Monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural field

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer programs disclosed herein relate to monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers, and / or other liquids to an agricultural field.

Description

Monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural fieldFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURESystems, methods, kits, and computer programs disclosed herein relate to monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers, and / or other liquids to an agricultural field.BACKGROUNDIn the field of agriculture, sprayers are used to apply pesticides, provide nutrients to plants, and / or apply other liquids in the field to ensure high crop yield and / or quality (see, e.g., US2, 731,295, US4,093, 107).Sprayers can be mounted to, or towed by, a tractor or other suitable vehicle or may be self-propelled with an integrated means of propulsion and a driver’s cab.The sprayer typically includes a storage tank for the liquid to be applied. The liquid may be applied to the field by a number of discharge devices which may be mounted in a spaced relationship along the length of a boom which, itself, is mounted to the sprayer device (see, e.g., EP3469900A1). In order to apply the liquid over a large area on the fields to be treated, the spray booms can have laterally folding booms (see, e.g., EP3939425A1).The discharge devices may be each connected to the storage tank by a fluid delivery network comprising various pipes, valves, pumps, and other plumbing and comprise at least one spray nozzle. The liquid may be atomized by spray nozzles and applied to the field in a jet of mist, for example.For environmental protection and economic reasons, precise dosage of the application rate is required when applying crop protection products, pesticides and / or fertilizers. The application of excessive quantities should be avoided not only for economic reasons but may also have negative consequences for the environment and / or the quality and / or quantity of the crop yield. Too little amounts may result in the absence of the desired effect; in addition, weeds, fungi, and / or other pests may develop resistance if an insufficient amount of herbicide, fungicide, and / or other pesticide is applied.It would therefore be desirable to be able to monitor the application rate over the entire width of the spray boom during the application process.WO2017 / 058616A1 discloses systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications on agricultural fields. Such a system includes a machine (e.g., tractor) and an implement (e.g., sprayer). The machine includes a processing system, machine network and a network interface for communicating with the implement. The system includes a number of sensors (e.g., flow rate sensors and a GPS receiver). The flow rate of a liquid application can be associated with locational data at the time of application to have a better understanding of the liquid applied. Data associated with the liquid application can be displayed on a display device (see in particular Fig. 12 and sections

