Patent Application
20180329618
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Patent Application No. DE 102017110109.8, filed May 10, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The technical field relates to an agricultural machine. More specifically, the technical field relates to an agricultural machine, such as a tractor, that allows an operator of the agricultural machine to set up the driver assistance system of the agricultural machine using virtual operating elements.
EP 3 046 015 A1 discloses an agricultural machine in the form of a tractor which includes a driving support information display device. The driving support information display device includes different sections, including a status display area and a menu display area. The status display area has a plurality of status display sections (including status information relating to a functional module) arranged vertically in one side area of a display screen. The menu display area has an upper menu display area with a plurality of selection button sections arranged side by side in an upper area of the display screen and a lower menu display area with a plurality of selection button sections arranged side by side in a lower area of the display screen. The driving support information display device also includes a touchscreen for touch input.
The present application is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary implementation, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
The methods, devices, systems, and other features discussed below may be embodied in a number of different forms. Not all of the depicted components may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Further, variations in the processes described, including the addition, deletion, or rearranging and order of logical operations, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein.
The driving support information display device disclosed in EP 3 046 015 A1 includes a plurality of hardware buttons and a touchscreen. Further, the purpose of the touchscreen is to show, in various status sections, the status of selected function modules. However, implementing settings of function modules or working devices does not take place in EP 3 046 015 A1 via the touchscreen, but via the hardware buttons, etc. Thus, in order to be able to adapt an agricultural machine and/or the respective working device to a specific agricultural working task, the operator must implement a number of settings via these operator elements, which is relatively complicated and time-consuming. There is also the risk of certain settings not being implemented, or not being implemented correctly. For example, certain settings may potentially have a large number of settings options. In this way, the operator may incorrectly select the certain settings, resulting in the agricultural working task being performed sub-optimally.
Thus, in one implementation, an agricultural machine is disclosed which simplifies the setting, by the operator, of at least one parameter of the agricultural machine and/or the working unit. In particular, the agricultural machine, which may comprise a tractor, includes a driver assistance system. The driver assistance system may include an input/output unit, which may be configured to perform any one, any combination, or all of: carrying out settings relating to an agricultural working task selected by an operator; displaying virtual operating elements allowing the settings; and displaying information corresponding to the settings that are to be and/or have been made. For example, the input/output unit may enable input using a symbol-based and/or image-based and/or guided manner. For example, the driver assistance system may preselect, based on the agricultural working task indicated by the operator and/or based on the working unit built on by the operator, one, some or all of: at least one settable parameter; its value; or value range.
In one implementation, the agricultural machine is a tractor. Alternatively, the disclosed solution may be used on any other type of agricultural machine, such as, for example, a combine harvester or a forage harvester. In this regard, any discussion below regarding a tractor may likewise be applied to any other type of agricultural machine, such as applied to a combine harvester or a forage harvester.
In one implementation, the agricultural machine comprises a driver assistance system, which may support the driver or the operator of the agricultural machine during one or more parts of operation of the agricultural machine, such as in order to configure the agricultural machine to perform an upcoming agricultural working task or in order to configure the agricultural machine while performing the agricultural working task. The driver assistance system may provide support in any one or any combination of several ways, including support relating to the driving and/or steering of the agricultural machine, and including control and/or regulation of at least one of the function modules. In one implementation, the term “functional module” may comprise components for operating the agricultural machine, such as a ballast device, tires or pairs of tires etc. connected internally or permanently to the agricultural machine, as well as working units internally or permanently connected to the agricultural machine for carrying out or supporting agricultural work, such as drive motors (e.g., operation), gearboxes etc. In an alternate implementation, the term “function module” may also include external or attachable working units for carrying out or supporting agricultural works (e.g., add-on devices to the agricultural machine), such as, for example a plough, a baling press, front loader bucket, etc.
In one implementation, the input/output unit enables one or both of: interactive setting of at least one parameter of the agricultural machine; and at least one working unit thereof can be performed in a guided manner and based on symbols and/or images. Unlike previous solutions, the operator does not have to use a vast number of hardware buttons, switches, slide controls, rotary controls and the like, which are often very similar to each other and may therefore confuse the operator. Instead, the input/output unit may generate, in a predetermined and/or preselected way, virtual operating elements and symbols and/or pictures. The system may thus use these virtual operating elements and symbols and/or pictures in guiding the operator through one or more steps for setting a relevant parameter, thereby making the sequence of setting related to the relevant parameter (e.g., the setting of the parameter, including selection of the parameter, the value of the parameter, and/or the value range of the parameter) intuitive to the operator.
