Virtual Field Boundary Generation for Autonomous Farm Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous agricultural machines lack the capability to perform agricultural workflows without prior data acquisition and operator input, limiting their autonomous operation within defined agricultural areas.
Innovation Solution
An assistance system utilizing electronic data exchange to generate virtual field boundaries, providing geo-fence data sets for autonomous machines, which include route plans, sensor data, and resource management, enabling them to perform work steps autonomously within predetermined agricultural areas without physical markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical markers are used to define field boundaries, then autonomous machines can navigate within defined areas, but the system complexity and cost increase due to marker installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical field boundary markers with a digital copy/representation of field boundaries stored in a database. The autonomous machine uses electronic data exchange to access and follow these virtual boundary definitions, eliminating the need for physical markers while maintaining reliable boundary definition.
2Ease of operation
If operator input is required for control functions, then work steps can be executed with human knowledge, but the automation level decreases and productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining field boundaries and work area constraints in a database before autonomous operation begins. This allows the autonomous machine to execute control functions and work steps independently within predetermined boundaries without requiring real-time operator input, thereby increasing automation while maintaining operational safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous machines operate without virtual field boundaries, then operational flexibility increases, but the risk of unauthorized area crossings and field damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of virtual field boundaries defined by electronic data exchange between a database and the autonomous machine. This intermediary layer enables operational flexibility by allowing the machine to receive dynamic guidance while simultaneously preventing unauthorized crossings through programmable boundary constraints, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assistance system (13) based on electronic data exchange for generating virtual field boundaries (7) and a database (3) and/or a reference database (4) of such an assistance system. The present invention is based on the general idea that the assistance system (13) is designed and/or programmed based on electronic data exchange for generating virtual field boundaries (7) for at least one and/or more autonomous agricultural machinery (10, 11).