[0057] to

[0071] ). However, such functionalities are not available on every sprayer Many farmers still use spraying systems, such as those described in the document US2, 731,295, which do not have any means of monitoring the application process.SUMMARYThe present disclosure addresses this problem. The present disclosure provides means by which a sprayer as disclosed, e.g., in US2, 731,295 can be equipped with functions for monitoring a spraying process.In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a kit comprising: a plurality of flow rate sensors, a hub, a GPS receiver, an electronic control unit, and access to a computer program, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of a liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receive GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system, wherein the computer program can be installed on the separate computer system where it causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.In a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to the use of the above kit to provide a spraying system with functions for monitoring a spraying operation in a field.In a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of equipping an existing spraying system comprising a tractor and at last one sprayer with functions for monitoring a spraying operation in a field, the method comprising: providing a kit, the kit comprising o a plurality of flow rate sensors, o a hub, o a GPS receiver, o an electronic control unit, o and access to a computer program, inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer, mounting the hub on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver on the tractor or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit on the tractor, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receive GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system,installing the computer program on the separate computer system, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.In a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring a spraying operation in a field, the method comprising the steps: providing a kit, the kit comprising o a plurality of flow rate sensors, o a hub, o a GPS receiver, o an electronic control unit, o and access to a computer program, inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of a sprayer, mounting the hub on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver on a tractor or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit on the tractor or the sprayer, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receive GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system, running the computer program on the separate computer system, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.In a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural field, the system comprising: a tractor comprising an electronic control unit, a tank for containing a liquid, multiple sprayers, each sprayer comprising a plurality of flow rate sensors, a hub, and a number of spray nozzles, means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the number of spray nozzles, a GPS receiver, and a separate computer system, wherein the each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit,wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to the separate computer system, wherein the separate computer system is configured and / or by a computer program to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.Further aspects and preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFig. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the kit of the present disclosure.Fig. 2 shows schematically another embodiment of the kit of the present disclosure and how it can be used.Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of method for monitoring a spraying operation in a field,Fig. 4 illustrates a computer system according to some example implementations of the present disclosure in more detail.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONVarious example embodiments will be more particularly elucidated below without distinguishing between the aspects of the disclosure (kit, uses, methods, systems). On the contrary, the following elucidations are intended to apply analogously to all the aspects of the disclosure, irrespective of in which context (kit, uses, methods, systems) they occur.If steps are stated in an order in the present description or in the claims, this does not necessarily mean that the disclosure is restricted to the stated order. On the contrary, it is conceivable that the steps can also be executed in a different order or else in parallel to one another, unless, for example, one step builds upon another step, this requiring that the building step be executed subsequently (this being, however, clear in the individual case). The stated orders may thus be exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” and “at least one.” As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based at least partially on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, the phrase “based on” may mean “in response to” and be indicative of a condition for automatically triggering a specified operation of an electronic device (e.g., a controller, a processor, a computing device, etc.) as appropriately referred to herein.Some implementations of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a kit of parts, briefly referred to as “kit”.A “kit” is a collection of items that are used for a common purpose. The items are usually offered together as one product.For example, the items may be held together and / or stored in a common package or otherwise linked together.However, the items may also be held separately from each other, e g., each item may be packaged individually, or groups of items may be packaged together.A total price (one price) is usually paid for the items that are offered for sale together in the form of the kit as one product.The kit comprises the following items: a plurality of flow rate sensors, a hub, a GPS receiver, an electronic control unit, and access to a computer program.The kit may comprise further items, such as, e g., a storage medium on which the computer program is stored, a separate (preferably mobile) computer system on which the computer program is installed, cables for connecting the plurality of flow rate sensors to the hub, a cable for connecting the hub to the electronic control unit, and / or a cable for connecting the GPS (GPS: global positioning system) receiver to the electronic control unit. The kit may further comprise a cable for connecting the separate computer system to the electronic control unit, however, the separate computer system is preferably connected to the electronic control unit via a wireless connection, for example via Bluetooth or WLAN (WLAN: wireless local area network).The kit preferably includes instructions, for example in the form of a manual, wherein the instructions indicate how to use the other items of the kit. The instructions may specify, for example, where and / or how the electronic control unit may be mounted on a tractor, where and / or how the GPS receiver may be mounted on the tractor, where and / or how the hub may be mounted on a sprayer, where and / or how the flow rate sensors may be placed in conduits leading from a liquid tank to spray nozzles of the sprayer, where and / or how the flow rate sensors can be connected to the hub, where and / or how the hub can be connected to the electronic control unit, where and / or how the electronic control unit can be connected to a separate computer system, and / or how the computer program can be installed and / or executed on the separate computer system. The instructions can be in printed or digital form (e.g., stored on a digital storage medium).Other items that the kit may contain are listed in the description below.The kit comprises a plurality of flow rate sensors. The term “plurality” means any number greater than 1, e g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or any number higher than 12.In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the kit comprises up to twelve (12) flow rate sensors.A “sensor” is a device, module, machine, or subsystem that detects events or changes in its environment and sends the information to other electronics, typically a computer processor. A sensor usually produces an output signal for the purpose of sensing a physical phenomenon.A “flow rate sensor” is a sensor that can be used to determine a flow rate.A “flow rate” is the amount of fluid that passes through a conduit cross-section per unit of time. The amount of fluid can be a volume or a mass of the fluid, for example. In other words, a flow rate sensor can be used to determine the volumetric flow rate or the mass flow rate. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow rate sensors of the kit are flow rate sensors for determining the volumetric flow rate.Flow rate sensors are commercially available and described, for example, in: Handbook of Measuring System Design, Part 13. Common Measurands, 1. Flow Measurement, Wiley, 2005, DOI: 10.1002 / 0471497398.mm935.Multiple (at least two) flow rate sensors are provided to measure the flow rate of liquid to be applied to a crop field at various locations of the sprayer.For example, it is possible to determine the flow rate at various points along a boom of the sprayer. It is possible, for example, to determine the flow rate for each individual spray nozzle. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow rate is determined for different sections of the boom.A boom is usually divided into different sections that extend along the boom. Each of these sections usually has a supply line leading to it, through which the section is supplied with the liquid. In other words, the liquid is fed from the storage tank with supply lines to the sections. There, the liquid is then fed to the individual spray nozzles via branched lines (see, e.g.: EP3469900A1).The flow rate sensors can therefore be placed, for example, in the supply lines leading from the tank to the sections before the lines branch out to the individual spray nozzles. In this way, the flow rate of the liquid for each section can be determined.The flow rate sensors are usually connected to the hub via cables. The cables can be components of the kit as described. The flow rate sensors are usually supplied with electrical power via the hub.Each flow rate sensor is connected to the hub to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub.The signal can be, for example, an analog and / or a digital electrical signal. The type of signal depends on the type of flow rate sensor used.In addition to the flow rate sensors, the kit may also include one or more pressure sensors. Such a pressure sensor can be used to measure the pressure of the liquid in a line of the sprayer, for example in a supply line to a section and / or before a spray nozzle.Pressure usually affects the droplet size distribution of the liquid exiting the spray nozzles (see, e.g., WO2020 / 239772A 1) . Furthermore, it is conceivable that a nozzle must be operated in a defined pressure range in order to achieve a desired outlet shape (e.g., fan width) of the liquid emerging from a nozzle (see, e.g.: S. Parafiniuk et al.: Evaluation of Flat Fan Nozzles Operating Parameters Under Conditions of Accelerated Boundary and Destructive Wear, Agricultural Engineering, 2018 ,Vol. 22 , No.4 , pp. 6 1-70).It can therefore be advantageous to monitor the pressure in addition to the flow rate.When the kit comprises one or more pressure sensors, the pressure sensor(s) is / are also typically connected to the hub via cable(s), for example, to provide power to the pressure sensor(s) and to transmit a signal from each pressure sensor present to the hub, the signal being related to the pressure of the liquid in a line of the sprayer.The hub is used to supply the sensors (flow rate sensors, optionally pressure sensors, optionally one or more other sensors) with electrical energy and to receive and process signals provided by the sensors.The hub is not part of the electronic control unit. Hub and electronic control unit are two different (separate) units. The hub is mounted to a sprayer; the electronic control unit is attached to a tractor. If there is more than one sprayer, there is usually more than one hub. Each sprayer is usually equipped with a hub. A hub and an electronic control unit can be connected to each other via a cable. Preferably, it is a cable with a detachable connection so that the electronic control unit can be disconnected from a hub mounted to a sprayer and connected to a hub mounted to another sprayer.The hub may have a (dedicated) power supply, e.g., in the form of an electromagnetic cell (or a battery of electromagnetic cells), a generator, a fuel cell and / or a solar cell. Preferably, the hub is supplied with electrical energy via the electronic control unit.The hub can also draw its electrical power (indirectly or directly) from the tractor and / or sprayer.Usually there is one hub for each sprayer. The hub is usually permanently connected to the sprayer.The hub may convert analog electrical signals it receives from the sensors into digital data. For example, the hub may be configured to convert an analog electrical signal related to a flow rate into digital flow rate data.The digital data can be transmitted to the electronic control unit in the form of ISOBUS messages, for example.ISOBUS is the common name of the ISO 11783 standard Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry - Serial control and communications data network. The ISOBUS standard specifies a serial data network for control and communications on forestry or agricultural tractors and implements. The ISOBUS communication protocol is based on the SAE J1939 protocol (which includes CAN bus). The Society of Automotive Engineers standard SAE J 1939 is the vehicle bus recommended practice used for communication and diagnostics among vehicle components. The Controller Area Network (CAN bus) standard is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other's applications without a host computer.The conversion of an analog signal into digital data that can be transmitted as ISOBUS messages is described, for example, in KR10-2016-0057145A.However, it is also possible that a conversion to ISOBUS messages is carried out in the electronic control unit, and the hub merely collects signals from several sensors and transmits them to the electronic control unit in the form of analog signals and / or digital data.In the event that the sprayer and / or tractor has a CAN bus, the hub can also be connected to the CAN bus and provide flow rate data (and optionally further data such as pressure date, for example) via this CAN bus that can be received by the electronic control unit.The electronic control unit is usually permanently connected to the tractor. It can have its own power supply (e.g., in the form of electromagnetic cell(s), generator, fuel cell(s) and / or solar cell(s)); preferably it is supplied with electrical power via the tractor.The electronic control unit can be connected to the hub via a cable. The cable can be a part of the kit as described. The cable preferably has a detachable connection so that the sprayer can be disconnected from the tractor, for example, to connect another sprayer or device to the tractor.The cable can be part of a CAN bus of the tractor and / or the sprayer; the detachable connection can be, for example, an ISOBUS BUS Breakaway Connector (IBBC).In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic control unit communicates with the hub according to the ISOBUS protocol and is configured to detect the presence of the hub, receive from the hub an identifier (ID) and properties of the hub (e.g., configuration data).In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic control unit is connected to a GPS receiver via a cable. As described, the cable can be part of the kit. It is also conceivable that the GPS receiver is a component of the electronic control unit. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the GPS receiver is a separate component that can be mounted on the tractor and / or the sprayer.The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite -based radio navigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. However, the term “GPS” has become established in common usage as an abbreviation for any GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS). In this disclosure, therefore, the term “GPS” is used generically and is not limited to Navstar GPS, but also includes, for example, Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the European Union's Galileo, and regional navigation satellite systems such as Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) as well as any other technology for position determination.A “GPS receiver” is a device that receives signals, usually from multiple satellites, based on which it is possible to determine a location on Earth.GPS data may be collected from an external antenna, e.g., with NMEA output, or from a GPS receiver integrated in the electronic control unit. If the external antenna has an NMEA2000 output, it can be connected to an ISOBUS line of the tractor and / or sprayer. The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has developed a specification that defines the interface between various marine electronic devices. Many computer programs that provide real-time position data understand and expect the data to be in NMEA format.So, with the help of the GPS receiver, the electronic control unit can determine the position of the GPS receiver. If the GPS receiver is attached to the tractor or the sprayer, the electronic control unit can use the GPS receiver to determine the position of the tractor or the sprayer. It is conceivable that the kit has multiple GPS receivers, for example, to equip the tractor and / or sprayer with multiple GPS receivers to determine multiple positions. For example, it is possible to have one GPS receiver at each end of the two ends of the boom, so as to detect the spray width when applying a liquid.The GPS receiver (possibly in conjunction with a timer) can also be used to determine the speed of the GPS receiver, i.e., the change in location per unit time, and thus the speed of the tractor and / or sprayer for each time during the spraying operation and for each location of the spraying operation.The electronic control unit is further configured to determine an application rate and / or coverage based on the flow rate data and based on the speed.The electronic control unit can be connected to a separate computer system. The electronic control unit is configured to transmit the determined application rate and / or coverage to the separate computer system.The transmission is preferably wireless, for example via a radio standard such as a Bluetooth or WLAN connection. Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to connect to and transmit data (e.g., application rate and / or coverage) to various separate computer systems.The separate computer system is preferably a mobile computer system. “Mobile” means that the separate computer system is not permanently connected to the tractor or sprayer, but can be transported by a human without technical aids, e.g., from one tractor to another tractor.Preferably, the mobile computer system has its own power supply, for example in the form of one or more rechargeable electromagnetic cells. For example, the mobile computer system may be a tablet computer or a smartphone. The mobile computer system can be a part of the kit.It is possible to connect more than one separate computer system to the electronic control unit. The number of separate computer systems is not limited and depends on the user's requirements. It could be one per each tractor, one per each driver or few for an entire farm. The lower limit is practically the number of sprayers working simultaneously.The separate computer system can act as a user interface to the electronic control unit. The separate computer system can be located in a tractor or in close proximity. This function may be enabled by wireless communication between the separate computer system and the electronic control unit and is very convenient in case of calibration or troubleshooting.Another component of the kit is access to a computer program. The computer program is used to control the separate, preferably mobile, computer system. The term “access” means that a user / purchaser of the kit can obtain the computer program. For example, the “access to the computer system” may include a link to a website from which the user / buyer can download the computer program. The website can also be an app store where computer programs are offered for purchase and / or download. The “access to the computer program” may also include an activation code that must be entered in order to download and / or install and / or run and / or use the computer program. The “access to the computer program” may also include instructions indicating how to install and / or use the computer program. “Access to the computer program” may also mean that the computer program itself is a component of the kit, for example, that the kit includes a storage medium (e.g., a compact disc (CD) or Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory or other storage medium for digital data) on which the computer program is stored.When installed and running on the separate, preferably mobile, computer system, the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive application data (and optionally further data) from the electronic control unit and to display the application data (and optionally further data) on a display. The display is preferably a component of the separate computer system.The separate computer system may be configured by the computer program to, for example, visualize application rates and / or coverage in real time, as well as display sprayer speed, position, and / or heading.A user can check the spraying operation via the data shown on the display. For example, the user can check whether the current application rate corresponds to specifications (target / actual comparison). In case of deviations, the user can intervene. The user can check whether the liquid is dispensed evenly across the width of the boom.The data provided by the electronic control unit can be stored in a data memory for documentation and / or analysis purposes. Such a data storage may be a part of the electronic control unit, part of a separate computer system connected to the electronic control unit and / or part of a network storage (cloud storage).The data provided by the electronic control unit can be visualized using a geographic information system (GIS). A geographic information system is a computer system that analyses and displays geographically referenced information. Geographic information systems are described, e.g., in WO2019 / 217568, WO2019 / 217568, and WO2015 / 164393.The electronic control unit can also make data available to other devices, for example devices that are connected to the electronic control unit via a common CAN bus.The kit of the present disclosure is an integrated system that allows a user (e.g., a farmer), through a mobile software application: to configure and / or calibrate sprayers of all brands and manufacturers with or without ISOBUS capability, to automatically detect which sprayer is connected to a tractor and display its configuration, to monitor the application rate across the entire boom (boom application rate) and / or the application rate of each section (section application rate) in real time in the tractor cockpit and / or other location, to monitor the actual area sprayed, sprayer speed, sprayer position, and sprayer heading in real time in the tractor cockpit and / or other location, to document a spray operation, to store data on application rates, GNSS data, and coverage associated with each tractor and sprayer in a cloud for later retrieval at any location, and / or to create GIS visualizations, reports and statistics based on historical data.At the same time, the kit may provide all the necessary ISOBUS data for third-party hardware to calculate or / and display application rate and / or coverage. Once the sprayer is configured and calibrated, its characteristics are automatically recognized by all separate computer systems connected to the kit's electronic control unit.In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the components of the kit act as a modular system that automatically reconfigures itself based on the actual connectivity of the components. In other words, when a component of the system is replaced by another component, the electronic control unit detects the new component, reads its configuration and updates all calculations / messages accordingly.Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the kit of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 shows where the components of the kit can be used in a tractor T and sprayer S and how the components of the kit can be connected to each other.The electronic control unit ECU can be placed in the tractor T, e.g., in the cabin of the tractor T. The GPS receiver R connected via cable W1 to the electronic control unit ECU can be placed on the tractor T, e.g., on the roof of the cabin of the tractor T. The GPS receiver R can also be placed on the sprayer S. It is possible that there is more than one GPC receiver.The flow rate sensors FS1, FS2, FS3, ..., FS / Vcan be placed in supply lines between a tank and spray nozzles of the sprayer S and thus connected to the sprayer. In the present example, there are a number N of sensors, where ' is an integer greater than three. The flow rate sensors FS1, FS2, FS3, .. . , FSA are connected to the hub H via cables WH1, WH2, WH3, . . . , WWV. The hub H can also be mounted on the sprayer S.The hub H is connected to the electronic control unit ECU via a cable W2. The cable W2 thus connects the tractor T and sprayer S with each other. The cable W2 has a detachable connection C so that the tractor T and sprayer S can also be separated again.The hub H can be supplied with electrical power via the cable W2. The flow rate sensors FS1, FS2, FS3, . . . , FS / Vcan be supplied with electrical energy via the cables WH1, WH2, WH3, .. . , WIFVThe cables W1 and W2 can be components of a CAN bus of the tractor / sprayer. The cables W1 and W2 can be components of the kit.Other devices DI, D2 can be connected to the electronic control unit ECU, e.g., via a CAN bus. These further devices DI, D2 may be for controlling the electronic control unit ECU and / or for displaying information provided by the electronic control unit ECU. These further devices DI, D2 may be components of the tractor T. These further devices DI, D2 may be components of the kit.The electronic control unit ECU has an interface with which data can be transmitted wirelessly (e.g., by radio) to a separate computer system CS. The transmission can take place via Bluetooth or WLAN, for example.The separate computer system CS can be a component of the tractor T. The separate computer system CS can be a component of the kit.The separate computer system CS has a display (not explicitly shown in Fig. 1) through which information transmitted from the electronic control unit ECU to the separate computer system CS can be displayed.Fig. 2 shows schematically another embodiment of the kit and how it can be used. Fig. 2 shows a typical scenario where there are one tractor and multiple sprayers. The term “multiple” means more than one, e.g., two, or three, or four, or five, or six, or seven, or eight, or nine, or ten, or more than ten. The tractor can therefore be connected to different sprayers and move them over a field. In other words, a given tractor can use one of several sprayers, e.g. on the same farm.In the example shown in Fig. 2, there are one tractor