex operation schedule may differ in accuracy and automation, because in the determination of the decision logic of the simple operation schedule a higher number of information and parameter may be considered than in the determination of the local decision logic.

[0051] The term period is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents an amount of time between a first point in time and a second point in time or a first action, e.g., providing of data, and a second action, e.g., providing of data.

[0052] The term first point in time T1 refers to a point in time, which is before the second point in time T2. The first point in time T1 may be a point in time at which a preparation of the device is made. The preparation may include loading of data into a memory of the device or loading of agricultural products like herbicides etc. into a reservoir being mounted onto the device. At the first point in time T 1 , cellular network coverage usability data indicating a coverage of a cellular network in the zone of the agricultural field are provided. During the preparation, the first / simple operation data and / or the second / complex operation data may be loaded onto the device.

[0053] The term second point in time T2 refers to a point in time, which is later than the first point in time T 1 . The second point in time T2 may be a point in time, at which the device leaves the preparation location, is on the way to the agricultural field or is still treating the agricultural field. Therefore, the device can be moved during the period between the first point in time T1 and the second point in time T2.

[0054] The term exceeds as used herein is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents that the actual cellular network coverage is equal or higher than the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage. If the network coverage is represented by a plurality of parameters, it may be predetermined in advance, which parameter is relevant and which minimum required threshold of which parameter should be exceeded in order to fulfill the condition “network coverage”. A possible parameter is the available bandwidth of the network.

[0055] The term predicting as used herein is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents a prediction or an estimation of an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field at a second point of time T2. A predicting may be executed at the first point in time T1 or at a point in time later than the first point in time T 1 but before the second point in time T2. The predicting may be provided by a prediction model.

[0056] The term iteratively repeated as used herein is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents that a repeating, i.e., checking or executing method steps again, of particular steps is carried out. These steps may be the steps providing cellular network coverage usability data, determining an actual cellular network coverage and / or determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage. The repeating may be executed continuously, at pre-defined points in time, e.g., at the beginning of a crop row on the agricultural field, or in continuous time intervals, e.g. each 5 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The term data as used herein is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any kind of data. Data may be single numbers / numerical values, a plurality of a numbers / numerical values, a plurality of a numbers / numerical values being arranged within a list, 2 dimensional maps or 3 dimensional maps, but are not limited thereto.

[0058] The term control data is to be understood broadly in the present case and relates to any data configured to operate and control the device or parts thereof. The control data are provided by a control data providing unit and may be configured to control one or more technical means of the device, e.g., the drive control of the application device, and to control the application, the monitoring and / or the treatment of an agricultural field, but is not limited thereto. The control data may be one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three- dimensional data. The control data may be based on the simple operation schedule data or the complex operation schedule data. The term providing as used herein is to be understood broadly in the present case and represents any method for measuring, determining, generating, selecting, sending, or receiving of parameter or data. For instance, the cellular network coverage usability data may be provided by at least one sensor being arranged at the device or at the unit, by receiving and / or transmitting cellular network signals, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively or additionally, parameter / data can be provided or changed / adapted by a manual input by the user via a user interface.

[0059] The system as used herein refers to a device being arranged on, directly at, at a predefined spatial position and orientation to or in the application device.

[0060] In an embodiment of the method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, the providing of cellular network coverage usability data includes the providing of data indicative of a coverage of a cellular network in the zone of the agricultural field at a first point in time; wherein determining an actual cellular network coverage includes predicting an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field at a second point in time, which is later than the first point in time; and wherein determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage includes determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage at the second point in time.

[0061] By predicting an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field at the second point of time, it can be estimated if the first or simple operation schedule data alone, the second or complex operation schedule data or both the first / simple operation schedule data and the second / complex operation schedule data are needed to providing control data for controlling a device on the agricultural field in an efficient, alternative, reliable and smarter manner. It should be noted that if at the second point in time the network coverage exceeds the minimum coverage and a connection to a server is possible the device may receive a first / simple operation schedule from the remote server. If however no connection is available, the second / complex operation schedule on the device is used. In an embodiment of the method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, the providing cellular network coverage usability data, the determining an actual cellular network coverage and the determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage is iteratively repeated, wherein in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, the second / complex operation schedule data is updated via the cellular network.

