Georeferenced Swath Data Structure for Multi-Stage Harvest Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-stage agricultural processes like forage harvesting, accurately estimating the duration of each processing step is difficult due to unknown or changing swath properties, leading to inefficiencies and resource conflicts, and corrective measures are often applied in the wrong locations, resulting in uncorrected deficiencies and new issues.
Innovation Solution
A data structure with predecessor-successor relationships and spatially defined physical structures, incorporating geographic coordinates and material properties, generated by machines during processing, allows precise control and resource management by providing real-time data for each processing step.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If machines move along the swath to process it, then processing can be performed, but the speed must be reduced to detect changes in swath properties early enough to adjust processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing swath property data (dimensions, coordinates, material properties) before the processing machine reaches each location. Sensors mounted on the swath-generation machine record these properties in advance, allowing the processing machine to retrieve pre-stored data and adjust its processing parameters without needing to slow down for real-time detection.
2Reliability
If multi-stage processing steps are performed sequentially, then complete processing can be achieved, but processing time increases and resource conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the pre-captured swath property data to dynamically control and coordinate multiple processing machines. The stored information about swath characteristics allows each machine to adjust its operations based on actual conditions, enabling better scheduling and coordination that reduces idle time and resource conflicts while maintaining complete processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If corrective measures are applied based on observed deficiencies, then quality improvement can be achieved, but the location may be incorrect causing uncorrected deficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a digital replica of the swath's physical and material properties at each location through detailed data recording. This digital copy includes precise spatial coordinates and material characteristics, allowing the system to accurately identify the origin of deficiencies and apply corrective measures at the correct locations without losing spatial information during processing.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
A data structure (21, 25, 29) comprises a plurality of data records, each in a predecessor-successor relationship. Each data record is associated with one of a plurality of physical structures, such as a slice of a windrow, extending in two spatial directions. Each data record contains geographic coordinates (19) of a reference point of its associated physical structure. The two spatial directions of a given data record are perpendicular to a vector that connects the reference point of the given data record with the reference point of the predecessor or successor of the given data record.