T and two sprayers S’ and S”. Sprayer S’ is equipped with a hub H’ and a number N of flow rate sensors FS1’, FS2’, FS3’, FS / V’. Sprayer S” is equipped with a hub H” and number 2V of flow rate sensors FS1”, FS2”, FS3”, FS / V”. The flow rate sensors are connected to the respective hub via cables.When a sprayer is connected to the tractor, the respective hub of the sprayer may be connected via a detachable connection. The coupling element Cl of the tractor T and the coupling element C2’ of the sprayer S’ together may form the detachable connection C as shown in Fig. 1. This also applies analogously to the coupling element Cl of the tractor T and the coupling element C2” of the sprayer S”.The configuration of the tractor T in Fig. 2 corresponds to the configuration of the tractor T in Fig. 1 with the difference that in Fig. 2 there are three separate computer systems CS1, CS2 and CS3 to which the electronic control unit ECU of the tractor T can connect and to which the electronic control unit ECU of the tractor T can transmit data wirelessly.Each user (e.g., farmer and / or employee and / or contractor) can connect different computer systems to the ECU electronic control unit of the T tractor at a given time. This could happen due to a malfunction of a separate computer system, for service reasons or in case each user works with his / her own computer system. In such a case, it is not necessary to reconfigure a new computer system, as it automatically synchronizes with the electronic control unit ECU.If the electronic control unit ECU of the tractor T is connected to the hub H’ of the sprayer S’ or the hub H” of the sprayer S”, then the respective hub transmits data to the electronic control unit ECU so that the electronic control unit ECU recognizes to which sprayer the tractor T is connected, which configuration the sprayer has, etc. Such data may also be transmitted from the electronic control unit ECU to any or all of the separate computer systems CS1, CS2, and / or CS3 and displayed on one or more displays. In other words, the electronic control unit ECU detects which sprayer is actually attached to the tractor T and may trigger a reconfiguration of the system.Another aspect of the present disclosure is a system for monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural field. Such a system, which is also shown schematically and by way of example in Fig. 2, comprises: a tractor comprising an electronic control unit, a tank for containing a liquid, multiple sprayers, each sprayer comprising a plurality of flow rate sensor, a hub, and a number of spray nozzles, means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the number of spray nozzles, a GPS receiver, and a separate computer system, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to the separate computer system, wherein the separate computer system is configured and / or by a computer program to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.Such a system can be created by equipping an existing tractor and the multiple sprayers using the kit of the present disclosure.The tank can be a component of the tractor. The tank can be a component of the sprayer. The means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the number of spray nozzle can be a component of the tractor. The means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the number of spray nozzle can be a component of the sprayer. The GPS receiver can be a component of the tractor. The GPS receiver can be a component of the sprayer. It is possible that there is more than one GPS receiver. The separate computer system can be a component of the tractor. The separate computer system can be a component of the sprayer. The separate computer system can be independent from the tractor and / or the sprayer. It is possible that there is more than one separate computer system.A method of equipping an existing tractor and sprayer with the kit is another subj ect matter of the present disclosure. It comprises the following steps: providing a kit, the kit comprising o a plurality of flow rate sensors, o a hub, o a GPS receiver, o an electronic control unit, and o access to a computer program, inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer, mounting the hub on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver on the tractor or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit on the tractor, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receive GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system, installing the computer program on the separate computer system, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the method for monitoring a spraying operation in a field, the method comprising the steps:(110) providing a kit, the kit comprising o a plurality of flow rate sensors, o a hub, o a GPS receiver, o an electronic control unit, and o access to a computer program,(120) inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer,(130) mounting the hub on the sprayer,(140) connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit,(150) mounting the GPS receiver and the electronic control unit on a tractor,( 160) connecting the electronic control unit to the hub,(170) connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receive GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system,( 180) running the computer program on the separate computer system, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.Further embodiments of the present disclosure are:1. A kit comprising: a plurality of flow rate sensors, a hub, a GPS receiver, an electronic control unit, and access to a computer program, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of a liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system, wherein the computer program can be installed on the separate computer system where it causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.2. The kit of embodiment 1, wherein the kit further comprises: cables for connecting each flow rate sensor to the hub, and / or a cable for connecting the hub to the electronic control unit, wherein the cable comprises a detachable connection.3. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the kit further comprises: instructions that specify o where and / or how the electronic control unit is mounted on a tractor, and / or o where and / or how the GPS receiver is mounted on the tractor, and / or o where and / or how the hub is mounted on a sprayer, and / or o where and / or how the flow rate sensors are placed in conduits leading from a liquid tank to spray nozzles of the sprayer, and / or o where and / or how the flow rate sensors are connected to the hub, and / or o where and / or how the hub is connected to the electronic control unit, and / or o where and / or how the electronic control unit is connected to the separate computer system, and / oro how the computer program is installed and / or executed on the separate computer system.4. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the kit further comprises: one or more pressure sensors configured to measure one or more pressures of the liquid in one or more lines of the sprayer, and to transmit one or more signals related to the one or more pressures to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit pressure data to the electronic control unit.5. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the kit further comprises a power supply to power the hub and / or the electronic control unit.6. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the hub and / or the electronic control unit are configured to be powered by a power supply of the tractor and / or sprayer.7. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the flow rate sensors and / or the at least one pressure sensor are powered via the hub.8. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the hub is configured to be permanently connected to the sprayer.9. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive and provide data in the form of ISOBUS messages10. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein access to the computer program includes a link to a website from which a user can download the computer program and / or an activation code which enables the user to download and / or install and / or run and / or use the computer program.11. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to automatically detect which sprayer is connected to a tractor, and wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to display the sprayer’s configuration.12. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 tol l, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to display the application rate across the entire boom and / or the application rate of each section in real time.13. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to monitor the actual area sprayed, sprayer speed, sprayer position, and / or sprayer heading in real time.14. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to document spray operations.15. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to store data on application rates, GNSS data, and coverage associated with each tractor and sprayer in a cloud for later retrieval at any location.16. The kit of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to create GIS visualizations, reports and statistics based on historical data.17. Use of a kit as defined in any one of embodiments 1 to 16 to provide a spraying system with functions for monitoring a spraying operation in a field.18. The use of embodiment 17, wherein the spraying system does not include means for monitoring a spraying operation in a field before it is equipped with the kit components.19. The use of embodiments 17 or 18, wherein the spraying system comprises a tractor and a sprayer.20. The use of any one of the embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the spraying system comprises a tractor and multiple sprayers.21. The use of any one of the embodiments 17 to 20, wherein the use comprises: inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer, mounting the hub on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver and the electronic control unit on a tractor or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit on the tractor, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system.22. The use of any one of the embodiments 17 to 21, wherein the use comprises: providing a tractor and multiple sprayers, for each sprayer: o inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer, o mounting the hub on the sprayer, o connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver and the electronic control unit on the tractor, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub of one of the sprayers, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system.23. A system for monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural field, the system comprising: means for moving the system across the agricultural field, a sprayer comprising a tank for containing a liquid, a number of spray nozzles, and means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the number of spray nozzles, a plurality of flow rate sensors, a hub, a GPS receiver, an electronic control unit, and a separate computer system, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit,wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to the separate computer system, wherein the separate computer system is configured and / or by a computer program to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.24. A system for monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural field, the system comprising: a tractor comprising an electronic control unit, a tank for containing a liquid, a sprayer comprising a hub, a number of spray nozzles, and a plurality of flow rate sensors, means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the at least one spray nozzle, a GPS receiver, and a separate computer system, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to the separate computer system, wherein the separate computer system is configured and / or by a computer program to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.25. The system of embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the system comprises a tractor and multiple sprayers, wherein each sprayer of the multiple sprayers comprises a hub, a number of spray nozzles, and a plurality of flow rate sensors.26. The system of any one of the embodiments 23 to 25, wherein the flow rate sensors, the hub, the GPS receiver, and the electronic control unit are items of a kit offered to equip an existing tractor and sprayer with means for monitoring a spraying operation in an agricultural field.27. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the kit is a kit according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 16.28. The system of any one of the embodiments 23 to 27, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to be connected to any hub of any sprayer of the multiple sprayers.29. The system of any one of the embodiments 23 to 28, wherein the system comprises a detachable connection via which the electronic control unit can be connected to each of the hubs.30. The system of any one of the embodiments 23 to 29, wherein the system comprises more than one separate computer system, wherein each separate computer system is connectable to the electronic control unit.31. The system of any one of the embodiments 23 to 30, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to automatically detect which sprayer is connected to a tractor.32. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to display the sprayer’s configuration.33. A method of equipping an existing tractor and sprayer with a kit for monitoring a spraying operation in an agricultural field, the method comprising: providing a kit, the kit comprisingo a plurality of flow rate sensors, o a hub, o a GPS receiver, o an electronic control unit, o and access to a computer program, inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer, mounting the hub on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver on the tractor or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit on the tractor, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receive GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system, installing the computer program on the separate computer system, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display. method of embodiment 33, wherein the kit is a kit according to any one of the claims 1 to 16.ethod for monitoring a spraying operation in a field, the method comprising the steps: providing a kit, the kit comprising o a plurality of flow rate sensors, o a hub, o a GPS receiver, o an electronic control unit, o and access to a computer program, inserting the flow rate sensors in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of a sprayer, mounting the hub on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors to the hub, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub, wherein the hub is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit, mounting the GPS receiver on a tractor or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit on the tractor, connecting the electronic control unit to the hub, connecting the electronic control unit to a separate computer system, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub, receiving GPS data from the GPS receiver, and provide application rate data to a separate computer system,running the computer program on the separate computer system, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit and to display the application rate data on a display.36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein the kit is a kit according to any one of the claims 1 to 16.37. The method of embodiment 35 or 36, wherein each flow rate sensor is configured to determine the flow rate to one section of a boom of the sprayer.38. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 37, wherein the hub is used to supply the flow rate sensors with electrical energy and to receive and process flow rate signals provided by the flow rate sensors.39. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 38, wherein the separate computer system is configured by the computer program to display application rates and / or coverage sprayer speed, position, velocity, and / or heading in real-time.40. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 39, wherein the liquid comprises a crop protection product and / or cop nutrients.41. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 40, wherein the method further comprises: connecting the electronic control unit of a tractor to a hub of a sprayer via a detachable connection.42. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 41, wherein the method further comprises: connecting the separate computer system to the electronic control unit of a tractor via a wireless connection.43. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 42, wherein the method further comprises: storing data provided by the electronic control unit on a storage medium.The present disclosure discloses several computer systems. The electronic control unit, the hub and the separate computer system are examples of computer systems.A “computer system” is a system for electronic data processing that processes data by means of programmable instructions. Such a system usually comprises a “computer”, that unit which comprises a processor for carrying out logical operations, and also peripherals.In computer technology, “peripherals” refer to all devices which are connected to the computer and serve for the control of the computer and / or as input and output devices. Examples thereof are display (screen), printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, drives, camera, microphone, loudspeaker, etc. Internal ports and expansion cards are, too, considered to be peripherals in computer technology.The term “computer” should be broadly construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, personal computers, servers, embedded cores, computing system, communication devices, processors (e g , digital signal processor (DSP)), microcontrollers, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) and other electronic computing devices.The term “process” as used above is intended to include any type of computation or manipulation or transformation of data represented as physical, e.g., electronic, phenomena which may occur or reside e.g., within registers and / or memories ofat least one computer or processor. The term processor includes a single processing unit or a plurality of distributed or remote such units.Fig. 