Field Region Mapping From Equipment Pass Data for Precise Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for defining field regions for agricultural data analysis are cumbersome and inaccurate, particularly when performed in-field using touchscreen drawing tools, lacking manual dexterity and recall of pass details.
Innovation Solution
Agricultural intelligence computer systems utilize GPS data from planters or sprayers to automatically define field regions based on equipment passes, enabling precise boundary creation and data annotation directly from the cab, supported by graphical user interfaces and computer execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If freehand drawing tools are used to define field regions on touchscreen, then field region definition can be performed in-field, but the accuracy and precision of boundary definition deteriorates due to lack of manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing equipment pass data and pre-processing it into usable boundary information before the user needs to define field regions. The pass data is stored and made available for automatic boundary generation, eliminating the need for manual drawing while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by using its own equipment pass data to automatically generate field region boundaries. The agricultural equipment's GPS data is leveraged to define boundaries without external manual intervention, allowing the system to self-generate accurate regional definitions based on its operational history.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual freehand drawing is used to define field regions, then flexibility in region selection is improved, but the time required for region definition and data analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-capturing and organizing equipment pass data during field operations. This data is structured and stored in advance, allowing rapid retrieval and automatic boundary generation when region definition is needed, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual drawing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical manual drawing process with an automated computational system. GPS coordinates from equipment passes are processed algorithmically to generate boundaries, substituting manual touchscreen drawing with automated spatial data processing that is both faster and equally flexible.
3Measurement precision
If equipment pass data is used to automatically define field regions, then boundary definition precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the multi-functionality of the agricultural equipment, which already contains GPS receivers and data logging capabilities for primary farming operations. The same equipment and data infrastructure are used for both farming tasks and field region definition, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational data and existing infrastructure to define field regions. The equipment's built-in GPS and data logging systems serve dual purposes: recording farming operations and providing boundary definition data, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complex external devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for defining field regions within agricultural fields. An example computer-implemented method includes identifying a field, retrieving data for the identified field, and displaying a graphical display including the identified field and at least some of the retrieved data. The method also includes receiving, via the graphical display, an input to create a field region within the identified field based on passes of an agricultural apparatus in the identified field and retrieving pass data for the passes of the agricultural apparatus in the field. The method further includes displaying, on the graphical display, the pass data, defining the field region based on the pass data, so that a boundary of the field region corresponds to a start point and an end point of each of the passes of the agricultural apparatus, and displaying, on the graphical display, field performance data constrained to the field region.