Patent Application
20240130282
In an agricultural setting, product is moved into and out from a field using a combination of vehicles and equipment. Harvesters, such as combines, gather and collect target products from the field, and off-load the collected, harvested product to carts or trailers periodically during harvesting. Filled carts can subsequently be used to haul the product to a target storage facility, or off-load to a larger trailer that takes a collection of the carted product to the storage location. Further, some products may be dispersed in the field, such as chemical treatments, fertilizer, seeds, etc. Carts may be used to load product to a target piece of equipment, such as a seeder, to periodically refill the inventory stored on board.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. that can operably couple wit
One or more techniques and systems are described herein for to improve logistics, speed up operation, and provide more accurate information for the product and operation. As an example, during harvesting, data related to the harvested product can be collected in the field, and a filed cart can be automatically deployed during operation to the harvester for offloading product. When it is detected that the cart is aligned with the harvester, offloading can automatically commence at least until the product is offloaded. Data related to the product can be linked with the cart, and follow the product through on-road hauling, drying, storage and point of sale. In this way, the data can be aggregated and appropriately identified for each product sold.
In one implementation of a method for automatic load tracking and logistics for agricultural-related products, during operation of an agricultural vehicle, real-time data can be collected. The real-time data can indicate a location of the agricultural vehicle over time, and an amount of product disposed in a storage container in the agricultural vehicle over time. In this implementation, upon automatic determination that the amount of product disposed in the vehicle storage container has reached a first predetermined level, an alert can be activated that indicates deployment of a mobile product transport container to the agricultural vehicle. Further, upon automatic detection that the mobile product transport container has reached a product loading position with regard to the agricultural vehicle, a loading procedure can be automatically activated between the agricultural vehicle and the mobile product transport container. Additionally, upon automatic detection of the amount of product disposed in the vehicle storage container reaching a second predetermined level, the loading procedure between the agricultural vehicle and the mobile product transport container can be automatically deactivated.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter.
As described herein, a system can be devised that provides for an automatic identification and load tracking of grain or other products being transferred in-field during operations; and automatic collection and transfer of data associated with the target product. In one aspect, the system can be used to support any and all load tracking, in field product segregation decisions by operators, and automatic retrieval of scale data (e.g., weight) to support post calibration and processing of harvest data from target vehicle (e.g., harvesters, combines, etc., where product is off-loaded from the field). Further, the system may also be used with other types of in-field operations that utilize tendering of chemicals, fertilizer, and seed (e.g., loading to the field-based vehicle). The example, systems can provide information to support in-field decisions by Tractor/Cart operators and Truck/Trailer operators. For example, loads can be segregated by measured product (e.g., grain or other commodity) attribute, such as moisture content, quality of the product, protein amount, oil content, product damage (e.g., cracked kernel) occurrence, length of cut (e.g., for forage) or other measurable crop properties. Further, the information gathered can be automatically used for after the fact traceability to particular fields, and locations. For example, as data is collected during various events for a target product, the data can be transferred and follow the product to its final destination. As an example, this may reduce or eliminate manual entry of load-related information, and load attributes for tracking and logistics of a target product, such as from field to storage
In some implementation, in this aspect, the system can utilize Global Position System (GPS) data for location, along with time data, for a fleet of vehicles or product transfer containers utilized in a harvesting or planting (e.g., fertilizing, treating, etc.) operation, and the data the vehicles collect. As an example, the data can include signals that indicate when unloading or loading begins and ends during the course of operation. Further, as an example, metadata that has been previously identified/stored for characteristics of the equipment/vehicle can contain certain machine offsets (e.g., location/position offsets from/to the vehicle or equipment) to a specified point, such as the end of the unloading auger on a combine, and/or a pre-defined area of the top of a product transfer container (e.g., Grain Cart or Trailer) that is appropriate to accept grain (e.g., where the unloading auger can be positioned while unloading).
Additionally, in some implementations, the data can be collected at regular intervals (e.g., or continually) and curated into a remote operations center, and loaded to a database with spatial and temporal indexing capabilities. As one example, the data may be analyzed as it is collected for unload begin and end signals, and then, in combination with the location and time information, and the data records, determine which product transport container (e.g., grain cart or trailer) was positioned at a location at that time given known equipment dimensions and characteristics. In this example, once a match is identified, a “Virtual Load” record may be created or extended for the equipment receiving the load that contains pre-determined load metrics and characteristics, such as weight, volume, load time, condition of the product, and much more. As an example, this collection and curation of the data can be done automatically based on the load signals, location, and time match without need for operator intervention. Further, if the target transport container, such as a cart, already contains one or more portions of another load at the time of collection, the load quality information for all of the contained, partially filled loads can be aggregated together as appropriate for the circumstances.
