Agricultural Machine Operator Support via Mobile Context Help

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machine operators face increased complexity due to expanding sensor systems and control options, leading to a need for extensive knowledge and experience, overwhelming inexperienced operators and often requiring external assistance for proper configuration and operation.

Innovation Solution

A method where a mobile terminal is connected to the bus system of an agricultural machine, allowing additional machine-specific information to be displayed on the mobile device, simplifying operations by providing context-related help through various formats like video tutorials, audio, images, and texts, and enabling the retrieval and display of current configuration parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the control and configuration options on agricultural machines are expanded, then the functionality and capability of the machines are improved, but the operating complexity increases and requires operators to have comprehensive machine knowledge and experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol and configuration optionsVSAvoidoperating complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the operator and the agricultural machine's control system. This mobile device provides supplementary machine-specific information and guidance, acting as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between the operator and the complex machine controls, thereby reducing operating complexity while maintaining expanded functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the display and control terminal shows current configuration and operating parameters, then the operator has access to machine state information, but the display is not suitable for showing additional machine-specific information that would support the operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine state informationVSAvoidoperator support information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds another dimension to the information display by utilizing a mobile device separate from the traditional display and control terminal. This mobile device provides supplementary information in a different spatial and functional dimension, allowing the operator to access both current machine state information and additional supportive guidance information simultaneously without cluttering the original display interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If inexperienced operators use agricultural machinery with expanded sensor systems, then the machine's capabilities are utilized, but the operators are overwhelmed and require external assistance for correct setting and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine capabilities utilizationVSAvoidoperator independence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the mobile device automatically provides supplementary machine-specific information and guidance to the operator. This self-service approach enables inexperienced operators to independently configure and operate the agricultural machine without requiring external assistance, thereby maintaining productivity while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3815489B1Method for supporting a machine operator during operation of an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3815489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815489B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for supporting a machine operator in the operation of an agricultural machine, comprising the steps of: retrieving current configuration and/or operating parameters (P) from the agricultural machine by means of a display and operating terminal (12) via a bus system (16) with which the display and operating terminal (12) and the agricultural machine are connected by transmitting signals, and displaying the retrieved configuration and/or operating parameters (P) by means of the display and operating terminal (12).