[0062] By iteratively repeating providing of cellular network coverage usability data, determining of an actual cellular network coverage and determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, control data can be provided in both cases, upon available network coverage and upon not available network coverage, i.e., independent from the cellular network coverage. In other words, a kind of seesaw is provided, because, in case an exceeding of the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field to the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage is identified, the first / simple operation schedule is used and, in case an exceeding of the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field to the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage is not identified, the second / complex operation schedule is used. Since the repeating of the exceeding identification is iteratively repeated, the used schedule can change multiple times during a treatment of an agricultural field.

[0063] In an embodiment of the method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, the providing to the device of the second / complex set of operation schedule data is carried out as a backup, wherein in case the actual cellular network coverage deteriorates so as to no longer exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, providing control data for the at least one task for controlling the device is switched from based on the first / simple set of operation schedule data to based on the second / complex set of operation schedule data.

[0064] By switching the providing of control data for the at least one task for controlling the device from based on the first / simple set of operation schedule data to based on the second / complex set of operation schedule data, control data for controlling a device on an agricultural field can be provided, which can deal far better with a loss of mobile network connection at the field and therefore treatment of the agricultural field or application of products onto the agricultural field in a right manner when losing the mobile network connection at the field.

[0065] In an embodiment of the method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, the second / complex set of operation schedule data comprises data, which are indicative of at least one operation, which has to be executed depending on local data in the zone of the agricultural field.

[0066] In an embodiment of the method for controlling a device on an agricultural field, the local data are data derived from sensor measurements, wherein sensor measurements are gained from at least one local sensor.

[0067] In an embodiment of the method for controlling or operating a device on an agricultural field, the local sensor is at least one out of a group, the group consisting of a weather sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a moisture sensor, a wind sensor, a sunshine sensor, a soil sensor, a pH sensor, and a camera.

[0068] In an embodiment of the method for controlling or operating a device on an agricultural field, the local data include data from a group, the group consisting of weather data, environment data, field data, and data associated with the existence of harmful or beneficial organisms.

[0069] In an embodiment of the method for controlling or operating a device on an agricultural field, the respective decision logic of the first / simple operation schedule and second / complex operation schedule, respectively, is iteratively adapted based on local data derived from sensor measurements, wherein sensor measurements are gained from at least one local sensor.

[0070] In an embodiment of the method for controlling or operating a device on an agricultural field, the period between providing the respective one of the first / simple set of operation schedule data and the second / complex set of operation schedule data on the one hand and providing control data on the other hand is between 3 days and 1 minute, in particular between 5 hours and 20 minutes.

[0071] By providing the respective one of the first / simple set of operation schedule data and the second / complex set of operation schedule data on the one hand and providing control data on the other hand with a small time lack, the topicality and validity can be guaranteed.

[0072] In an embodiment of the method for controlling or operating a device on an agricultural field, the period between the first point in time and the second point in time is between 5 hours and 1 minute.

[0073] By setting the period between the first point in time and the second point in time to a small time lack, the prediction accuracy of the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field at a second point of time can be increased.

[0074] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments may also be combined and in a combined form provide a synergetic technical effect and synergetic benefits which go beyond the sum of the single technical effects and benefits. Aspects described with respect to the method apply mutatis mutandis also for the apparatus, use, etc. and vice versa.

[0075] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] In the following, the present disclosure is further described with reference to the enclosed figures:

[0077] Figure 1 illustrates a flow chart of a computer-implemented method for controlling a device on an agricultural field according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0078] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an agricultural device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram indicating the data flow according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0079] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system for controlling a device on an agricultural device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0080] Figure 5 illustrates exemplarily the different possibilities to receive and process field data.

[0081] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0082] The following embodiments are mere examples for implementing the method, the system, the use or application device disclosed herein and shall not be considered limiting.

[0083] The present invention provides a method and system for providing to an agricultural treatment device a set of operation schedule data being indicative for an operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions following a decision logic which is provided locally or via the cellular network upon availability of a cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field and providing control data based thereon.

[0084] Figure 1 illustrates a flow chart of a computer-implemented method for controlling a device on an agricultural field 112. In the following, an exemplary order of the steps according to the present disclosure is explained. However, the provided order is not mandatory, i.e., all or several steps may be performed in a different order or simultaneously.

[0085] The method steps shown in Figure 1 may be executed by a system.