In one implementation, the driver assistance system may preselect the setting related to the parameters, such as preselect any one, any combination, or all of: the at least one settable parameter (which may be selected from a plurality of available parameters for selection); the value of the parameter; or the value range of the parameter. In one implementation, the operator may select any one, any combination, or all of: the agricultural working task; or the working unit (e.g., the working unit selected and/or added on or used by the operator). Responsive to the operator selecting the agricultural working task and/or the working unit, the driver assistance system may select (such as preselect) the setting related to the parameter such as selecting the at least one settable parameter, the value of the parameter, and/or the value range of the parameter.
Thus, in one implementation, the input/output unit may initially provide the operator the opportunity of selecting an agricultural working task. In a first specific implementation, the input/output unit may generate a plurality of available agricultural working tasks from which the operator may choose. In a second specific implementation, the input/output unit may generate a screen through which the operator may enter the desired agricultural working task without suggestion by the input/output unit. Responsive to the operator selecting the agricultural working task, the system (such as the input/output unit) may then automatically specify (e.g., only show) to the operator any one, any combination or all of: the relevant parameter(s) (e.g., the one or more parameters shown to the operator being selected based on the agricultural working task selected by the operator), the value(s) for a respective parameter (e.g., the one or more values shown to the operator being selected based on the agricultural working task selected by the operator); or the value range(s) for the respective parameter (e.g., the one or more value ranges shown to the operator being selected based on the agricultural working task selected by the operator). Alternatively, or in addition, the working unit, which is to be used in an agricultural working task, may initially be specified or indicated to the agricultural machine. The indication of the working unit may be made in one of several ways. In one way, the operator may indicate or select the working unit via the input/output unit. Alternatively, or in addition, the working unit may be connected to the agricultural machine. Responsive to the connection of the working unit to the agricultural machine, the agricultural machine (such as the input/output unit of the agricultural machine) may determine that the working unit is specified or indicated. Responsive to the indication or specification of the working unit, the system (such as the input/output unit) may then automatically only show to the operator any one, any combination or all of: the relevant parameter(s) (e.g., the one or more parameters shown to the operator being selected based on the working unit indicated and/or the agricultural working task selected by the operator), the value(s) for a respective parameter (e.g., the one or more values shown to the operator being selected based on the working unit indicated and/or the agricultural working task selected by the operator); or the value range(s) for the respective parameter (e.g., the one or more value ranges shown to the operator being selected based on the working unit indicated and/or the agricultural working task selected by the operator).
Through the disclosed driver assistance system and the input/output unit, the agricultural machine enables the operator simplified setting or modification of operation of the agricultural machine. Specifically, the agricultural machine may enable easier work task-specific or work unit-specific preselection or settable parameters and/or values or value ranges, thereby making the operator configuration of the agricultural machine easier.
In one implementation, the input/output unit comprises a touchscreen, thereby particularly simplifying the interactive setting of the operation (e.g., the selection of the parameters, values, and/or value ranges). For example, the touchscreen allows symbol and/or image-based and guided interactive settings to be input in a particularly simple manner, such as more easily setting the at least one parameter of the agricultural machine and/or working unit. The touchscreen may be arranged in the interior of the agricultural machine, such as inside the cab of the agricultural machine. Alternatively, or in addition, the input/output unit may be positioned on the outside of the agricultural machine (e.g., outside of the cab of the agricultural machine). For example, the input/output unit may be positioned in the vicinity or in sight of the respective working unit or add-on device. In one implementation, the work task-specific setting and/or work unit-specific setting of the agricultural machine is performed on a device external to the agricultural machine, such as an (external) computer or PC, and is transmitted (such as via telemetry or wirelessly) to the agricultural machine (e.g., to the input/output unit and/or to the driver assistance system of the agricultural machine).
