Agricultural Sensor Triggering for Selective Field Documentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural field work documentation methods are inadequate for less trained operators, as they require specialist knowledge and generate excessive data, making it difficult to analyze and address issues such as low yields, which can be caused by various factors like seed quantity, water supply, or soil conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using operating parameter sensors and crop sensors connected to a computer unit that generates trigger signals for predetermined conditions, storing or transmitting image data from an image recording device to facilitate remote analysis and decision-making, thereby simplifying situation tracking without excessive data accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If image data from a camera is recorded for an entire field to identify weeds later, then complete field documentation is achieved, but enormous amounts of data are generated that require machine evaluation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant information from the entire field by using sensors to detect specific conditions (weed presence, crop health indicators) and triggering image recording only at those locations. This selective approach removes unnecessary data while preserving critical information needed for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The field is segmented into zones of interest based on sensor detection. Instead of treating the entire field uniformly, the system divides it into areas requiring documentation (where anomalies are detected) and areas that can be skipped, thereby reducing overall data volume while maintaining documentation quality.
2Loss of information
If markers are set by the operator to document situations like weed occurrence or insect infestation, then specific field issues can be recorded, but sufficient specialist knowledge is required to recognize and evaluate the situations correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting field conditions through sensors and autonomously triggering image recording without requiring the operator to identify or evaluate problems. The machine itself monitors its own operation and the field conditions, eliminating the need for operator expertise in problem recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor operating parameters and crop conditions, and this information feeds back to the control unit which automatically triggers documentation when predetermined conditions are met. This closed-loop system replaces manual operator judgment with automated condition-based responses.
3Extent of automation
If operating parameters and crop properties are continuously monitored with sensors, then automatic detection of field situations is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data, compares readings against predetermined conditions, triggers image recording, and manages data storage. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while achieving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensor system, control unit with condition comparison logic, and image recording trigger into an integrated monitoring system. Rather than separate independent systems, these components are merged into a coordinated unit that automatically responds to field conditions, reducing overall system complexity through integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An arrangement and a method for the automatic documentation of situations during fieldwork, wherein: an operating parameter sensor (92, 94) detects an operating parameter of an agricultural machine (10) during fieldwork and/or a crop sensor (66, 70, 88, 100, 102) detects a property of crop picked up and/or processed by the agricultural machine (10) during fieldwork, a computer unit (76) generates a trigger signal when a predetermined condition of the received signals from the operating parameter sensor (92, 94) and/or crop sensor (66, 70, 88, 100, 102) is met, and the computer unit (76) is connected to an image acquisition device (66, 70, 86) for generating an image signal of the agricultural machine (10) and/or its surroundings and georeferences image signals in response to a trigger signal and/or transmits them via a transmission link to a remote location (108) sent.