4 illustrates a computer system (1) according to some example implementations of the present disclosure in more detail.Generally, a computer system of exemplary implementations of the present disclosure may be referred to as a computer and may comprise, include, or be embodied in one or more fixed or portable electronic devices. The computer may include one or more of each of a number of components such as, for example, a processing unit (20) connected to a memory (50) (e.g., storage device).The processing unit (20) may be composed of one or more processors alone or in combination with one or more memories. The processing unit (20) is generally any piece of computer hardware that is capable of processing information such as, for example, data, computer programs and / or other suitable electronic information. The processing unit (20) is composed of a collection of electronic circuits some of which may be packaged as an integrated circuit or multiple interconnected integrated circuits (an integrated circuit at times more commonly referred to as a “chip”). The processing unit (20) may be configured to execute computer programs, which may be stored onboard the processing unit (20) or otherwise stored in the memory (50) of the same or another computer.The processing unit (20) may be a number of processors, a multi-core processor or some other type of processor, depending on the particular implementation. For example, it may be a central processing unit (CPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU) and / or a tensor processing unit (TPU). Further, the processing unit (20) may be implemented using a number of heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with one or more secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, the processing unit (20) may be a symmetric multi -processor system containing multiple processors of the same type. In yet another example, the processing unit (20) may be embodied as or otherwise include one or more ASICs, FPGAs or the like. Thus, although the processing unit (20) may be capable of executing a computer program to perform one or more functions, the processing unit (20) of various examples may be capable of performing one or more functions without the aid of a computer program. In either instance, the processing unit (20) may be appropriately programmed to perform functions or operations according to example implementations of the present disclosure.The memory (50) is generally any piece of computer hardware that is capable of storing information such as, for example, data, computer programs (e g., computer-readable program code (60)) and / or other suitable information either on a temporary basis and / or a permanent basis. The memory (50) may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and may be fixed or removable. Examples of suitable memory include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard drive, a flash memory, a thumb drive, a removable computer diskette, an optical disk, a magnetic tape or some combination of the above. Optical disks may include compact disk - read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk - read / write (CD-R / W), DVD, Blu-ray disk or the like. In various instances, the memory may be referred to as a computer-readable storage medium or data memory. The computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory device capable of storing information, and is distinguishable from computer-readable transmission media such as electronic transitory signals capable of carrying information from one location to another. Computer-readable medium as described herein may generally refer to a computer- readable storage medium or computer-readable transmission medium.In addition to the memory (50), the processing unit (20) may also be connected to one or more interfaces for displaying, transmitting and / or receiving information. The interfaces may include one or more communications interfaces and / or one or more user interfaces. The communications interface(s) may be configured to transmit and / or receive information, such as to and / or from other computer(s), network(s), database(s) or the like. The communications interface may be configured to transmit and / or receive information by physical (wired) and / or wireless communications links. The communications interface(s) may include interface(s) (41) to connect to a network, such as using technologies such as cellular telephone, Wi-Fi, satellite, cable, digital subscriber line (DSE), fiber optics and the like In some examples, the communications interface(s) may include one or more short-range communications interfaces (42) configured to connect devices using short-range communications technologies such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, infrared (e.g., IrDA) or the like.The user interfaces may include a display (30). The display (screen) may be configured to present or otherwise display information to a user, suitable examples of which include a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode display (LED), plasma display panel (PDP) or the like. The user input interface(s) (11) may be wired or wireless, and may be configured to receive information from a user into the computer system (1), such as for processing, storage and / or display. Suitable examples of user input interfaces include a microphone, image or video capture device, keyboard or keypad, joystick, touch-sensitive surface (separate from or integrated into a touchscreen) or the like. In some examples, the user interfaces may include automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology (12) for machine-readable information. This may include barcode, radio frequency identification (RFID), magnetic stripes, optical character recognition (OCR), integrated circuit card (ICC), and the like. The user interfaces may further include one or more interfaces for communicating with peripherals such as printers and the like.As indicated above, program code instructions (60) may be stored in memory (50), and executed by processing unit (20) that is thereby programmed, to implement functions of the systems, subsystems, tools and their respective elements described herein. As will be appreciated, any suitable program code instructions (60) may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus from a computer- readable storage medium to produce a particular machine, such that the particular machine becomes a means for implementing the functions specified herein. These program code instructions (60) may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, processing unit or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner to thereby generate a particular machine or particular article of manufacture. The instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium may produce an article of manufacture, where the article of manufacture becomes a means for implementing functions described herein. The program code instructions (60) may be retrieved from a computer- readable storage medium and loaded into a computer, processing unit or other programmable apparatus to configure the computer, processing unit or other programmable apparatus to execute operations to be performed on or by the computer, processing unit or other programmable apparatus.Retrieval, loading and execution of the program code instructions (60) may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded and executed at a time. In some example implementations, retrieval, loading and / or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and / or executed together. Execution of the program code instructions (60) may produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions executed by the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing functions described herein.Execution of instructions by processing unit, or storage of instructions in a computer-readable storage medium, supports combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. In this manner, a computer system (1) may include processing unit (20) and a computer-readable storage medium or memory (50) coupled to the processing circuitry, where the processing circuitry is configured to execute computer-readable program code instructions (60) stored in the memory (50). It will also be understood that one or more functions, and combinations of functions, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems and / or processing circuitry which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code instructions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A kit comprising: a plurality of flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, FSA), a hub (H), a GPS receiver (R), an electronic control unit (ECU), and access to a computer program, wherein each flow rate sensor (FS1, FS2, FS3, .. . , FSA) is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of a liquid to the hub (H), wherein the hub (H) is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub (H), receive GPS data from the GPS receiver (R), and provide application rate data to a separate computer system (CS), wherein the computer program can be installed on the separate computer system (CS) where it causes the separate computer system (CS) to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit (ECU) and to display the application rate data on a display.