[0086] In a first step, cellular network coverage usability data are provided, which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network usable by the device in a zone of the agricultural field 112. The cellular network may be a long-range mobile communications network having the type 5G, but may also be a different cellular network. It should be noted that the present invention in principle also works with a wireless local area network or a similar working network having a sufficient range. In a second step, cellular network coverage requirement data are provided, which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112. The cellular network coverage requirement data may be a threshold indicating if a required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112 is provided in order to enable a data transfer, in particular data transfer of a decision logic provided via the cellular network from a provider to a receiver. In a third step, actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112 is determined based on the provided cellular network coverage usability data. In a fourth step, it is determined whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112 exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112. In case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, a first set of operation schedule data is provided to the device being indicative for a first / simple operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following a decision logic which is provided via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field 112. In case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, a second set of operation schedule data is provided to the device being indicative for a second / complex operation schedule and comprising a local decision logic. The second / complex operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following the local decision logic when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field 112. In a further step, control data are provided for the at least one task for controlling the device 107 based on the respective one of a first set of operation schedule data and a second set of operation schedule data. For controlling of the device also local data. Either locally measured data or locally related data may be considered for operating the device or parts thereof.

[0087] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an agricultural device for which the described method and system applies. The local data are provided respectively derived from a plurality of sensors 107i being arranged at a boom of a treatment device and treatment unit 107, respectively. The device 107 and treatment unit(s), respectively, may be arranged at an agricultural carrier device, e.g., tractor or drone, and may comprise within a housing or frame 107f one or a plurality of tanks 107c, 107d, 107e. Each tank each may comprise a different agent for treating an agricultural field and may be connected via fluid connection 107g with a respective tool 107a or nozzle for applying a crop protection product onto the agricultural field. The nozzle 107a may be controlled via a control unit by controlling a time, duration and / or opening grade of a valve 107b. For instance, a crop protection product may be provided via nozzles 107a onto the plantsl 07j, i.e. weed or crop plants, onto an agricultural field 112. The sensors 107i may detect a property of the agricultural filed 112 or plantation and provide the sensor data to a data processing unit 107k via data connection, data bus or data link 107g. Although not illustrated, the data processing unit 107k may provide the sensor data for being used for a local decision logic or a remote decision logic. When using the sensor data for a local decision logic, the data may be processed in the data processing unit 107k. When using the sensor data for a remote decision logic which is provided via a cellular network, the sensor data may be transferred via the cellular network to a remote intelligence conducting the processing, or may be considered as local data. Multiple sensors may be provided. Sensors 107i and corresponding treatment units 107b may form a processing group 107h.

[0088] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram indicating the data flow. In case an actual cellular network coverage of a cellular network 300 exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, a first or simple operation schedule 320 is provided. The first / simple operation schedule 320 includes at least one task 330 comprising at least one instruction 340. The instruction 340 follows a decision logic 301 , which is provided via the cellular network 300 at the time, when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field. The task 330 may be able to initiate the cellular network 300 to transfer or provide the decision logic 301 . The instructions 340 may be generated based on the decision logic 301 but may additionally also be generated based on local data provided by a user device 107 or local sensors 310. The first or simple operation schedule 320 provides first / simple set of operation schedule data 321 in order to control the treatment device 107.

[0089] In case an actual cellular network coverage of a cellular network 300 does not exceed (dotted line) the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage a second or complex operation schedule 350 is provided. The second / complex operation schedule 350 includes at least one task 360 comprising at least one instruction 370 and a local decision logic 390, which may be stored locally in or at the treatment device. The instruction 370 follows a local decision logic 390, wherein the local decision logic is provided with local data 311. The local data 311 may be derived from a user device or local sensors 310, when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field. The task 360 may be able to initiate a user device or local sensors to derive local data 311 for the local decision logic 390. The second or complex operation schedule 350 provides a second set of operation schedule data 351 . The first set of operation schedule data 321 and the second set of operation schedule data 351 are used for providing control data 380 for controlling a device 107 on an agricultural field 112. As the decision logic 301 is provided via a cellular network 300 and usually is generated by a remote intelligence (not illustrated here), the complexity of the first operation schedule 320 is lower than the required complexity of the second operation schedule 350, which has to generate and process its own decision logic 390.

[0090] Figure 4 illustrates a box diagram of a system 40 for controlling a device on an agricultural field 112. The system 40 for controlling a device on an agricultural field 112 comprises a network coverage providing unit 41 . The network coverage providing unit 41 is configured for providing cellular network coverage usability data, which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network usable, by the device 107 in a zone of the agricultural field 112. The system 40 further comprises a coverage requirement providing unit 42. The coverage requirement providing unit 42 is configured for providing cellular network coverage requirement data, which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112. The network coverage providing unit 41 is communicatively coupled to an actual coverage determining unit 44, which is included in the system 40 and is configured for determining actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112 based on the provided cellular network coverage usability data. The system 40 further comprises a sufficient coverage determining unit 45 being configured for determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field 112 exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage. The sufficient coverage determining unit 45 is communicatively coupled to the actual coverage determining unit 44 and to the coverage requirement providing unit 42.