The input/output unit, such as the touchscreen, may have one or more display sections which may show different information and/or virtual operating elements. Various virtual operating elements are contemplated. For example, one virtual operating element may comprise an illustration or representation of the agricultural machine itself, such as a silhouette or outline of the tractor in the example of the agricultural machine comprising a tractor. Further, input/output unit may generate outputs in a symbol-based and/or image-based manner. For example, internal and/or external working units and/or further function modules of the agricultural machine may be shown on the input/output unit in a symbol-based and/or image-based manner. In this way through such optical illustration, intuitive setting is facilitated, so that a more easily understandable selection of functions to be set is provided. Further, after an agricultural working task and/or working unit has been specified to the driver assistance system, the input/output unit may guide the operator by a clear menu through the work task-specific or work unit-specific parameter, which are to be set so that the agricultural machine may perform the agricultural working task and/or working unit.
In one implementation, the display section of the input/output unit comprises one and the same display section. In an alternate implementation, the display section of the input/output unit comprises different display sections. Thus, the display section optically displays any one, any combination, or all of: a display section that optically displays an image of the agricultural machine and/or at least one working unit of the agricultural machine forming a first function module and/or of the ground to be traveled; a display section that optically displays an image of at least one further function module of the agricultural machine; a display section that displays one or more selectable superordinate and/or subordinate working tasks and/or one or more selectable working units and/or one or more adjustable parameters of the agricultural machine and/or of the at least one working unit in a symbol-based and/or an image-based and/or a text-based manner; a display section that displays the selected agricultural working task and/or the working unit and/or the at least one set or stored parameter and/or its value or value range in a symbol-based and/or an image-based and/or a text-based manner; in one display section of the input/output unit, the at least one function button and/or a warning is displayed in a symbol-based and/or an image-based and/or a text-based manner; and in one display section of the input/output unit, a field or symbol and/or image for a reset entry is shown.
As discussed previously, the working machine may comprise various other function modules in addition to the working unit, such as the add-on unit. In one implementation, the function modules may comprise any one, any combination, or all of: a front ballast device; a front tire pair; a rear tire pair; a drive motor; a gearbox; and a GPS system. The respective further function module can also be shown optically or in a symbol and/or image-based manner in a display section of the input/output unit.
Through the disclosed input/output unit, the operator has the opportunity to select a superordinate agricultural working task which defines one type of work, and subsequently, if applicable, a corresponding subordinate agricultural working task which defines a subordinate working task. For example, the input/output unit may generate one or more screens in order for the operator to select the superordinate agricultural working task and the corresponding subordinate agricultural working task. In particular, the input/output unit may show the respectively selectable agricultural working task and/or the agricultural working task selected by the operator. Example superordinate agricultural working tasks include, but are not limited to, any one, any combination, or all of: “cultivation”; “fodder harvesting”; “construction site”; “material handling”; “forestry work”; “transport”; and “others”. As one example, a superordinate agricultural working task comprises “cultivation”. A subordinate agricultural working task defining a subordinate type of work to the superordinate agricultural working task “cultivation” includes any one, any combination, or all of: “ground/soil working”; “sowing”; “planting”; “plant protection”; “fertilizing”; “manure and dung”; “harvesting”; and “stubble breakage”. As another example, a superordinate agricultural working task comprises “fodder harvesting”. A subordinate agricultural working task defining a subordinate type of work to the superordinate agricultural working task “fodder harvesting” includes any one, any combination, or all of: “grassland management”; “harvesting”; “grassland care”; and “silage”. As still another example, a superordinate agricultural working task comprises “other”. A subordinate agricultural working task defining a subordinate type of work to the superordinate agricultural working task “other” includes any one, any combination, or all of: “construction site”; “material handling”; “forestry work”; “transport”; and “communal work”.
The selectable subordinate working tasks may also be predefined for the operator as the first possible setting after the start of the setting routine so that the operator does not have to previously select a superordinate working task. Alternatively, the operator may initially select the superordinate, and thereafter select the subordinate working task.
In one implementation, the input/output unit displays to the operator at least one working tool which is assigned to the agricultural working task. As discussed above, various example superordinate agricultural working tasks are disclosed, and corresponding subordinate tasks are disclosed. For example, for the superordinate agricultural working task “cultivation” and/or the corresponding subordinate working task “ground/soil working”, the input/output unit may show a plough and/or cultivator as the allocated working unit. As another example, for the superordinate agricultural working task “fodder harvesting” and/or the corresponding subordinate working task “grassland management” and/or “harvesting”, the input/output unit may show a hay tedder or baling press as the allocated working unit. These examples are merely for illustration; other examples of a working unit assigned to an agricultural working task are contemplated.
