Agricultural Work Assistance Control for Guide Point Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working vehicles face issues with automatically moving to an appropriate position and orientation in agricultural fields, as the pre-recorded remote operation travel routes may not align with the optimal direction for the field, potentially leading to unfavorable stopping positions.
Innovation Solution
A work assistance device and method that includes an input interface to receive user-specified information, a controller to define guide information for position and orientation, and a controller to control automatic travel, allowing the working machine to move to a predetermined position and orientation based on acquired agricultural field data, avoiding off-limits areas and optimizing travel routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the working machine follows a pre-recorded remote operation travel route, then the user can walk a shorter distance to the stopping vehicle, but the vehicle may stop at an unfavorable position or orientation for the agricultural field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic route adjustment capability that allows the travel route to be modified in real-time based on field conditions and work requirements. The system can dynamically recalculate the optimal route from the current position to the target position, rather than strictly following a pre-recorded fixed route, enabling adaptation to different stopping positions and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the travel route by introducing a guide point with specific position and orientation information. By defining a target position and desired orientation at the guide point, the system adjusts the route parameters to achieve both short walking distance and favorable stopping configuration for the agricultural field.
2Extent of automation
If the working machine uses a fixed pre-recorded route, then the route can be automatically followed, but the route cannot avoid off-limits areas or adapt to changing field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system receives information about off-limits areas and field conditions, then automatically adjusts the travel route accordingly. The controller monitors the environment and work status, and modifies the route in response to feedback about obstacles, boundaries, and changing conditions, maintaining both automation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static pre-recorded route into a dynamic route that can adapt to changing conditions. By continuously updating the route based on current position, off-limits areas, and work requirements, the system maintains automatic following capability while gaining flexibility to respond to environmental changes.
3Ease of operation
If the system defines a guide point at a user-specified position, then the user can control the stopping position, but the guide point may be located in an off-limits area where the vehicle cannot travel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of the user-specified guide point position before finalizing the route. By checking whether the guide point is located in an off-limits area in advance, the system can prompt the user to select a different position or automatically adjust the guide point to a valid location, ensuring route feasibility while maintaining user control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user when the specified guide point is in an invalid location. This feedback mechanism allows the user to understand why their selection is problematic and adjust their input accordingly, or the system can automatically suggest alternative positions that satisfy both user intent and operational constraints.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A work assistance device (30) includes an input interface (32) to receive input of user-specified information, and a first controller (31) to acquire the information received by the input interface (32) and information relating to an agricultural field (H) in which a working machine (1), which is operable to automatically travel, performs work. The first controller (31) defines, based on the acquired information, guide information including (i) position information of a guide point (IP) for the working machine (1) to be guided from an automatic travel route (R1) to be automatically traveled by the working machine (1) in the agricultural field (H) to a predetermined position, and (ii) orientation information indicating an orientation of the working machine (1) at the guide point (IP), and outputs the guide information to the working machine (1).