[0091] The system 40 further comprises a remote-local operation providing unit 43 which, in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, provides to the device 107 first / simple operation schedule data being indicative for a first or simple operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following a decision logic which is provided via the cellular network at the time when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field 112. In case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, the remote-local operation providing unit 43 provides to the device 107 second / complex operation schedule data being indicative for a second or complex operation schedule and comprising a local decision logic. The second / complex operation schedule comprising at least one task which includes instructions, which instructions following the local decision logic when the task is executed in the zone of the agricultural field 112. The remote-local operation providing unit 43 is communicatively coupled to the sufficient coverage determining unit 45 and the coverage requirement providing unit 42. Further, the system comprises a control data providing unit 46 being configured for providing control data for the at least one task for controlling the device 107 based on the respective one of first / simple operation schedule data and second / complex operation schedule data. The control data providing unit 46 is communicatively coupled to the remote-local operation providing unit 43. The system 40 may be arranged at a device 107, e.g., mounted at and communicatively coupled to the control system of a device. As the above described units may be communicatively coupled in different ways, e.g., also by a bus system, the communicative connections are omitted in Fig. 4.

[0092] Figure 5 illustrates exemplarily the different possibilities to receive and process field data. For example, field data can be obtained by all kinds of agricultural equipment 300, e.g. a tractor 300, as so-called as-applied maps by recording the application rate at the time of application. It is also possible that such agricultural equipment comprises sensors 107i, e.g., optical sensors, cameras, infrared sensors, soil sensors, etc., to provide, for example, a weed distribution map. It is also possible that during harvesting the yield, e.g., the biomass, is recorded by a harvesting vehicle 310. Furthermore, corresponding maps / data can be provided by land-based and / or airborne drones 320 by taking images of the field or a part of it. Finally, it is also possible that a geo-referenced visual assessment 330 is performed and that resulting field data is also processed. Field data collected in this way can then be merged in a computing device 340, where the data can be transmitted and computed, for example, via any wireless link, cloud applications 350 and / or working platforms 360, wherein the field data may also be processed in whole or in part in the cloud application 350 and / or in the working platform 360, e.g., by cloud computing.

[0093] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to computer program elements configured to carry out steps of the methods described above. The computer program element might therefore be stored on a computing unit of a computing device, which might also be part of an embodiment. This computing unit may be configured to perform or induce performing of the steps of the method described above. Moreover, it may be configured to operate the components of the above described system. The computing unit can be configured to operate automatically and / or to execute the orders of a user. The computing unit may include a data processor. A computer program product may be loaded into a working memory of a data processor. The data processor may thus be equipped to carry out the method according to one of the preceding embodiments. This exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure covers both, a computer program that right from the beginning uses the present disclosure and computer program that by means of an update turns an existing program into a program that uses the present disclosure. Moreover, the computer program element might be able to provide all necessary steps to fulfill the procedure of an exemplary embodiment of the method as described above. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, USB stick, a downloadable executable or the like, is presented wherein the computer readable medium has a computer program element stored on it which computer program element is described by the preceding section. A computer program element may be stored and / or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. However, the computer program may also be presented over a network like the World Wide Web and can be downloaded into the working memory of a data processor from such a network. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a medium for making a computer program element available for downloading is provided, which computer program element is arranged to perform a method according to one of the previously described embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure has been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment as examples as well. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure and the claims. Notably, in particular, the any steps presented can be performed in any order, i.e. the present invention is not limited to a specific order of these steps. Moreover, it is also not required that the different steps are performed at a certain place or at one node of a distributed system, i.e. each of the steps may be performed at a different nodes using different equipment / data processing units.