In one implementation, responsive to connecting the working unit to the agricultural machine (e.g., mechanically connecting and/or networking connecting (e.g., a wired or wireless data connection)), the agricultural machine may automatically identify the respective working unit. Responsive to the agricultural machine automatically identifying the respective working unit, the agricultural machine may automatically preselect any one, any combination, or all of: parameter(s); value(s); value range(s); or agricultural working task. As discussed above, in one implementation, the operator may identify the agricultural working task, such as selecting the agricultural working task from a list in the input/output unit or by submitting the agricultural working task. Alternatively, responsive to the connection of the working unit to the agricultural machine, which may be an add-on device, the input/output unit may determine the agricultural working task without input from the operator and automatically implement the determined agricultural working task. Alternatively, or in addition, the input/output unit may determine the agricultural working task without input from the operator, and present the determined agricultural working task to the operator for selection or confirmation. After selection or confirmation by the operator, the input/output unit may implement the selected agricultural working task.
The input/output unit may display various parameters may be used. The input/output unit may display operating parameters of the agricultural machine and/or environmental parameters of the terrain. Responsive to display of the parameters, the operator may select and/or adjust the displayed parameters. In one implementation, these parameters may at least partially be stored or recorded by the agricultural machine. Various aspects of the parameters provided to the input/output unit may be recorded or stored including any one, any combination, or all of: the parameter; the value; or the value range. In this way, the recorded or stored information may also form the basis of the working unit-specific and/or working task-specific setting of the driver assistance system (so that the stored data may be used for subsequent configurations) and/or only be used as information for the operator. Example operating parameters include, but are not limited to: the weight of the front ballast device; the weight of the rear ballast device; the weight of the pairs of tires; the tire type and/or air pressure of the front pair of tires; the tire type and/or air pressure of the rear pair of tires; a strategy for automatic tire pressure adjustment; a crawling behavior strategy; a power requirement strategy; a processing quality strategy; a soil protection strategy; a driving comfort strategy; a strategy for power hop behavior; drive motor and/or gearbox parameters; cab data; oil circulation data; sequence management data; and fleet data. Examples of an environmental parameter including, but are not limited to: the presence or non-presence of a field; the soil type; the soil condition; the soil moisture content; the harvesting crop; the harvesting crop moisture content; weather data; GPS data and/or the degree of hilliness of the terrain. Other examples are described below.
In one implementation, the driver assistance system may operate in one or more modes, such as a preparation mode and at least one operating mode. Further, the driver assistance system may be switched between the preparation mode and at least one operating mode. The preparation mode allows the interactive setting to be carried by way of the input/output unit. Additionally, or alternatively, the operating mode allows the at least one operating parameter and/or environmental parameter to be stored or recorded and/or displayed while the agricultural working task is being performed. In one implementation, in addition to the preparation mode, at least two operating modes, including one operating mode for field work (e.g., operating field mode) and one operating mode for travelling on roads (e.g., operating travel mode), are provided. Depending on the selected mode, the operator is shown only the assigned information and selection options by the input/output unit.
In one implementation, the agricultural machine may store parameter(s), including any one, any combination, or all of: one or more of the aforementioned parameters; one or more of the work task-specific; or one or more of work unit-specific profiles. In a subsequent setting procedure, such stored data (including one or more parameters) may additionally or alternatively also be accessed. Further, in one implementation, the input/output unit may hide some of the stored data during the subsequent setting procedure. In this way, the input/output unit may provide certain values or value ranges as “best practice” for a subsequent setting process. Further, with regard to hiding values, values or value ranges which have led to a poor working results can be hidden accordingly. Storage of work task-specific and/or work unit-specific profiles makes particularly rapid setting of the agricultural machine and/or of the working unit possible.
Further, in one implementation, depending on the selected mode (e.g., preparation mode, respective operating mode) and/or the respective working task and/or working unit, the input/output unit may show only specifically assigned display sections and/or information. Therefore, depending on any one, any combination, or all of the mode, working task, or working unit, the input/output unit may show the operator specific sub-menus in order to simplify the setting process.
