Agricultural Field Map Interface With Adjustable Data Bins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural equipment user interfaces lack intuitive and customizable visualization tools for effectively displaying and interacting with field data, such as yield and crop characteristics, which limits operator efficiency and decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A user interface system that generates customizable maps and data distributions using sensors data, allowing operators to interactively modify bins and scales, and includes features like automatic bin and scale generation, manual adjustment options, and data plotting logic to visualize field characteristics, enabling better data interpretation and decision support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standardized display templates are used for field data, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different operator needs and data types is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of interface implementationVSAvoidcustomizability of data visualization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface dynamically adjusts display parameters including bin boundaries, scale ranges, and color mappings based on operator input and data characteristics. The system transitions from static templates to dynamic customization, allowing operators to modify visualization parameters in real-time while maintaining a standardized base interface structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows operators to change key parameters such as bin boundaries, scale ranges, and color scheme mappings to customize data visualization. This enables adaptation to different data types and operator preferences while maintaining the underlying standardized interface architecture, resolving the contradiction between ease of implementation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If detailed field data is displayed with multiple customization options, then data interpretation quality is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to increased interface complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata interpretation accuracyVSAvoidinterface usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The customization interface is segmented into distinct functional modules including bin configuration, scale adjustment, and color mapping. This modular approach allows operators to access and modify only the specific parameters they need without being overwhelmed by the entire configuration set, maintaining ease of operation while enabling detailed data interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides intelligent defaults and automatic data-driven recommendations for bin boundaries and scale ranges, reducing the manual configuration burden on operators. This self-service approach maintains data interpretation accuracy while simplifying the operational interface by eliminating the need for operators to manually configure every parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual bin and scale adjustment features are added, then adaptability to different data distributions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in data visualizationVSAvoidinterface system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs preliminary analysis of data distributions and pre-configures appropriate bin boundaries and scale ranges before operator interaction. This preliminary action provides a ready-to-use baseline configuration that reduces the complexity of manual adjustment while maintaining adaptability when operators choose to modify parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface provides real-time feedback showing how bin and scale adjustments affect data visualization and interpretation. This feedback mechanism guides operators in making informed customization decisions without requiring deep technical knowledge, effectively managing interface complexity while enhancing adaptability to different data distributions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3944745B1Agricultural machine with an improved user interface
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 DEERE & CO
  • EP3944745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944745B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile agricultural machine includes ground engaging elements that propel the mobile agricultural machine about an agricultural field. The agricultural machine includes a processor that receives field data indicative of characteristics of portions of the field. The agricultural machine includes a display unit operably coupled to the processor, the display unit configured to display a user interface generated by the processor. The user interface includes a map comprising a plurality of field characteristic indicia, the field characteristic indicia indicative of the characteristics of the portions of the field and the locations of the portions of the field. The user interface also includes a data distribution indicator representing a distribution of the field data and a legend proximate the data distribution indicator.