Machine Guidance Path Planning for Complex Field Boundaries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current machine control systems for farming are inefficient in determining optimal working directions of travel within a field, particularly for complex geometries, often requiring extensive input data and processing resources, leading to sub-optimal results and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A machine guidance system that uses a GPS receiver and a processor to capture field boundaries and implement dimensions, generating multiple path estimates for parallel passes and calculating spatial field efficiency, selecting the most efficient initial working direction to minimize excess distance and area coverage, thereby optimizing field operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detailed full work travel path is generated for the entire field using conventional machine control systems, then route planning coverage is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field into multiple zones and generates path estimates for each zone separately rather than calculating a complete path for the entire field. This segmentation approach reduces the computational burden and processing time while still providing comprehensive route planning coverage across the whole field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates multiple path estimates (excessive action) for each zone to ensure optimal routing, but only processes what is necessary for each segment rather than calculating all possible paths for the entire field. This partial processing approach maintains route planning quality while reducing overall computation time.
2Productivity
If multiple path estimates are generated and evaluated for each zone, then routing optimization is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the field into multiple zones and generates path estimates independently for each zone. This segmentation reduces computational complexity by breaking down the complex problem of entire-field path optimization into simpler, manageable zone-level optimizations, while still achieving overall routing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple path estimates for each zone before final path selection. By pre-evaluating options at the zone level, the system identifies optimal routes early in the planning process, reducing the need for complex iterative optimization across the entire field.
3Measurement precision
If conventional path planning methods are used for complex field geometries, then path coverage is maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to excess distance and area coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by generating path estimates that are specifically tailored to each zone's geometric characteristics. Rather than using a uniform path planning approach for the entire field, the system adapts path generation to local zone conditions, improving operational efficiency while maintaining complete path coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts path estimates based on the specific geometry of each zone. By making the path planning adaptive and dynamic rather than static and uniform, the system optimizes travel distance and area coverage for complex field geometries, improving operational efficiency while ensuring complete coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining the optimal machine working direction(s) of travel for a field boundary to be used in a guidance/navigation system for machine control includes, using specific field boundary information and machine specific information to spatially simulate travel path estimates over a plurality of splayed working directions of travel to determine the optimal working direction(s) of travel for the field boundary. Optimizing the spatial field efficiency by simulating travel path estimates to select an optimal working direction(s) of travel may then be used in accordance with a machine's guidance and/or navigation system, via an information transfer system, as the reference working direction(s) of travel for the machine to guide and control itself while performing fieldwork.