2. The kit of claims 1, wherein the kit further comprises: cables for connecting each flow rate sensor (FS 1, FS2, FS3, .. . , FSA) to the hub (H), and / or a cable (W2) for connecting the hub (H) to the electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the cable (W2) comprises a detachable connection (C).

3. The kit of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the kit further comprises: instructions that specify o where and / or how the electronic control unit (ECU) is mounted on a tractor (T), o where and / or how the GPS receiver (R) is mounted on the tractor (T), o where and / or how the hub (H) is mounted on a sprayer (S), o where and / or how the flow rate sensors (FS 1, FS2, FS3, ... , FS V) are placed in conduits leading from a liquid tank to spray nozzles of the sprayer (S), o where and / or how the flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, FSA) are connected to the hub (H), o where and / or how the hub (H) is connected to the electronic control unit (ECU), o where and / or how the electronic control unit (ECU) is connected to the separate computer system (CS), and / or o how the computer program is installed and / or executed on the separate computer system (CS).

4. The kit of any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein access to the computer program includes a link to a website from which a user can download the computer program and / or an activation code which enables the user to download and / or install and / or run and / or use the computer program.

5. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to automatically detect which sprayer (S) of a number of sprayers (S, S’, S”) is connected to a tractor (T).

6. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system (CS) to display the sprayer’s (S) configuration.

7. A system for monitoring the application of pesticides, fertilizers and / or other liquids in an agricultural field, the system comprising: a tractor (T) comprising an electronic control unit (ECU), a tank for containing a liquid, multiple sprayers (S’, S”), each sprayer (S’, S”) comprising a plurality of flow rate sensors (FS1’, FS2’, FS3’, ..., FS / V”, FS1”, FS2”, FS3”, ... , FS / V”), a hub (H’, H”), and a number of spray nozzles, means for conveying the liquid from the tank toward the number of spray nozzles, a GPS receiver (R), and a separate computer system (CS1, CS2, CS3), wherein each flow rate sensor (FS1’, FS2’, FS3’, ..., FS / V”, FS1”, FS2”, FS3”, ... , FS / V”) is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub (H’, H”), wherein the hub (FT, H”) is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub (FF, H”), GPS data from the GPS receiver (R), and provide application rate data to the separate computer system (CS1, CS2, CS3), wherein the separate computer system (CS1, CS2, CS3) is configured and / or by a computer program to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit (ECU) and to display the application rate data on a display, wherein the flow rate sensors (FSU, FS2’, FS3’, ... , FS / V”, FS1”, FS2”, FS3”, ..., FS / V”), the hub (FT, H”), the GPS receiver (R), and the electronic control unit (ECU) are items of a kit for equipping an existing spraying system comprising the tractor (T) and the multiple sprayers (S’, S”) with means for monitoring a spraying operation in an agricultural field.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the kit is a kit according to any one of the claims 1 to 6.

9. The system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to be connected to any hub (FF, H”) of any sprayer (S’, S”) of the multiple sprayers (S’, S”).

10. The system of claims 7 to 9, wherein the system comprises a detachable connection (Cl, C2’, C2”) via which the electronic control unit (ECU) can be connected to each of the hubs (H’, H”).

11. The system of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the system comprises more than one separate computer system (CS1, CS2, CS3), wherein each separate computer system (CS1, CS2, CS3) is connectable to the electronic control unit (ECU).

12. Use of a kit as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 to provide a spraying system comprising a tractor (T) and one or more sprayers (S, S’, S”) with functions for monitoring a spraying operation in a field.

13. The use of claim 12, wherein the spraying system does not include means for monitoring a spraying operation in a field before it is equipped with the kit’s components.

14. The use of claim 12 or 13, wherein the use comprises: inserting the flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, ... , FS / V. FS1’, FS2’, FS3’, ..., FS V”, FS1”, FS2”, FS3 ”, .. . , FSJV”) in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of the sprayer (S, S’, S”), mounting the hub (H, FT, H”) on the sprayer (S, S’, S”), connecting the flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, ... , FSA, FSU, FS2’, FS3’, ..., FS2V”, FS1”, FS2”, FS3”, .. . , FS7V") to the hub (H, FT, H”), wherein each flow rate sensor (FS1, FS2, FS3, ... , FS7V, FS1’, FS2’, FS3’, . .., FSA”, FS1”, FS2”, FS3”, ... , FS V”) is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub (H, FT, H”), wherein the hub (H, H’, H’ ’) (H, EF, H”) is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit (ECU), mounting the GPS receiver (R) on a tractor (T) or the sprayer (S, S’, S”), mounting the electronic control unit (ECU) on the tractor (T), connecting the electronic control unit (ECU) to the hub (H, H’, H”), connecting the electronic control unit (ECU) to a separate computer system (CS, CS1, CS2, CS3), wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub (H, H’, H”), GPS data from the GPS receiver (R), and provide application rate data to a separate computer system (CS, CS1, CS2, CS3).

15. The use of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the spraying system comprises a tractor (T) and multiple sprayers (S, S’, S”).

16. A method for monitonng a spraying operation in a field, the method comprising the steps: providing a kit, the kit comprising o a plurality of flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, .. . , FSA), o a hub (H), o a GPS receiver (R), o an electronic control unit (ECU), o and access to a computer program,inserting the flow rate sensors (FS 1 , FS2, FS3, ... , FSJV) in conduits leading from a liquid tank to a number of spray nozzles of a sprayer, mounting the hub (H) on the sprayer, connecting the flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, FSJV) to the hub (H), wherein each flow rate sensor (FS 1, FS2, FS3, ... , FS ) is configured to transmit a signal related to a flow rate of the liquid to the hub (H), wherein the hub (H) is configured to transmit flow rate data to the electronic control unit (ECU), mounting the GPS receiver (R) on a tractor (T) or the sprayer, mounting the electronic control unit (ECU) on the tractor (T), connecting the electronic control unit (ECU) to the hub (H), connecting the electronic control unit (ECU) to a separate computer system (CS), wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to receive the flow rate data from the hub (H), receive GPS data from the GPS receiver (R), and provide application rate data to a separate computer system (CS), running the computer program on the separate computer system (CS), wherein the computer program causes the separate computer system (CS) to receive the application rate data from the electronic control unit (ECU) and to display the application rate data on a display.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hub (H) is used to supply the flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, ..., FSA') with electrical energy and to receive and process flow rate signals provided by the flow rate sensors (FS1, FS2, FS3, ..., FS7V).

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the separate computer system (CS) is configured by the computer program to display application rates and / or coverage sprayer speed, position, velocity, and / or heading in real-time.

19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the liquid comprises a crop protection product and / or cop nutrients.

20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the method further comprises: connecting the electronic control unit (ECU) of a tractor (T) to a hub (H) of a sprayer via a detachable connection (C)21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the method further comprises: connecting the separate computer system (CS) to the electronic control unit (ECU) of a tractor (T) via a wireless connection.

22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the method further comprises: storing data provided by the electronic control unit (ECU) on a storage medium of the separate computer system (CS).

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