As one example, a location sensor 110, such as a global positioning system (GPS) module, can be used to collect position data for the vehicle 150, and a local or remote clock 112 can be used to collect time (e.g., or the time may be identified from a wireless network that provides such data). The GPS data and time data can be used to determine the location, the heading, and/or the speed of the agricultural vehicle 150. For example, a fill sensor 114 (e.g., weight sensor, optical sensor, radar, density, fill-rate, or the like) can detect the amount of a product in the vehicle's storage container 152 (e.g., harvester product tank, seeder tank, fertilizer tank, etc.) to detect how much product is in the storage tank at various intervals, or continually. The amount of the product in the tank 152 over time can be used to determine a fill rate for the tank 152, or collection/dispersion rate. This data can be collected and processed by the data collection module 102. Further, for example, the collected data and/or the processed data can be stored locally in memory 106 and/or in remote storage 130 connected by a wireless network 132.
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For example, upon detecting that the product has reached the first pre-determined level 122 (e.g., in the on-board strange container 152), an alert 118a can be activated that indicates deployment of a mobile product transport container 154 (e.g., mobile storage transport) to the agricultural vehicle 150. That is, in one example, if the product in the vehicle storage tank 152 is a harvested product (e.g., grain, or other target product harvested from a farm field) the first pre-determined level 122 may be a high level that indicates the tank 152 needs to be emptied or offloaded. In this example, the alert 118a can indicate to an operator that they need to deploy the mobile storage transport 154 (e.g., grain cart) to the agricultural vehicle 150 to collect the offloaded product. In this way, for example, the mobile storage transport 154 can be deployed in time to collect the product from the agricultural vehicle 150 before the on-vehicle storage container 152 is completely full. In this way, the deployment of the mobile storage transport 154 can be appropriately timed to meet the agricultural vehicle 150 in the field while still operating (e.g., harvesting or dispersing) to mitigate down time. That is, for example, the first pre-determined level 122 can be selected such that the deployment of the mobile storage transport 154 meets the timing needs of the agricultural vehicle 150.
In another implementation, the first pre-determined level 122 may comprise a low level, such as when the agricultural vehicle 150 is dispersing the product from the on-board container 152 to a target field. That is, for example, a seeder vehicle may comprise an on-board container in which seed is stored and deployed from, into the field. In this example, the first pre-determined level 122 can indicate that a mobile storage transport 154 with seed on-board is deployed to reload the vehicle container 152 with more seed. As before, the first pre-determined level 122 can be selected such that seed deployment may be continued while the mobile storage transport 154 is deployed for reloading in the field.
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A variety of technology and methods may be used to automatically detect that the mobile storage transport 154 is in an appropriate position for a loading operation with the operating vehicle 150. For example, a proximity beacon can be disposed on the vehicle 150 and/or the mobile storage transport 154 that can automatically detect when the mobile storage transport 154 in in an appropriate loading position, such as by wireless contact between the units. As another example, a camera (e.g., or other optical scanner) can be disposed on the agricultural vehicle 150 to detect when the transport container 154 has arrived at the appropriate loading location. Further, in some implementations, the optical scanner or camera can identify an ID badge, such as a scannable code (e.g., QR code, barcode, other scannable code) that identifies or is associated with the mobile storage transport 154. In this way, for example, characteristics associated with the mobile storage transport 154, such as capacity, type, product already stored, etc. As another example, vehicle position data may be provided, such as GPS, for both the vehicle 150 and mobile storage transport 154, to identify when they are proximate and/or in position for a loading operation.
As described above, when it is automatically detected that the mobile product transport container 154 has reached the product loading position proximate the agricultural vehicle 150, the product storage level monitoring component 116 automatically activates a loading procedure 118b between the agricultural vehicle 150 and the mobile product transport container 154. That is, for example, the agricultural vehicle 150 may automatically activate an offloading procedure of the product from the on-board storage 152 to the mobile storage transport 154, when the mobile storage transport 154 is detected. As another example, the mobile storage transport 154 may automatically activate a vehicle loading procedure of the product from the mobile storage transport 154 to the vehicle's container 152, when the mobile storage transport 154 is detected. Alternately, an alert can be automatically provided to the vehicle's operator when the mobile storage transport 154 is in place, who may manually active the loading procedure. Additionally, in some implementations, upon activation of the loading procedure, data associated with the target product (e.g., product condition, type, etc.) can be transferred to, and/or associated with the mobile product transport container 154, in a remote database. In this way, for example, the information about the target product can travel (e.g., in a database) with the target product as it moves through a processing cycle (e.g., from field to storage).
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As an illustrative example, with continued reference to
In this example, in some implementations, a local area network connection 260 may be formed between the agricultural vehicle 150 and the mobile storage transport 154, or a network can be formed between them using a remote wireless network 132. In this way, information regarding the characteristics of the product (e.g., amount, such as weight or volume, type of product, condition, location of product collection, measured product attributes, such as moisture content, quality of the product, protein amount, oil content, product damage (e.g., cracked kernel) occurrence, length of cut (e.g., for forage) or other measurable crop properties, etc.), along with position of the vehicles, characteristics of the loading procedure (e.g., begin, end, in process), and other information can be shared. Further, upon detecting the appropriate position of the mobile storage transport 154 with regard to the agricultural vehicle 150, a product transfer device 258 can be deployed to begin the loading procedure 118b.
