Harvester Camera Layout for Real-Time Crop State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesting equipment lacks the capability to acquire and process real-time state information of crops during operations, relying heavily on manual intervention and failing to provide intelligent, unmanned harvesting solutions.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition device and processing method that includes a distributed arrangement of panoramic and wide-angle cameras on the harvesting machine to capture and process images of the operating area, providing real-time state information about crops to be harvested, being harvested, and harvested, facilitating intelligent and unmanned operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing harvesting equipment is used with manual operations, then harvesting can be completed, but it requires heavy manual intervention and cannot achieve unmanned operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical observation and decision-making with an automated image acquisition and processing system. Multiple cameras capture harvesting state information, which is then processed by a control system to enable unmanned operation decisions, substituting the mechanical human operator with an automated optical-electronic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image acquisition device and processing system as an intermediary between the harvesting equipment and the control system. This intermediary captures and processes harvesting state information, enabling the control system to make informed decisions without direct human intervention.
2Loss of information
If cameras are equipped on harvesting equipment, then images can be captured, but the images cannot fully reflect the specific state of harvesting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image acquisition system into multiple segments - different cameras positioned at various locations (front, side, rear) of the harvesting equipment, each capturing specific views. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of harvesting states including crop positions, cutting states, and harvested crop locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the image acquisition device to serve multiple functions: capturing crops to be harvested, crops being harvested, and crops already harvested. This multi-functional approach enables a single system to provide complete harvesting state information without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
3Productivity
If algorithms are used for recognition processing of scene images, then harvesting information can be extracted, but the algorithms are too costly and time-consuming for real-time harvesting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential harvesting state information needed for operation decisions from the captured images, rather than performing comprehensive scene recognition. The system focuses on identifying crop positions, cutting states, and harvested areas - extracting specific useful information while ignoring redundant details.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing simplified processing algorithms that handle only the critical harvesting state information rather than performing complete image recognition. This partial processing approach achieves real-time performance by focusing computational resources on essential operational data.
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition device and image processing method for an agricultural harvesting operation machine. The agricultural harvesting operation machine comprises a body and an image acquisition device; the image acquisition device comprises an image capturing component and a communication machine; the image acquisition device is mounted on the body; the communication machine is communicatably connected to the image capturing component so as to obtain acquired image information from the image capturing component, thereby assisting in adjusting the working position and operation speed of the body. Also provided is an image processing method. Information required by harvesting operation is taken into full consideration, images of the position of an agricultural harvesting operation machine are acquired, and multiple acquired images are efficiently processed.