Agricultural Equipment Configuration Library for Fleet Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural operations face challenges in managing fleets of equipment due to confusion between similar pieces of equipment, such as tractors, which can be configured for different tasks, leading to compatibility issues when using command and control systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a customizable equipment library with user-editable data fields for agricultural equipment, including user-given names, add-ons, and task configurations, within a command and control system, which allows for distinct identification and management of equipment configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pieces of equipment are managed in a command and control system, then fleet management capability is improved, but equipment identification and differentiation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments equipment identification into multiple distinct attributes including equipment name, serial number, and custom user-defined fields. Each piece of equipment is divided into identifiable components (base identity + configuration attributes) that can be independently managed and displayed, allowing operators to differentiate between similar equipment through specific attribute combinations rather than treating each equipment as a monolithic entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds multiple dimensional layers to equipment identification beyond basic naming. Equipment is identified across several dimensions: manufacturer-defined attributes (serial number, model), user-defined custom fields (up to 10 custom attributes), and configuration states (implement compatibility, task assignments). This multi-dimensional identification space allows precise differentiation of equipment even when basic names are identical.
2Adaptability or versatility
If equipment is configured for different tasks with various add-ons, then task versatility is improved, but compatibility tracking becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal compatibility framework where implements and equipment are defined with standardized attribute sets. Each implement lists compatible equipment types using a consistent schema, and each equipment piece declares its attributes once. The command and control system universally applies compatibility rules across all equipment-implement pairings, eliminating the need for separate tracking mechanisms for each equipment type and enabling versatile task configuration through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually tracking each equipment configuration, the system creates and stores standardized compatibility data templates (copies of compatibility information) in the equipment and implement definitions. These template copies contain pre-defined compatible equipment lists and attribute requirements that are automatically referenced and applied when configuring tasks, eliminating complex manual tracking while supporting versatile equipment-implement pairings.
3Loss of information
If custom user fields are added to equipment configuration, then equipment differentiation is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic custom fields that can be configured and modified by users without requiring system reconfiguration. Users can define up to 10 custom attributes per equipment type with flexible data types and validation rules that adapt to specific operational needs. The command and control system dynamically generates user interfaces and data structures based on these custom field definitions, allowing equipment differentiation through user-specific attributes while automatically managing the underlying data complexity through adaptive schema generation and validation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural system (10) includes agricultural equipment (22, 24) and a user interface (204). The agricultural equipment (22, 24) includes a command and control system (110) and an equipment configuration code file (200). The command and control system (110), in operation, configures and controls the agricultural equipment (22, 24) based at least in part on the equipment configuration code file (200). The agricultural equipment (22, 24) comprises a work vehicle (22) or an implement (24) to be carried or towed by a work vehicle (22). The user interface (204) displays information to, and receive inputs from a user for one or more data fields (710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722) in the equipment configuration code file (200) for the agricultural equipment (22, 24). The data fields (710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722) comprise a user-given name (710) and at least one of a compatible implement (722), an accessory (718), or a task (720) for which the agricultural equipment (22, 24) may be configured.