In this example, the fill sensor 114 can detect when the product has reached the pre-determined level (e.g., second level 124, either full or empty depending on the loading procedure). When the pre-determined level is reach, the loading operation de-activation operation 118c can be activated, thereby ending the loading procedure between the vehicles 150, 154. In these examples, the agricultural vehicle 150 can comprise a harvester 266 that collects products (e.g., grain or other agricultural goods) from the field, stores them locally in the agricultural vehicle storage container 152, then offloads them to the mobile container 256 of the mobile storage transport 154. As another example, the agricultural vehicle 150 can comprise a product dispersion component 264, such as a seeder, fertilizer, etc., that disperses products (e.g., seeds, agricultural chemicals, etc.) to the field, from the local vehicle storage container 152, then can be reloaded from the mobile container 256 of the mobile storage transport 154.
In one aspect, operators pick up loads of harvested product from the harvesters in the field, such as using field carts pulled by a tractor. Often, the loads are subsequently transported to another location, such as the edge of a field, and loaded into a separate, larger trailer (e.g., truck trailer) for transport from the farm, such as to a static storage location (e.g., silo). Often, harvesting is stopped while the harvester offloads the product. The systems described herein can not only be used to aggregate and track appropriate product information, but to help align the field cart with the harvester during continued harvesting, and collect information about the offloading process and resulting product.
As one example, as illustrated in
As an example, as illustrated, harvester stored product information/harvester load metrics 408, such as moisture content of the product, amount unloaded from on-board storage, etc., can be uploaded to the logistics system. Additionally, mobile storage product information/cart load metrics 410, such as weight, moisture, amount of change on-board, etc., can be uploaded to the logistics system. As an example, the logistics system can have a database of stored information (e.g., 130) stored using a remote network, such as cloud storage and processing (e.g., 132), In this way for example, the harvester stored product information/harvester load metrics 408 can be linked to the mobile storage product information/cart load metrics 410 in the database, and used to aggregate the data for logistics according to a desired use. For example, instead of manual documentation of the type, location, moisture content, time, and other characteristics of the harvested product, the information can be collected automatically and may be linked to specific harvesters, carts, and other transports. In this way, when transported for sale or storage the automatically collected and aggregated information can be easily linked to the product. As one example, once the tractor/cart 350 is identified, its data can be used to verify unloaded quantity. Harvester load metrics 408 can be assigned to cart load metrics 410 automatically for aggregation, tracking and in-field decision making. This can be automatic and can be done in the cloud with the presence of both harvester and cart/tractor data streams.
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As one example, then the loading operation is activated 118b (e.g., offloading) several actions can be triggered. The status or state of the product transfer device 258 (e.g., auger) is identified (e.g., extended—yes/no, operating—yes/no, transfer rate, etc.), and can be placed into the appropriate condition. Further, the status of the power take off (PTO) can be identified and activated if needed to run the auger. In some implementations, a detector can be positioned to detect the status of the product transfer device 258, such as the rate, condition, etc., and/or whether the product is being offloaded from the auger, such as by using a camera or other scanner. Additionally, a detector can be used to identify the flow rate of the offloaded product, such as using a scanner (e.g., optical) or the like. Power consumption can be monitored to detect a change in state, which may help identify loading characteristics, such as loading rate, activation/deactivation, etc., such as by monitoring electrical current, hydraulic flow rate, speeds, and/or shaft torques of drive shafts. In some implementations, the operator of the vehicle can activate/deactivate based on sensed conditions, or the processes can begin/end automatically. As illustrated above, the change in weight of the respective vehicles can be monitored to detect amount and rate of flow; and/or a change in the level or height of the vehicle can be monitored to detect amount or flow rate.
As illustrated, in
The hauling in the field undertaken by field carts/tractors can provide cart data 610, such as speed, location, % full, and cart weight. During offloading, the predictive feed rate control 612 and a predictive feed rate 614 can be used to identify and control load data 616, such as weight, moisture, quality, and variety. Similarly, when the cart transports the collected product to the trailer for on-road hauling, the load data 616 follows the product, and can be used to identify load characteristics from each cart loading to the trailer. The cart load data 620 can be loaded to the logistics scheduler 600 to be aggregated and associated with the trailer load. Hauling data 622 from/to the logistics scheduler 600 can include the bin capacity and bin location for the storage location to which the trailer is heading, and load data and hauling rate for the trailer.
In
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Additionally, the tender load data 722 can identify characteristics of each load tendered, and the on-road hauling data 724, such as location of collection bin, amount needed for planting, can be identified. As before, the per load data and haul rate can also be identified and loaded to the logistics scheduler 600. In
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Further, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
The implementations have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
