Forestry Vehicle Image Tracking for Low-Visibility Log Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current forestry production systems face challenges in maintaining accurate and real-time data tracking of logs and terrain conditions, especially under changing weather and light conditions, which requires manual data input and can lead to inefficiencies and errors.
Innovation Solution
A production system comprising a server and a wireless network connected to forestry machines and vehicles, equipped with cameras, GPS, and lidar/radar for real-time data collection and processing, allowing for automatic identification of logs, terrain, and weather conditions, and enabling real-time data exchange and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data input is used to correct locations, log data and logistic changes, then the system can handle changing terrain and weather conditions, but the productivity decreases and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated identification processes including cameras, GPS, and image processing algorithms to self-correct and update data about terrain conditions, log locations, and vehicle positions without requiring manual data input, thereby maintaining data accuracy while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual data input operations are replaced by an automated electronic system that uses image processing, GPS tracking, and computer algorithms to automatically detect and correct changes in terrain conditions, log locations, and logistic information
2Loss of information
If constant tracking of logs and log piles is implemented, then the system can monitor changing locations and conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional integrated components where cameras serve both visual recording and object identification purposes, GPS provides both positioning and tracking functions, and the same image processing system handles multiple types of objects (logs, log piles, terrain features) simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of physical objects through image processing and data modeling, allowing virtual tracking of logs and log piles without requiring physical tagging or complex identification mechanisms on each object
3Measurement precision
If automated identification processes are used to identify logs and objects, then the measurement precision improves, but the system is affected by visual impaired conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image processing algorithms and computer vision techniques as intermediaries between the camera and object identification, enabling accurate recognition of logs and objects even under varying light and weather conditions by processing and enhancing the visual data before final identification
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts its identification parameters and processing algorithms based on detected environmental conditions, adjusting image processing settings, contrast thresholds, and recognition criteria to maintain measurement precision under different weather and light conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables real-time data exchange and visualization, allowing operators to make informed decisions, track logs and terrain conditions accurately, and plan workloads efficiently, reducing manual input and errors, and improving overall production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
having a positioning system
Implementation Method 2
visually record the vehicle surroundings during driving and processing, process the recorded images to identify objects on the ground
Implementation Method 3
a wireless production network, adapted to be connected to forest machines and vehicles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention describes a production system for a forestry application comprising having a server and a wireless production network, adapted to be connected to forest machines and vehicles, at least one of each forestry harvester vehicle and one forwarder vehicle, the vehicles adapted to having a wireless data connection to the production system server and network, having a positioning system, identify the type of processed wood, measure the amount of processed logs, measure the lengths of processed wood or logs, measure the quality of the processes wood or logs, visually record the vehicle surroundings during driving and processing, process the recorded images to identify objects on the ground, logs, log piles, trees, road tracks, time stamp the recorded and the processed images and store them and send them via the production network, the vehicles having a display enabled to allow access and to display the images in the vehicle cabin, so that the vehicle operator is enabled to compare images with different time stamps, the system adapted to visualize changes between the images based on the identified objects and time stamps, so that the vehicle operator is enabled to identify tracks, objects, logs, log piles during visually impaired conditions at the present time.