Referring to the figures,
In the disclosed agricultural machine 1, in one implementation, the interactive setting of the parameters of the agricultural machine 1 and/or the respective agricultural unit 2 may be performed in a symbol and/or image-based and guided manner, which is described below with respect to
The input/output unit 4 may be integrated in the agricultural machine 1 in one of several ways. For example,
The microprocessor 6 may comprise a type of controller, such as processor, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like. Storage medium 7 may comprise one or more types of storage medium, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Further, microprocessor 6 and storage medium 7 may be separate devices, communicating via an external bus. Alternatively, microprocessor 6 and storage medium 7 may be within the same device, communicating via an internal bus. Logic, such the functionality described here, may be implemented in software stored in storage medium 7 and/or stored within microprocessor 6, as discussed further below.
The input/output unit 4 is a unit comprising components configured to carrying out settings relating to an agricultural working task by an operator and configured to display the virtual operating elements 8 allowing the settings and for displaying information corresponding to the settings that are to be and/or have been made. In one implementation, the input/output unit 4 comprises a touchscreen 9 with which interactive setting of the respective parameter may be performed. Additionally, as part of the input/output unit 4, input/output means (which are not shown) may be provided on the outside of the agricultural machine 1 (such as outside of the cab of the agricultural machine 1).
As shown schematically in
Here, an agricultural working task and/or working unit 2 is specified by the operator, such as through a symbol and/or image-based and guided selection of a working task or working unit 2 from a group of selectable agricultural working tasks or working units 2. Additionally, or alternatively, the working unit 2 is specified without operator input. For example, responsive to the respective working unit 2 being connected to the agricultural machine 1 (e.g., connected to the agricultural machine 1 via a mechanical connection and/or a wired or wireless data connection), the agricultural machine may identify the respective working unit 2. Specifically, in this latter case, the driver assistance system 3 and/or the input/output unit 4 may automatically recognize the respective working unit 2 and then show to the operator on input/output unit 4 the preselected, adjustable parameters or values or value ranges which can still be changed with regard to the corresponding agricultural working task.
An interactive setting of parameters of the agricultural machine 1 is described below by way of example. Other interactive settings of the parameters are contemplated. As can be seen in
As can be seen from a comparison of
In a second display section 10b which is shown in
In
In yet another display section 10, shown in
If, instead, the operator were to decide on “fodder harvesting” as the superordinate agricultural working task, he/she could as a subordinate working task select, for example, one from the group comprising “grassland management”, “harvesting”, “silage” and/or a combination thereof. For the superordinate agricultural working task “others”, the subordinate working tasks could, for example, be a group comprising the agricultural working tasks “construction site”, “material handling”, “forestry work”, “transport”, “communal work” or combination thereof. In this way, the determination as to the superordinate agricultural working task may dictate the subordinate working task(s) displayed.
As shown in
The subordinate agricultural working tasks described here as an example which can be selected by the operator are shown here as a function of the previous settings of the respective superordinate agriculture working task. In principle, in an alternative implementation, however, it is possible to directly access the subordinate agricultural working tasks or working units 2.
After the agricultural working task and working unit 2 have been selected, which is then also shown in the first display section 10a in that both are shown optically or in a symbol or image-based manner, the operator now has the possibility of setting further parameters as a function of this working task and/or working unit 2, in this case and preferably operating parameters of the agricultural machine 1 and/or environmental parameters of the terrain.
Thus, for example in
Irrespective of the aforementioned soil conditions, further environmental parameters, such as also the presence and non-presence of a field, the type or harvested crop, the moisture content of the harvested crop, weather data, GPS data and/or the degree of hilliness of the terrain, may be shown, selected and/or adjusted. One, some or all of these parameters can additionally or alternatively be recorded or stored through suitable devices, for example sensor devices.
Additionally, or alternatively, operating parameters, such as the pairs of tires, the tire type, drive motor and/or gearbox parameters, cab data, for example the desired cab temperature, data about the oil circulation, sequence management data and/or fleet data, may also be displayed, adjusted and/or selected. These data too can at least in parts be recorded by appropriate devices, such as for example sensor devices.
