Agricultural Camera Mounting With Auto View Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems for agricultural machines are inflexible, allowing only a few predefined positions for camera attachment, limiting their adaptability to various agricultural tasks and work processes.

Innovation Solution

A camera system with a fastening element that allows free positioning on agricultural machines, using image recognition to select configuration data sets for the camera's optics and display based on detected objects, enabling adaptive configuration for different tasks and work processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is mounted in predefined positions only, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to various agricultural tasks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various agricultural tasksVSAvoidcamera positioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system is designed with a universal fastening element that can be attached to multiple locations on the agricultural machine, allowing the same camera to serve multiple functions and positions. The control unit automatically adapts to different mounting positions and tasks through image recognition and automatic configuration selection, making the system versatile without requiring multiple specialized camera systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static predefined positions to dynamic flexible positioning. The camera can be freely positioned and fastened at different locations, and the control unit dynamically adjusts the configuration based on the detected position and task type, enabling the system to adapt to varying agricultural tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is freely positioned with automatic configuration, then the adaptability and flexibility are significantly improved, but the device complexity increases due to image recognition and automatic configuration selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in camera positioningVSAvoidimage recognition and configuration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system performs self-configuration through automatic position detection and image recognition. The control unit automatically identifies the camera's mounting position and selects the appropriate configuration data set without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to serve itself and reducing the burden on the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses image recognition to detect objects in the captured images and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically selects the appropriate configuration data set, creating a closed-loop system that continuously adapts to the current task and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple configuration data sets are stored and automatically selected, then the precision of configuration for specific tasks is improved, but the loss of time for configuration selection and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration precision for specific tasksVSAvoidtime for configuration selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple configuration data sets are pre-stored in the control unit for different tasks and positions. The system performs preliminary preparation by having all necessary configurations ready in advance, so when the camera is mounted and image recognition is performed, the appropriate configuration can be quickly selected without time-consuming manual setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4473817A1Camera system for an agricultural working machine
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 CLAAS E SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4473817A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4473817A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4473817A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera system for an agricultural machine (2), wherein the camera system (1) comprises a display (3), a mobile camera (4) and a control unit (5), wherein the display (3) can be placed in a cabin of the agricultural machine (2), wherein the camera (4) generates image data (6) which is displayed on the display (3) by the control unit (5).It is proposed that the camera (4) has a mounting element with which the camera (4) can be freely positioned and attached to the agricultural machine (2), that the control unit (5) detects objects (8) in the image data (6) when the camera (4) is freely positioned, that the control unit (5) selects one of several predefined configuration data sets (9) depending on the objects (8) detected in the image data (6), that the configuration data sets (9) contain settings for the optics of the camera (4) and/or for the display of the image data (6) on the display (3), and that the control unit (5) configures the optics of the camera (4) and/or the display of the image data (6) according to the settings of the selected configuration data set (9).