Farm Network Message Headers for Precise Device Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural network systems lack efficient methods for optimizing device control and data management across various agricultural processes, such as milking, manure processing, and temperature control, which limits operational efficiency and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a network bus to control devices through messages with a header title containing specific data fields for device identification, function designation, and location, allowing precise addressing and status retrieval of devices within the network, enabling optimized control and data management across agricultural systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a central server is used to exchange data between devices, then data availability at the server is improved, but operational efficiency and process optimization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions by introducing multiple control servers that can independently manage specific agricultural processes (milking, manure processing, temperature control). Each control server operates autonomously within its domain, eliminating the bottleneck of a single central server while maintaining data availability through distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by implementing a hierarchical network architecture with control servers at different levels. Control servers can operate at the process level (individual farms) and aggregate at higher levels, enabling simultaneous local optimization and global coordination that a flat central server architecture cannot achieve.
2Measurement precision
If devices are controlled individually through the network, then precise control is achieved, but system complexity and control overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control functions by enabling control servers to manage multiple devices and processes simultaneously. A single control server can coordinate milking machines, temperature controls, and manure processing systems, reducing the overall number of control entities while maintaining precise individual device control through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
Control servers are designed with universal functionality to handle diverse agricultural devices and processes. The same control server infrastructure can manage different device types (milking machines, valves, sensors) and processes (milking, cooling, manure processing) through standardized communication protocols, eliminating the need for device-specific control systems.
3Measurement precision
If more data fields are included in message headers for precise device addressing, then device identification accuracy is improved, but message complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The message header is segmented into multiple hierarchical data fields (device ID, process type, location, priority). Each field serves a specific identification purpose, allowing receiving devices to quickly parse and match messages against their capabilities without processing the entire header, thus maintaining precision while reducing processing time through selective field evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different data fields in the message header are assigned different levels of importance and processing priority. Critical identification fields (device ID, process type) are processed first with high priority, while less critical fields (location, metadata) are processed subsequently or cached, enabling fast initial message routing and filtering without sacrificing identification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling devices within an agricultural network system via a network bus such as a physical network bus or a logical network bus, wherein the devices are controlled by means of control information which is transmitted to the devices by means of messages comprising a content and a header title, the method comprising steps for:—determining a function for performing thereof by a device in the network,—determining the content of a message to be transmitted,—compiling header title information for inclusion thereof in a header title for the message to be transmitted, wherein—the header title information comprises a predetermined number of data fields, such as preferably a network identifier, a device type designation, a function designation, a location designation and/or a group designation, for the purpose of determining on the basis of compliance with one or more of these data fields which device or devices receive(s) the message.