After these adjustments of various parameters have been performed, further optional optimizations can be performed, which, in particular, may be working unit-specific or working task-specific, and are displayed (e.g., the optional optimizations may be specially envisaged for the respective agricultural working task or the respective working unit 2). For this, the operator can press the upper virtual operating element 8, shown in
The previously described settings of the driver assistance system 3 are all performed in a so-called preparation mode, which can be set via the input/output unit 4. For the subsequent performance of the corresponding agricultural working task, the driver assistance system 3 is switched via the input/output unit 4 into a corresponding operating mode, for example an operating mode for field work or an operating mode for travelling on roads, the latter in the event that the agricultural working task is performed on roads or on paved terrain. In the respective operating mode, some of the above-described parameters may be recorded by suitable devices of the agricultural machine 1 and can be then stored in a database of an internal and/or external storage medium 7. In such a database, work task-specific and/or work unit-specific profiles, in particular related to persons or an agricultural machine 1 can be stored. By calling up the stored data and in particular work task-related and/or work unit-specific profiles from the database or from the storage medium 7, a following setting procedure of the above-described type can be simplified or shortened. This can also be simplified in that frequently displayed/called up settings can be displayed before or via other settings in order to further speed up access thereto. Values or value ranges which have previously led to poor working results can also be hidden.
Additionally, or alternatively, particularly for optimization purposes, for example a strategy for automatic tire pressure adaptation, a creep behavior strategy, a processing quality strategy, a strategy for soil protection and the like can be selected and/or adapted. It is also contemplated to adapt the working efficiency, driving comfort or tendency to jerk when starting up (power hop behavior). This also takes place in a working task-specific and/or working unit-specific manner, preferably in the relevant operating mode. In one implementation, dialogue-based (manual) adaptation is performed.
Each of the items listed above may be associated with a single electronic device or may be combined within a single electronic device. Further, with regard to each separate electronic device, processing/memory functionality may be included. For example, any one, any combination, or all of the following may be in a single electronic device with associated with processing/memory functionality: input/output unit; driver assistance system; touchscreen; and GPS system.
The methods, devices, processing, circuitry, and logic described above may be implemented in many different ways and in many different combinations of hardware and software. As discussed above, a microprocessor 6 and a storage medium 7 may be used. The microprocessor 6 and a storage medium 7 are merely one example of a computational configuration. Other types of computational configurations are contemplated. For example, all or parts of the implementations may be circuitry that includes a type of controller, including as an instruction processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microcontroller, or a microprocessor; or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); or as circuitry that includes discrete logic or other circuit components, including analog circuit components, digital circuit components or both; or any combination thereof. The circuitry may include discrete interconnected hardware components or may be combined on a single integrated circuit die, distributed among multiple integrated circuit dies, or implemented in a Multiple Chip Module (MCM) of multiple integrated circuit dies in a common package, as examples.
Accordingly, the circuitry may store or access instructions for execution, or may implement its functionality in hardware alone. The instructions may implement the functionality described herein and may be stored in a tangible storage medium that is other than a transitory signal, such as a flash memory, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM); or on a magnetic or optical disc, such as a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CDROM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or other magnetic or optical disk; or in or on another machine-readable medium. A product, such as a computer program product, may include a storage medium and instructions stored in or on the medium, and the instructions when executed by the circuitry in a device may cause the device to implement any of the processing described above or illustrated in the drawings.
The implementations may be distributed. For instance, the circuitry may include multiple distinct system components, such as multiple processors and memories, and may span multiple distributed processing systems. Parameters, databases, and other data structures may be separately stored and managed, may be incorporated into a single memory or database, may be logically and physically organized in many different ways, and may be implemented in many different ways. Example implementations include linked lists, program variables, hash tables, arrays, records (e.g., database records), objects, and implicit storage mechanisms. Instructions may form parts (e.g., subroutines or other code sections) of a single program, may form multiple separate programs, may be distributed across multiple memories and processors, and may be implemented in many different ways. Example implementations include stand-alone programs, and as part of a library, such as a shared library like a Dynamic Link Library (DLL). The library, for example, may contain shared data and one or more shared programs that include instructions that perform any of the processing described above or illustrated in the drawings, when executed by the circuitry.
It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention can take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of the claimed invention. Finally, it should be noted that any aspect of any of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102017110109.8 | May 2017 | DE | national |
