Agricultural Vehicle Navigation Using Real-Time Imaging and Landmark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
GNSS technology for navigating agricultural vehicles is prone to signal disturbances, provides limited position accuracy, and fails to adapt to obstacles like flooding or rock piles, limiting its effectiveness in adverse conditions and unmanned operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses real-time imaging from an aircraft or onboard camera to build a precise map of the land area, identifying landmarks and vehicle positions through image processing, allowing the vehicle to adjust its path to avoid obstacles and deviate from predetermined tracks as needed, without relying primarily on GNSS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GNSS technology is used for navigating agricultural vehicles, then the vehicle can follow predetermined tracks, but the system is vulnerable to signal disturbances and provides limited position accuracy in adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of ground-based transmitters and receivers that work together to provide positioning information. The transmitter sends reference signals to receivers, which process these signals to determine vehicle position, thereby mediating between satellite signals and the navigation system to overcome signal disturbances and improve accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely electronic GNSS signal processing system with a hybrid system that incorporates ground-based electromagnetic signal transmission and reception. This substitution creates a more robust positioning system that is less susceptible to satellite signal disturbances by using local reference signals
2Extent of automation
If GNSS technology is used for navigating agricultural vehicles, then automated track following is achieved, but the system cannot adapt to obstacles such as flooding or rock piles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the navigation system continuously receives positioning information from ground-based receivers, compares actual position with predetermined track, and automatically adjusts the vehicle path in response to detected obstacles or deviations, enabling adaptive automated navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static predetermined track into a dynamic navigation path that can adapt in real-time. The system continuously updates the vehicle's intended path based on feedback from the positioning system and obstacle detection, allowing the navigation route to change dynamically in response to field conditions
3Measurement precision
If frequent updates of GNSS algorithms are performed, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but system complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing a network of ground-based transmitters and receivers before agricultural operations begin. This infrastructure is set up once and remains in place, providing continuous reference signals without requiring frequent algorithmic updates or reconfiguration, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
In a system and method of navigating an agricultural vehicle on a land area, at least part of the land area is imaged in real-time from above to provide a sequence of images showing the vehicle and at least one landmark. Positions of the vehicle on the land area are identified from the sequence of images by image processing, to provide vehicle data based on the identification of the positions of the vehicle. Furthermore, a position of the at least one landmark on the land area is identified from the sequence of images by image processing, to provide landmark data based on the identification of the position of the at least one landmark. A path of the vehicle across the land area is controlled based on the vehicle data and the landmark data.