Coordinate Data Validation for Accurate Vehicle Path Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine guidance systems fail to ensure precision and accuracy in coordinate data consistency, leading to errors in seed and nutrient placement, crop damage, and reduced yields due to continental drift and incompatible coordinate reference systems.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method to validate and transform coordinate data to ensure consistency and accuracy within 0-10 cm, using integrity checks and transformations to ensure compatibility with the work machine's positioning system, inhibiting operation if thresholds are not met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If coordinate data from various map layers is combined without validation, then the work machine can operate along a desired path, but precision and accuracy in seed and nutrient placement cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework machine operationVSAvoidcoordinate data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation and transformation of coordinate data from multiple map layers before the work machine operation begins. This includes checking coordinate reference system compatibility, transforming coordinates to a common reference system, and validating accuracy thresholds are met, thereby ensuring precision is established in advance rather than discovered during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between raw coordinate data from various map layers and the work machine guidance system. This intermediary validates, transforms, and reconciles coordinate data from different reference systems, ensuring compatibility and accuracy before the data is used for guidance operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If coordinate data is not validated for consistency, then operation can proceed without interruption, but errors in seed and nutrient placement occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidplacement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of coordinate data consistency, checking for incompatible coordinate reference systems and accuracy thresholds before operation begins. This prevents placement errors by identifying and correcting coordinate issues in advance, allowing continuous operation with confidence in accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor coordinate data quality and provide alerts when validation failures occur. This feedback loop enables operators to address coordinate consistency issues before they result in placement errors, maintaining both continuous operation capability and placement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If map layers from various years are combined without coordinate transformation, then guidance can be provided, but continental drift causes coordinate inconsistencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-year map layer integrationVSAvoidcoordinate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes coordinate parameters by detecting the coordinate reference system of each map layer and transforming coordinates to a common reference system. This accounts for continental drift and temporal changes in coordinate systems, enabling accurate integration of map layers from various years while maintaining coordinate consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary coordinate transformation and reconciliation of map layers from different years and reference systems before guidance operations begin. This preliminary processing ensures that temporal and spatial parameter changes are accounted for in advance, enabling accurate multi-year map layer integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If coordinate data accuracy is not verified against thresholds, then operation can proceed without restrictions, but crop damage and yield loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunrestricted operationVSAvoidcrop damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of coordinate data accuracy against specified thresholds before operation begins. This preliminary check identifies and prevents potential crop damage scenarios by ensuring coordinate accuracy meets minimum requirements, allowing unrestricted operation only when accuracy criteria are satisfied

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by preventing operation with inadequate coordinate data accuracy. By establishing accuracy thresholds and blocking operation when thresholds are not met, the system preemptively counteracts the harmful effect of coordinate errors that would otherwise cause crop damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3508820B1Methods and apparatus for assessing coordinate data
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 DEERE & CO
  • EP3508820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3508820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3508820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for assessing coordinate data are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to receive coordinate data relating to a desired path and task of a vehicle. The processor of the example apparatus to determine if the coordinate data satisfies a threshold. The processor of the example apparatus to determine if the coordinate data is compatible with a positioning system of the vehicle. The processor of the example apparatus to authorize operation of the vehicle to traverse the desired path based on the coordinate data.