Shared Work Area Mapping for Multi-Device Field Route Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work device technologies require preparatory work involving circumferential travel around the work area, necessitating repeated preparation when different devices are used in the same field.

Innovation Solution

A work area management method and system that stores and outputs area information to determine work routes for multiple work devices, allowing them to share work areas and reduce preparatory workload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If work area information is stored and shared for multiple work devices, then preparatory workload is reduced, but work area management system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparatory workloadVSAvoidwork area management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a work area management system as an intermediary between multiple work devices and the work area data. This centralised system stores work area information (boundaries, routes, constraints) and provides it to various work devices, eliminating the need for each device to perform independent circumferential travel for area mapping. The intermediary handles data management, allowing devices to directly use pre-prepared area information for their operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If each work device performs independent circumferential travel to identify work area, then work area accuracy is ensured, but time consumption and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework area identification accuracyVSAvoidwork preparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The work area management system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing work area information including boundaries, work routes, and operational constraints before actual work operations begin. This pre-prepared data eliminates the need for each work device to independently perform circumferential travel for area identification, significantly reducing preparation time while maintaining area accuracy through the stored information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the work area identification function across multiple work devices by implementing a centralised work area management system. Instead of each device independently mapping the work area through circumferential travel, the system consolidates area information storage and management, allowing all devices to access the same accurate work area data, thereby improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If work area information is shared among multiple work devices, then resource utilization improves, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework device sharing capabilityVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The work area management system implements universality by designing a multi-functional platform that serves multiple work devices with different operational requirements. The system stores universal work area information (boundaries, routes, constraints) that can be accessed and utilized by various types of work devices, enabling resource sharing and coordinated operations while managing information complexity through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4276566B1Work area management method, work area management system, and work area management program
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4276566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4276566B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4276566B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

[Problem] To reduce workload related to preparatory work for work by autonomous traveling. [Solution] A work area management method includes storing first area information that represents a first work area 640 that determines a first work route 650 along which a first work device 100 moves to perform a first work in a field 500, and that is determined on the basis of a positioning position of the first work device 100. The work area management method also includes outputting the first area information as information that represents an area for determining a second work route 750 along which a second work device 300 different from the first work device 100 moves to perform a second work in the field 500. The outputting the first area information may include outputting warning information representing that the first area information is unsuitable for determining the second work route 750 when the first area information does not satisfy a predetermined condition.