[0094] In the claims as well as in the description the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Claims

Claims1. Computer-implemented method for controlling a device (107) on an agricultural field (112), comprising: providing cellular network coverage usability data, which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network (300) usable by the device in a zone of the agricultural field (112); providing cellular network coverage requirement data, which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112); determining an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) based on the provided cellular network coverage usability data; determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112); in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage: providing to the device (107) first set of operation schedule data (321 ) being indicative for a first operation schedule (320) comprising at least one task (330) which includes instructions (340), which instructions (340) following a decision logic (301 ) which is provided via the cellular network (300) at the time when the task (330) is executed in the zone of the agricultural field (1 12); and in case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage: providing to the device (107) second set of operation schedule data (351 ) being indicative for a second operation schedule (350) comprising a local decision logic (390), the second operation schedule (350) further comprising at least one task (360) which includes instructions (370), which instructions (370) following the local decision logic (390) when the task (360) is executed in the zone of the agricultural field (112), providing control data (380) for the at least one task (330, 360) for controlling the device (107) based on the respective one of the first set of operation schedule data (321 ) and the second set of operation schedule data (351 ).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the providing of cellular network coverage usability data includes providing of data indicative of a coverage of a cellular network (300) in the zone of the agricultural field (112) at a first point in time (T1 ); wherein determining an actual cellular network coverage includes predicting an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) at a second point in time (T2), which is later than the first point in time (T2); and wherein determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage includes determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage at the second point in time (T2).

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein providing of cellular network coverage usability data, determining of an actual cellular network coverage and determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage is iteratively repeated, wherein in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, the second set of operation schedule data (351 ) is updated via the cellular network (300).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein providing to the device (107) a second set of operation schedule data (351 ) is carried out as a backup, wherein in case the actual cellular network coverage deteriorates so as to no longer exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage, providing control data (380) for the at least one task (330, 360) for controlling the device (107) is switched from based on the first set of operation schedule data (321 ) to based on the second set of operation schedule data (351 ).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second set of operation schedule data (351 ) comprises data, which are indicative of at least one operation, which has to be executed depending on local data (311 ) in the zone of the agricultural field (112).

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the local data (311 ) are data derived from sensor measurements, wherein sensor measurements are gained from at least one local sensor (310).

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the local sensor (310) is at least one out of a group, the group consisting of a weather sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a moisture sensor, a wind sensor, a sunshine sensor, a soil sensor, a pH sensor, and a camera.

8. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the local data (311 ) include data from a group, the group consisting of weather data, environment data, field data, and data associated with the existence of harmful or beneficial organisms.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the respective one (301 , 390) of the first operation schedule (320) and second operation schedule (350), respectively, is iteratively adapted based on local data (311 ) derived from sensor measurements, wherein sensor measurements are gained from at least one local sensor (310).

10. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the period between providing the respective one of the first operation schedule data (321 ) and the second operation schedule data (351 ) on the one hand and providing control data (380) on the other hand is between 3 days and 1 minute, in particular between 5 hours and 20 minutes.

11. Method according to anyone of the claims 2 to 10, wherein the period between the first point in time (T1 ) and the second point in time (T2) is between 5 hours and 1 minute.

12. A system (40) for controlling a device (107) on an agricultural field (112), the system comprising: one or more computing nodes and one or more computer-readable media having thereon computer-executable instructions that are structured such that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the system to perform the following steps:providing cellular network coverage usability data, which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network (300) usable by the device (107) in a zone of the agricultural field (112); providing cellular network coverage requirement data, which are indicative of a predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112); determining an actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) based on the provided cellular network coverage usability data; determining whether the actual cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112) exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage in the zone of the agricultural field (112); in case the actual cellular network coverage exceeds the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage: providing to the device (107) a first set of operation schedule data (321 ) being indicative for a first operation schedule (320) comprising at least one task (330) which includes instructions (340), which instructions (340) following a decision logic (301 ) which is provided via the cellular network (300) at the time when the task (330) is executed in the zone of the agricultural field (1 12); and in case the actual cellular network coverage does not exceed the predetermined required minimum cellular network coverage: providing to the device (107) a second set of operation schedule data (351 ) being indicative for a second operation schedule (350) comprising a local decision logic (390), the second operation schedule (350) further comprising at least one task (360) which includes instructions (370), which instructions (370) following the local decision logic (390) when the task (360) is executed in the zone of the agricultural field (112), providing control data (380) for the at least one task (330, 360) for controlling the device (107) based on the respective one of the first set of operation schedule data (321 ) and the second set of schedule data (351 ).

13. A computer program element with instructions, which when executed on one or more computing node(s) is configured to carry out the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 or by the system (40) of claim 12.

14. Use of cellular network coverage usability data, which are indicative of a coverage of a cellular network (300) usable by a device (107) in a zone of an agricultural field (112), for controlling the device (107) on the agricultural field (112) in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 .

15. Use of control data (380) according to claims 1 to 11 , wherein the control data (380) is any data configured to operate and control an agricultural device (107) or parts thereof and wherein the device (107) is equipped with one or more units, for controlling a unit of the device (107).

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